Leandro Silva earns decision win over Efrain Escudero in Monterrey
Leandro Silva opened the FS1 UFC Fight Night main card with a victory in Monterrey, Saturday. The Brazilian continued his win streak with a unanimous decision win that saw him demonstrate impressive technique on the feet and on the ground.
Scores were 29-28 from all three ringside judges in favor of "Buscape". The former TUF winner and coach Escudero fought hard and fought best in the second round, in front of a friendly Mexican crowd.
The first and third rounds were all Silva, however. In the first, Escudero stalked Silva and pressed him against the fence with his footwork.
However, the kickboxer and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt showed impressive defense of the American wrestler's takedown attempts and hurt him with multiple left hooks to the body. Silva really began to tee-off on Escudero with straight punches to the head as the round ended.
In the second, Escudero found success with takedowns and top-position ground grappling. His corner told him to fight harder for the takedown -- instead of using the positions to simply rest -- and he took their advice.
Escudero timed Silva's punches well, changed levels and scored a takedown. A second one came not too long afterwards, after catching a kick.
Despite attempts to use his butterfly guard to create space and get up, as well as a deep half guard to try a sweep, Silva spent all but the final few seconds of the round from there on out on his back. Escudero scored nicely with short punches and elbows from on top.
In the third and final round, Silva's takedown defense was once more on-point as he successfully defended all of Escudero's tries. With his opponent visibly tiring, Silva sprawled out on another shot and then took Escudero's back.
From there, he looked for a twister cervical lock and a rear-naked choke. Though Silva was unable to finish the fight with a submission, he dominated the rest of the round, and it was enough to earn the nod from the judges.
The win improves Silva's record to 19-2-1, and drops Escudero's to 25-10.
