QFC Tournament 754 Round 3 PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Lau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cicero Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Lau
vs
Dos Santos

170 cm
24
178 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Lau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cicero Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos shoots for a takedown but Lau saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lau shoots in looking for a takedown but Dos Santos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lau's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Dos Santos fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Lau to the ground. Dos Santos is now in Lau's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lau pulls Dos Santos in close to his closed guard and prevents Dos Santos from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lau has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lau has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dos Santos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dos Santos scoring with some ground and pound.
Lau has his hands on Dos Santos's head, controlling the position.
Dos Santos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Lau is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lau on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lau tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dos Santos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dos Santos dives in and scores a takedown into Lau's guard.
Dos Santos sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lau utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lau wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dos Santos slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lau takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Who's going to make the next move?
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lau struggling a bit here.
Lau tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos laying and praying for a moment but Lau takes advantage and regains half guard.
Dos Santos seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lau does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dos Santos prevents Lau from improving his position.
Dos Santos seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dos Santos thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lau's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cicero Dos Santos dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lau misses with a leg kick

and Dos Santos decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lau's guard.
Lau pulls Dos Santos in close to prevent any damage.

Lau is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lau is trying to keep Dos Santos in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dos Santos trying to control but Lau is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lau is looking to sweep but instead, Dos Santos has passed into half guard.
Lau works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lau is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lau has control of Dos Santos's left arm, preventing Dos Santos from doing any damage.
Cicero Dos Santos has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dos Santos sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Dos Santos trying to control but Lau is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lau looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dos Santos is fending him off so far but Lau persists. Nope, Dos Santos circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lau misses with a kick to the body

so Dos Santos counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lau is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lau keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.
Lau avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dos Santos working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lau's head.
Dos Santos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lau is trying to keep Dos Santos in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dos Santos works over Lau with some ground and pound from guard.
Dos Santos postures up in Lau's guard and throws a big left but Lau blocks it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dos Santos is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dos Santos trying to control but Lau is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lau keeping full guard, as Dos Santos tries to pass.
Dos Santos landing with the ground and pound.
Dos Santos throws a big elbow that misses.
Dos Santos postures up in Lau's guard and throws a big left but Lau blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lau stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lau wants it to stay on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dos Santos dives in for a single leg takedown but Lau sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Lau shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cicero Dos Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Dos Santos darts in looking for a takedown but Lau gets double underhooks and turns Dos Santos into the cage.

Lau manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dos Santos on his heels. He'll look to pass Dos Santos's guard now, I'm sure.
Dos Santos is trying to keep Lau in close.

Dos Santos looking for a guillotine here but Lau defends easily.
Lau pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dos Santos is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dos Santos is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Lau works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lau is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Lau is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dos Santos is in close to Lau's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lau pulls Dos Santos in close to prevent any damage.
Dos Santos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Lau is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dos Santos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dos Santos cracks Lau with a solid left hand.
Lau trying to keep a closed guard but Dos Santos is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lau looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Dos Santos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dos Santos doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lau counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos looking to control.

Dos Santos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lau gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dos Santos working a defensive guard here.
Dos Santos doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Dos Santos trying to keep a closed guard but Lau is proving a slippery customer.
Lau wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.
Lau has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dos Santos is trying to keep Lau in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dos Santos controlling Lau's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dos Santos shoots for a double leg takedown but Lau sprawls well. He's pushed Dos Santos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Joe Lau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cicero Dos Santos.
Lau misses the shot to the body.
Dos Santos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dos Santos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dos Santos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lau shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lau keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Lau showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dos Santos 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Cicero Dos Santos!
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight for Cicero Dos Santos!
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight for Cicero Dos Santos!

Cicero Dos Santos wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
26%

Main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Maximez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Lane Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maximez
vs
Lane Jr

176 cm
23
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
20
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Maximez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joey Lane Jr!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Eddie Farnsworth and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lane Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maximez circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice body kick from Lane Jr.
Lane Jr cracks Maximez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lane Jr misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Maximez tries to counter with a takedown but Lane Jr is quick to defend against it.

Lane Jr looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximez is looking for a sweep. Lane Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lane Jr wants to stand up but Maximez has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lane Jr.
Maximez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Maximez.

Maximez is looking for a triangle but Lane Jr pushes his legs off easily.
Lane Jr trying to control but Maximez is working from the bottom.
Lane Jr wanted to stand there but Maximez had control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Maximez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lane Jr wants to stand but Maximez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Lane Jr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maximez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lane Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Maximez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lane Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lane Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lane Jr looking to sit in guard and control but Maximez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Lane Jr wants to control the position but Maximez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Lane Jr wants to get back to full guard but Maximez has passed into side control.
Maximez taking a breather here.
Maximez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Lane Jr for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lane Jr wants to control but Maximez postures up.
Maximez staying calm.
Lane Jr is looking to reverse the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lane Jr is still trying to improve position.
You can see the frustration on Lane Jr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joe Maximez will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lane Jr closes the distance and clinches.
Maximez is looking for a takedown.
Lane Jr stalls.

Lane Jr breaks the clinch.
Lane Jr scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lane Jr fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lane Jr tests Maximez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maximez takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Joe Maximez has been cut.
Lane Jr lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maximez at a distance.
Lane Jr shoots in for a takedown but Maximez shows good takedown defense.

Lane Jr closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lane Jr breaks from the clinch.

Lane Jr has Maximez up against the cage in a clinch.
Lane Jr controlling the action here for a moment.
Lane Jr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maximez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Joe Maximez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Lane Jr.
Maximez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Maximez gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lane Jr is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lane Jr is trying to stand back up but Maximez is controlling him
Joe Maximez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maximez content to control rather than advance.
Maximez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maximez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Lane Jr!

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.
Maximez controlling the pace for now.
Lane Jr tries to hold on but Maximez pushes him away.
Maximez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Lane Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Maximez'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!

Maximez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Maximez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Lane Jr is looking to clinch but Maximez is avoiding it.
Joey Lane Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maximez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maximez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lane Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maximez wants it to stay on the feet.
Maximez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lane Jr sprawls and moves away.
Maximez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lane Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lane Jr dives in and grabs Maximez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Maximez pushes down on Lane Jr's head and hops out.
Joe Maximez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Lane Jr.
Maximez leaves Lane Jr with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lane Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Maximez pinned against the cage. Maximez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Maximez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lane Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lane Jr shoots in but no luck this time.
Lane Jr wants to clinch up but Maximez keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lane Jr tries to clinch but Maximez moves out of range.
Maximez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lane Jr has his takedown stuffed

and Maximez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Lane Jr being controlled here, momentarily.
Maximez advances to half guard.
Maximez looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Maximez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Further stalling from Maximez.
Maximez is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Maximez controlling his opponent.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Maximez is stinking the place up with his stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lane Jr wants to control but Maximez is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Maximez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maximez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Joe Maximez!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Joe Maximez!
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Joe Maximez!

Joe Maximez wins by unanimous decision!