What is the Matrix? The answer is out there — and Kyler Phillips was looking to show it Saturday night. Kyler “Matrix” Phillips was making his UFC debut, just weeks out from a highlight reel head kick under the LFA banner earlier this month. That went down on February 1. Now, at UFC Norfolk on February 29, he was set to take on Gabriel Silva.
Silva, the younger brother of former UFC star Erick Silva, had impressed in a debut loss to Ray Borg last year. While he didn’t come out with the win, he did go the distance with the former title challenger.
So what is the matrix? Unfortunately, no one can be told what The Matrix is. You’ll have to see it for yourself. Or, you know, read this recap. We’ll stop with the movie puns now.
Silva was the aggressor early on in this one, but Phillips was doing a good job landing off his back foot. Silva was walking Phillips down, while Phillips was landing on the outside. ‘Matrix’ was just doing a lot more, having his way teeing off on Silva but Silva wasn’t fazed. Phillips was throwing a lot of head kicks but was also doing better slipping punches and countering on Silva. Basically just putting a lot of output on him. Silva was able to get a takedown at the end of the round but Phillips did get back to his feet quickly.
Combos on combos by @Kymatrix! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/HW7QNBTneL
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Silva tried to get Phillips to the mat to start round two, taking the back of Phillips while standing. Phillips landed on top and would take the back standing himself in a back and forth affair in the clinch. Silva was able to finally get Silva to the mat. It didn’t last long as Silva was poor with position and Phillips got top position. The round came to a close with some good hammer fists landed by Phillips.
🔨Hammer fists by @Kymatrix 👀 #UFCNorfolk
📺Watch it live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/pwezFemlCD
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Silva was looking great to start round three, landing a combination of stikes followed up with a wheel kick and a flying knee. That didn’t last. Soon Phillips was having his way with Silva on the feet, yet he still took Silva down with a well-timed takedown. A failed anaconda choke from Phillips resulted in Silva getting back to his feet. That didn’t last long either though, as Silva got another takedown. Phillips was just too much on the mat moving effortlessly floating on top while landing good punches. Silva made his way to the feet at the bell, just too little too late.
Official Result: Kyler Phillps def. Gabriel Silva by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
