PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shane Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stevo Santucci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Velasquez
vs
Santucci

185 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shane Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stevo Santucci!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez has a takedown stuffed.
Velasquez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Santucci scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Santucci fails with the takedown

and Velasquez counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Santucci has a hand on Velasquez's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Velasquez takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Santucci is squirming around, avoiding Velasquez's attempts to control the action.

Velasquez goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Santucci turns into him and now he's in Velasquez's guard.
Velasquez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Santucci is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velasquez had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Santucci is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Velasquez Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Santucci's back instead.
Velasquez is breathing heavily.

Velasquez looking for the choke but no joy.

Velasquez is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Santucci defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Velasquez 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, Santucci has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Santucci rolls, trying to escape but Velasquez keeps control of the position.

Velasquez tightening his grip on Santucci, looking for the choke.

Santucci is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Velasquez keeps control of the position as Santucci tries to break free.
Santucci trying to get back to his feet but Velasquez is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Santucci is defending well though. Velasquez let's go of the attempt for now.

Santucci fending off the submission attempt from Velasquez.

Velasquez working for a choke but Santucci is defending well.
Santucci is trying to get back to his feet but Velasquez has full control of the position and if anything, Santucci has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Santucci trying to control the position but Velasquez manages to sink in the hooks.
Santucci is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Velasquez off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez working for the choke.
Even with his hooks in, Velasquez manages to miss with strikes from the back.

Velasquez has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Santucci! Can he survive? No! He's out! Velasquez gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Shane Velasquez!