PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Junie Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amir Zuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Silva
vs
Zuka

185 cm
24
185 lbs
15 - 6 - 2

188 cm
27
194 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Junie Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Amir Zuka!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zuka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zuka misses with a head kick.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Zuka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Silva fails to land the takedown.
Zuka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zuka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Silva looks to land a body kick but Zuka moved away.
Zuka throws a head kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Silva.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zuka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zuka throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Junie Silva has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zuka clinches up against the cage.
Zuka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zuka lands a knee to the head.
Silva tries to throw a body punch but Zuka avoids it by throwing Silva back against the cage.
Zuka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Zuka.
Zuka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zuka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Silva works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Silva content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Zuka is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Silva thows a big elbow that misses.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Zuka blocks nicely.
Zuka is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Silva is controlling him.

Silva drops back looking for a leg! Zuka is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zuka manages to kick Silva off! Silva jumps back into Zuka's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuka keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.
Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Zuka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Silva looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
An inside leg kick lands from Zuka.
Zuka connects with a high kick.
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!
Silva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva shoots for a takedown but Zuka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junie Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zuka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Silva is able to avoid easily.
Some wild striking there from Silva.
Zuka with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zuka tries to clinch up but Silva circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zuka.
Silva throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zuka tries to close the distance and clinch but Silva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zuka scores with a nice body kick.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Silva ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zuka moves away.
Zuka throws a sloppy head kick and Silva moves out of range easily.
Zuka lands with a nice body kick.
Silva lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuka doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Silva throws a sloppy head kick
and Zuka counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Junie Silva's cut is getting worse.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva checks a leg kick nicely.
Zuka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Silva checks a leg kick.
Zuka tries to clinch but Silva is having none of it.
Silva blocks the body kick.
Zuka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zuka moves in looking to clinch but Silva pushes him off.
Silva dives in and grabs Zuka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zuka pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.

Zuka has Silva up against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Zuka obliges.
Zuka pushes off an throws an elbow but Silva leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Zuka misses with an elbow strike.

Zuka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zuka tries to clinch but Silva is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Zuka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Junie Silva's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zuka scores with a head kick.
Zuka doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zuka.
Zuka tries to clinch up but Silva circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva misses with a leg kick
and Zuka counters with a thumping low kick.
Zuka tries to land a body kick
and Silva counters with a low kick, right behind Zuka 's knee.
Zuka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zuka misses with a kick to the body
and Silva counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Zuka misses with a low kick as Silva jumps back.
Silva misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick by Zuka misses

and Silva counters with a single leg into guard. Zuka didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zuka wants to sweep but no luck.
Zuka is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Silva is controlling him.
Zuka has control of Silva's left arm, preventing Silva from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuka is trying to control the position but Silva postures up.
Silva wants to control from the top but Zuka keeps moving.
Zuka lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Silva!
Zuka throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Silva because Zuka loaded up on that one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zuka controlling the action here.
Zuka wants to get back to his feet.
Zuka wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Silva uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Zuka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zuka wants to stand and escape but instead Silva has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Zuka looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Zuka looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Zuka!
Silva is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zuka's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Silva missing with punches from the bottom.
Silva wants to improve his position but Zuka is controlling well.

Zuka stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Silva to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zuka.
Zuka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zuka staying out of range there.
Amir Zuka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Silva shoots in but Zuka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zuka doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Zuka throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Zuka wants to clinch up but Silva keeps it at a distance.
Junie Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junie Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zuka wants to clinch

and Silva counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Silva.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silva keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zuka's head.
Zuka keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Amir Zuka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Junie Silva's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Zuka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Zuka shows good takedown defense.
Silva avoids the head kick by Zuka.
Zuka wants to clinch but Silva slips to the side
and Silva counters with a nice body shot.
Silva circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zuka blocks the body kick.
Zuka clinches but Silva breaks the clinch
and Silva counters with a left and a right that stings Zuka.
Zuka staying out of range there.
Zuka slaps away a takedown attempt from Silva, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zuka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Silva.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Zuka shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junie Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zuka feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Silva's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuka throws a push kick but Silva slaps the foot to one side.
Zuka thumps Silva with a low kick.
Zuka wants to land a leg kick but Silva is out of range.
Zuka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zuka throws a leg kick but Silva sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Zuka forces Silva back against the cage and clinches.
Zuka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Silva blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Silva struggles to land a body shot inside as Zuka controls his hands.

Silva has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zuka uses from the top position.
Zuka must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Zuka drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Silva dives on top into guard.
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Zuka is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Silva takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zuka as Silva tries to tie him up.
Zuka misses with an elbow strike.
Zuka prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Silva.
Zuka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Silva.
Zuka tries to land knees in the clinch but Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Silva wants a takedown.
Zuka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Silva blocks the elbow strike.
Zuka gets underhooks to prevent Silva's takedown attempt.
Zuka tries to circle away but Silva has him pinned against the cage.
Silva avoids the elbow strike from Zuka, against the cage.
Zuka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zuka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Silva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zuka pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva takes an elbow to the temple.
Zuka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zuka is trying to break the clinch but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zuka.
Junie Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zuka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Silva.
Silva tries for a takedown but Zuka manages to get underhooks.
Silva takes an elbow to the forehead.
Silva takes an elbow to the temple.

Junie Silva's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Zuka tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.
Zuka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A short body shot lands from Silva as the two fighters clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zuka.

Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva blocks a head kick by Zuka.
Silva misses with a hook. Zuka ducked under it nicely.
Zuka tries to clinch

and Silva counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Zuka is looking for a sweep. Silva is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zuka gets full guard.
Silva with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zuka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zuka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Silva wants to control from the top but Zuka keeps moving.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Zuka blocks nicely.
Silva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zuka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Amir Zuka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Silva 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.
Zuka trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zuka throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Zuka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zuka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

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 Junie Silva.
I think Zuka 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Amir Zuka!