PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Victor Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Minger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Victor Dos Santos
vs
Minger

178 cm
25
196 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

210 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very confident

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 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Victor Dos Santos!
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, Robert Minger!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Minger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Dos Santos.
Minger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dos Santos has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Dos Santos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Minger lands a front kick.
Minger lands a head kick. Dos Santos smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Minger misses with a body shot.
Horrible takedown by Dos Santos or perhaps it was just good defense by Minger which made him look bad.
Minger lands with a slapping head kick.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Minger feints and then cracks Dos Santos's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dos Santos down.
Minger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dos Santos's sensitive parts.
Dos Santos takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A nice leg kick lands there from Minger.
Dos Santos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A chopping leg kick lands by Minger.
Minger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dos Santos's sensitive parts.
Minger lands with a kick to the temple. Dos Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dos Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Minger sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dos Santos somewhat.
Dos Santos on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Minger. Minger obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos takes a kick to the side of the head.
Minger lands a nice looking kick to the body. Dos Santos takes a step back to recover.
Dos Santos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dos Santos looks to clinch
and Minger counters with a low kick, right behind Dos Santos 's knee.
Dos Santos swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Minger counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dos Santos darts in trying to clinch
and Minger counters with a slapping leg kick.
Minger is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A good leg kick by Minger.
Minger connects with an inside leg kick.
Minger connects with a leg kick. Dos Santos looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Minger scores with a kick to the body.
Good leg kick by Minger there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Dos Santos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Minger tries to avoid it but Dos Santos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Minger to the ground. Minger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Victor Dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dos Santos is breathing heavily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Minger!
Robert Minger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Minger.
Dos Santos moves to clinch but Minger breaks away
and Minger counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dos Santos.
Minger scores with a push kick.
Minger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Minger with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Minger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dos Santos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Minger.
Minger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dos Santos will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Dos Santos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dos Santos takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Minger connects with a leg kick. Dos Santos looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Minger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Minger, right into the meat.
Dos Santos is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Minger scores with a kick to the midsection.
Minger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Minger connects with a solid leg kick.
Minger lands with a slapping head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Minger connects with a solid leg kick.
Minger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dos Santos's calf.
A slapping body kick lands there for Minger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Minger, right into the meat.
Minger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Minger connects with an inside leg kick.
Minger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dos Santos takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dos Santos steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Minger. That one must have hurt.
Minger scores with a kick to the body.
Minger throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Minger.
Dos Santos walks forward, straight into a front kick from Minger.
Minger explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Minger with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice leg kick lands there from Minger.
Minger moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Minger. That's going to slow Dos Santos down.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Minger.
A slapping leg kick lands for Minger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Minger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dos Santos has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Minger throws a nice head kick!
Minger fakes the leg kick and cracks Dos Santos in the body.
Minger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dos Santos's sensitive parts.
Minger scores with a head kick. Dos Santos tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Minger connects with a solid leg kick.
Minger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dos Santos takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Dos Santos stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Minger.
Minger scoring well with a low kick there.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Dos Santos. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Minger lands with a kick to the temple. Dos Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Minger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Minger lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Minger, right into the meat.
Minger thumps Dos Santos with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Minger.
Minger lands with a slapping head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Minger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dos Santos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dos Santos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Minger but Minger pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dos Santos takes a kick to the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Minger. That's going to slow Dos Santos down.
Dos Santos steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Minger. That one must have hurt.
Dos Santos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dos Santos takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Minger throws a head kick that half lands.
Minger stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Minger wants it to stay on the feet.
Minger looks to throw the jab but Dos Santos is out of range.
Minger fakes the leg kick and cracks Dos Santos in the body.
Minger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Minger throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Minger. That's going to slow Dos Santos down.
Dos Santos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Victor Dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minger lands with a thumping leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minger lands with a kick to the temple. Dos Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Minger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Minger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Minger delivers a nice body kick.
Minger lands a leg kick that knocks Dos Santos off balance momentarily.
Minger thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Dos Santos if he has to take too many more of those.
Dos Santos stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Minger.
Minger lands a nice looking kick to the body. Dos Santos takes a step back to recover.
Minger throws a leg kick which misses Dos Santos's front leg but catches the back leg as Dos Santos tries to avoid it.
Minger throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dos Santos.
Minger throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Minger lands with a kick to the temple. Dos Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Minger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Minger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dos Santos's sensitive parts.
Dos Santos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Minger can pounce on him.
A nice leg kick lands there from Minger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Minger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Minger thumps Dos Santos with a low kick.
Minger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Minger.
Minger throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Minger is looking to slow Dos Santos down with leg kicks.
Minger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Minger lands with a thumping leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Minger.
Minger throws a head kick that Dos Santos semi-blocks.
Minger throws a quick inside leg kick.
Dos Santos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Minger throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Minger.
A chopping leg kick lands by Minger.
A head kick from Minger lands but Dos Santos takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Minger sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dos Santos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Minger.
A nice leg kick lands there from Minger.
Dos Santos stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Minger.
Dos Santos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dos Santos stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Minger.
Minger thumps Dos Santos with a low kick.
No joy there for Minger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Minger lands with a slapping head kick.
Minger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dos Santos. That did some damage!
Nice jab there from Minger.
Minger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Minger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dos Santos has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Minger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Minger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Minger, right into the meat.
Both fighters circling a little - Minger finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minger lands with a kick to the temple. Dos Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dos Santos takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Dos Santos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Minger can pounce on him.
Minger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Minger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Minger has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Minger lands with a kick to the temple. Dos Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Minger moves out of range.
Minger lands with a kick to the ribs.
Minger lands a high kick!
Good leg kick by Minger there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
An inside leg kick lands from Minger.
Robert Minger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dos Santos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Minger can pounce on him.
Minger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dos Santos's calf.
Minger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Minger connects with an inside leg kick.
Minger throws a leg kick which misses Dos Santos's front leg but catches the back leg as Dos Santos tries to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Minger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Minger connects with a leg kick. Dos Santos looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Minger. That's going to slow Dos Santos down.

Dos Santos closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Minger did well to prevent Dos Santos getting side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dos Santos is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Minger sees it coming and defends easily.
Dos Santos thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Minger's head.
Dos Santos trying to pass the guard but Minger defending well.
Dos Santos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dos Santos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Minger blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dos Santos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Minger blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Dos Santos seems to be working for a kimura but Minger defends the submission attempt.
Minger is trying to stand back up but Dos Santos is controlling him
Minger on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Minger wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thiago Victor Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Minger keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dos Santos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
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 is nestled in close to Minger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Dos Santos scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Minger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos slips a nice elbow through Minger's hands, connecting with Minger's forehead.
Dos Santos looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Minger with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ground and pound from Dos Santos.
Minger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dos Santos.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Thiago Victor Dos Santos!