PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tito Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Lieone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tito Santiago has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Santiago
vs
Lieone

190 cm
24
218 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
26
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tito Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Lieone!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lieone shoots in but Santiago avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Lieone closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Santiago manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Santiago shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lieone is trying to defend but Santiago finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santiago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Santiago missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lieone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lieone trying to control here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Santiago connects with a nice short shot to Lieone's temple.
Santiago is keen to just control but Lieone is a slippery customer.
Lieone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Santiago.
Santiago landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago wants to pass the guard but Lieone is defending well.
Lieone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Santiago.
Lieone throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Santiago lands with a punch from half guard.
Lieone is trying to control but can't.
Santiago looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lieone is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Santiago scores with a couple of nice shots.
Santiago prevents Lieone from improving his position.
Lieone pushes Santiago off looking to stand but Santiago dives back in and keeps control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Santiago in particular looking to stall.
Santiago throwing shots but Lieone is blocking nicely.
Santiago looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lieone is trying to maintain the position but Santiago is very close to passing his half guard.
Santiago takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santiago scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Santiago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Santiago lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Santiago working over Lieone with some ground and pound. Lieone looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Santiago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lieone's head.
Santiago landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Lieone is rocked!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Santiago lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lieone is still in real trouble! Can Santiago finish him?
Santiago landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Santiago working the head and body with strikes.
Santiago is taking a breather. Lieone says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Santiago scores with a big shot! Lieone's head bounced off the canvas with a huge thud! More strikes land and the referee has jumped in to save Lieone! He was hurt real bad - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tito Santiago!