PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Afa Sila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dylan Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diaz has chosen Lamb of God - To The End as his entrance music. Afa Sila had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Sila
vs
Diaz

173 cm
25
163 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

182 cm
38
164 lbs
33 - 20 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Kore Fight Nutrition [TG]
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 17 - 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 33 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dylan Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz tries to land a front kick but Sila steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sila circles away from the clinch attempt.
A head kick misses from Diaz.
Diaz closes the distance and clinches up with Sila, looking for a takedown. Diaz pushes Sila against the cage but Sila circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diaz has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Sila is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A clash of legs there as Sila blocks the low kick.
A jab lands there for Diaz.

Diaz moves into the clinch successfully.
Diaz prevents a body shot from Sila.

Diaz breaks the clinch.
Sila loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.
Diaz lands a jab to the nose.
Diaz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Diaz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sila.
Sila misses with an uppercut. Diaz saw that one coming.
It seemed like Diaz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sila ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Sila attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Diaz misses with an uppercut.
Diaz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sila's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diaz blocks a jab.
Diaz misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Diaz.
Diaz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sila changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A swing and a miss from Sila.
Diaz swats away the attempt to clinch by Sila.
Diaz ducks under a wild hook from Sila.
Diaz lands a really nice looking cross but Sila seems unphased.
Sila lands a nice shot that snaps Diaz's head back.
Sila is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Diaz's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Diaz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Sila closes the distance and clinches.
Diaz working hard to break the clinch.
Sila tries to work over Diaz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diaz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sila doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Diaz tries to break free but Sila pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sila tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sila uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Diaz.

Sila drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
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 missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaz is pulling down on Sila's head. It's preventing any offense from Sila, at least for the moment.
Sila postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Diaz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sila is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz wants to stand up but Sila is controlling him.
Sila is working Diaz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sila postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Diaz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sila landing with the ground and pound.
Sila trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Diaz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diaz swings widly with a right hand

and Sila counters with a nice double leg into side control. Diaz won't be happy with that.
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.

Sila tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sila has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sila moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Sila thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sila working the ground and pound.
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!

Diaz misses with a head kick.
Sila loads up on a big right hand but Diaz slips the punch.
It seemed like Diaz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sila is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diaz can do to turn this around?
Sila ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
Diaz sizes up Sila with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Dylan Diaz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Diaz. That snapped Sila's head back.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Diaz.
Diaz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diaz has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sila connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice defenses there by Sila.
A decent looking cross lands there for Diaz.
Diaz lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Diaz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sila under the eye.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sila ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sila drops down looking for a counter takedown but Diaz sprawls and moves away.
Diaz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sila moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sila moves away from the strike by Diaz.
Diaz tries to clinch but Sila moves out of range.
Sila attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila misses with a hook. Diaz ducked under it nicely.
Diaz avoids the body shot from Sila.

Sila has taken the fight to the clinch.
Diaz fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diaz loads up on a big right hand but Sila slips the punch.
Sila tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Sila.
Diaz misses with a looping left.
Sila slips a straight right by Diaz.
Sila tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Sila.
Diaz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Diaz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sila.
Sila shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sila tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Diaz was well out of range. Poor timing from Sila.
Diaz tries to counter with a clinch but Sila shakes him off and moves away.
Dylan Diaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sila takes one to the side of the head.
Diaz tries to clinch

and Sila counters with a single leg into guard. Diaz didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sila keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Diaz's head.
Sila wants to control from the top but Diaz keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz wants to stand and escape but Sila is having none of it.
Sila throws a strike but Diaz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sila trying to keep a closed guard but Diaz is proving a slippery customer.
Diaz wants to control from the top but Sila keeps moving.
Sila looking to hit a scissor sweep but Diaz is one step ahead there.
Diaz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sila avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Diaz throws a strike but Sila rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sila accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sila content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sila sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Diaz's guard.
Diaz tries to roll over but Sila keeps him under control.

Sila wants to work for an arm triangle but Diaz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Diaz is trying to stand.
Sila is stalling here. Diaz is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Sila seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Diaz has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Sila is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila is working hard here to advance position.
Diaz misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sila is not content to let Diaz control the position.
Diaz wants to stand but Sila is controlling his arm.
Sila tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Diaz lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Sila down.
Sila is looking for a sweep.
Diaz wants to stand but Sila has his arm trapped.
Diaz wants to control but Sila is keeping him busy.
Sila is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dylan Diaz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sila moves out of range of the strikes.
Diaz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sila swivels and escapes.
Sila blocks a head kick by Diaz.
Sila misses with an uppercut
and Sila takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Diaz throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nice defenses there by Sila.
Nice cross by Diaz.
Diaz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sila has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Diaz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sila attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
A swing and a miss from Diaz.
Sila throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Diaz throws out a counter right but Sila avoids it with no problem.
Sila closes this distance looking for a takedown but Diaz circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Diaz finds it's way through Sila's defenses.
Sila looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Diaz is fending him off so far but Sila persists. Nope, Diaz circles away and we're back to standing.
Sila tries to clinch but Diaz is having none of it.
Diaz misses the jab.
No joy there for Diaz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Diaz misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila throws a body punch but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz swings for the body but Sila moves out of range.
Sila appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sila takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Diaz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sila bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sila swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Diaz throws the left hand but Sila avoids the punch easily.
Sila dives in for a single leg takedown but Diaz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Afa Sila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sila swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sila moves into the clinch.
Sila swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Diaz letting Sila take a breather here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sila.
A short right from Diaz.
Diaz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila presses Diaz against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A frustrated look appears on Diaz's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sila keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Diaz's efforts to push away.
Nice body punch from Sila.
Sila prevents Diaz from breaking the clinch.
Diaz is trying to break the clinch but Sila is controlling him.
Sila scores with a shot to the side of Diaz's head.
Sila throws a punch but it's blocked by Diaz.
Sila tries to work over Diaz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diaz can't break the clinch.

Diaz manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sila ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.

Sila closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Diaz's guard.
Sila slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sila stalling away here and it's allowed Diaz to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sila throws a strike but Diaz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Diaz trying to control but Sila is working from the bottom.
Diaz is working Sila over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Diaz stands and steps away. Sila gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sila forces Diaz back against the cage and clinches.
Sila misses with a punch to the body.
Diaz is trying to push Sila away but Sila has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sila lands a body shot in the clinch.
Diaz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diaz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sila defending well as Diaz loads up on a big left hand.
Diaz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Sila looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sila throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sila trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sila throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sila sitting in guard, not really doing much.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diaz is on top in guard.

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

A close third round but Dylan Diaz just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sila throws out the jab.

Sila drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sila showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Diaz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sila is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sila lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz wants to stand up but Sila is controlling him.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Sila from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sila postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sila cracks Diaz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Sila sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Jab, jab by Diaz - just one landing.
Diaz throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.
Sila connects with a crisp jab.
Sila looks to land a right hand but Diaz moved out of range.
Sila takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A big left from Diaz misses.
Sila attempts a counter takedown but Diaz avoids it well and moves away.
Sila jabs Diaz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Diaz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sila.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sila lands the left hand.
Diaz throws a jab when Sila was well out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diaz throws the left hand but Sila avoids the punch easily.
Sila tries to counter with a takedown but Diaz is quick to defend against it.
Diaz attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Diaz looking to score a takedown here. Sila is defending well but Diaz drives through and ends up in Sila's guard.

Sila throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sila keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Diaz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila trying to control the position.

Sila had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diaz defends it easily.
Sila tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Diaz postures up.
Diaz preventing the sweep.
Sila is trying to keep Diaz in close.
Diaz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Sila has his foot on Diaz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Diaz works his way back into a safe position though.
Sila tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sila keeping moving, preventing Diaz from controlling successfully.
Sila has a closed guard, preventing Diaz from standing up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sila ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sila ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Diaz moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
An inside leg kick from Diaz misses.
Diaz lands a glancing blow to the side of Sila's head.
Sila fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Diaz manages to avoid it.
Diaz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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 fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sila moves out of range as Diaz strikes.

Sila drives through with a takedown into Diaz's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Diaz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sila.
Sila working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sila stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Diaz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sila trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Afa Sila overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Diaz looking for a guillotine here but Sila defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sila cracks Diaz with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sila working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Diaz's head.
Sila controls from within his opponent's guard.
Diaz has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sila goes for a double leg but Diaz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Diaz continues to drive forward.
Sila takes a swing at Diaz's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Diaz throws an overhand right that lands on Sila's shoulder, as Sila tries to avoid the shot.
Diaz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Diaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sila paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sila feinted with a counter takedown.

Sila closes the distance and pushes Diaz back into the cage.
Sila looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sila digs a right hand into Diaz's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Diaz's gas tank.
Sila gets through Diaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sila.

Diaz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sila throws a hook but Diaz avoids it easily.
Diaz throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sila lands with a nice body punch.
Nice defenses there by Sila.
Diaz scores with a nice head shot.
Sila misses with a wild body shot.
Sila drops his hands momentarily and Diaz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sila ducks under a wild hook from Diaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sila moves out of range of the strikes.
Diaz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sila's sensitive parts.
Diaz gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Sila counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sila controlling the pace.
Sila is looking to stall here but Diaz recovers full guard.
Diaz wants to stand but Sila is controlling the position.
Diaz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sila.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz looking to control.
Sila with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sila with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Sila gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sila tries a body shot but Diaz blocks it.
Diaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sila has him pressed against the cage.
Sila lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Diaz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diaz throws a leg kick but Sila checks it.

Sila forces Diaz back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Diaz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sila fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sila moves in looking to clinch but Diaz pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Afa Sila showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sila has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 48:47
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Afa Sila!
Afa Sila retains his lightweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Afa Sila waved his t-shirt featuring Sun-Tzu. 15%'s logo in front of the cameras.