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). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Sila
vs
Genia

173 cm
24
163 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

176 cm
24
171 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu. 15%

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 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Afa Sila!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Will Genia!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sila tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Genia was well out of range. Poor timing from Sila.
Genia throws out a counter right but Sila avoids it with no problem.
Sila is looking to clinch but Genia is avoiding it.
Sila throws a body shot but no joy.
Genia wants to counter with a clinch but Sila pushes him away.
Genia avoids the body shot from Sila.
Genia moves forwards but Sila connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sila throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Genia stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Genia wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Genia drops his hands momentarily and Sila takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Genia has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila scores with a hook to the body.
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.
Sila stalling in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Genia throws an elbow but misses.
A bit of stalling here from Genia.
Genia is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Genia landing knees to the body.
Sila misses with a punch to the body.
Sila has a couple of punches blocked by Genia.
Genia looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A bit of stalling here from Genia.
Genia is looking to control Sila's arms but Sila gets an underhook and turns him. Now Genia has his back to the cage.
Sila working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sila is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Genia is defending well.
Sila throws a head punch that misses.
Genia throws an elbow that misses.
Genia blocks a body shot from Sila.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sila.
A body shot lands from Sila.

Sila has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Genia regains guard immediately.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Genia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Genia keeping full guard, as Sila tries to pass.
Genia trying to control the position here.
Sila trying to control the position from guard on top but Genia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Genia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sila is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Genia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sila looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Genia misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sila misses with a right hand
and Genia finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Sila takes a swing at Genia's ribcage but misses.
Sila misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Genia.
Genia throws a head kick but Sila moves out of range.
Genia throws a leg kick

and Sila counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sila.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Genia looking to control.
Sila throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Genia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sila postures up in Genia's guard and throws a big left but Genia blocks it.
Sila trying to control but Genia is working from the bottom.
Sila is in close to Genia's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sila trying to control but Genia is working from the bottom.
Sila won't allow Genia to sweep him here.
Sila chips away with some ground and pound.
Genia lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afa Sila dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Genia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sila backing away here, and Genia unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Genia attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sila takes a swing at Genia's ribcage but misses.

Sila closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Genia tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sila avoids it.
Sila tries a body shot but Genia blocks it.
Genia misses with a knee to the head.
Sila lands a right hand.
Sila blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Genia misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sila.
Genia is trying to force a seperation but Sila has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Genia's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Genia wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sila has him pressed against the cage.
Genia creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sila blocks an elbow strike from Genia.
Sila stalling.

Sila has Genia pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Sila pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Genia tumbling to the mat - Sila dives into Genia's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Genia trying to control the position.
Genia might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sila haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Genia keeping moving, preventing Sila from controlling successfully.
Sila scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sila is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sila lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Genia has his foot on Sila's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sila works his way back into a safe position though.
Genia has his hands on Sila's head, controlling the position.
Genia trying to keep a closed guard but Sila is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sila pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sila throws a hook but Genia avoids it easily.
Sila cracks Genia with a good jab.
Genia shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Genia follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Genia looks to score with a jab to the body but Sila is just out of range.
Sila half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sila is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Genia can do to turn this around?
Genia feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sila's calf.
Sila connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sila misses with a wild body shot.
Sila is looking to wear down Genia with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Genia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Genia tries to counter by closing the distance.
Genia cracks the inside of Sila's front leg.
Sila connects with a body shot that sends Genia's belly button to the back.
Sila misses with a right hand
enabling Genia to counter with a crisp jab.
Afa Sila is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice straight punches there by Sila. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sila.
Genia throws a head kick that misses.
Afa Sila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sila misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila moves out of range of the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Sila checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sila throws a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sila blocks a head kick by Genia.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Genia lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sila has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sila and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sila ducks under a wild hook from Genia.
Sila drops down looking for a counter takedown but Genia sprawls and moves away.
Sila throws a right hand that misses
and Genia counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Sila manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Genia on his heels. He'll look to pass Genia's guard now, I'm sure.
Genia keeping moving, preventing Sila from controlling successfully.
Sila stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Genia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afa Sila dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sila throws a body punch but Genia moves out of range.
Genia is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Sila tries to close the distance and clinch up but Genia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Genia throws a head kick but Sila moves out of range.
Sila changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Genia fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Genia connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Genia tries to clinch but Sila is having none of it.
Genia throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Genia throws a head kick but Sila moves out of range.
Sila tries to counter with a takedown but Genia is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Sila misses
and Genia counters with a leg kick.
Sila tries to clinch there but Genia circles away.
Genia follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Sila has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila throws a poor cross that misses
and Genia counters with a thumping low kick.
Genia pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Genia lands with a slapping head kick.
Sila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Genia appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Sila throws a body shot but no joy.
Sila staying out of range there.
Genia misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sila with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Genia with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sila to score with a decent uppercut.
Sila throws a body shot but no joy.
Genia goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sila misses with a jab to the body
and Genia counters with a thumping low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila lands a right hook to the body.
Sila has his takedown stuffed
and Genia counters with a low kick, right behind Sila 's knee.
Genia takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Will Genia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sila gets a double leg takedown into Genia's guard.
Sila wants to control from the top but Genia keeps moving.
Sila trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Genia wants to hit a switch here but Sila passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Genia there!
Sila lands a big shot there that rocks Genia but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Afa Sila overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Genia is trying to escape the mount.
Sila trying to control but Genia is having none of it.
Sila throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Genia regains half guard.
Genia is looking to control Sila's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Genia avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Genia wants to improve his position but Sila is controlling well.
Sila is controlling the pace.
Genia has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sila is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Afa Sila did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sila tries for a takedown but Genia circles away easily
and Genia counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Sila is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Genia moves into the clinch successfully.
A short right from Sila.
Sila misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sila fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sila lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Genia can't find room to land a body shot as Sila controls the action.
Sila struggles to land a body shot inside as Genia controls his hands.
Sila swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sila misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sila blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sila tries a body shot but Genia blocks it.
Genia's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sila takes a shot to the head.
Sila swings wildly with an uppercut but Genia uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sila blocking some punches.
Genia is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sila is keeping busy.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sila creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sila is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Genia pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sila misses with a body punch.
Genia lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Genia blocks an uppercut.
Genia trying to stall but Sila improves his position.
Sila working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Genia has a couple of punches blocked by Sila.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sila as Genia tries to tie him up.
Genia lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Genia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Genia has a couple of punches blocked by Sila.
Genia misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sila.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sila presses Genia against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Sila scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sila lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Genia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sila working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sila blocks the elbow strike.
Genia tries to land knees in the clinch but Sila avoids the damage to the body.
Sila working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Genia blocks a body shot from Sila.
Genia tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Genia misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sila.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Sila.

Genia is rocked!
Sila is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Genia is still on wobbly legs! Can Sila finish him?
Genia blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Knees to the body from Genia.
Sila tries to throw a body punch but Genia avoids it by throwing Sila back against the cage.
Sila fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Genia blocks an uppercut.
Genia seems to have recovered his senses.
Genia blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Genia swings wildly with an uppercut but Sila uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sila tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sila tries to throw a body punch but Genia avoids it by throwing Sila back against the cage.
Genia misses with an elbow strike.
Sila lands a left hand that snaps the head of Genia backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Genia tries to land knees in the clinch but Sila avoids the damage to the body.
Sila lands a right hand that snaps the head of Genia backwards.
Genia is trying to force a seperation but Sila has the dominant position.
Genia comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A head punch on the inside from Sila fails to land.
Sila can't find room to land a body shot as Genia controls the action.
Genia lands a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Sila.

Genia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sila fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Genia manages to avoid it.
Genia looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Genia tries to bum rush Sila with a series of wild strikes but Sila uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Genia scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sila swats away the attempt to clinch by Genia.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sila connects with a body shot.
A jab from Sila misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Genia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sila fails with a takedown attempt.
Genia goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Sila.
Sila moves out of range as Genia strikes.
Genia gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Genia slams his shin into Sila's torso.
Genia thumps Sila with a low kick.
Sila uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Genia.
Sila connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sila throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Genia tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sila scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sila darts in looking for a takedown but Genia gets double underhooks and turns Sila into the cage.
That kick from Genia tenderised Sila's leg. Sila is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sila is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sila throws a hook but Genia avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Genia looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sila punishes Genia's body with a nice straight punch.
Sila shoots in but Genia avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Afa Sila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Genia tries to clinch there but Sila circles away.

Genia fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sila, pushing him back against the cage.
Will Genia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sila.
Sila lands a left hand.
Nice body punch from Sila - that landed with a thud.
Genia lands a good knee to the midsection. Sila won't want to take too many of those.
Genia lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Genia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Will Genia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Genia moves into range and clinches up with Sila.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila misses with a body punch.
Sila lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Genia lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sila blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Genia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sila misses with a hook.
Genia scores with a head kick. Sila tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Sila is rocked!
A cross from Sila lands.
Oh Sila is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Genia walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Genia on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sila seems to have got his legs back now.
Sila connects with a right hand. Genia shakes it off.
Sila changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Genia tries to avoid it but Sila manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Genia to the ground. Genia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila jabs Genia to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Genia misses with a head kick.
Sila checks a leg kick.
Sila lands with an overhand left.
Sila throws an overhand right that lands on Genia's shoulder, as Genia tries to avoid the shot.
Genia looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Sila moves into the clinch.
Sila blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Genia scores with a shoulder strike.
Sila is looking to take this one to the mat.
Genia blocking some punches.
Sila lands a shot to the body.
Sila can't get the takedown.
Afa Sila is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A short body shot lands from Genia as the two fighters clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Genia scores with a nice hook to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Afa Sila.
Well Sila 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Afa Sila!
Afa Sila retains his lightweight title!
After the big win, Afa Sila made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Kore Fight Nutrition [TG] and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.