PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Finn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Finn has chosen Von Bondies - C'mon c'mon as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dos Santos
vs
Finn

185 cm
26
195 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

182 cm
39
197 lbs
36 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best 160

Bad Man Clothing
Reaper Combatwear

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mickey Finn!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Finn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dos Santos tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dos Santos jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Finn walks away with a smile on his face. Dos Santos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Dos Santos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dos Santos throws a front kick aimed at Finn's knee but Finn avoids it well.
Finn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Finn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Finn wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dos Santos throws the left hand but Finn avoids the punch easily.
Finn checks a low kick from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick but Finn sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A swing and a miss from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos feints and as Finn raises his hands in defense, Dos Santos changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Finn keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.

Dos Santos postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Finn is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Dos Santos, into his guard.
Finn wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finn stands up over Dos Santos, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dos Santos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Finn throws a big right hand that misses.

Dos Santos had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Finn defends it easily.
Dos Santos looking for a sweep. Not yet Dos Santos, not yet.
Finn wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.
Finn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Finn trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mickey Finn was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Finn slips under a jab.
Finn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Finn wants it to stay on the feet.
Finn lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Finn has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Finn fails with a takedown attempt.
Finn looks to land a body kick but Dos Santos moved away.
Finn cracks Dos Santos with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Finn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Dos Santos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dos Santos lands a jab to the nose.
A thudding body kick lands there by Finn!
Dos Santos steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Finn. That one must have hurt.
Dos Santos throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dos Santos scores with a one two! Finn had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Mickey Finn has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Finn.
Finn cracks Dos Santos with a right hand to the side of the head.
Finn works Dos Santos's body with a nice hook.
Dos Santos misses with a jab, cross combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dos Santos. Finn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Finn misses with a looping right.
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Finn avoids them all with ease.
Rafael Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dos Santos takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dos Santos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dos Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Finn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Finn lands a glancing blow to the side of Dos Santos's head.
Finn shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dos Santos sprawls well. Dos Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Finn gets slowly back to his feet.
Dos Santos misses the jab.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Dos Santos misses with a straight right.
Nice body punch from Finn.

Finn shoots in and bounces Dos Santos off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finn engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Dos Santos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Finn from controlling successfully.
Dos Santos working a defensive guard here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mickey Finn.

Finn shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Finn was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Finn working the head with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Finn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mickey Finn's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dos Santos tries to move into range but Finn moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Finn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dos Santos as he jumps to the side.
Finn swings for the body but Dos Santos moves out of range.
Dos Santos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Finn defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Finn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos scores with a punch to the head.
Dos Santos moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Dos Santos looks to throw the jab but Finn is out of range.
Dos Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
Dos Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Finn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rafael Dos Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dos Santos looks to land a combination but Finn avoids it well.
Finn connects with a body shot that sends Dos Santos's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dos Santos misses with a two punch combination.

Finn feints and as Dos Santos raises his hands in defense, Finn changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Finn from controlling successfully.

Finn drops back, looking for a kneebar! Dos Santos looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Dos Santos looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Dos Santos!
Finn manages to get back to half guard.

Dos Santos is trying to work for a kimura but Finn is defending well.

Dos Santos seems to be working for a kimura but Finn defends the submission attempt.
Finn tries to get to full guard but Dos Santos has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dos Santos looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Finn trying to control here.
We've been hearing good reports from Dos Santos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finn is trying to get back to full guard.
Dos Santos is pressing down on Finn's thigh, looking to free his foot. Finn is holding on for now.
Finn slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dos Santos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finn manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dos Santos manages to get himself to full guard.
Dos Santos wants to control the position but Finn says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Dos Santos tries to roll over but Finn keeps him under control.

Dos Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Finn slips a nice elbow through Dos Santos's hands, connecting with Dos Santos's forehead.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Finn lands a nice short elbow.
Dos Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Finn sits in half guard.
Dos Santos wants to control but Finn is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finn throwing shots but Dos Santos is blocking nicely.
Dos Santos wants to get back to full guard.
Dos Santos trying to hold on to Finn's head to control him but Finn postures up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Finn is keen to just control but Dos Santos is a slippery customer.
Mickey Finn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Finn missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dos Santos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dos Santos takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Dos Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Finn closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Dos Santos to the mat! Dos Santos manages to get full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Finn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mickey Finn's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Dos Santos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dos Santos misses with a head kick.
Dos Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Finn.
Finn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dos Santos.

Dos Santos gets a clinch.
Dos Santos tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Finn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dos Santos pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dos Santos tries to land a leg kick but Finn saw it coming and moves away.
Finn punishes Dos Santos's body with a nice straight punch.
Finn shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dos Santos sprawls well. Dos Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Finn gets slowly back to his feet.
Dos Santos takes one on the button.

Finn looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Dos Santos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Finn from controlling successfully.
Finn forces his way into half guard.
Finn works his foot free and advances to mount.
Dos Santos can't escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Finn cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Dos Santos is squirming around, avoiding Finn's attempts to control the action.
Finn lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finn trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Finn might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Dos Santos haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
BOOM! Finn connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dos Santos manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Dos Santos is not content to let Finn control the position.
Dos Santos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Finn trying to control the action but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos wants to improve his position but Finn is controlling well.
Finn perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Finn wants to take a breather but Dos Santos is having none of it.

Mickey Finn has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Finn looks to score with a jab to the body but Dos Santos is just out of range.
Dos Santos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Finn closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Dos Santos to the mat! Dos Santos manages to get full guard.
Finn cracks Dos Santos with a solid left hand.
Finn is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Finn preventing the sweep.
Finn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dos Santos is keeping the position for now.
Finn passes Dos Santos's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rafael Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Finn is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dos Santos sees it coming and defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dos Santos is trying to get back to full guard.
Dos Santos moves into full guard.
Finn postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Finn trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mickey Finn is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos being controlled here, momentarily.

Dos Santos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Finn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mickey Finn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Finn winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey Finn!
Mickey Finn thanked the fans post fight for their support.