PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Silva (ranked 6493 p4p, 523 weight class) and Manu Tau (ranked 3491 p4p, 376 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Silva
vs
Tau

195 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services (80%)
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rickson Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Manu Tau!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Lou da Vinci and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tau is fending him off so far but Silva persists. Nope, Tau circles away and we're back to standing.
Tau with the counter takedown but Silva avoids it easily.
Silva will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Silva stuffs the takedown.
Silva fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tau tries to score a power double leg takedown but Silva sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tau somewhat.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tau enables Silva to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tau manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tau has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Silva has managed to get both his arms back between Tau's legs - danger averted.
Tau keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva passes Tau's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Tau looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Silva moves nicely into side control.

Silva is trying to get an arm triangle but Tau is defending well.

Silva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tau knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tau throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Tau is looking to reverse the position.

Silva tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tau gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tau won't allow Silva to pass to mount.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tau has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tau flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tau manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Silva passes Tau's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Silva wants to free his trapped foot but Tau is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tau is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Silva moves nicely into side control.

Silva is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tau has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tau tries to buck Silva off but Silva is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tau is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tau is trying to improve his position.

Silva tries for a kimura but Tau is defending well.
Tau is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Silva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tau is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tau tries to buck Silva off but Silva is having none of it.

Silva working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Silva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tau is looking for a sweep.

Silva tries for a kimura but Tau is defending well.

Silva in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Tau is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rickson Silva!
During a confident post fight interview, Rickson Silva thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.