PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Peppe Santicelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan HunterReay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santicelli comes into the arena with Nessun Dorma blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Santicelli
vs
HunterReay

176 cm
23
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peppe Santicelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ryan HunterReay!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Fedor Mirinova and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
HunterReay takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Ryan HunterReay has been cut.
Santicelli looks to land a combination. HunterReay sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A solid body kick from Santicelli.
Santicelli dives in and grabs HunterReay's left leg, looking for a takedown. HunterReay pushes down on Santicelli's head and hops out.

HunterReay shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
HunterReay performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

HunterReay is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Santicelli is just riding it out for now. HunterReay eventually gives up the hold.

Santicelli is defending against the submission attempts here by HunterReay.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HunterReay controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ryan HunterReay has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Santicelli looks for a takedown but HunterReay sprawls well.

HunterReay feints and as Santicelli raises his hands in defense, HunterReay changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
HunterReay slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Santicelli is looking to stand up but HunterReay isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santicelli can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as HunterReay controls the pace.

HunterReay decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Santicelli.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peppe Santicelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santicelli doesn't succeed with the takedown

and HunterReay counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Santicelli!
Santicelli is breathing heavily.
HunterReay prevents Santicelli from getting the reversal.
Santicelli is bucking up trying to escape but HunterReay cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
HunterReay controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

HunterReay looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
HunterReay lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan HunterReay dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan HunterReay's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Santicelli gets caught napping as HunterReay dives in and scores a takedown. Santicelli manages to retain guard.
HunterReay is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ryan HunterReay has got the better of the ground game so far.

HunterReay gets to his feet - Santicelli follows without any prompting.
Santicelli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

HunterReay looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Santicelli is trying to keep HunterReay in close.
Santicelli keeping full guard, as HunterReay tries to pass.

HunterReay decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HunterReay misses with a straight left.

HunterReay looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
HunterReay wants to pass to mount but Santicelli is defending the position.
HunterReay is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Santicelli is trying to stand back up but HunterReay is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

HunterReay wants to work for an arm triangle but Santicelli is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
HunterReay is taking a breather. Santicelli 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.
Santicelli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

HunterReay is looking for a kimura here.
Still in half guard, HunterReay seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

HunterReay is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Santicelli as he works his way to full guard.
HunterReay slips nicely into half guard.
HunterReay trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santicelli wants to get back to full guard but HunterReay has passed into side control.
HunterReay creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Santicelli stops HunterReay from passing to mount.
HunterReay is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Santicelli's shoulder. That is not cool.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
HunterReay lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan HunterReay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ryan HunterReay's cut.
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!

HunterReay throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santicelli tries to clinch up but HunterReay circles away and keeps his distance.
HunterReay stuffs the takedown attempt from Santicelli. Santicelli gets slowly back to his feet.
HunterReay lands a right hook to the body.
Santicelli defends well against a solid takedown attempt from HunterReay.

HunterReay clinches with his opponent.
HunterReay tries for a takedown but Santicelli manages to get underhooks.
Santicelli tries to pull guard but HunterReay forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Santicelli is trying to pull guard but HunterReay has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peppe Santicelli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
HunterReay wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

HunterReay decides to pull guard.
HunterReay looking for a sweep. Not yet HunterReay, not yet.
HunterReay is controlling Santicelli's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HunterReay's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ryan HunterReay was stalling too much, according to the referee.
HunterReay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Santicelli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santicelli shoots in for a double leg but HunterReay sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Peppe Santicelli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santicelli throws a head kick but HunterReay moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Santicelli as HunterReay shoots in.
Nice sprawl there from Santicelli as HunterReay shoots in.
Santicelli feints and then cracks HunterReay's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow HunterReay down.
Santicelli with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Peppe Santicelli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santicelli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

HunterReay shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
HunterReay wants to lay and pray for a moment but Santicelli keeps working.
HunterReay moves into full mount! Santicelli won't be happy about that!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
HunterReay with a couple of short strikes.

HunterReay looking to isolate an arm here. Santicelli doesn't see it coming and as HunterReay extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by HunterReay!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ryan HunterReay!