PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between JD Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Basit Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Santiago
vs
Ali

180 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

183 cm
19
196 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, JD Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Basit Ali!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago leaves Ali with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Santiago looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Ali shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ali closes the distance and pushes Santiago back into the cage.
Santiago stalling in the clinch but Ali improves position.
Ali drops down looking for an ankle pick but Santiago pulls his leg out and moves away.
JD Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Basit Ali.
Santiago shoots in and drives through. Ali sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Santiago. No joy for Ali on that attempt.
Ali scores with a nice right hand.
Ali tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santiago swivels and escapes.
Ali shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Santiago as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali shoots in for a takedown but Santiago shows good takedown defense.
Ali fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santiago avoids it really well and circles away.
Ali throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Santiago's waist but Santiago gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ali off to one side.

Ali gets a takedown into half guard.

Ali is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Santiago sees it coming and defends easily.

Ali seems to be looking for submissions.

Ali is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ali seems to be looking for submissions.
Ali trying to mount his opponent but Santiago defends it.
Santiago has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ali is working away from the top position though.
Ali misses with a head shot. Santiago uses the momentum to regain guard.
Ali postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santiago isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ali stacks Santiago on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ali!

Ali working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Ali has an Americana. Santiago didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Ali is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Ali hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Basit Ali!