PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santiago is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Baauer - Harlem Shake. Jorge Santiago has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hall
vs
Santiago

186 cm
31
213 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

176 cm
26
214 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jonathan Hall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jorge Santiago!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hall fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Santiago checks it well.
Hall takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hall loads up on a big right hand but Santiago slips the punch.
Hall dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Santiago has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hall.
Santiago defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hall.

Santiago throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hall tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Santiago is in Hall's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Santiago postures up.
Hall is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Santiago is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hall pulls Santiago in close to his closed guard and prevents Santiago from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hall has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Santiago working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santiago trying to control the position from guard on top but Hall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jonathan Hall wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hall misses the shot to the body.
Hall stuffs the takedown.
Hall does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jonathan Hall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santiago doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hall throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Santiago stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santiago moves away.
Hall throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hall throws a poor cross that misses

and Santiago counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hall!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santiago decides to stand back up. Santiago steps back and let's Hall get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hall scores with a crisp jab that stopped Santiago in his tracks.
Santiago fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Santiago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hall fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hall closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Santiago misses with a body kick.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hall pivots, looking for a leg kick but Santiago is out of range and Hall settles back down.
Santiago tries for a takedown but Hall circles away easily

and Hall counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Jonathan Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Santiago.
Hall prevents Santiago from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall is trying to control the action in half guard but Santiago is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hall controlling the action here.
Hall is keen to just control but Santiago is a slippery customer.
Hall tries to pass to full mount but Santiago defends it.
Hall controlling the pace.

Jonathan Hall has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hall lands with an uppercut that bounces Santiago off the cage and back into range.
Hall avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Hall is predictable there
and Santiago counters with an outside leg kick.
Hall scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hall connects with a body shot.
Hall gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Santiago counters with a nice body kick.
Hall connects with a good right hand that stumbles Santiago. Santiago circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice takedown defense from Hall. No joy for Santiago on that attempt.
Hall tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Santiago shoots in and drives through. Hall sprawls well.
Hall smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santiago with a poor takedown

and Hall counters with a shoot takedown. Santiago fights it but they end up in guard.
Hall seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hall trying to control the position from guard on top but Santiago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Hall dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hall scores with a nice strike.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hall. Santiago shrugs it off though.
Jonathan Hall is winning the standup battle so far.
Santiago connects with an inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Hall misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Santiago.
Hall uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hall darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hall takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hall.
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!

Hall manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Santiago on his heels. He'll look to pass Santiago's guard now, I'm sure.
Santiago utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santiago swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall stays in close to Santiago's body and controls the position.
Santiago keeping moving, preventing Hall from controlling successfully.
Santiago wants to sweep but no luck.
Hall wants to control from the top but Santiago keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jonathan Hall.
Hall misses with an uppercut. Santiago saw that one coming.
Hall lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hall throws a series of punches but Santiago moves out of range.
Hall throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hall moves out of range of the strikes.
Hall looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santiago is fending him off so far but Hall persists. Nope, Santiago circles away and we're back to standing.
Santiago dives in and grabs Hall's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hall pushes down on Santiago's head and hops out.
Santiago tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hall throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Santiago moves out of range as Hall strikes.
Hall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut there from Hall.
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!
Nice takedown defense from Hall. No joy for Santiago on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall misses with a hook.
Hall lands a right hook to the body.
A low kick from Hall misses
and Santiago counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hall scores with a nice strike.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hall.
Santiago lands a nice hook to Hall's body. Hall takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hall throws a lazy body kick

and Santiago counters with a shoot takedown. Hall fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santiago trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hall manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Jonathan Hall overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Santiago being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago keeping moving, preventing Hall from controlling successfully.
Hall slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Hall dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hall scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hall trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Santiago is looking to reverse the position.
Hall taking a breather here.
Santiago is not content to let Hall control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall controls the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Santiago is not content to let Hall control the position.
Santiago is looking to regain half guard here but Hall keeps moving and retains side control.
Hall trying to control the position but Santiago is working away.
Jorge Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jonathan Hall.
Santiago on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hall throws a leg kick but Santiago sees it coming and moves out of range.
Santiago dives in and grabs Hall's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hall pushes down on Santiago's head and hops out.
Hall misses with a body kick.
Hall connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Santiago blocks a low kick nicely.
Hall tries to score with a low kick but Santiago moves his leg out of the way.
Hall scoring well with a low kick there.
Hall scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hall throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Santiago is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hall rather than just go for the knockout.
Hall takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago shoots in for a takedown but Hall shows good takedown defense.
Santiago takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hall blocks the body kick.
Hall checks the leg kick.
Hall is looking to chop away at Santiago's legs.
Hall throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A low kick from Hall misses
and Santiago counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Santiago throws a body punch but Hall moves out of range.
Santiago scores with a body shot.
Santiago keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Santiago has a takedown stuffed.
Jonathan Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Santiago.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Hall misses.
Hall thumps Santiago with a low kick.
Hall is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Santiago uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hall.
Santiago blocks a leg kick.
Hall misses with a hook
and Santiago counters with a two punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hall lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Santiago walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An inside leg kick from Hall misses.
Hall fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Santiago.
Hall keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Hall showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hall has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonathan Hall!