PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Aronyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Victor Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Aronyan
vs
Victor Dos Santos

175 cm
19
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
181 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Win Nutritional
[†]FALCON CLOTHING[†]

Win Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Aronyan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Victor Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Seu Braga and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Dos Santos does no damage.
No joy there for Dos Santos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

A jab-cross combination lands for Dos Santos and sends Aronyan crashing to the mat! Dos Santos follows him down to the mat - Aronyan regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

It looks like Mike Aronyan has been cut.
Dos Santos is trying to control the action in half guard but Aronyan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Dos Santos scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Aronyan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dos Santos scores with a couple of nice shots.

Aronyan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dos Santos pulls his head out easily.
Aronyan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dos Santos is working away from the top position though.
Aronyan is looking to improve his position.
Dos Santos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Dos Santos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dos Santos in particular looking to stall.
Aronyan is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos trying to control the action but Aronyan is working from the bottom.

Aronyan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dos Santos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Aronyan is looking for a sweep. Dos Santos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aronyan is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dos Santos scores with a couple of nice shots.
Aronyan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dos Santos.
Aronyan trying to control from the bottom.
Dos Santos seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aronyan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Aronyan wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Dos Santos connects with a nice short shot to Aronyan's temple.
Aronyan tries to roll over but Dos Santos keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Dos Santos 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aronyan tries to get to full guard but Dos Santos has control of the leg.
Still in half guard, Dos Santos seems content to control.
Dos Santos is keen to just control but Aronyan is a slippery customer.
Aronyan is looking to improve his position.
Dos Santos seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Dos Santos looks gassed!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dos Santos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aronyan.
Aronyan slips under a jab.
Some wild striking there from Dos Santos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aronyan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Dos Santos can't keep his opponent in guard - Aronyan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Aronyan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Aronyan is looking for a kimura but Dos Santos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Aronyan to get the leverage.
Aronyan is trying to control the action in half guard but Dos Santos is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Dos Santos is defending against the submission attempts here by Aronyan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aronyan is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aronyan is looking to advance position but Dos Santos won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Victor Dos Santos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Aronyan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dos Santos throws out a loose jab but Aronyan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dos Santos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aronyan shoots in looking for a takedown. Dos Santos tries to sprawl out of it but Aronyan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dos Santos manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dos Santos waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Aronyan.
Aronyan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dos Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aronyan somewhat.
Dos Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aronyan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Aronyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aronyan avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dos Santos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aronyan circles away quickly and effectively.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aronyan.
No joy there for Dos Santos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Dos Santos is breathing heavily.

Aronyan closes the distance and pushes Dos Santos back into the cage.
Aronyan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dos Santos prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aronyan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dos Santos pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Aronyan tries for a takedown but Dos Santos manages to get underhooks.
Dos Santos prevents a takedown attempt there.
Aronyan can't get the takedown.

Dos Santos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice takedown defense from Dos Santos. No joy for Aronyan on that attempt.
Aronyan has a takedown stuffed.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dos Santos throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aronyan on the side of the head.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Dos Santos misses.

Aronyan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Aronyan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dos Santos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aronyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aronyanis looking to pass into half guard but Dos Santos pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Dos Santos is in guard.
Dos Santos lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Aronyan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dos Santos is one step ahead there.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Aronyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dos Santos trying to control but Aronyan is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos stopping the sweep attempt from Aronyan.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Aronyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dos Santos preventing the sweep.
Aronyan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Aronyan is looking for submissions but instead, Dos Santos has regained full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thiago Victor Dos Santos will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mike Aronyan's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dos Santos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aronyan manages to avoid it.
Aronyan shoots in for a takedown but Dos Santos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dos Santos misses with a series of wild punches.
Aronyan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dos Santos.
Aronyan is looking to clinch.
Aronyan dives in and grabs Dos Santos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dos Santos pushes down on Aronyan's head and hops out.
Aronyan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dos Santos as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Aronyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dos Santos jabs at Aronyan's body.
Dos Santos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aronyan circles away quickly and effectively.
Dos Santos missing with a left hand there. Aronyan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aronyan is defended easily by Dos Santos.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aronyan is defended easily by Dos Santos.
Aronyan avoids the body shot from Dos Santos.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aronyan shoots for a takedown but Dos Santos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dos Santos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Aronyan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dos Santos is fending him off so far but Aronyan persists. Nope, Dos Santos circles away and we're back to standing.

Aronyan changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Dos Santos looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Aronyan has knee on belly momentarily but Dos Santos bucks him off and regains half guard.

Dos Santos kicks off Aronyan and gets to his feet.
Dos Santos throws the left hand but Aronyan avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with the combination.
Aronyan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dos Santos tries to avoid it but Aronyan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dos Santos to the ground. Dos Santos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aronyan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dos Santos avoids it really well and circles away.

Aronyan takes the fight into the clinch.
Aronyan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Aronyan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dos Santos avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dos Santos stops a takedown attempt from Aronyan.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is pressed up against the cage. Aronyan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dos Santos down to the mat. Dos Santos avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dos Santos misses with the combination.
Aronyan shoots in but Dos Santos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aronyan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dos Santos as he avoids it easily.
Dos Santos throws a right and a left that Aronyan avoids nicely.
Aronyan closes the distance and clinches up with Dos Santos, looking for a takedown. Aronyan pushes Dos Santos against the cage but Dos Santos circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Aronyan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dos Santos's waist but Dos Santos gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aronyan off to one side.
Aronyan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dos Santos.

Aronyan looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Aronyan is looking to take a break and control but Dos Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dos Santos can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aronyan wants to free his trapped foot but Dos Santos is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Aronyan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dos Santos doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aronyan.
Aronyan trying to advance position but Dos Santos counters by regaining guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Victor Dos Santos really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Aronyan's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Horrible takedown by Aronyan or perhaps it was just good defense by Dos Santos which made him look bad.
Dos Santos throws a right hand that Aronyan ducks under and follows up with a left that Aronyan also avoids with ease.
Aronyan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dos Santos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dos Santos slaps away a takedown attempt from Aronyan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Aronyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Aronyan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Dos Santos's half guard.
Mike Aronyan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Aronyan is working for a submission of some sort.

Aronyan is looking for a kimura but Dos Santos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Aronyan to get the leverage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos is trying to stand up here but Aronyan is controlling him well.
Dos Santos won't allow Aronyan to pass to mount.

Aronyan is looking for a kimura here.

Aronyan is looking for a kimura but Dos Santos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Aronyan to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aronyan is looking to advance position but Dos Santos won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Aronyan avoids them all with ease.
Dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Aronyan is just out of range.
Aronyan shoots in for a takedown but Dos Santos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Aronyan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Dos Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Aronyan sits in half guard.
Aronyan works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Aronyan wants to finish this one by submission but Dos Santos is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Aronyan.

Aronyan is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Dos Santos is surviving well by controlling Aronyan's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Aronyan had his way with Thiago Victor Dos Santos in that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Aronyan's cut.
That's time! Aronyan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Aronyan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dos Santos as he avoids it easily.
Dos Santos misses with an uppercut. Aronyan saw that one coming.
Dos Santos fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aronyan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aronyan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dos Santos pinned against the cage. Dos Santos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dos Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Aronyan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Aronyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aronyan tries to free his leg and advance position but Dos Santos is retaining full guard.
Dos Santos wants to stand up but Aronyan is controlling him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aronyan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dos Santos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Aronyan from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Aronyan is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Dos Santos is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Aronyan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dos Santos is keeping the position for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dos Santos misses with a series of wild punches.
Aronyan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dos Santos is fending him off so far but Aronyan persists. Nope, Dos Santos circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Aronyan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aronyan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aronyan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dos Santos's waist but Dos Santos gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aronyan off to one side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aronyan is defended easily by Dos Santos.

Dos Santos gets caught flat footed, as Aronyan shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Aronyan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dos Santos is keeping the position for now.
Aronyan trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dos Santos pushes Aronyan off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Dos Santos stuffs the takedown attempt from Aronyan. Aronyan gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dos Santos misses with a few strikes there.
Aronyan shoots for a takedown but Dos Santos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mike Aronyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aronyan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dos Santos as he jumps to the side.
Dos Santos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thiago Victor Dos Santos.
I think Dos Santos has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 46:49
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 46:49
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Victor Dos Santos!
Thiago Victor Dos Santos is the new welterweight champion!