PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Messinger's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Huckleberry by Ichabod. Santiago is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Undead - Hollywood Undead. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Messinger
vs
Santiago

170 cm
37
160 lbs
16 - 23 - 0

180 cm
29
167 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Messinger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dante Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago throws a left and a right that both miss
and Messinger counters with a nice low kick that buckles Santiago's knee momentarily.
Santiago throws a series of punches but Messinger moves out of range.

Messinger has taken the fight to the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Santiago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Messinger landing knees to the body.
Santiago is trying to break the clinch but Messinger has him pressed against the cage.
Santiago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Messinger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Messinger tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.
Messinger scores with a nice body kick.
Santiago takes a swing at Messinger's ribcage but misses.
Santiago throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Messinger takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Santiago tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Messinger manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Messinger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Santiago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.

Messinger gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santiago wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Messinger tries to score with some ground and pound. Santiago controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Messinger tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Santiago is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Messinger asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Messinger thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Messinger trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Santiago is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger is looking to take a break and control but Santiago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee asks Messinger politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Messinger prefers to stall for the moment though.
Messinger wants to control but Santiago is keeping him busy.
Santiago is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Messinger has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Messinger lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Santiago is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Messinger has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Santiago defending against the ground and pound.

Messinger is trying to get an arm triangle but Santiago is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santiago is trying to buck Messinger off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messinger decides to stand up, so the ref orders Santiago to his feet.
Messinger avoids a punch combination nicely.
Santiago falls off balance throwing a combination
and Messinger counters with a head kick.
Santiago throws a right and a left that both miss.
Santiago throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Santiago rushes Messinger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Messinger.
Santiago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Santiago tries to break free but Messinger pushes him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Santiago on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Messinger keeps control of Santiago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Messinger looking to slow down the pace here.

Santiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dante Santiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Santiago has taken the fight to the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santiago being controlled against the cage.
Messinger keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Santiago's efforts to push away.

Messinger manages to break the clinch.
Messinger dodges the punch combination from Santiago.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Santiago misses with a hook. Messinger ducked under it nicely.
Messinger shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santiago sprawls well. Santiago wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Messinger gets slowly back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santiago throws a series of punches but Messinger avoids them all with ease.
Dante Santiago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Santiago, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Messinger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Messinger shoots in looking for a takedown. Santiago tries to sprawl out of it but Messinger keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Santiago manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Santiago thows a body shot but no joy.
Santiago leaves Messinger with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Messinger is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Santiago.
Santiago pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Messinger back to the cage. Santiago follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Santiago misses with a few strikes there.

Santiago drives through and clinches with Messinger against the cage.

Messinger manages to pull guard.
Messinger 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.
Messinger working a defensive guard here.
Santiago loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santiago with a flurry of punches that miss.
Santiago wants to control from the top but Messinger keeps moving.
Santiago would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago is looking to work some ground and pound but Messinger has wrist control.
Santiago trying to control but Messinger is working from the bottom.
Santiago must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Santiago in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Messinger throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Santiago throws an elbow that misses. Messinger uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Santiago's guard. Nice move by Messinger!
Santiago is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santiago can't keep his opponent in guard - Messinger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santiago is looking to escape.

Santiago makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Messinger moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Santiago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Santiago fails to land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Santiago misses.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Santiago is breathing heavily.
Messinger throws a head kick that half lands.
Santiago stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Messinger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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 looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Messinger with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Santiago to score with a decent uppercut.

Messinger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Santiago's guard.
Santiago wants to get back to his feet but Messinger is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Messinger wants to pass the guard but Santiago is keeping the position.
Messinger is working hard here to advance position.
Santiago is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Messinger is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger trying to control the position from guard on top but Santiago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santiago is looking to stand up but Messinger isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Messinger forces his way into half guard.

Santiago pushes Messinger off and gets back to his feet.
Messinger tries to clinch up.
Messinger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santiago throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Messinger.
Messinger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Santiago's head.
Santiago lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Santiago.
Will Messinger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Messinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Santiago wants to clinch up but Messinger keeps it at a distance.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Messinger dodges the punch combination from Santiago.
Santiago takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger dodges the punch combination from Santiago.
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Santiago displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Dante Santiago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santiago throws a series of punches but Messinger moves out of range.

Messinger moves into the clinch.
Messinger leaning against his opponent.
Messinger missing with knees to the body.

Messinger breaks from the clinch.

Messinger looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Messinger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santiago is looking to stand up but Messinger isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Santiago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Messinger moves away.
Messinger throws a head kick but Santiago moves out of range.
Messinger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Santiago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santiago avoids the head kick by Messinger.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Santiago misses with a double jab

and Messinger counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Santiago breaks from the clinch.
Santiago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Messinger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Santiago's sensitive parts.
Santiago misses with the combination.
Santiago wants to clinch
and Messinger counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Santiago misses with a series of wild punches.
Santiago falls off balance throwing a combination
and Messinger counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Santiago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santiago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Santiago misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger misses with a kick to the body.

Santiago drives through and clinches with Messinger against the cage.
Santiago tries to break free but Messinger pushes him back against the cage.
Santiago tries to circle away but Messinger has him pinned against the cage.

Messinger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Messinger throws the kick towards the body but Santiago avoids it.
Messinger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slow jab from Santiago misses its intended target.
Messinger moves in looking to clinch but Santiago pushes him off.
Santiago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Santiago feints a jab promting Messinger to slip. Santiago then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Messinger slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Santiago throws a left and a right that both miss
and Messinger counters with a nice body kick.
Messinger avoids a punch combination nicely.
Messinger slips a jab and a cross from Santiago.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Messinger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Messinger circles away quickly and effectively.
Messinger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body kick there by Messinger.
Santiago wants to clinch.
Messinger will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A combination from Santiago does no damage.
Messinger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Messinger lands a really nice looking cross but Santiago seems unphased.
Messinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Messinger!
A punch combination from Santiago misses.
Santiago throws a right hand that Messinger ducks under and follows up with a left that Messinger also avoids with ease.
Santiago tries to clinch but Messinger is having none of it.
Messinger ducks under a wild hook from Santiago.
Nice defenses there by Messinger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Messinger misses with a kick to the body.
Messinger goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Messinger takes the fight into the clinch.
Messinger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Santiago manages to break the clinch.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Messinger moves away.
Santiago misses with a two punch combination.
Santiago misses with the combination.
Messinger looks to land a combination but Santiago avoids it well.
Messinger fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Messinger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Messinger dives in and grabs Santiago's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santiago pushes down on Messinger's head and hops out.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Messinger pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a double jab.
Messinger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Santiago.
Santiago keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice jab there from Santiago.
Santiago throws a right and a left that both miss.
Santiago connects with a right hand. Messinger shakes it off.
Messinger moves out of range of the strikes.
Some wild striking there from Santiago.
Messinger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santiago swivels and escapes.
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 looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Santiago keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messinger takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Messinger looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Santiago throws a right and a left that Messinger avoids nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Santiago comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Santiago 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Santiago!
Dante Santiago decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.