PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tito Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Manhoef
vs
Santiago

177 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
24
218 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great low kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tito Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef slaps away a takedown attempt from Santiago, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Santiago looks gassed!
Manhoef throws a head kick that Santiago semi-blocks.
Santiago on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice body kick from Manhoef.
Santiago avoids the head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef tries a head kick but it misses.

Santiago closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Manhoef is trying to get back to half guard.
Manhoef manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Manhoef has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Santiago is working away from the top position though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santiago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Manhoef defending well though.
Santiago stops Manhoef from getting back to his feet.
Manhoef is staying active underneath Santiago, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Manhoef makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Manhoef tries to sprawl but Santiago drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Manhoef is looking for a sweep. Santiago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Manhoef on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Manhoef tries to get out of the position.
Santiago lands strikes from half guard.
Manhoef trying to control here.
Santiago trying to mount his opponent but Manhoef defends it.
Santiago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Manhoef's head.
Santiago working the head and body with strikes.

Manhoef looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Manhoef tries to kick Santiago off but Santiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Santiago slips a nice elbow through Manhoef's hands, connecting with Manhoef's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is holding on to half guard well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santiago prevents Manhoef from standing back up.
Santiago controlling the action here.
Manhoef avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Santiago.
Manhoef is looking for a sweep. Santiago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Santiago wants to control but Manhoef is keeping him busy.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Santiago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santiago not doing much here.
Manhoef has hold of Santiago's hands but Santiago slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef pushes Santiago off looking to stand but Santiago dives back in and keeps control.
Santiago controlling the pace.
Santiago working over Manhoef with some ground and pound. Manhoef looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Manhoef is trying to control but can't.
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 Manhoef's temple.
Manhoef is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Manhoef is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Santiago scores with a couple of nice shots.
Santiago is nestled in close to Manhoef, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Manhoef tries to roll over but Santiago keeps him under control.
Santiago prevents Manhoef from standing back up.
Manhoef is looking to improve his position.
Santiago throwing shots but Manhoef is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Manhoef defending well though.
Santiago looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Santiago lands with a punch from half guard.
Manhoef is looking to improve his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manhoef tries to kick Santiago off but Santiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Manhoef might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Santiago is looking to take a break and control but Manhoef is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Santiago is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Santiago stops Manhoef from getting back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santiago working over Manhoef with some ground and pound. Manhoef looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Manhoef is trying to stand back up but Santiago is controlling him
Santiago not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tito Santiago dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Santiago wants to clinch.
Manhoef misses with a head kick.
Manhoef looks to throw a body kick

and Santiago counters with a nice double leg into side control. Manhoef won't be happy with that.
Santiago trying to control the action but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Manhoef wants to control but Santiago postures up.
Manhoef is looking to regain half guard here but Santiago keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago working the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manhoef takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Santiago is putting a hurting on Manhoef here, landing some big shots from side control.
Santiago tries to advance to mount but Manhoef denies him.
Santiago working the head and body with strikes.
Manhoef wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Santiago is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Manhoef will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Manhoef is pushing Santiago's head away, looking to escape. Santiago manages to hold on to the position though.
Manhoef is working to avoid the ground and pound but Santiago connects with a decent elbow.
Santiago is looking to take a break and control but Manhoef is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Manhoef tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago looks up at the clock and then as Manhoef takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Santiago smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Santiago controlling from side mount.
Manhoef wants to control but Santiago postures up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manhoef is looking for a sweep.
Manhoef is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Santiago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Manhoef tries to kick Santiago off but Santiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Santiago scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Manhoef is looking for a sweep. Santiago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is thwarting Manhoef's attempts to control the position.
Santiago winds up and cracks Manhoef with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Santiago lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Manhoef gets full guard.
Manhoef keeping moving, preventing Santiago from controlling successfully.
Santiago is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Manhoef wants to stand and escape but Santiago is having none of it.
Manhoef keeping moving, preventing Santiago from controlling successfully.
Santiago scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef trying to control the position.
Manhoef has his hands on Santiago's head, controlling the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Santiago wants to control from the top but Manhoef keeps moving.
Manhoef controls Santiago momentarily but Santiago frees himself.

We're going to have a standup here because Melvin Manhoef wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Manhoef avoids the head kick by Santiago.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manhoef lands with a thumping leg kick.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch but Manhoef swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Santiago moves out of range easily.
Santiago dives in and grabs Manhoef's left leg, looking for a takedown. Manhoef pushes down on Santiago's head and hops out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tito Santiago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Santiago shoots in and drives through. Manhoef sprawls well.
Manhoef throws a head kick that Santiago semi-blocks.
Santiago tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Santiago.
Manhoef scores with a three punch combo!
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Santiago moves out of range easily.
Santiago changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Santiago manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tito Santiago.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses.
Manhoef stuffs the takedown attempt from Santiago. Santiago gets slowly back to his feet.
Manhoef throws a nice inside leg kick.
Manhoef throws a left and a right that both miss

and Santiago counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Santiago working Manhoef over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago trying to control the action but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manhoef trying to hold on to Santiago's head to control him but Santiago postures up.
Manhoef tries to roll over but Santiago keeps him under control.
Santiago looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Manhoef with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Manhoef pushes Santiago off looking to stand but Santiago dives back in and keeps control.
Santiago prevents Manhoef from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Santiago.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manhoef is trying to control but can't.
Manhoef wants to get back to full guard.
Santiago stops Manhoef from getting back to his feet.
Santiago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Santiago lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago thows a huge punch but Manhoef dodges it nicely.
Santiago slips a nice elbow through Manhoef's hands, connecting with Manhoef's forehead.
Manhoef tries to kick Santiago off but Santiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manhoef is looking to improve his position.
Santiago wants to lay and pray for a moment but Manhoef keeps working.
Santiago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Santiago takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Manhoef trying to control here.
Manhoef is trying to stand back up but Santiago is controlling him
Manhoef wants to control but Santiago is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Santiago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Santiago working the head and body with strikes.
Santiago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Manhoef trying to control from the bottom.
Santiago uses his free foot to push down on Manhoef's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Manhoef.
Manhoef regains half guard.
Manhoef controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Manhoef slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Santiago accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago wants to control from the top but Manhoef keeps moving.
Santiago won't allow Manhoef to sweep him here.
Santiago must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Manhoef is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Santiago looking to pass the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Manhoef wants to stand up but Santiago is controlling him.
Melvin Manhoef has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Melvin Manhoef.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Santiago checks a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santiago looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Santiago looks to throw the jab but Manhoef is out of range.
Tito Santiago is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Manhoef wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tito Santiago.
I've got Santiago winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

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