PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dante Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Busy Signal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Signal has chosen Busy Signal - Smoke Some High Grade as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Santiago
vs
Signal

180 cm
28
165 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
179 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Brute

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 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dante Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Busy Signal!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Signal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Signal slips under a jab from Santiago.
Signal takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dante Santiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santiago scores with a jab to the body.
Santiago stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Santiago scores with a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Santiago there.

Signal fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Santiago sprawls well initially but Signal persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Signal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Signal sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Santiago gets back to full guard.
Signal won't allow Santiago to get back to his feet.
Santiago controlling Signal's posture.
Santiago is trying to keep Signal in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Signal wants to control from the top but Santiago keeps moving.
Santiago trying to control the position here.
Signal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dante Santiago wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Santiago throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Signal closes the distance and clinches up with Santiago, looking for a takedown. Signal pushes Santiago against the cage but Santiago circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Santiago lands a body shot.
Signal dives in and grabs Santiago's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santiago pushes down on Signal's head and hops out.
Signal has a takedown stuffed.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Busy Signal.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Signal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Signal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Signal pushes him off.
Santiago throws a hook but Signal blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Signal looks for a takedown but Santiago sprawls well.
Signal shoots for a double leg takedown but Santiago sprawls well. He's pushed Signal's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Signal is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Dante Santiago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Signal scores with a jab to the head.

Santiago closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santiago lands a right hand that snaps the head of Signal backwards.
Santiago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Signal backwards.
Santiago has a couple of punches blocked by Signal.
Signal lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Santiago backwards.
Santiago lands a shot to the body.
Signal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Signal is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Signal changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Santiago fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Santiago loads up on a big right hand but Signal slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Signal keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Santiago takes a swing at Signal's ribcage but misses.
Santiago throws a hook but Signal blocks it.
Santiago looks to land a right hand but Signal moved out of range.
The fighters circling - Santiago throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jab by Santiago.
Signal slips a straight right by Santiago.
Santiago thuds a left hand into Signal's body.
Santiago fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Signal manages to avoid it.

Signal decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Santiago is looking to improve his position.
Signal stops Santiago from getting back to his feet.
Santiago makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Santiago.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago seems keen to control Signal's posture.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Signal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Santiago working a defensive guard but Signal manages to pass into side control anyway.
The strikes coming from Signal are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Signal controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Signal prevents Santiago from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santiago tries to improve position but can't.
Signal throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Santiago is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Signal is controlling him well.
Signal tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
You can see the frustration on Santiago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Santiago dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Santiago misses with a straight right.
Signal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Santiago swings away with a body shot that misses

and Signal counters with a nice double leg into side control. Santiago won't be happy with that.
Santiago is trying to improve his position.
Signal working away.
Santiago is looking for a sweep.
Santiago tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Santiago tries to escape the position.
Signal biding his time, looking for the opening.
Signal lands shots from the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santiago is trying to stand back up.
Signal has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago wants to escape the position.
Santiago trying to control the position but Signal manages to sink in the hooks.
Santiago is covering up but some of the strikes from Signal are getting through and doing damage.

Santiago preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Signal.
Santiago looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Signal connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Santiago to escape the position.
Signal gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
You can see the frustration on Santiago's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Signal struggling to keep hold of the position.
Signal lands strikes to the head.
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 trying to get back to his feet but Signal is in full control for now.
Busy Signal has got the better of the ground game so far.

Signal working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is trying to stand back up.

Signal has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Santiago has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Signal trying to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Signal has the hooks in. Santiago is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Signal gets his hands free as Santiago looks to control.
Signal landing with strikes.

Santiago is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Santiago has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Signal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Signal keeps control of the position as Santiago tries to break free.
Santiago looking very determined here, making life difficult for Signal.
Santiago is trying to break free.
Santiago covers up after that shot from Signal.
Santiago is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Signal.
Santiago trying to get back to his feet but Signal is in full control for now.
Signal lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Santiago hold on?!
Signal throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Santiago tries to break free.

Signal is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Santiago is defending well though. Signal let's go of the attempt for now.
Signal struggling to land strikes to the head as Santiago covers up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Signal has his opponent's back but Santiago is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Signal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good shot there by Santiago.
Signal lands with a hook. Santiago tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Santiago throws out a loose jab but Signal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Santiago moves out of range of the strikes.
Signal shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Santiago defends it nicely.
Santiago looks to score with a jab to the body but Signal is just out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Signal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santiago moves away.
Nice shot lands for Santiago.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Busy Signal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Santiago lands a jab to Signal's midsection.
Santiago throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Santiago scores with a sloppy right hand. Signal should have avoided that one.
Signal avoids the body shot from Santiago.
Santiago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Signal circles away quickly and effectively.
Santiago lands a slapping body shot.
Signal misses with a looping right.
Santiago throws an off balance right hand
and Signal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Signal keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Santiago.
Signal has a takedown stuffed.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Signal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Santiago wants to clinch.
Signal slips a straight right by Santiago.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Signal closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Signal lands in his opponent's guard.
Signal trying to control but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Santiago wants to stand and escape but Signal is having none of it.
Signal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santiago swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Santiago looking to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Signal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Signal controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Dante Santiago wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Santiago thows a left - swing and a miss!
Santiago throws the left hand but Signal avoids the punch easily.
Santiago swings widly with a right hand
and Signal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Santiago cracks Signal with an open hand slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santiago displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Signal.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Busy Signal.
Santiago throws a hook but Signal avoids it easily.
Santiago stuffs the takedown attempt from Signal. Signal gets slowly back to his feet.
Signal shoots in but Santiago avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A jab from Santiago finds it's way through Signal's defenses.
A shot to the liver by Santiago. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Signal misses with a straight left.
Santiago just misses with a punch to the body.
Santiago throws a right hand that Signal ducks under and follows up with a left that Signal also avoids with ease.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Signal is defended easily by Santiago.
Santiago tries to clinch up.
Dante Santiago is winning the standup battle so far.
Santiago connects with a single shot there.
Donk. Santiago catches Signal right on the button with a cross.
Signal misses with a hook. Santiago ducked under it nicely.
Signal ducks under a wild hook from Santiago.

Signal darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Signal thows a huge punch but Santiago dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Signal with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Signal trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Santiago wants to get back to his feet.
Santiago tries to get to full guard but Signal has control of the leg.
Signal is looking to take a break and control but Santiago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Signal sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Busy Signal was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Santiago stuffs the takedown.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Signal circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Santiago showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Santiago has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Dante Santiago!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Busy Signal!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Busy Signal!

Busy Signal wins by split decision!
Busy Signal seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.