PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shu Fang Tzeng (ranked 645 p4p, 2788 weight class) and Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 39 p4p, 141 weight class). Tzeng kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Mantra Chant. 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?

Tzeng
vs
Da Santiago

165 cm
29
135
12 - 2 - 0

175 cm
27
144
11 - 10 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shu Fang Tzeng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessio Da Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Santiago wants to clinch.
Da Santiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tzeng swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Santiago.
Da Santiago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Da Santiago tries to land a front kick but Tzeng steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tzeng drops down looking for a counter takedown but Da Santiago sprawls and moves away.
Da Santiago misses with a two punch combination.

Tzeng looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Da Santiago looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tzeng seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Da Santiago is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tzeng engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Tzeng forces his way into half guard.

Tzeng is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Da Santiago is just riding it out for now. Tzeng eventually gives up the hold.
Tzeng controlling the action here.
Tzeng is keen to just control but Da Santiago is a slippery customer.
We've been hearing good reports from Tzeng's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

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.

Da Santiago is defending against the submission attempts here by Tzeng.
Da Santiago is in trouble now - Tzeng has advanced to mount!

Tzeng looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Tzeng has hold of Da Santiago's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Da Santiago manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago stops Tzeng from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

Tzeng working for a guillotine from mount but Da Santiago is in no mood to give up.
Da Santiago is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Tzeng tries to control but Da Santiago wriggling away.

Tzeng is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Da Santiago is surviving well by controlling Tzeng's body position as best he can.
Da Santiago is looking to get to half guard.
Da Santiago is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Tzeng has taken his back.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tzeng has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Da Santiago is defending well but eventually Tzeng manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Da Santiago has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Shu Fang Tzeng!
Our winner, Shu Fang Tzeng, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.