PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vuvu Zela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marwin Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Zela
vs
Silva

173 cm
23
178 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vuvu Zela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marwin Silva!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Zela.
A combination from Silva does no damage.
Zela shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Silva pinned against the cage. Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Zela fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Silva sprawls well initially but Zela persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Silva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zela.
Zela trying to control the pace.
Silva tries to roll over but Zela keeps him under control.
Zela sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zela has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Silva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zela is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Zela is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zela is working away from the top position though.
Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Silva on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zela is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Zela tries to pass the half guard into mount. Silva knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Zela lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zela looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vuvu Zela.
Zela lands with a straight right. Silva didn't see that one coming.
Zela lands with a right hand.
Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zela but Zela pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vuvu Zela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marwin Silva.
Zela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zela wants it to stay on the feet.
Silva looks gassed!

Zela throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Silva was covering up waiting for the punch and Zela finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zela stands and throws Silva's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Zela working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zela tries for a kimura but Silva is defending well.
The referee asks Zela politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Zela prefers to stall for the moment though.
Zela creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Silva wants to get back to his feet but Zela drags him back down.
Silva taking punishment in the form of punches.
Zela working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Zela staying calm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vuvu Zela dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zela shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Silva's guard.
Zela sitting in guard here, content to control.
Silva lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zela!

Silva is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Zela has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Zela!
Zela postures up and lands a big shot to Silva's brow.
Silva is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zela stands up over Silva, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zela is pushing down on Silva's leg trying to pass to half guard. Silva is fighting to maintain full guard but Zela has managed to sneak the leg through.

Zela is working for a submission of some sort.
Zela looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zela lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zela is controlling the pace.

Zela is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Zela in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zela is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Zela working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zela looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Zela throwing shots but Silva is blocking nicely.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Zela connects with a nice short shot to Silva's temple.
Zela takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zela scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Zela not doing much here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vuvu Zela.

Zela shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Silva manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Zela keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Silva's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vuvu Zela dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zela is fending him off so far but Silva persists. Nope, Zela circles away and we're back to standing.
Zela leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zela as he avoids it easily.
Vuvu Zela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marwin Silva.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Marwin Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zela's waist but Zela gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.

Zela scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Zela is looking for a kimura here.
Zela takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Silva has hold of Zela's hands but Zela slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Silva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zela working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Well, if Zela is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ground and pound from Zela.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Zela lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Zela passes to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zela is working Silva over with some ground and pound from side control.
Silva takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Zela is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silva knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Zela in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Silva takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Zela controlling the position.
Silva is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Silva trying to remain calm as Zela controls from the top position.
Check out the look on Zela's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Silva is being controlled here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zela landing strikes.
Silva is letting Zela control him for a moment.
Check out the look on Zela's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Vuvu Zela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zela is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Silva can do to turn this around?
Zela lands a decent elbow from side control.
Zela in side control lands a decent elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zela takes a little break here. Silva wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Zela landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vuvu Zela showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zela 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:26
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vuvu Zela!