The hotly-anticipated featherweight clash between Jean Silva and Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314 was always going to produce something special, and Silva rose to the occasion to deliver an emphatic performance as he finished Mitchell in the second round.
After an ill-tempered build-up to the fight, Silva looked to maintain a level of sportsmanship by offering glove touches at the starts of both Round 1 and Round 2. But, on both occasions, a locked-in Mitchell blanked him.
But, when the action got underway, Silva dictated the terms throughout. The Brazilian used most of the first round to download information as he feinted his way through the opening three and a half minutes before letting his strikes go with venom, to great effect.
One blitz from Silva led to Mitchell shooting for a takedown, but “Lord” locked up a tight guillotine choke that threatened to finish the fight. However, “Thugnasty” did well to survive the hold, and the round, as they returned to their stools after a fascinating opening five minutes.
After another glove touch offer from Silva was blanked, the action resumed at the start of Round 2 and Silva almost immediately dropped the Arkansas native with a stiff straight right hand.
Silva upped the intensity and started to let his strikes go from all angles – and was perhaps guilty of showboating a little too much as Mitchell entered survival mode.
But the finish did eventually come, as Mitchell attempted to scramble his way into a takedown, only for Silva to snatch up a ninja choke that forced the tap from Mitchell, who went unconscious immediately after.
It was an emphatic finish from Silva, who showed that his submission skills are every bit as dangerous as his striking.
UFC 314: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) – for vacant featherweight title
- Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO (ground strikes) – Round 3, 3:07
- Yair Rodriguez def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via submission (ninja choke) – Round 2, 3:52
- Dominick Reyes def. NIkita Krylov via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:24
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Dan Ige def. Sean Woodson via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:12
- Virna Jandiroba def. Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:15
EARLY PRELIMS
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Sedriques Dumas via TKO (punches and elbows) – Round 1, 2:49
- Su Mudaerji def. Mitch Raposo via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marco Tulio def. Tresean Gore via TKO (punch) – Round 2, 3:16
- Nora Cornolle def. Hailey Cowan via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:52
