PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jay Erikson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buster Santora (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erikson comes to the cage accompanied by "Float on easy". Buster Santora has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Erikson
vs
Santora

225 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
292 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jay Erikson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Buster Santora!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santora throws a head kick that misses.
Erikson takes one to the chin there.

It looks like Jay Erikson has been cut.
Erikson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Santora misses with a takedown

and Erikson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Santora won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Santora is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Erikson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Erikson trying to control the action but Santora is working from the bottom.
Santora is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Santora flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Santora tries to kick Erikson off but Erikson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Erikson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Erikson is looking for a kimura but Santora is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Erikson to get the leverage.
Santora has his hands clasped together around Erikson's back. He's all about the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erikson trying to pass the guard but Santora defending well.
Erikson drops an elbow to the side of Santora's head.
Erikson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Santora trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santora wants to get back to full guard.
Erikson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Still in half guard, Erikson seems content to control.

Santora looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Erikson is controlling the pace.
Santora is trying to control but can't.

Erikson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Santora doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Erikson.
Erikson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santora wants to get back to his feet.
Erikson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Erikson is trying to control the action in half guard but Santora is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Santora pushes Erikson off and gets back to his feet.

Santora gets caught flat footed, as Erikson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Erikson is breathing heavily.
Erikson trying to control but Santora is working from the bottom.
Santora being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erikson trying to control the position from guard on top but Santora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Erikson is pushing down on Santora's leg trying to pass to half guard. Santora is fighting to maintain full guard but Erikson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Santora keeping control of the position.
Santora makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Santora.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santora pulls Erikson in close to prevent any damage.
Erikson wants to control from the top but Santora keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jay Erikson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jay Erikson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Santora fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jay Erikson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Erikson dives in and grabs Santora's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santora pushes down on Erikson's head and hops out.
Erikson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Santora shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Erikson as he jumps to the side.
Santora changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Erikson tries to avoid it but Santora manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Erikson to the ground. Erikson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jay Erikson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster Santora.
Erikson is looking to clinch but Santora is avoiding it.
Erikson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Santora.
Erikson tries to clinch up but Santora circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erikson moves in looking to clinch but Santora pushes him off.
Santora shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Erikson defends it nicely.
Santora is breathing heavily.
Erikson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Santora with a poor takedown
and Erikson counters with a head kick.
Santora shoots in looking for a takedown. Erikson tries to sprawl out of it but Santora keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Erikson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Santora tries to clinch but Erikson moves out of range.
Erikson tries to clinch but Santora is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santora shoots for a takedown but Erikson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Erikson drives through and clinches with Santora against the cage.

Erikson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Erikson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Santora's guard.

Erikson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Erikson clinches up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Erikson wants to stall.
Santora tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Erikson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Erikson misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santora tries a knee to the head but Erikson blocks it.
Erikson is trying to drag Santora to the mat but Santora just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Santora jumps guard but Erikson stands there with Santora around his waist. Santora gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Erikson is looking for a takedown.
A nice right hand lands inside from Santora.

Santora ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Santora no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Erikson trying to control but Santora is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santora has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Erikson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Santora avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Erikson trying to control the position from guard on top but Santora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santora is trying to control the position but Erikson postures up.
Erikson pushes down on Santora's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santora trying to hold on to Erikson's head to control him but Erikson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Erikson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jay Erikson's cut.
That's time! Erikson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Erikson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Erikson lands in his opponent's guard.
Erikson trying to control but Santora is working from the bottom.
Santora is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santora is looking to stand up but Erikson isn't so interested in that idea.
Santora trying to control the position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Santora with a nice cross.
Erikson wants to clinch.
Erikson slaps away a takedown attempt from Santora, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Santora will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Erikson leaves Santora with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santora swinging wildly here.
Erikson wants to clinch up but Santora keeps it at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Santora. No joy for Erikson on that attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Santora enables Erikson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Santora manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Erikson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Santora's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Erikson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santora manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Erikson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jay Erikson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Santora is trying to control the action in half guard but Erikson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Santora stands up out of the half guard.
Erikson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Erikson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santora swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Erikson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Santora doesn't manage to clinch there - Erikson circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santora tries to clinch up.

Erikson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Santora was covering up waiting for the punch and Erikson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Erikson trying to control but Santora is working from the bottom.
Santora wants to sweep here but Erikson controlling him for the moment.
Santora keeping full guard, as Erikson tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Erikson pushes down on Santora's leg and manages to get into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jay Erikson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Erikson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jay Erikson!
A determined Jay Erikson didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!