PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carson Holliday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holliday's entrance music is Andreas Johnson - Glorious. A fine choice. Carson Holliday could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Dante Santiago's chin.

Holliday
vs
Santiago

190 cm
22
179 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
165 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Carson Holliday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dante Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holliday tries for a takedown but Santiago circles away easily
and Holliday takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Holliday with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Santiago counter with a right hand.
Holliday misses with a takedown attempt
and Santiago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carson Holliday. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holliday misses with a takedown
and Santiago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Holliday 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A slow jab from Santiago misses its intended target.
Holliday uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
Santiago jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Santiago lands a jab to Holliday's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses the shot to the body.
Santiago misses with a body shot.
Holliday with a lazy takedown attempt
and Santiago counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Holliday shoots and misses
and Santiago counters with a right hand to the body.
Holliday ducks right into an uppercut from Santiago.
Holliday shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Santiago counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Santiago. That snapped Holliday's head back.

Holliday drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Holliday is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Santiago has escaped the position, nice work there.
Santiago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Holliday. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Holliday trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is trying to improve his position.
Holliday trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Holliday steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Santiago.
Santiago throws a hook but Holliday avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holliday misses with a takedown attempt
and Santiago counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Holliday misses with a takedown
and Santiago counters with a three punch combo that has Holliday backing up. Holliday nods at Santiago to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Santiago throws a shot to the body.
Holliday misses with a takedown attempt
and Santiago counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carson Holliday. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santiago misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holliday shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Santiago counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Santiago. Those never looked like landing.
Holliday moves out of range of the strikes.
Holliday misses with a takedown attempt
letting Santiago counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago throws an overhand right that lands on Holliday's shoulder, as Holliday tries to avoid the shot.
Holliday has his takedown stuffed
and Santiago makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Holliday gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Santiago counter with a right hand.
Santiago misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holliday shoots and misses
letting Santiago counter with a right hand.
Holliday with a lazy takedown attempt
and Santiago counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Santiago looks to score with a jab to the body but Holliday is just out of range.
Santiago misses with a body shot.
Holliday with a lazy takedown attempt
and Santiago counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Santiago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Holliday throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Santiago tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Holliday is in Santiago's guard.
Santiago looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Santiago looking for a sweep. Not yet Santiago, not yet.
Holliday postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Santiago wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago misses the jab.
Holliday on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Holliday doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Santiago makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

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.
Santiago throws a series of punches but Holliday avoids them all with ease.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holliday moves away.
Santiago takes a swing at Holliday's ribcage but misses.
Holliday moves away from the strike by Santiago.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Santiago swings widly with a right hand

so Holliday counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holliday trying to control but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Santiago controls Holliday momentarily but Holliday frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santiago wants to stand and escape but Holliday is having none of it.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Santiago holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dante Santiago wasn't active enough on the ground.
Holliday keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Carson Holliday has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Holliday is defended easily by Santiago.
Santiago throws a body punch but Holliday moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carson Holliday showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Santiago 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Santiago!