PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcos Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafa Cabrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Dos Santos
vs
Cabrera

197 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

210 cm
20
203 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcos Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rafa Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cabrera bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cabrera landing a few strikes.
Cabrera works to advance to full mount. Dos Santos defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Cabrera has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Dos Santos's face.
Dos Santos holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cabrera tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Cabrera trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dos Santos is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Dos Santos is working to get back to half guard.
Dos Santos is breathing heavily.
Cabrera can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dos Santos is looking to escape.
Cabrera scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cabrera stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cabrera lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cabrera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dos Santos has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cabrera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cabrera gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Cabrera is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dos Santos can't fight it off and eventually Cabrera manages to take the fight to the floor. Dos Santos looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cabrera 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.

Cabrera stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dos Santos.
An inside leg kick lands from Cabrera.
Cabrera lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera lands a body shot.
No luck for Cabrera with that takedown attempt.

Cabrera moves into the clinch.

Cabrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cabrera clinches up with Dos Santos and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cabrera lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Cabrera really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dos Santos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dos Santos wants to improve his position but Cabrera is controlling well.
Cabrera takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cabrera working the head and body with strikes.
Cabrera is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Dos Santos tries to roll over but Cabrera keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos trying to control here.
Dos Santos tries to roll over but Cabrera keeps him under control.
Cabrera thows a huge punch but Dos Santos dodges it nicely.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Dos Santos gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cabrera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dos Santos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cabrera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cabrera trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dos Santos is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cabrera throws a head kick but Dos Santos moves out of range.
Cabrera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dos Santos but Dos Santos pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cabrera staying out of range there.
Cabrera shoots in but no luck this time.
Cabrera dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cabrera displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Cabrera throws a right and a left that Dos Santos avoids nicely.
Cabrera ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rafa Cabrera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cabrera is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Cabrera has taken the fight to the clinch.

Cabrera thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Dos Santos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cabrera gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cabrera stopping the sweep attempt from Dos Santos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Cabrera is now in half guard.
Dos Santos tries to roll over but Cabrera keeps him under control.
Well, if Cabrera 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.
Cabrera wants to get back to his feet.
Cabrera throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cabrera is working away from the top position though.
Dos Santos is not content to let Cabrera control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cabrera shoots for a takedown but Dos Santos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Marcos Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafa Cabrera.
Dos Santos misses with a body punch

and Cabrera counters with a shoot takedown. Dos Santos fights it but they end up in guard.
Cabrera trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Cabrera puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Dos Santos wants to control but Cabrera is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Dos Santos wants to get back to full guard.
Dos Santos wants to control but Cabrera is keeping busy.
Rafa Cabrera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cabrera in particular looking to stall.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Cabrera takes the fight into the clinch.

Cabrera pulls guard successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafa Cabrera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cabrera works over Dos Santos's head and body with a nice combination.
Cabrera throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Cabrera fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dos Santos sprawls well initially but Cabrera persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Cabrera takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cabrera is keen to just control but Dos Santos is a slippery customer.
Cabrera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cabrera wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dos Santos keeps working.
Dos Santos tries to roll over but Cabrera keeps him under control.

Dos Santos pushes Cabrera off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with a takedown

and Cabrera counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dos Santos is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cabrera lands a couple of elbows.
Dos Santos is looking to sweep but instead, Cabrera has passed into half guard.
Cabrera looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Cabrera wants to work for an arm triangle but Dos Santos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dos Santos preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is looking to improve his position.
Cabrera is controlling the pace.

Cabrera seems to be working for a kimura but Dos Santos defends the submission attempt.
Dos Santos keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos tries to roll over but Cabrera keeps him under control.

Cabrera is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rafa Cabrera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dos Santos is looking to improve his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Cabrera closes the distance and pushes Dos Santos back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Cabrera turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Cabrera manages to end up in side control.
Cabrera wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Dos Santos is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cabrera off and has taken his back!
Cabrera wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dos Santos throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Cabrera!
Dos Santos trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Dos Santos is hanging on to Cabrera's back as he tries to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafa Cabrera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cabrera 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafa Cabrera!