PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Afa Sila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Genia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Will Genia has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Afa Sila's chin.

Sila
vs
Genia

173 cm
21
163 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

176 cm
21
165 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Afa Sila!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Will Genia!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sila throws a body punch but Genia moves out of range.
Sila fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Genia manages to avoid it.
Genia tries to clinch there but Sila circles away.
Genia throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sila.
Sila has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Genia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Genia swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Genia changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sila thows a body shot but no joy.
Genia tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sila manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Genia moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila moves out of range.
Genia throws a head kick that misses.
Will Genia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sila throws a body punch but Genia moves out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Genia.
Sila throws a lazy right hand but Genia sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Genia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sila swats him away and circles back towards the center.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Genia tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila lands a nice shot that snaps Genia's head back.
Genia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Genia tries to score with a low kick but Sila moves his leg out of the way.
Sila throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Genia pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sila swats away the attempt to clinch by Genia.
Sila moves out of range as Genia throws a body kick.
Genia fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sila checks it well.
Genia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sila paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sila thows a body shot but no joy.
Sila checks a leg kick.
Sila digs a good hook to Genia's body.
Genia is looking to clinch.
Genia throws a sloppy head kick and Sila moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genia ducks under a wild hook from Sila.
Genia does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Genia throws a head kick that misses

and Sila counters with a shoot takedown. Genia fights it but they end up in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Genia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Genia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sila accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sila is fighting to break Genia's control of his arms but Genia is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sila accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sila drops back looking for a leg! Genia is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Genia manages to kick Sila off! Sila jumps back into Genia's guard.
Sila trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Genia controlling the position.
Sila has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genia is trying to hold Sila in close to prevent damage but Sila has managed to pass into half guard.
Genia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Genia is holding on to half guard well.
Genia avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sila.
Genia trying to hold on to Sila's head to control him but Sila postures up.
Sila seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Sila looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Genia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sila's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sila's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Sila tries to get to full guard but Genia has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sila is trying to maintain the position but Genia is very close to passing his half guard.
Sila is looking for a sweep. Genia is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sila is pressing down on Genia's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sila is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Will Genia will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sila's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Genia attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Genia scores with a head kick.

Genia closes the distance and clinches.
Sila has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Genia after a bit of a struggle.

Sila decides to pull guard.
Genia looking to sit in guard and control but Sila gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Genia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Genia wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Genia is trying to control the position but Sila postures up.
Afa Sila overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Genia looking for a sweep. Not yet Genia, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Will Genia was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Genia throws a front kick aimed at Sila's knee but Sila avoids it well.
Genia tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila moves out of range.
Sila throws a body punch but Genia moves out of range.
Genia tries to clinch there but Sila circles away.
Genia fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sila.
Sila avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Genia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sila is looking to wear down Genia with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Genia tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sila manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice jab there from Sila.
Genia throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sila decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Genia's guard.
Genia wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genia working a defensive guard here.
Genia is looking to stand up but Sila isn't so interested in that idea.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sila won't allow Genia to sweep him here.
Sila stands up over Genia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sila wants to control from the top but Genia keeps moving.
Sila works over Genia with some ground and pound from guard.
Genia is trying to control the position but Sila postures up.
Sila won't allow Genia to sweep him here.
Genia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Sila thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Genia looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila looking to pass the guard.
Sila postures up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Will Genia wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sila jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sila fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Genia manages to avoid it.
Genia takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Genia throws a leg kick that misses.
Genia bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sila checks a leg kick nicely.
Sila checks the leg kick nicely there.
Genia misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila blocks a leg kick.
Genia tries to clinch up.
Sila scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Genia scores with a head kick.
Sila misses with a wild body shot.
Genia on the wrong end of a nice jab.
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!
Genia closes the distance but Sila moves to the side

so Sila counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Genia wants to hit a switch here but Sila passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Genia there!
Genia manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sila is looking for a kimura here.
Sila stops Genia from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sila swings for the body but Genia moves out of range.
Good work by Sila as he checks the leg kick.
Sila scores with a decent looking hook.
Genia throws a sloppy head kick and Sila moves out of range easily.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila moves out of range.
Genia is looking to chop away at Sila's legs.
Sila tests Genia's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Genia clinches up against the cage.
Genia tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Genia tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Genia throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sila blocks it with crossed arms.
Genia blocking some punches.
Sila blocks an uppercut.
Good body shot from Genia.
Sila managing to block the knees to the body from Genia.
Genia lands an elbow that stopped Sila in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Genia landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Genia throws an elbow but it misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Genia obliges.
Genia pushes off an throws an elbow but Sila leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Genia lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sila takes an elbow to the forehead.
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!
Genia tries a knee to the head but Sila blocks it.
Sila can't get the takedown.
Sila swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Genia using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sila has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sila controlling the action here for a moment.
Sila managing to block the knees to the body from Genia.
Sila has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Genia avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Genia working aggressively here.
Genia with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genia misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sila.
Sila wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Afa Sila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left hand lands to the body for Sila.
Sila is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Genia gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sila lands a nice uppercut.
Sila goes for a takedown attempt but Genia pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sila uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Genia has time to react.
The crowd cheers as Genia lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sila doesn't seem phased though.
Genia blocks a jab.
Sila avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sila thows a body shot but no joy.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila moves out of range.
Genia lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genia throws a hook but Sila blocks it.
Sila checks the leg kick nicely there.
Genia throws a leg kick but Sila checks it.
Genia throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice defenses there by Genia.
Will Genia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sila throws a body punch but Genia moves out of range.

Sila bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Genia on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Sila looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Genia is looking to reverse the position.
Sila working the ground and pound but Genia is defending the strikes.
Genia gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sila thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sila is looking to advance position but Genia won't allow it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are battling for position here. Genia manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Genia seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sila preventing the sweep.

Genia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sila wants to control from the top but Genia keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Genia is looking to sweep but instead, Sila has passed into half guard.
Sila scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Genia really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sila circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sila throws a body punch but Genia moves out of range.
Genia attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Genia finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Genia throws a leg kick

and Sila counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sila stopping the sweep attempt from Genia.
Sila wants to control from the top but Genia keeps moving.
Genia wants to sweep but no luck.
Sila keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Genia's head.
Sila trying to control but Genia is working from the bottom.

Genia has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sila can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila is working Genia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Genia manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sila slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Genia controlling the pace.
Sila wants to sweep but Genia has passed to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila looking for a sweep but Genia has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Sila is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sila tries to hold on but Genia pushes him away.
Genia controlling from mount.
Sila tries to reverse the position but Genia maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genia moves to the back.
Sila trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Sila is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Genia is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Genia is looking to control Sila but Sila is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Sila tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila is working hard here to advance position.
Sila rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Sila is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Genia pulls his head out easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Genia is looking for a kimura but Sila is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Genia to get the leverage.
Sila is refusing to be controlled, as Genia sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Afa Sila will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Genia shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Genia moves in looking to clinch but Sila pushes him off.
Sila connects with a body shot that sends Genia's belly button to the back.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sila checks a leg kick.
Genia throws a leg kick but Sila moved away.
Sila scores with a nice head shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sila checks a leg kick.

Sila drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Genia prevents Sila from moving into mount.
Genia holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sila advances to mount.
Genia regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Genia keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sila prevents Genia from improving his position.
Sila is thwarting Genia's attempts to control the position.
Genia is trying to get back to full guard.
Sila is trying to control. Genia wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sila not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sila seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Genia does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Genia is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sila pulls his head out easily.
Genia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Will Genia is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Sila is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Genia trying to control here.
Sila is keen to just control but Genia is a slippery customer.
Sila looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Genia is positioning himself well to prevent Sila advancing to mount.
Sila trying to pass the guard but Genia defending well.
Genia is refusing to be controlled, as Sila sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila moves out of range.
Will Genia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila is having none of it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Genia.
Sila on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Genia tries to score with a low kick but Sila moves his leg out of the way.
A chopping leg kick lands by Genia.
Genia bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Genia moves in looking to clinch but Sila pushes him off.
Genia moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sila throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Genia's waist but Genia gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sila off to one side.
Genia cracks Sila with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Genia misses with a hook.
The fighters circling - Sila throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Genia.
Genia throws out a loose jab but Sila uses good head movement to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sila checks a leg kick.
Sila misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Genia.
Sila shoots in for a double leg but Genia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Genia rushes Sila and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Genia scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Genia.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sila scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sila struggles to land a body shot inside as Genia controls his hands.
Afa Sila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sila fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Will Genia.
I think Genia has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Will Genia!
Will Genia is the new lightweight champion!
Will Genia decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.