PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Garcia
vs
Santos

184 cm
21
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricky Garcia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Santos!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Garcia looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Garcia tries to free his leg and advance position but Santos is retaining full guard.
Garcia sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Garcia wants to control from the top but Santos keeps moving.
Garcia slips nicely into half guard.

Garcia wants to work for an arm triangle but Santos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Garcia keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Santos is defending against the submission attempts here by Garcia.
Garcia content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santos is defending against the submission attempts here by Garcia.
Santos is looking for a sweep. Garcia is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Santos is pressing down on Garcia's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Santos is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Garcia chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos looking to control.
Garcia connects with a couple of short punches.
Garcia tries to free his leg and advance position but Santos is retaining full guard.
Garcia pushing down on Santos's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Garcia is controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Garcia is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Santos is just riding it out for now. Garcia eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Garcia decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Garcia tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santos swivels and escapes.

Garcia shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Santos is trying to defend but Garcia finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Garcia lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Garcia scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Santos trying to control here.
Garcia is pressing down on Santos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Santos is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia moves nicely into side control.
Garcia scores with punches from side control.
Garcia cracks Santos with a big right hand but Santos just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garcia landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Santos prevents Garcia from improving position.
Santos is trying to control Garcia's posture but Garcia avoids it.
Garcia tries to move to mount but Santos blocks the move with his legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garcia lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Garcia dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Garcia shoots in and drives through. Santos sprawls well.
Garcia fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santos avoids it really well and circles away.
Ricky Garcia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Garcia with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Garcia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Garcia's waist but Garcia gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Santos off to one side.
Ricky Garcia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos shoots in for a double leg but Garcia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Garcia fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Garcia closes the distance and clinches up with Santos, looking for a takedown. Garcia pushes Santos against the cage but Santos circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Garcia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcia misses with a takedown attempt - Santos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Garcia shoots in for a double leg but Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos throws a combination. Garcia tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Santos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Garcia's waist but Garcia gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Santos off to one side.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Garcia gets slowly back to his feet.
Santos misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Garcia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Santos wants to clinch.
Garcia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia is trying hard to land a takedown here. Santos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Garcia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garcia somewhat.
Santos throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Garcia's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Santos dives in looking to finish as Garcia flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Santos's strikes! Santos is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Garcia's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Garcia was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Andre Santos!