PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alastair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Overeem comes to the cage accompanied by Wanted Dead or Alive. Dos Santos has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. On his way into the cage it seems that Alastair Overeem has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alastair Overeem seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Overeem
vs
Dos Santos

181 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
189 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alastair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Overeem.
Overeem shoots for a double leg takedown but Dos Santos sprawls well. He's pushed Overeem's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dos Santos misses with a head kick.
Overeem shoots in but Dos Santos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alastair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Overeem 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 throws a half hearted mid kick.
Dos Santos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Overeem.
Overeem takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Overeem has managed to clinch.
Dos Santos wants to break the clinch but can't.
Overeem keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dos Santos's efforts to push away.
Overeem tries to land a knee to the head but Dos Santos blocks with his arms.
Overeem lands a damaging elbow.
Dos Santos can't get the takedown.
With the fighters up against the cage, Overeem throws an elbow but misses.
Dos Santos tries to break free but Overeem pushes him back against the cage.
Dos Santos looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem lands a damaging elbow.
Overeem throws an elbow that misses.
Overeem tries a knee to the head but Dos Santos blocks it.
Overeem lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Dos Santos tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Overeem smiles and moves away.
Overeem fails in his attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Overeem shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dos Santos defends it nicely.
Overeem fails with the takedown.
Dos Santos moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Dos Santos.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dos Santos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Overeem.
Overeem fails with the takedown.
Dos Santos throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Overeem fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dos Santos connects with a single shot there.
Dos Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dos Santos slaps away a takedown attempt from Overeem, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rafael Dos Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Overeem shoots in looking for a takedown. Dos Santos tries to sprawl out of it but Overeem 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.
Alastair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Overeem moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dos Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Overeem.
Dos Santos misses with a wild combination.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dos Santos as he jumps to the side.
Dos Santos throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem tries for a takedown but Dos Santos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A solid body kick from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dos Santos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Overeem fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dos Santos avoids it really well and circles away.
Overeem has a takedown stuffed.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Dos Santos.
Overeem tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dos Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Overeem somewhat.
Overeem sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Dos Santos stuffs the takedown attempt from Overeem. Overeem gets slowly back to his feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Dos Santos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Overeem.
Dos Santos fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dos Santos scores with a head kick.
Overeem fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dos Santos throws a head kick that misses.
Overeem shoots in and drives through. Dos Santos sprawls well.
Dos Santos throws a sloppy head kick and Overeem moves out of range easily.
Overeem walks into a left hand.
Dos Santos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dos Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Overeem.
Dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Overeem ducks under a wild hook from Dos Santos.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Dos Santos.

Overeem clinches up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Overeem.
Overeem pushes off an throws an elbow but Dos Santos leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Dos Santos dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dos Santos misses with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Overeem is defended easily by Dos Santos.

Overeem closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dos Santos quickly recovers to half guard.
Overeem missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Overeem is thwarting Dos Santos's attempts to control the position.
Overeem is nestled in close to Dos Santos, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Dos Santos trying to control from the bottom.
Overeem prevents Dos Santos from improving his position.
Overeem thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Overeem lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Overeem stops Dos Santos from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem throwing shots but Dos Santos is blocking nicely.
Dos Santos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dos Santos is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Overeem scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dos Santos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Overeem.
Dos Santos wants to get back to his feet.
Overeem missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Overeem missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Overeem is thwarting Dos Santos's attempts to control the position.
Overeem thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dos Santos's head.
Overeem sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dos Santos defending well though.

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.
Overeem missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Overeem looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Dos Santos with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Overeem throws a strike but Dos Santos avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Dos Santos wants to stand up but Overeem is controlling him.
Dos Santos trying to control the position.
Overeem content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dos Santos wants to sweep but no luck.
Overeem with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dos Santos working a defensive guard here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Dos Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Overeem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Overeem is in close to Dos Santos's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dos Santos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Overeem stands up over Dos Santos, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Overeem with a nice head shot there.
Dos Santos tries to strike from the bottom.
Dos Santos can't keep his opponent in guard - Overeem advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Overeem thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dos Santos's head.
Overeem lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Dos Santos has his hands clasped together around Overeem's back. He's all about the action.
Overeem knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dos Santos on the ground.
Dos Santos has hold of Overeem's hands but Overeem slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos trying to control here.
Overeem looks to land a strike but Dos Santos avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Dos Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Overeem throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dos Santos tries to strike from the bottom.
Dos Santos not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Overeem working some strikes from top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Overeem's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Overeem throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dos Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Overeem's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alastair Overeem dominated that second round.
That's time! Overeem's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Overeem shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dos Santos defends it nicely.
Dos Santos tries to land a front kick but Overeem steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Overeem 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 thows a body shot but no joy.
Overeem has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dos Santos finds it's way round the side to connect with Overeem's head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Overeem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alastair Overeem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dos Santos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Dos Santos throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Overeem moves out of range of the body kick from Dos Santos.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Overeem is defended easily by Dos Santos.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dos Santos!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Overeem shoots in for a double leg but Dos Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Overeem fails with a takedown attempt.
Overeem shoots in for a takedown but Dos Santos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dos Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Overeem misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dos Santos throws a head kick that misses.

Overeem instigates a clinch.
Dos Santos tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Overeem lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Overeem lands an elbow that stopped Dos Santos in his tracks for a moment.
Overeem lands a nice elbow.

Dos Santos manages to pull guard.
Overeem working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Dos Santos's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is trying to control the position but Overeem postures up.
Overeem throws a strike but Dos Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Overeem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dos Santos is one step ahead there.
Overeem striking off his back but it's not causing Dos Santos any problems.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Overeem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Overeem lands a decent punch to the body there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos trying to stand up but can't free himself from Overeem's guard.
Overeem trying to strike off his back.
Overeem lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Overeem will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Overeem thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dos Santos decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Overeem, up you get!
Dos Santos throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Dos Santos.
No luck for Overeem with that takedown attempt.
Dos Santos misses with a head kick.
Overeem fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dos Santos throws a head kick that misses.

That's four 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.
Dos Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Overeem shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dos Santos defends it nicely.
Overeem blocks a head kick by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Overeem.

Overeem 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.
Overeem throws a strike but Dos Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Overeem trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Dos Santos decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Overeem, up you get!
Overeem tries to clinch but Dos Santos is having none of it.
Overeem will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dos Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Dos Santos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Overeem.
Overeem is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dos Santos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Dos Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Dos Santos!