A controversial stoppage marred an otherwise great fight between Claudio Silva and Danny Roberts at UFC London.
Claudio Silva went to the leg kick right away, landing a pair and having a head kick blocked in between. Silva continued to land leg kicks, and Roberts was able to land a jab one minute in. After an exchange of missed haymakers, Silva took down Roberts and quickly passed to half guard. Although it took some work, Silva was able to pass to side control. The Brazilian was moving around effortlessly on the mat, going to half guard and mount. Silva postured up in mount, threw a couple of punches, then went for an arm triangle when Roberts gave the desired reaction. Roberts was able to spin out of it and end the round with ground-and-pound from top position.
Danny Roberts landed a big left hand that rocked Silva, but Silva’s desperation takedown worked. Silva easily got to mount, and as Roberts wall-walked, the referee stopped the action to say that Roberts had his toes in the fence, placing Silva back in mount. Silva went for another arm-triangle that Roberts was able to spin out of and stand up. Roberts rocked Silva again, then clinched up. Roberts landed another hard shot and Silva was able to get a takedown. Roberts again was able to resist Silva’s submissions and secure top position by the end of the round.
Danny Roberts rocked Silva to start the final round, then took Silva down. Silva threw his legs up for an armbar and locked it in. Roberts stood up and slammed Silva down, Silva held on, and as Roberts spun to escape, the referee stopped the fight due to an alleged verbal submission from Roberts.
See for yourself:
Claudio Silva survives the spike long enough for a verbal submission #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/xvjkyI3JYL
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 16, 2019
Claudio Silva def. Danny Roberts by Submission (Armbar) in Round 3 (3:37)
