PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tony Bova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luther Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bova comes into the arena with I came to bring the pain! blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bova
vs
Santos

175 cm
32
141 lbs
18 - 25 - 0

170 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Russian Top Magazin
New World Order Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Bova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luther Santos!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bova moves out of range of the body kick from Santos.
Bova moves out of range of the body kick from Santos.
Bova takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Santos throws out a leg kick but Bova moves out of range and Santos only half commits.
Santos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bova shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Santos as he avoids it easily.
A low kick from Santos is predictable there

and Bova counters with a takedown into side control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bova in side control, throwing shots but Santos defends.
Santos wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sloppy strikes there by Bova.
An elbow from Bova crashes against the mat.
Bova throws a strike aimed at the side of Santos's head but Santos avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bova.
Bova sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Santos is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Santos is trying to buck Bova off.
Bova has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Santos bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Santos throws an off balance right hand

and Bova counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Santos's guard now.
Santos wants to get back to his feet but Bova is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bova is looking to work some ground and pound but Santos has wrist control.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Santos wants to stand and escape but Bova is having none of it.

Santos is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bova is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Santos pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Santos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Santos throws a half hearted mid kick.
Santos pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bova sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Santos somewhat.
Santos throws out a loose jab but Bova uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Santos misses its intended target.
Santos scores with a jab. Bova acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Santos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Santos is looking to land body kicks.
Santos throws a leg kick that misses.
Santos cracks Bova with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Santos shoots for a takedown but Bova saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tony Bova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luther Santos.

Bova throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Santos tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bova is in Santos's guard.
Santos wants to stand up but Bova is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bova stops Santos from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bova throwing strikes but missing.
Bova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Santos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
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!
Bova throws a strike but Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Santos throws an elbow that misses. Bova uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Santos's guard. Nice move by Bova!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Santos has his feet on Bova's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Bova staying out of range there.
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 Tony Bova will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Santos throws a lazy right hand but Bova sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luther Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos throws a half hearted mid kick.
Santos throws a lazy body kick

and Bova counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Santos's guard now.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova stops Santos from standing up.
Bova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
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!
Bova distracts Santos with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos wants to stand up but Bova is controlling him.
Bova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bova scoring with punches to the head and body.

Santos pushes Bova off and scrambles back to his feet.
Bova stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bova wants it to stay on the feet.
Bova blocks a head kick by Santos.
Santos looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Santos shoots in but no luck this time.
Bova shoots in for a double leg but Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santos pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tony Bova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luther Santos.
Bova takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Santos misses with a left hand

and Bova counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Santos!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bova working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Bova in side control, throwing shots but Santos defends.
Bova lands a decent elbow from side control.
Bova in side control, throwing shots but Santos defends.
Bova sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Santos is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Santos is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Bova misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bova working the ground and pound but Santos is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bova tries to score with some ground and pound. Santos controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Bova in side control lands a decent elbow.
Santos parries the strikes from Bova easily there. Bova is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Santos to escape.
Santos avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bova.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santos avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bova.
Santos is pushing Bova's head away, looking to escape. Bova manages to hold on to the position though.
Santos defending against the ground and pound.
Santos is trying to get back to his feet.
Bova throws a strike aimed at the side of Santos's head but Santos avoids it well.
Bova working the ground and pound but Santos is defending the strikes.

Santos throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Bova moves out of range of the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos misses with a body shot

and Bova decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Santos's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Santos blocks nicely.
Bova is working Santos over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bova prevents Santos from getting back to his feet.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Santos is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bova is controlling him.
Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bova dominated that second 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.

Santos throws a body kick that misses.
Santos looks for the body kick but Bova saw that one coming.
Santos throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Santos misses with a wild body shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Santos.

Bova gets caught napping as Santos dives in and scores a takedown. Bova manages to retain guard.

Bova is looking for a triangle but Santos pushes his legs off easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Santos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Santos trying to control but Bova is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bova throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Bova looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Santos passes into side control.
Santos creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Bova sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Santos creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The ground and pound from Santos seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Santos landing a few strikes.
Santos cracks Bova with a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bova manages to work his way to half guard, despite Santos's best efforts.
Bova has hold of Santos's hands but Santos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Well, if Santos is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santos throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos is just content to waste time from the top position. Bova takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Bova keeping moving, preventing Santos from controlling successfully.
Santos is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Bova not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Bova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Luther Santos has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Santos bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos missing with a left hand there. Bova was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bova slaps away a takedown attempt from Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Santos throws a poor cross that misses

and Bova counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Bova seems to be working for a kimura but Santos defends the submission attempt.
Santos wants to get back to his feet.
Santos is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bova slips a nice elbow through Santos's hands, connecting with Santos's forehead.
Santos is trying to stand back up but Bova is controlling him
Santos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bova throwing shots but Santos is blocking nicely.
Bova stops Santos from getting back to his feet.

Santos manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Santos really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bova keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bova changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Santos tries to avoid it but Bova manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Santos to the ground. Santos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Santos closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bova's guard.
Santos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Bova has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Santos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Santos is looking to work some ground and pound but Bova has wrist control.
Bova being controlled here, momentarily.
Santos wants to control from the top but Bova keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bova preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bova keeping moving, preventing Santos from controlling successfully.
Santos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Bova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santos must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Santos is in close to Bova's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws a big right hand that misses.
Santos throwing strikes but missing.
Santos is working Bova over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Santos slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bova is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Bova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Santos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bova thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Santos trying to control but Bova is working from the bottom.
Santos with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos looking to pass the guard.
Bova working a defensive guard but Santos passes into half guard.
Santos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Santos with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santos sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bova defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Santos dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Santos fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bova looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bova checks a low kick from Santos.
Some bone on bone action there as Bova checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A jab from Santos misses.
Bova with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Santos to score with a decent uppercut.
Santos misses with an uppercut

and Bova counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bova stops Santos from standing up.
Bova is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bova scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santos uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Santos throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Santos pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bova takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bova shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Santos counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Santos.
Santos is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Santos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bova keeping moving, preventing Santos from controlling successfully.
Santos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santos wants to control from the top but Bova keeps moving.
Tony Bova overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bova trying to keep a closed guard but Santos is proving a slippery customer.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Bova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bova escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Santos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Santos looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Luther Santos hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Bova drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova postures up in Santos's guard and throws a big left but Santos blocks it.
Bova connects with a couple of short punches.
Bova stops Santos from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Santos pushes Bova off and gets back to his feet.
Santos looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bova is fending him off so far but Santos persists. Nope, Bova circles away and we're back to standing.
Santos misses with a body shot

and Bova decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Santos's 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!
Bova connects with a couple of short punches.

Santos uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Santos loads up on a big right hand but Bova slips the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bova moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Luther Santos.
I think Santos has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Luther Santos!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Luther Santos!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Luther Santos!

Luther Santos wins by unanimous decision!