PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Diego Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heckofa Riddum (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!

Santos
vs
Riddum

180 cm
21
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
183 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Nutrition 101
EFC Clothing

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 Rio de Janeiro, Diego Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Heckofa Riddum!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Daniel Cesar and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riddum throws a nice looking combination but Santos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riddum as he avoids it easily.
Santos steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Riddum.

Riddum drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Santos has his foot on Riddum's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Riddum works his way back into a safe position though.

Santos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Riddum defends well.

Riddum thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Riddum throwing strikes but missing.
Riddum has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Riddum advances position into side control!

Riddum is trying to get an arm triangle but Santos is defending well.
Riddum working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Santos is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Riddum off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santos is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Riddum tries to roll but Santos sticks to his back.

Santos has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Riddum has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Riddum breaks Santos's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Riddum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Riddum wants to control from the top but Santos keeps moving.
Santos keeping full guard, as Riddum tries to pass.
Riddum loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Santos controls Riddum momentarily but Riddum frees himself.
Santos is really struggling to control Riddum but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Riddum trying to control the position from guard on top but Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Riddum is looking to score with low kicks.
Riddum wants to clinch.
Riddum pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice defenses there by Santos.
Santos slips a straight right by Riddum.
Santos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Riddum throws a lazy right hand but Santos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Riddum lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Riddum drives through with a takedown into guard.
Riddum throwing strikes from guard but Santos blocks nicely.
Santos pulls Riddum in close to prevent any damage.

Santos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Santos is breathing heavily.
Riddum slips nicely into half guard.
Riddum is looking to take a break and control but Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Riddum has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Riddum throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riddum looking to control and managing it successfully.

Riddum working for a guillotine from mount but Santos is in no mood to give up.
Santos is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Santos is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Santos regains half guard.
Riddum looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Santos wants to get back to full guard.
Riddum wants to free his trapped foot but Santos is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heckofa Riddum dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Riddum throws a shot from downtown. Santos moves away and avoids it.

Riddum shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Santos's guard.

Santos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Riddum slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Riddum working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Riddum advances nicely into full mount.
Santos gets back to half guard.
Santos throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Riddum sits in half guard.
Riddum is thwarting Santos's attempts to control the position.
Riddum seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riddum seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Santos is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Heckofa Riddum!