BFL82: Night of Champions Main Event Review

January 25, 2025

A famous quote by General George S. Patton Jr. reads “Pressure makes Diamonds”, and for BFL World Featherweight Champion Radley Da Silva, he is now one step closer to “diamond status”. The matchup had all the hype necessary for a must-see Main Event, a hungry young champion, coming off the biggest highlight of 2024 when he landed “the Kick Heard Round the World” in a 2nd round spinning heel kick finish that garnered over a million views across social media. Standing across the cage from him in this fight, would be an even tougher matchup then we all expected; a grizzled veteran with triple the amount of wins and experience, ready to grasp the elusive Featherweight title.

The confidence of Brokenshire was apparent from the moment he walked into the cage; the usual theatrics of the high flying young opponent, the bright lights beaming down into the cage, the electric madness of the fighter introductions… nothing could faze “The Eternal Fire”. With the round starting with an early barrage by the champion, including a repeat kick that sent his previous opponent to the mat, Brokenshire weathered the storm early. Just when it looked like a takedown would put Da Silva in an advantageous position, Brokenshire showed why he deserved to be in there with the champion. An extremely tight heel hook applied like a python looked like it nearly broke the ankle of the champion. As Da Silva grimaced in pain in front of our announce team, it looked like it was a wrap for the challenger and the dream of making it to the UFC for Da Silva would be shattered. But this is where diamonds are forged. Digging deep, Da Silva composed himself like a true champion, working to find a position that took away the leverage of the challenger and managed to find himself on top once again. Another scramble for position between the two led to Da Silva finding himself on top at the end of the round, this time fired up and doubling his determination to finish the challenger.

Starting round 2, “Snake Eyes” utilized his unpredictable striking to get into a takedown and took control of the fight from there. A barrage of strikes and constantly working to advance his position, Da Silva landed what was the turning point in the fight midway through round 2 with a razor sharp elbow that opened up a deep cut. With plasma flowing all over the two combatants, Da Silva managed to move to side control, then back control, and sunk in the eventual fight ending rear-naked choke. A valiant effort for the challenger, but most importantly a fight that put the champion in a tough position that allowed him to overcome the immense pressure. Diamonds are meant to shine, and the (7-1) Champion Da Silva now has two, 1 million view finishes across social media with the bloody finish over Brokenshire. Can DWCS or event a direct call up to the UFC be next for him in 2025?

View the exciting replay of this event on UFC Fight Pass:

BFL 82: Night of Champions

The prelims can be viewed here on YouTube:

BFL82: Night of Champions Prelims