PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dante Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RJ Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanders has chosen Macho man as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Santiago
vs
Sanders

180 cm
21
165 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dante Santiago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, RJ Sanders!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Steve Montenegro and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanders scores with a takedown into Santiago's guard.
Sanders looking to pass the guard.
Santiago on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Santiago tries to get out of the position.
Sanders throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santiago works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santiago is looking to stand up but Sanders isn't so interested in that idea.
Sanders tries to free his leg and advance position but Santiago is retaining full guard.

Sanders has gone for a leg lock! Santiago slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sanders's guard.
Santiago is looking to stand up but Sanders won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanders looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Santiago is looking to stand up but Sanders won't let him.

Sanders is working an open guard so Santiago takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sanders shoots and misses
and Santiago counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Santiago throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanders fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santiago avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanders looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santiago is fending him off so far but Sanders persists. Nope, Santiago circles away and we're back to standing.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of RJ Sanders.
Sanders wants to clinch but Santiago slips to the side
and Santiago counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sanders closes the distance looking to clinch
and Santiago counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanders tries for a takedown but Santiago circles away easily
and Santiago counters with a nice uppercut.
Santiago keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sanders shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Santiago counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sanders shoots and misses
and Santiago counters with a left and a right that stings Sanders.
Sanders looks gassed!
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Santiago to counter with a crisp jab.

Sanders is rocked!
Santiago is stalking Sanders. Sanders circles to his left. Keeps circling left. Bam! Straight right from Santiago, and it's lights out! Sanders really payed the price for that rookie mistake.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Dante Santiago!
Dante Santiago retains his lightweight title!