PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Book (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franz Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Book
vs
Silva

182 cm
25
272 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

205 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight 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, Tommy Book!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franz Silva!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva looks to throw the jab but Book is out of range.
Book tries to counter with a takedown but Silva is quick to defend against it.
Book keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silva throws the left hand but Book avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Silva misses the target.

Silva closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Silva prevents Book from improving his position.
Silva is looking to advance position but Book won't allow it.
Book is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Silva's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Silva's back!
Silva trying to control the hands but Book won't let him.

Silva fending off the submission attempt from Book.
Silva rolls, trying to escape but Book keeps control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Book gets his way!
Silva rolls, trying to escape but Book keeps control of the position.

Silva fending off the submission attempt from Book.

Book is looking for the choke from the back position but Silva is controlling his hands well.

Book looking for the RNC.

Silva defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Book's arms.

Silva fending off the submission attempt from Book.
Book is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to break free.
Silva breaks Book's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Silva advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Book sneaks back into half guard.
Silva is pressing down on Book's thigh, looking to free his foot. Book is holding on for now.

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Book is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Silva moves nicely into side control.
Silva is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Book's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to take a break and control but Book is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Silva tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Book tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Silva wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Silva wants to control but Book is keeping him busy.

Silva is trying to get an arm triangle but Book is defending well.
The referee asks Silva politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Silva prefers to stall for the moment though.
Silva is looking to take a break and control but Book is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Book struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is staying tight to Book's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Silva trying to control the action but Book is working from the bottom.
Silva working the ground and pound but Book is defending the strikes.
Book is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Book is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franz Silva dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silva feints and as Book raises his hands in defense, Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Book is keeping the position for now.
Silva won't allow Book to sweep him here.
Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Book is retaining full guard.
Silva pushing down on Book's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Silva is thwarting Book's attempts to control the position.

Silva is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Book sees it coming and defends easily.
Book gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva trying to control but Book is working from the bottom.
Book might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Book throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Book keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Silva passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Silva. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Book is not content to let Silva control the position.
Book sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Silva prevents Book from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Silva passes the guard and advances to mount!
Silva content just to control the position here.
Silva seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Book is holding on tight.
Silva is still trying to improve position.

Silva moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Book has worked his arm free - good work by Book!

Silva tries for a kimura but Book is defending well.
Book tries to bench press Silva off him but Silva keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Book is not content to let Silva control the position.

Silva tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Silva has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Book is looking to regain half guard here but Silva keeps moving and retains side control.
Silva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Book keeps working.

Silva tries for a kimura but Book is defending well.
Silva taking a breather here.
Silva trying to control the position but Book is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Book is looking for a sweep.

Silva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Book knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Book is looking for a sweep.
Silva in side control, throwing shots but Book defends.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sloppy strikes there by Silva.
Silva controls the position from side control.
Silva trying to control the position but Book is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franz Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva throws a body shot but no joy.
Book slips under a jab from Silva.
Silva pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Silva misses the target.
Franz Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Book is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva misses with a hook.
Book will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Book shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Silva but Silva pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Book. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Book.

Silva closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Book did well to prevent Silva getting side control.
Silva prevents Book from improving his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva tries to pass the half guard into mount. Book knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva moves into full mount! Book won't be happy about that!
Silva takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Book avoids a series of strikes thrown by Silva.
Silva moves to take his opponent's back.
Book rolls, trying to escape but Silva keeps control of the position.

Book defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Silva's arms.

Silva has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Book! Can he survive? No! He's out! Silva gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Franz Silva!
A relieved looking Franz Silva thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.