PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dimas Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and El Munoz Thiago Descartes dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Descartes dos Santos has chosen Here Comes the Boom - Nelly as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Russo
vs
Munoz Thiago Descartes dos Santos

178 cm
19
161 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

172 cm
24
164 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dimas Russo!
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, El Munoz Thiago Descartes dos Santos !
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Leandro Rodrigues and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russo tries to clinch there but Descartes dos Santos circles away.
Descartes dos Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.

Descartes dos Santos clinches.
Descartes dos Santos using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Russo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Descartes dos Santos throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Russo blocks it with crossed arms.
Russo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Russo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Descartes dos Santos creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Russo's defenses.
Descartes dos Santos prevents a takedown attempt there.

Russo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Descartes dos Santos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Russo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Russo can't get the takedown.
A short body shot lands from Descartes dos Santos as the two fighters clinch.
Russo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Russo is working for takedown but Descartes dos Santos is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dimas Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russo lands a shot to the body.
Descartes dos Santos tries a knee to the head but Russo blocks it.
Descartes dos Santos looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Descartes dos Santos breaks the clinch.
Russo walks into a straight right hand from Descartes dos Santos .
Russo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Descartes dos Santos avoids the head kick by Russo.
Descartes dos Santos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Descartes dos Santos looks gassed!

Russo rushes Descartes dos Santos and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Descartes dos Santos - that landed with a thud.

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

Russo darts in and clinches Descartes dos Santos up against the cage.
A short uppercut from Descartes dos Santos .
Descartes dos Santos has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Russo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Russo tries to pull guard but Descartes dos Santos holds him up against the cage and eventually Russo drops back down to his feet.

Russo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russo lands a head kick!
Descartes dos Santos clinches but Russo breaks the clinch
and Russo counters with a left and a right that stings Descartes dos Santos .
Descartes dos Santos throws a jab but it's blocked by Russo.

Russo feints and as Descartes dos Santos raises his hands in defense, Russo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Russo wants to control from the top but Descartes dos Santos keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Descartes dos Santos looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Russo has picked Descartes dos Santos up and slammed him! Descartes dos Santos can't keep hold of the triangle and Russo manages to pass to side control!
Russo lands a nice forearm strike.

Russo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Descartes dos Santos has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo in side control lands a decent elbow.
Descartes dos Santos is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Russo decides to stand back up. Russo steps back and let's Descartes dos Santos get back to his feet.

Russo pushes Descartes dos Santos up against the cage in a clinch.
Russo dodges an elbow strike from Descartes dos Santos .
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Descartes dos Santos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Descartes dos Santos tries a knee to the head but Russo blocks it.
Russo managing to block the knees to the body from Descartes dos Santos .
Russo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Descartes dos Santos smiles and moves away.
Russo throws a head kick that Descartes dos Santos semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russo darts in and clinches Descartes dos Santos up against the cage.

Descartes dos Santos works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Russo trying to control the position here.
Descartes dos Santos won't allow Russo to sweep him here.
Russo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Descartes dos Santos 's guard.
Descartes dos Santos throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Descartes dos Santos is striking off his back. Russo thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Descartes dos Santos is trying to stand.

Descartes dos Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Russo scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russo blocks the strikes from Descartes dos Santos .
Russo blocks the strikes from Descartes dos Santos .

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Russo drives through and clinches with Descartes dos Santos against the cage.
Descartes dos Santos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Russo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Descartes dos Santos just stands there and leans against the cage.
Russo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Descartes dos Santos gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Descartes dos Santos working Russo over with knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Descartes dos Santos creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Russo tries to pull guard but Descartes dos Santos holds him up against the cage and eventually Russo drops back down to his feet.
Descartes dos Santos cracks Russo with a nice body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Russo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russo takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Russo drives through and clinches with Descartes dos Santos against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dimas Russo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Descartes dos Santos throws a combination that misses

and Russo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Russo avoiding damage as Descartes dos Santos throws knees to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Descartes dos Santos . Russo does a little dance to reset his feet.

Russo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Russo lands some shots froms side control.

Russo has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Russo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Descartes dos Santos stuffs the takedown.
Descartes dos Santos misses with a double jab
and Russo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Descartes dos Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Russo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Descartes dos Santos somewhat.
Russo fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dimas Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russo shoots for a double leg takedown but Descartes dos Santos sprawls well. He's pushed Russo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Descartes dos Santos rushes Russo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Russo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Descartes dos Santos uses from the top position.
Russo trying to control the position.
Descartes dos Santos landing with the ground and pound.
Descartes dos Santos working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Descartes dos Santos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Russo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Descartes dos Santos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Descartes dos Santos with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Russo has his feet on Descartes dos Santos 's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Descartes dos Santos closes the distance and clinches.
Russo is working for takedown but Descartes dos Santos is calmly controlling the position for now.
Descartes dos Santos lands a body shot.
Russo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Descartes dos Santos pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Russo breaks from the clinch.
Russo fails in his attempt to clinch.
El Munoz Thiago Descartes dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Descartes dos Santos .
Descartes dos Santos with a lazy takedown attempt

and Russo counters with a takedown into side control.
Descartes dos Santos is looking to reverse the position.
Descartes dos Santos tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Descartes dos Santos is looking to regain half guard here but Russo keeps moving and retains side control.
Descartes dos Santos throws a few strikes from the bottom but Russo takes advantage and mounts!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo blocks Descartes dos Santos 's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Descartes dos Santos is trying desperately to improve position.
Descartes dos Santos bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Russo trying to keep a closed guard but Descartes dos Santos is proving a slippery customer.
Russo has momentary wrist control but Descartes dos Santos slips an elbow through the middle.
Descartes dos Santos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Descartes dos Santos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Descartes dos Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Russo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Descartes dos Santos throws a strike but Russo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Descartes dos Santos is striking but Russo is not phased and passes to half guard.
Russo blocks the strikes from Descartes dos Santos .

Russo decides to stand and escape the position.
Dimas Russo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russo closes the distance and clinches up with Descartes dos Santos , looking for a takedown. Russo pushes Descartes dos Santos against the cage but Descartes dos Santos circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Descartes dos Santos throws a shot from downtown. Russo moves away and avoids it.
Russo circles away from the clinch attempt
and Russo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Russo shoots in but no luck this time.
Descartes dos Santos misses with an uppercut.
Nice jab there from Descartes dos Santos .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dimas Russo dominated that second round.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Descartes dos Santos tries to clinch
and Russo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Russo misses with a double jab.
Descartes dos Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Russo scores with a shot to the body.
Russo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Russo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Descartes dos Santos throws an elbow that misses.

Russo breaks the clinch.

Russo moves into the clinch successfully.

Russo breaks from the clinch.
Russo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Russo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Russo takes the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
With the fighters up against the cage, Descartes dos Santos throws an elbow but misses.
Russo lands an elbow that stopped Descartes dos Santos in his tracks for a moment.
Russo lands a damaging elbow.
Russo tries to pull guard but Descartes dos Santos won't allow it.
Russo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Descartes dos Santos fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo throws a head kick that Descartes dos Santos semi-blocks.
Descartes dos Santos swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Russo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Dimas Russo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Russo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Russo tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Russo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Descartes dos Santos sees it coming and defends easily.
Russo wants to control but Descartes dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Russo blocks the strikes from Descartes dos Santos .
Descartes dos Santos misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo trying to control the action but Descartes dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Russo trying to mount his opponent but Descartes dos Santos defends it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Descartes dos Santos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Descartes dos Santos clinches but Russo breaks the clinch
and Russo counters with a nice body shot.

Russo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Descartes dos Santos , pushing him back against the cage.
Descartes dos Santos throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Descartes dos Santos blocks an elbow strike.

Russo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Russo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Descartes dos Santos avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dimas Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Descartes dos Santos .
Descartes dos Santos takes a swing at Russo's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Descartes dos Santos misses with a jab to the body

and Russo moves into the clinch.
Russo has Descartes dos Santos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Descartes dos Santos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Descartes dos Santos turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Russo pushes Descartes dos Santos away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Descartes dos Santos gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Descartes dos Santos throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Russo sneaks back into half guard.
Descartes dos Santos is nestled in close to Russo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Russo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Descartes dos Santos .
Russo trying to control here.
Descartes dos Santos lands strikes from half guard.
Descartes dos Santos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Descartes dos Santos with the ground and pound but Russo uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Descartes dos Santos throws a strike but Russo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Russo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Descartes dos Santos lands an upkick as Russo stands over him.
Descartes dos Santos throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Descartes dos Santos thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Descartes dos Santos will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Descartes dos Santos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Descartes dos Santos thows a left - swing and a miss!
Descartes dos Santos thows a left - swing and a miss!
El Munoz Thiago Descartes dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dimas Russo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Russo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Russo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dimas Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Russo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dimas Russo!