PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joulu Pukki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Pukki
vs
Silva

179 cm
31
215 lbs
25 - 10 - 0

185 cm
28
220 lbs
18 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joulu Pukki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Junior Silva!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pukki tries a head kick but it misses.
Silva dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Silva shoots in looking for a takedown but Pukki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Silva's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Silva preventing the sweep.
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pukki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Pukki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pukki working a defensive guard here.
Pukki wants to stand up but Silva is controlling him.
Silva content to stall in guard here.
Silva has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva throws a body punch but Pukki moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pukki.
Pukki connects with a leg kick. Silva looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Pukki misses with a body kick.

Pukki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pukki showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pukki is thwarting Silva's attempts to control the position.
Ground and pound from Pukki.
Pukki trying to pass the guard but Silva defending well.
Silva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Silva is looking for a triangle but Pukki pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki trying to stand up but can't free himself from Silva's guard.

Silva looking for a guillotine here but Pukki defends easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silva controls Pukki momentarily but Pukki frees himself.
Pukki trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pukki stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.

Silva has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pukki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pukki throwing strikes but missing.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.
Silva utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pukki defends it easily.
Pukki stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.
Pukki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.

Silva had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pukki defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joulu Pukki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pukki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Silva manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Silva trying to control from the bottom.
Silva moves into full guard.
Pukki postures up.
Pukki wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Pukki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Silva is adopting a defensive guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Pukki lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pukki is one step ahead there.
Silva working a defensive guard here.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Pukki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Silva dives on top into guard.
Pukki working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki wants to stand but Silva is controlling the position.
Silva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pukki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Junior Silva has got the better of the ground game so far.
Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Pukki gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Silva working a defensive guard here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Silva holds on and takes a little breather.
Pukki trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pukki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pukki wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Joulu Pukki just wasn't active enough.
Silva connects with a crisp jab.
Pukki throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Silva changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pukki looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Silva is looking to take a break and control but Pukki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Silva is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pukki has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki manages to work his way to half guard, despite Silva's best efforts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pukki tries to roll over but Silva keeps him under control.
Pukki wants to get back to his feet.

Silva is working for a submission of some sort.
Pukki trying to get back to full guard but Silva takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pukki keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Junior Silva will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A slow jab from Pukki misses its intended target.
Pukki lands a nice looking body kick.
Silva lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Silva missing with a left hand there. Pukki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pukki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Silva manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pukki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Silva moves out of range of the leg kick from Pukki.
Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Silva changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Joulu Pukki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Silva.
Silva uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Pukki has time to react.
Silva looks to land a left hand but Pukki moved out of range nicely.
Pukki throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Silva moves forwards but Pukki connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pukki fails in his attempt to clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pukki.
Pukki moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Silva takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Pukki moves into the clinch successfully.
Silva tries to work over Pukki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Silva trying to stall but Pukki improves his position.

Pukki breaks the clinch.
Silva throws a hook to the side of Pukki's head but Pukki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Silva has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pukki.
Pukki stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Silva takes a swing at Pukki's ribcage but misses.
Silva takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Silva chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pukki can pounce on him.
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!

Pukki gets a double leg takedown into Silva's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki is stalling in the full guard.

Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Silva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pukki throws a big right hand that misses.
Pukki working some strikes from top position.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pukki is working Silva over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Pukki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Silva working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki wanted to stand there but Silva had control of the position.

Silva looking for a guillotine here but Pukki defends easily.
Pukki advances position into side control!

Pukki is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.
Silva is not content to let Pukki control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to regain half guard here but Pukki keeps moving and retains side control.
Pukki is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Silva is looking for a sweep.
Silva takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva struggling a bit here.
Pukki trying to control the position but Silva is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joulu Pukki clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Silva stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pukki.

Silva rushes Pukki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Silva lands with a left to the head.
Silva misses with a body punch.
Pukki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Pukki.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Silva.

Pukki manages to break the clinch.

Pukki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Silva is trying to defend but Pukki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Silva tries to roll over but Pukki keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pukki is keen to just control but Silva is a slippery customer.

Silva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pukki prevents Silva from improving his position.
Pukki trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
Pukki working Silva over with strikes.
Silva is looking to control Pukki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Silva avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pukki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silva keeps working.
Pukki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pukki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pukki is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pukki wants to free his trapped foot but Silva is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Silva slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to keep Pukki in close.
Pukki trying to control but Silva is working from the bottom.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.
Silva lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pukki!
Pukki bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pukki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Silva is trying to control the position but Pukki postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Silva working for a triangle but Pukki defends it easily.

Silva working for a triangle but Pukki defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joulu Pukki had his way with Junior Silva in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pukki scores with a head kick.

Pukki looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Silva is trying to keep Pukki in close.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.
Pukki is looking to work some ground and pound but Silva has wrist control.

Silva is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pukki defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pukki slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Pukki seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Silva for as long as he can get away with.

We're going to have a standup here because Joulu Pukki wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Pukki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Silva looks to score with a jab to the body but Pukki is just out of range.
Pukki moves away from the strike by Silva.
Silva lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Silva takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Silva will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Junior Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki is looking to slow Silva down with leg kicks.
Joulu Pukki is winning the standup battle so far.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pukki.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pukki.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pukki.
Pukki tries to clinch up.

Pukki gets tackled into the cage by Silva. Silva maintains the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Silva is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Silva.

Pukki has Silva pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Pukki pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Silva tumbling to the mat - Pukki dives into Silva's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pukki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pukki trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Silva is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Pukki landing with the ground and pound.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.
Silva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pukki throwing strikes from guard but Silva blocks nicely.
Pukki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki postures up and lands a big shot to Silva's brow.
Joulu Pukki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pukki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pukki wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.

Silva working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Pukki has passed into half guard!
Silva has hold of Pukki's hands but Pukki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Silva looking for submissions off his back.

Silva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joulu Pukki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pukki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joulu Pukki!