PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Afa Sila (ranked 1763 p4p, 211 weight class) and Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 1634 p4p, 198 weight class). Sila comes to the cage accompanied by Samoa Joe - Destroyer (Entrance Theme). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sila
vs
Bakiyev

173 cm
41
161 lbs
29 - 12 - 0

171 cm
38
163 lbs
26 - 27 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Afa Sila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sila throws a head kick that misses.
Sila misses the jab.
Bakiyev misses with a straight right.
Sila with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bakiyev to score with a decent uppercut.
Bakiyev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot.
Afa Sila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sila drops his hands momentarily and Bakiyev takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sila throws a lazy right hand but Bakiyev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bakiyev lands a jab to Sila's midsection.
A big right from Sila misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev scores with a jab to the body.
Bakiyev throws a body shot but no joy.
Sila misses with a low kick as Bakiyev jumps back.
Bakiyev misses with a left hand
and Sila counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bakiyev connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev swings for the body but Sila moves out of range.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sila takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sila throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bakiyev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sila slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sila moves out of range as Bakiyev strikes.
Sila keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bakiyev.
Sila uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bakiyev.
Sila misses with a combination
and Bakiyev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've been told by Sila's head coaches at whitey's gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bakiyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sila was well out of range. Poor timing from Bakiyev.
Sila looks to land a right hand but Bakiyev moved out of range.
Sila walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sila fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Bakiyev misses.
Bakiyev slips a jab from Sila.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Donk. Bakiyev catches Sila right on the button with a cross.
A big left from Sila misses.
Sila scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sila motions for Bakiyev to come forward. Sila throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bakiyev walks into a stiff left hand from Sila.
Bakiyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Sila is just out of range.
Bakiyev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sila throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bakiyev counters with a stiff right hand.
Sila waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bakiyev.
Sila keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakiyev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Bakiyev lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sila was well out of range. Poor timing from Bakiyev.
Sila needs to keep his hands up - Bakiyev had a free shot at his head there.
Sila throws a hook to the side of Bakiyev's head but Bakiyev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sila throws a right hand that Bakiyev ducks under and follows up with a left that Bakiyev also avoids with ease.
Bakiyev is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sila had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sila 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.
Sila lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sila moves out of range as Bakiyev strikes.
Sila defending well as Bakiyev loads up on a big left hand.
Sila defending well as Bakiyev loads up on a big left hand.
Sila is looking to counter punch.
Bakiyev has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Sila throws a head kick but Bakiyev moves out of range.
Bakiyev lands with a shot to the body.
Sila takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bakiyev misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bakiyev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A telegraphed right hand from Bakiyev misses the target.
Sila misses with a right hand
letting Bakiyev counter with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bakiyev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sila throws out the jab.
Sila staying out of range there.
Sila tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bakiyev misses with a straight right.
Sila thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sila looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sila avoids the body shot from Bakiyev.
Sila fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bakiyev takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sila bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bakiyev's head.
Good leg kick by Sila there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toktogulovich Bakiyev dominated that round.
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.

Sila comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bakiyev slips a jab from Sila.
Bakiyev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sila loads up on a big right hand but Bakiyev slips the punch.
Bakiyev scores with the left hand. Sila knows he should have avoided that one.
Bakiyev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sila uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bakiyev.
Sila throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bakiyev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bakiyev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sila lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bakiyev ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sila. Sila circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bakiyev misses the shot to the body.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sila might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Bakiyev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sila sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sila looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bakiyev clobbers Sila with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good exchange - Bakiyev coming out on top.
Sila bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bakiyev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bakiyev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sila throws out a loose jab but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bakiyev takes a swing at Sila's ribcage but misses.
Sila throws a leg kick
and Sila takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bakiyev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sila throws an off balance right hand
and Bakiyev counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bakiyev cracks Sila with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sila uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bakiyev.
Sila scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila throws a jab but it's blocked by Bakiyev.
Sila thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bakiyev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bakiyev looks to throw the jab but Sila is out of range.
Sila throws a lazy head kick
enabling Bakiyev to counter with a crisp jab.
Bakiyev misses with a wild body shot.
Sila swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bakiyev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sila gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sila. Bakiyev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bakiyev misses with a hook to the body
and Sila connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sila gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sila waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bakiyev.
Bakiyev misses with a jab to the body
and Sila connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sila has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila misses with a low kick.
Bakiyev throws out a counter right but Sila avoids it with no problem.
Sila darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A low kick from Sila is predictable there
and Bakiyev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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.
Bakiyev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bakiyev just misses with a punch to the body.
Sila throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bakiyev counters with a nice uppercut.
Bakiyev stuns Sila with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sila scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bakiyev sizes up Sila with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bakiyev throws a jab but it's blocked by Sila.
Sila keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot.
Bakiyev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila walks into a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sila motions for Bakiyev to come forward. Sila throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bakiyev moves out of range as Sila throws a body kick.
Sila misses with a leg kick.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bakiyev throws a body shot but no joy.
Bakiyev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sila at a distance.
Sila misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bakiyev throws a shot from downtown. Sila moves away and avoids it.
Bakiyev moves out of range of the leg kick from Sila.
Sila misses with a kick to the body.
Bakiyev is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sila with a body shot.
Bakiyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Sila is just out of range.
Sila tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bakiyev throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toktogulovich Bakiyev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bakiyev missing with a left hand there. Sila was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Sila was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev lands a nice hook to Sila's body. Sila takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sila feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bakiyevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bakiyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sila.
Bakiyev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Good work by Bakiyev as he checks the leg kick.
Bakiyev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Bakiyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sila was well out of range. Poor timing from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev lands a slapping body shot.
Sila slips a jab from Bakiyev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sila throws a shot from downtown. Bakiyev moves away and avoids it.
Sila lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bakiyev will feel that in the morning.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakiyev. Sila does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sila throws a right and a left that Bakiyev avoids nicely.
Bakiyev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sila throws a lazy right hand but Bakiyev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bakiyev is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sila with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sila throws out a loose jab but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bakiyev doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bakiyev throws a hook but Sila avoids it easily.
Sila digs a good hook to Bakiyev's body.
Bakiyev staying out of range there.
Sila misses with a hook.
Sila drops his hands momentarily and Bakiyev takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sila misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Sila throws a hook but Bakiyev avoids it easily.
Bakiyev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sila misses with a straight right.
Bakiyev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bakiyev lands a head shot.
Bakiyev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sila.
Sila walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bakiyev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bakiyev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Afa Sila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sila tries to move into range but Bakiyev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bakiyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sila was well out of range. Poor timing from Bakiyev.
Sila lands with an uppercut that bounces Bakiyev off the cage and back into range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sila tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sila lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bakiyev scores with a body shot.
Sila thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bakiyev if he has to take too many more of those.
Nice uppercut there from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev lands a nice shot to the body.
Bakiyev moves out of range of the strikes.
Bakiyev blocks a low kick nicely.
Sila throws an overhand right that lands on Bakiyev's shoulder, as Bakiyev tries to avoid the shot.
Bakiyev is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sila with a body shot.
Sila throws a jab when Bakiyev was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sila misses with a body shot.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sila scores with a shot to the body.
Sila loads up on a big right hand but Bakiyev slips the punch.
Bakiyev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Bakiyev misses the jab.
It appears Sila was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bakiyev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sila momentarily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sila 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 Bakiyev has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bakiyev and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bakiyev lands a nice shot to the body.
Sila lands with a good body shot.
A jab lands there for Bakiyev.
Bakiyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Sila is just out of range.
Bakiyev throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sila misses with a wild combination.
Sila has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sila there as he acknowledges the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bakiyev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sila takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sila misses with the body kick
and Bakiyev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bakiyev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sila misses with a right hand
and Bakiyev counters with a nice uppercut.
Sila misses with an uppercut
and Bakiyev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bakiyev moves out of range of the body kick.
A slow jab from Bakiyev misses its intended target.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A left lands for Sila.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toktogulovich Bakiyev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bakiyev 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
During a confident post fight interview, Toktogulovich Bakiyev thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Afa Sila was interviewed post fight and said 'Sorry Bro Gonna Win Next Fight Bro'.