PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cranky Smith (ranked 2806 p4p, 2823 weight class) and Darren Dos Santos (ranked 299 p4p, 301 weight class). Dos Santos has chosen Right Above It as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Smith
vs
Dos Santos

172 cm
26
155
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
153
5 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Brooklyn Apothecary

Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services (80%)
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cranky Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Darren Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Smith enables Dos Santos to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Smith manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Dos Santos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dos Santos is in close to Smith's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Dos Santos defends easily.
Dos Santos trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

Dos Santos got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dos Santos has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
Dos Santos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smith has his foot on Dos Santos's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dos Santos works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Dos Santos defends easily.

Smith throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Dos Santos escapes and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Dos Santos is trying to get an arm triangle but Smith is defending well.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dos Santos is trying to get an arm triangle but Smith is defending well.
Smith manages to work his way to half guard, despite Dos Santos's best efforts.
Dos Santos content to control rather than advance.

Smith with the active half guard here but Dos Santos passes nicely into side control.

Dos Santos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.
Dos Santos working away.
Smith tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dos Santos wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith regains half guard.
Dos Santos seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Smith is defending against the submission attempts here by Dos Santos.

Dos Santos is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

Dos Santos is working for a kimura but Smith is defending it quite comfortably.
Smith gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dos Santos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Smith has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Dos Santos is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Smith.
Smith is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dos Santos off and has taken his back!
Dos Santos wants to escape the position.
Dos Santos felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Smith looking to break Dos Santos's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Dos Santos remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Smith will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Smith is looking to control Dos Santos but Dos Santos is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Dos Santos is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Smith gets his way!
Dos Santos is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Smith working for the choke.
Dos Santos trying to control the action but Smith just sinks the hooks in.

Smith is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Dos Santos has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Dos Santos tries to escape the position.
Smith really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Dos Santos.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith is hanging on to Dos Santos's back as he tries to escape.
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 Cranky Smith will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smith fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dos Santos sprawls well initially but Smith persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Smith wants to take a breather but Dos Santos is having none of it.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Dos Santos is defending well.
Smith works his foot free and advances to mount.
Dos Santos is desperately trying to improve his position but Smith has a good base and remains in mount.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is trying to control here but Dos Santos has managed to regain half guard.
Dos Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dos Santos has managed to free his arm - good work.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dos Santos is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.
Dos Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.

Dos Santos looking for a kimura from the bottom but Smith passes into side control!
Dos Santos gets back to half guard.

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.

Dos Santos actively working from the bottom here.
Dos Santos has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.

Smith seems to be looking for submissions.
Smith throwing shots but Dos Santos is blocking nicely.

Smith is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dos Santos sees it coming and defends easily.
Dos Santos makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dos Santos.

Smith is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Dos Santos looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Dos Santos blocks nicely.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dos Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith is pushing down on Dos Santos's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dos Santos is fighting to maintain full guard but Smith has managed to sneak the leg through.
Dos Santos is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dos Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dos Santos is trying to get back to full guard.
Dos Santos makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dos Santos.
Smith slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Smith tries for a kimura but Dos Santos is defending well.
Dos Santos wants to control but Smith postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cranky Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smith throws out a leg kick but Dos Santos moves out of range and Smith only half commits.
Dos Santos throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Dos Santos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos drives through with a takedown into Smith's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Dos Santos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Dos Santos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Smith is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Dos Santos rolls with it to try and escape but Smith cranks on the arm and Dos Santos is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Cranky Smith!
After the fight, Cranky Smith was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
The defeated Darren Dos Santos had this to say: 'Thank you to Conquer and Big Chief Nutrition. This was the last fight on my BFC contract. Thank you for the opportunity. I will learn from this and bounce back. I am excited for what the future holds.(translated by Julio Maia from Portuguese)'.