After a rough two years in and outside the cage, ‘The Tazmexican Devil’ Ray Borg got back on the board with a nice win over tough prospect Gabriel Silva at UFC San Antonio.
Debuting in the UFC is a big deal. Doing so against a former title-challenger is an even bigger deal. That’s the task that was ahead of promotional newcomer Gabriel Silva heading into UFC San Antonio. The 24-year-old Brazilian was 7-0 before the event, coming off of a first-round finish in his Legacy Fighting Alliance debut in March. This run of bouts is the first time Silva has fought twice in one year in his professional MMA career, which dates back to 2011.
Silva’s opponent, Ray Borg, is fighting for the second time in 2019 as well. That’s after a turbulent 2018 which saw Borg have two fights cancelled. He’s fought just once since his title-fight loss to Demetrious Johnson in October of 2017. In his previous fight this year, Borg missed weight, even after making the move to bantamweight from flyweight. That marked the third time Borg had missed weight in his last six bouts. At UFC San Antonio, Borg had the opportunity to put all of that behind him and get back in the win column after back-to-back losses.
Round 1
Borg, being more well known for his grappling, played a large part trying to get the Brazilian on his back. A flurry from Silva forced Borg to push him against the fence to work to the legs of Silva. Borg was the one who was taken down going for the guillotine, to allow Silva to get the single leg. Borg, who’s always tough to keep down, was thrown down to the mat briefly by Silva a few more times by the end of the round. The scrambles of Borg kept him out of danger. But he was the one having to fight defensively.
Cageside Press Scored the Round a 10-9 for Silva
Round 2
Borg opened up the second round by immediately hitting a double leg takedown. Silva, the longer guy, showed his craft as he quickly reversed positions putting Borg on his back. In many of Borg’s fights, you will see the excellent scrambles, as Silva did have the back. But Borg turned toward him, getting on top. Borg ended the round with him on the back of the Brazilian in dominant position.
Cageside Press Scored the Round a 10-9 for Borg
Round 3
Borg was the much fresher fighter going into the last round, with Silva breathing hard. The constant pressure and cardio of Borg broke Silva throughout round three. Not only with slick grappling, but with four takedowns, securing the round. Borg did a great job clasping his hands together getting the double leg, and making Silva carry his weight in the final round.
Cageside Press Scored the Round a 10-9 for Borg
Huge slam!@TazmexUFC is racking up the takedowns. #UFCSanAntonio pic.twitter.com/eiB9uCL2Pf
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2019
Ray Borg def. Gabriel Silva by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Check out the rest of the results from UFC San Antonio here!
