PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manny Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Afa Sila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manny Machado has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machado
vs
Sila

175 cm
32
164 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

173 cm
30
163 lbs
20 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

BHP Clothing
Machine Fight Gear

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 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Machado!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Afa Sila!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sila waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Machado.
Machado is looking to counter punch.

Machado fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sila, pushing him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Machado.
A head punch on the inside from Machado fails to land.
I was talking to Machado's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Sila scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Sila lands with a light punch inside.
Sila scores with a nice hook to the head.
Machado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sila prevents a body shot from Machado.
Sila stalling in the clinch but Machado improves position.
Sila misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sila lands a left hand that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sila has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Sila misses with a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Sila.
Machado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machado misses with some punches.
Machado misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sila's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sila.
Machado tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machado prevents a body shot from Sila.
Sila tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machado throws a punch but it's blocked by Sila.
Machado is working for takedown but Sila is calmly controlling the position for now.
Machado lands a right hand.
Machado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Machado tries to work over Sila's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sila tries to throw a body punch but Machado avoids it by throwing Sila back against the cage.
Sila throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Machados head.
Sila working aggressively here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Machado obliges.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Machado tries to throw a body punch but Sila avoids it by throwing Machado back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sila.
Sila pushes Machado back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sila struggles to land a body shot inside as Machado controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado misses with the head strike.
Sila has Machado pushed against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sila stalling the fight.
Sila continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Sila prevents a body shot from Machado.
Sila lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sila.
Machado goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sila swings wildly with an uppercut but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado misses with a punch to the body.
Sila presses Machado against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Machado struggles to land a body shot inside as Sila controls his hands.

Sila escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machado throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Machado ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Machado throws a low kick but Sila avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Machado. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Machado.
Sila misses with a looping right.
Machado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sila throws out the jab.
Machado throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sila counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sila throws a lazy uppercut
and Machado counters with a left to the body.
Sila lands with an uppercut that bounces Machado off the cage and back into range.
Machado lands a nice looking body shot.
Machado has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Machado there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sila swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sila lands with a shot to the body.
Sila jabs at Machado's body.
Machado scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sila checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sila. Machado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sila lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Machado at a distance.
Machado fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sila checks it well.
Sila swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sila throws the left hand but Machado avoids the punch easily.
Machado connects with a looping right hand.
Sila connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Machado misses with a low kick.
Machado moves out of range of the strikes.
Machado wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Sila throws a looping overhand right but Machado ducks down to avoid it.
Sila fails with the takedown
and Machado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Machado is looking to score with low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sila misses with a left hand
and Machado counters with a straight right hand.
Sila checks a low kick from Machado.
Sila lands a jab.
Machado throws a leg kick but Sila sees it coming and moves out of range.
Machado lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Sila throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Machado tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sila is in Machado's guard.
Machado wants to hit a switch here but Sila passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Machado there!
Sila landing strikes from the mount and Machado is in trouble!
Machado is trying desperately to improve position.
Sila tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado wants to hold on but Sila pushes him away.
Sila throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Machado is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machado tries to lock up and control but Sila gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sila tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila cracks Machado with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Sila avoids the attempt from Machado to control.
Sila scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Machado?
Sila has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sila tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sila lands a couple of good shots and Machado has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Machado is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila gets his hands free as Machado looks to control.
Sila really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Machado.

Sila looking to break Machado's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Machado remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Sila will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Machado rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Machado tries to roll over but Sila keeps him under control.
Sila lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado has a hand on Sila's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Sila takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Sila content just to control the position here.
Machado manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Machado is pressing down on Sila's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sila stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machado swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sila trying to control the position from guard on top but Machado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afa Sila showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machado uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sila.
Sila rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Machado counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sila swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Machado misses with a body punch
and Sila counters with a nice uppercut.
Machado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sila misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machado. Sila does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machado shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Machado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado misses with a body shot.
Machado avoids the body shot from Sila.
Sila fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Machado gets tackled into the cage by Sila. Sila maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado leaning against his opponent.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Machado scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sila goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Sila scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sila.
A short left from Machado.
Machado tries to throw a body punch but Sila avoids it by throwing Machado back against the cage.
Machado throws a head punch that misses.
Sila tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sila throws a punch but it's blocked by Machado.
Sila lands with a light punch inside.
Afa Sila seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Machado doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machado blocks a body shot from Sila.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila has a couple of punches blocked by Machado.
A shot in the inside from Sila.
Sila lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Machado.
Sila lands a left hand that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
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!
A short right from Machado on the inside.
Sila lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Machado goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Machado misses with some punches.
Machado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Machado has a couple of punches blocked by Sila.
Sila blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machado misses with a body punch.
Machado stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sila working aggressively here.
Stalling in the clinch from Machado.
Sila has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sila makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Machado tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sila's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sila breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machado is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machado is looking to wear down Sila with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Machado takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Manny Machado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sila fails with a takedown attempt.
Machado throws a leg kick
letting Sila counter with a right hand.
Machado slips under a jab.
Machado swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Sila throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Machado sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila takes a swing at Machado's ribcage but misses.
Machado uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sila.
Machado swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Machado fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sila manages to avoid it.
Sila throws out a counter right but Machado avoids it with no problem.
Machado throws a good cross that connects.
Machado fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sila manages to avoid it.
Sila slips under a jab from Machado.
Sila throws out a counter right but Machado avoids it with no problem.
Sila misses with a right hand
and Machado counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Good shot there by Machado.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machado doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Machado as Sila shoots in.
Machado pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sila is out of range and Machado settles back down.
Sila looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Machado cracks Sila with a good jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Afa Sila just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Machado's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sila shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A low kick from Machado is predictable there

and Sila counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sila.
Machado wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sila manages to pass to side control.
Afa Sila has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Machado trying to control but Sila postures up.
Machado blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sila.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado tries to get to full guard but Sila has control of the leg.
Machado is staying active underneath Sila, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila controlling the action here.
Sila wants to control but Machado is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sila is taking a breather. Machado says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sila is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Still in half guard, Sila seems content to control.
Sila's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Machado is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sila seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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

Sila gets a takedown into half guard.
Sila is thwarting Machado's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila moves into full mount! Machado won't be happy about that!
Sila controlling the position easily from mount.
Sila dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sila controlling the position easily from mount.
Sila avoids the attempt from Machado to control.
Machado working to try and regain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sila looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afa Sila dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sila sizes up Machado with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sila with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Machado to score with a decent uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Sila. Beautiful body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Machado. That snapped Sila's head back.
Sila lands with a nice body punch.
Sila lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Machado takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sila throws out a loose jab but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Machado misses the target.
Machado uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sila.
Machado tries to clinch up but Sila circles away and keeps his distance.
Afa Sila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sila misses with a takedown attempt - Machado sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Sila.
Nice defenses there by Sila.
Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sila moves away.
Sila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sila looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
Sila misses the body punch
and Machado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Afa Sila seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Machado takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sila looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
As Sila backs away, Machado returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Machado throws a hook but Sila blocks it.
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Sila.
Sila looks to throw the jab but Machado is out of range.
Machado feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Machado throws out the jab.
Machado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Machado dodges the punch combination from Sila.
Machado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sila throws an overhand right that lands on Machado's shoulder, as Machado tries to avoid the shot.
Machado tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sila. Machado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sila throws a left and a right that both miss
and Machado counters with a left to the body.
Machado lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sila doesn't seem bothered though.
Sila fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A telegraphed right hand from Sila misses the target.
Machado lands with a good body shot.
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Sila.
Machado darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Machado throws an overhand right that lands on Sila's shoulder, as Sila tries to avoid the shot.
Machado lands a jab to the head.
Manny Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sila's corner calls for a 1-2. Sila obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sila misses the shot to the body.
A quick step to the side and Machado tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sila uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sila pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As Sila backs away, Machado returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sila thuds his right hand into Machado's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sila throws a right hand that misses
and Machado counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sila throws a lazy uppercut
and Machado counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sila blocks a low kick nicely.
Sila lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sila displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Machado throws out the jab.
Sila is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Machado.
Machado uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sila.
Nice uppercut there from Sila.
Sila looks to land a combination but Machado avoids it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Afa Sila comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sila has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 45:50
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 45:50
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Afa Sila!
Afa Sila is the new lightweight champion!
Afa Sila managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, BHP Clothing, into his post fight interview.