PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raiam Dos Santos (ranked 2843 p4p, 1855 weight class) and Valentin Saric (ranked 353 p4p, 247 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.

Dos Santos
vs
Saric

187 cm
33
195
15 - 16 - 0

200 cm
27
195
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raiam Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Valentin Saric!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saric connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Dos Santos's hands.
The crowd cheers as Saric lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dos Santos doesn't seem phased though.
Saric works Dos Santos's body with a nice hook.
Saric jabs Dos Santos right on the nose. Dos Santos blinks but takes it well.
Saric pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dos Santos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Saric throws a body shot but no joy.
Saric tries for a takedown but Dos Santos circles away easily

and Dos Santos counters by clinching up.
Saric throws a punch but it's blocked by Dos Santos.

Saric decides to pull guard.
Dos Santos looking to pass the guard.
Dos Santos won't allow Saric to sweep him here.
Saric is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Dos Santos's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saric looking for a sweep. Not yet Saric, not yet.
Saric is still trying to improve position.
Dos Santos stays in close to Saric's body and controls the position.
Saric keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Saric does it's job there.
Dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saric moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dos Santos scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dos Santos. That's going to slow Saric down.
Saric is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Dos Santos slips under a jab.
Dos Santos is looking to counter the offense by Saric and move into the clinch.
Dos Santos moves away from the strike by Saric.
Dos Santos appears to be looking for a big counter.
Saric throws a sloppy body shot
and Dos Santos makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saric moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dos Santos uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saric.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saric. Dos Santos does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saric scores with a jab to the body.
Saric swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dos Santos counters with a slapping leg kick.
Saric lands the left hand.
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!
Dos Santos shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Saric scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Saric throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big left from Saric misses.
It looked like Dos Santos was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Saric swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dos Santos drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saric cracks Dos Santos with an open hand slap.
Saric has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dos Santos moves forwards but Saric connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Saric throws out a loose jab but Dos Santos uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saric throws a body punch but Dos Santos moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saric shoots in for a double leg but Dos Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Saric drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Saric stops Dos Santos from standing up.
Saric wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.
Dos Santos wants to stand but Saric is controlling the position.
Saric trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saric is stalling in the full guard.
Saric stops Dos Santos from standing up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saric misses with an uppercut
and Dos Santos counters with a good, hard body kick but Saric shrugs it off.
Saric shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dos Santos counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Raiam Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valentin Saric.
A big left from Saric misses.

Dos Santos gets caught napping as Saric dives in and scores a takedown. Dos Santos manages to retain guard.
Dos Santos looking for a sweep. Not yet Dos Santos, not yet.
Dos Santos wants to stand but Saric is controlling the position.
Saric not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Dos Santos might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saric won't allow Dos Santos to sweep him here.
Saric controlling from the top position.
Saric stops Dos Santos from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Saric dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saric goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Saric is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Saric throws a shot to the body.
Saric getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A slow jab from Saric misses its intended target.
Saric fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dos Santos manages to avoid it.
Saric pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saric misses with a looping right.
Dos Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saric.
Saric thuds a left hand into Dos Santos's body.
Saric misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saric. Dos Santos does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Saric as he checks the leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Saric misses the target.
Saric misses with a looping left.
Saric takes a swing at Dos Santos's ribcage but misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saric.
Valentin Saric seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saric fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dos Santos looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Saric throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dos Santos ducks under a wild hook from Saric.
Dos Santos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saric dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Saric fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saric smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Dos Santos walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've been told by Dos Santos's head coaches at Underground Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Saric takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Saric throws an off balance right hand
and Dos Santos counters with a right hand to the body.
Saric shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dos Santos as he jumps to the side.
Raiam Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valentin Saric.
Dos Santos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
Saric throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dos Santos quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Dos Santos ducks under a wild hook from Saric.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A leg kick checked by Saric.
Dos Santos tries a low kick but Saric avoids it.
Saric throws a body punch but Dos Santos moves out of range.
A big right from Saric misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saric. Dos Santos does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dos Santos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dos Santos misses with a body kick.
Saric misses the shot to the body.
Saric throws a left and a right that both miss
and Dos Santos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dos Santos with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dos Santos misses with a double jab.
Saric with the counter takedown but Dos Santos avoids it easily.
Dos Santos uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saric.
It looked like Dos Santos was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Saric.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with a body shot.
Saric lands with a cross.
Saric fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dos Santos manages to avoid it.
Dos Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dos Santos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Saric throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dos Santos throws a body punch but Saric moves out of range.
Dos Santos uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saric.
Saric throws a jab when Dos Santos was well out of range.
Saric scores with a hook to the body. Dos Santos takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Saric throws a looping overhand right but Dos Santos ducks down to avoid it.
Dos Santos throws out a loose jab but Saric uses good head movement to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Dos Santos 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Saric thuds his right hand into Dos Santos's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Saric throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saric lands with a hook. Dos Santos tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saric misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dos Santos.
It looked like Dos Santos wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Saric ducks right into an uppercut from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos shoots in for a takedown but Saric shows good takedown defense.
Saric scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Saric uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dos Santos has time to react.
Saric avoids the body shot from Dos Santos.

Saric looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dos Santos!
Saric trying to control the action but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dos Santos wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Dos Santos tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Saric showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Saric bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saric wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dos Santos keeps working.

Saric is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dos Santos knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Saric wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dos Santos keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dos Santos manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Saric gets back to full guard.
Saric wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos controlling from the top position.

Saric escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dos Santos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dos Santos wants to control from the top but Saric keeps moving.
Dos Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saric works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Saric working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dos Santos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dos Santos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Saric looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Valentin Saric is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saric keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.
Valentin Saric has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dos Santos slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Saric has his hands on Dos Santos's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saric utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dos Santos postures up in Saric's guard and throws a big left but Saric blocks it.
Saric keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saric is trying to keep Dos Santos in close.
Dos Santos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saric is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dos Santos clinches.
Stalling in the clinch from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos manages to break the clinch.
A big right from Saric misses.
Saric lands a two punch combo.
Dos Santos misses with a head kick.
Dos Santos ducks under a wild hook from Saric.
Dos Santos takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Saric cracks Dos Santos with an open hand slap.
Saric misses with a jab to the body

and Dos Santos counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dos Santos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saric lands with a left to the head.
Saric lands a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dos Santos tries to work over Saric's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dos Santos is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dos Santos throws a head punch that misses.
Saric scores with a shot to the side of Dos Santos's head.
Saric trying to control the position but instead, Dos Santos has worked for underhooks and has pushed Saric into the cage.
Saric swings wildly with an uppercut but Dos Santos uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saric lands an uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Saric decides to pull guard.
Saric manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dos Santos manages to get himself to full guard.

Raiam Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saric is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Saric comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saric 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentin Saric!