PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Leonardo Da Silva (ranked 1580 p4p, 1338 weight class) and Mordechai Kowalczyk (ranked 173 p4p, 149 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Da Silva might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Llif3. Kowalczyk comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Nocturne op. 9 no.2- Frederic Chopin kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Da Silva
vs
Kowalczyk

167 cm
43
145
43 - 23 - 0

175 cm
34
145
21 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Leonardo Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mordechai Kowalczyk!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalczyk moves away from the strike by Da Silva.
Da Silva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalczyk connects with a good right hand that stumbles Da Silva. Da Silva circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kowalczyk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Da Silva.
Kowalczyk with a hook.
Kowalczyk lands with a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kowalczyk throws a hook to the side of Da Silva's head but Da Silva sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Da Silva checks the leg kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a low kick as Da Silva jumps back.
Da Silva was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kowalczyk scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kowalczyk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Da Silva.
Kowalczyk works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kowalczyk lands an overhand right.
A swing and a miss from Kowalczyk.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Da Silva lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kowalczyk bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Da Silva's head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Da Silva.
Kowalczyk lands a leg kick that knocks Da Silva off balance momentarily.
Da Silva tries to score with a low kick but Kowalczyk moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kowalczyk tests Da Silva's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kowalczyk checks a leg kick.
Da Silva uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook. Da Silva ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick from Da Silva misses.
Da Silva throws a leg kick that misses.
Kowalczyk comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kowalczyk swings for the body but Da Silva moves out of range.
Da Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kowalczyk sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kowalczyk feints a counter leg kick.
Da Silva misses with a low kick.
Mordechai Kowalczyk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Da Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kowalczyk will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A quick step to the side and Da Silva tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalczyk throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kowalczyk checks a leg kick nicely.
Da Silva takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Da Silva ducks right into an uppercut from Kowalczyk.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kowalczyk scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva checks a leg kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a low kick.
Kowalczyk wants to land a leg kick but Da Silva is out of range.
Da Silva was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Da Silva pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Da Silva uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kowalczyk.
Mordechai Kowalczyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot.
Da Silva quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Kowalczyk avoids a kick to the body.
Da Silva throws a hook but Kowalczyk blocks it.
Da Silva on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Da Silva misses with a lunging right hand
and Kowalczyk counters with a nice leg kick.
Kowalczyk bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Da Silva's head.
Kowalczyk tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kowalczyk is looking to score with low kicks.
Da Silva half committed to a counter leg kick.
Nice shot by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot.
Kowalczyk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Da Silva.
Da Silva misses with a body punch
and Kowalczyk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kowalczyk closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Da Silva checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Da Silva feints and as Kowalczyk raises his hands in defense, Da Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kowalczyk manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Da Silva manages to get himself to full guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kowalczyk wants to pass the guard but Da Silva is keeping the position.
Da Silva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kowalczyk is one step ahead there.
Kowalczyk is pushing down on Da Silva's leg trying to pass to half guard. Da Silva is fighting to maintain full guard but Kowalczyk has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk prevents Da Silva from improving his position.
Da Silva is trying to maintain the position but Kowalczyk is very close to passing his half guard.
Kowalczyk is trying to control the action in half guard but Da Silva is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kowalczyk trying to mount his opponent but Da Silva defends it.
Kowalczyk is looking to take a break and control but Da Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mordechai Kowalczyk dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Da Silva misses with a low kick as Kowalczyk jumps back.
Kowalczyk lands a slapping body shot.
Da Silva works the jab nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Kowalczyk misses the target.
Kowalczyk connects with a leg kick.
Da Silva scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kowalczyk is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kowalczyk takes a swing at Da Silva's ribcage but misses.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Da Silva dives in for a single leg takedown but Kowalczyk sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kowalczyk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalczyk pushes Da Silva back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kowalczyk breaks from the clinch.
Da Silva misses with a looping left.
Mordechai Kowalczyk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick from Kowalczyk misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Silva shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk defends it nicely.
Kowalczyk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leonardo Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk blocks a low kick nicely.
Da Silva misses with a hook.
Da Silva dips to his left and cracks Kowalczyk with an uppercut!
Da Silva connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kowalczyk momentarily.
Kowalczyk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Da Silva is out of range and Kowalczyk settles back down.
Good work by Kowalczyk as he checks the leg kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a low kick as Da Silva jumps back.
Da Silva throws a chopping leg kick but Kowalczyk manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kowalczyk misses with a straight left.
Kowalczyk takes a swing at Da Silva's ribcage but misses.
Da Silva tests Kowalczyk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kowalczyk attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Da Silva on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Da Silva lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kowalczyk misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva lands a jab to Kowalczyk's midsection.
Kowalczyk throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kowalczyk checks a leg kick nicely.
Kowalczyk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kowalczyk fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Da Silva has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kowalczyk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Da Silva pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kowalczyk lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kowalczyk misses with a leg kick.
Da Silva blocks a low kick nicely.
Da Silva throws a quick inside leg kick.
Da Silva drops his hands momentarily and Kowalczyk takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Da Silva uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kowalczyk has time to react.
A low kick from Kowalczyk misses
and Da Silva counters with a nice leg kick.
Kowalczyk loads up on a big right hand but Da Silva slips the punch.
Kowalczyk checks a leg kick.
Kowalczyk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kowalczyk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Da Silva throws out the jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Da Silva.
Kowalczyk loads up on a big right hand but Da Silva slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk scores with a punch to the head.
Kowalczyk throws a body punch but Da Silva moves out of range.
That kick from Kowalczyk tenderised Da Silva's leg. Da Silva is trying to keep his angry face on.
Da Silva checks a low kick from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Da Silva.
Kowalczyk attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Da Silva wants to slow Kowalczyk down by chopping away at his legs.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook.
Kowalczyk swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Da Silva throwing a counter right hand but Kowalczyk manages to avoid it.
Kowalczyk checks the leg kick nicely there.
Da Silva moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Da Silva swings for the body but Kowalczyk moves out of range.
Kowalczyk chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Da Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Kowalczyk throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Da Silva stands and throws Kowalczyk's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Da Silva tries for a kimura but Kowalczyk is defending well.
Da Silva controlling the position from side mount.
Kowalczyk looks to move to half guard but instead Da Silva has passed into mount! Damn!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mordechai Kowalczyk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Da Silva checks the leg kick.
Kowalczyk wants to slow Da Silva down by chopping away at his legs.
Da Silva steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kowalczyk.
Da Silva takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The fighters circling - Kowalczyk throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick that misses.
Kowalczyk throws a hook but Da Silva blocks it.
Kowalczyk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters circle momentarily. Da Silva darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kowalczyk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Da Silva sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kowalczyk feints and then cracks Da Silva's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Da Silva down.
Kowalczyk thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kowalczyk tries to work over Da Silva's front leg with a kick but Da Silva checks it.

Da Silva drives through with a takedown into Kowalczyk's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kowalczyk is wriggling around but Da Silva manages to pass to half guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kowalczyk is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk is still trying to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kowalczyk won't allow Da Silva to pass to mount.
Kowalczyk is pressing down on Da Silva's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kowalczyk wants to stand up but Da Silva is controlling him.
Kowalczyk working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Da Silva trying to control but Kowalczyk is working from the bottom.
Kowalczyk has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Da Silva has passed into side control.
Kowalczyk manages to work his way to half guard, despite Da Silva's best efforts.
Da Silva tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kowalczyk knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Da Silva seems to be working for a kimura but Kowalczyk defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva wants to pass the guard but Kowalczyk is defending well.
Leonardo Da Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonardo Da Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Da Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Da Silva throws a jab when Kowalczyk was well out of range.
Da Silva takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Da Silva lands a jab to Kowalczyk's midsection.
Da Silva has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kowalczyk.
Da Silva stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk scores with a punch to the head.
Kowalczyk moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kowalczyk with a nice calf kick.
Da Silva takes one to the side of the head.
Da Silva chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kowalczyk can pounce on him.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot.
Kowalczyk connects with the punch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kowalczyk checks a leg kick.
Kowalczyk feints a counter leg kick.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut. Da Silva saw that one coming.
A quick step to the side and Da Silva tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mordechai Kowalczyk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kowalczyk scores with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mordechai Kowalczyk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kowalczyk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mordechai Kowalczyk!
Mordechai Kowalczyk seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.