PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Spencer
vs
Dos Santos

192 cm
39
192 lbs
31 - 20 - 1

185 cm
26
195 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 31 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shawn Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer slips a jab from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos misses with a low kick as Spencer jumps back.
Dos Santos smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Spencer scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dos Santos jabs at Spencer's body.
Dos Santos closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spencer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Spencer is just out of range.

Spencer drops Dos Santos with a left and a right! Oh, Dos Santos is hurt - Spencer dives into side control looking to finish!

Dos Santos is rocked!
Spencer postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Dos Santos is trying to improve his position.
Spencer tries to advance to mount but can't.

Spencer is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dos Santos knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Spencer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dos Santos keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos tries to improve position but can't.
Dos Santos manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Dos Santos trying to control here.
Dos Santos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Spencer trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spencer trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dos Santos trying to keep a closed guard but Spencer is proving a slippery customer.
Dos Santos wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shawn Spencer wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Spencer slips a straight right by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a lazy right hand but Spencer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dos Santos tries to clinch there but Spencer circles away.
Dos Santos thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shawn Spencer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spencer slips under a jab from Dos Santos.
Spencer with a nice cross.
Dos Santos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dos Santos moves away from the strike by Spencer.
Spencer misses with a straight left.
Dos Santos is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Spencer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dos Santos connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spencer. Spencer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Dos Santos has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Dos Santos there as he acknowledges the shot.
Dos Santos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Spencer sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer slips a jab and a cross from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Spencer is just out of range.

Dos Santos has Spencer up against the cage in a clinch.
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 Spencer walks away with a smile on his face. Dos Santos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A swing and a miss from Dos Santos.
A swing and a miss from Spencer.
Dos Santos darts in looking for a takedown but Spencer gets double underhooks and turns Dos Santos into the cage.
Shawn Spencer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Dos Santos.
Spencer wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dos Santos keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Spencer's efforts to push away.
Spencer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Dos Santos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer moves into range and connects with a jab.
Spencer lands a nice shot that snaps Dos Santos's head back.
Dos Santos is still on wobbly legs! Can Spencer finish 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!
Spencer with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Dos Santos to score with a decent uppercut.
Dos Santos seems to have recovered his senses.
Dos Santos ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Dos Santos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dos Santos misses with a series of wild punches.
Spencer slips under a jab from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Spencer circles away.
Dos Santos misses with a straight right.
Dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spencer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dos Santos looks to land a combination but Spencer avoids it well.
The fighters circle momentarily. Spencer darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dos Santos stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
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 Shawn Spencer will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dos Santos throws a low kick but Spencer moves out of range easily.
Dos Santos throws a lazy uppercut
letting Spencer counter with a right hand.
Dos Santos scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Spencer doesn't seem bothered though.
Spencer connects with a body shot that sends Dos Santos's belly button to the back.
Dos Santos misses with a series of wild punches.
Spencer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos misses with a leg kick.
Shawn Spencer is winning the standup battle so far.

Dos Santos pushes Spencer up against the cage in a clinch.
Dos Santos tries to pull guard but Spencer won't allow 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 Spencer walks away with a smile on his face. Dos Santos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Dos Santos misses with a straight left.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dos Santos thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice jab there from Spencer.
Spencer is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dos Santos goes for a double leg but Spencer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Spencer continues to drive forward.
Shawn Spencer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Dos Santos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dos Santos is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Spencer to keep the fight standing.
Spencer wants to break the clinch but can't.
Spencer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Dos Santos pulls guard successfully.
Spencer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dos Santos is keeping the position for now.
We've been hearing good reports from Spencer'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.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Spencer from controlling successfully.
Dos Santos is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Spencer passes Dos Santos's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Spencer is looking to take a break and control but Dos Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spencer is looking to advance position but Dos Santos won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is trying to control. Dos Santos wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dos Santos wants to control but Spencer is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Dos Santos won't allow Spencer to pass to mount.
Spencer is working hard here to advance position.

Dos Santos is defending against the submission attempts here by Spencer.
Spencer wants to free his trapped foot but Dos Santos is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dos Santos tries to get to full guard but Spencer has control of the leg.
Dos Santos is pressing down on Spencer's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Spencer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dos Santos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Spencer has managed to get both his arms back between Dos Santos's legs - danger averted.
Dos Santos looking for a sweep. Not yet Dos Santos, not yet.
Dos Santos keeping full guard, as Spencer tries to pass.
Spencer trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Spencer sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dos Santos's guard.
Dos Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Spencer sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer moves into full mount! Dos Santos won't be happy about that!
Spencer looking to control but Dos Santos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dos Santos wants to hold on but Spencer pushes him away.
Dos Santos is trying to escape the mount but Spencer keeps good control and instead manages to take Dos Santos's back.

Dos Santos is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Spencer gets his way!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dos Santos is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Spencer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer struggling to keep hold of the position.
I really don't envy Dos Santos right now.

Spencer working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Spencer dominated that second round.
That's time! Spencer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Spencer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rafael Dos Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sloppy strikes from Dos Santos. Those never looked like landing.
Dos Santos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer lands with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spencer. Dos Santos does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spencer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dos Santos. Dos Santos obviously looking to wear him down.
Dos Santos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sloppy strikes from Dos Santos. Those never looked like landing.
Spencer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dos Santos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Dos Santos takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Dos Santos will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Spencer. That snapped Dos Santos's head back.
Good work by Spencer as he checks the leg kick.
Dos Santos lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Dos Santos misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Spencer misses the target.
Spencer moves out of range of the strikes.
Rafael Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dos Santos throws a right hand that Spencer ducks under and follows up with a left that Spencer also avoids with ease.
Dos Santos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dos Santos throws a big shot that misses.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dos Santos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Spencer.
Dos Santos misses with a takedown
and Dos Santos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dos Santos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spencer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dos Santos.
Shawn Spencer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dos Santos pivots, looking for a leg kick but Spencer is out of range and Dos Santos settles back down.
Dos Santos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Spencer checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Spencer misses with a hook. Dos Santos ducked under it nicely.
A combination from Dos Santos does no damage.
Dos Santos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spencer defends it nicely.
Spencer throws a combination. Dos Santos tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Spencer lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Dos Santos throws out a loose jab but Spencer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dos Santos connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dos Santos sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dos Santos scores with a nice head shot.
Spencer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A cross from Dos Santos lands.
Spencer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dos Santos lands an overhand right.
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Spencer avoids them all with ease.
Dos Santos misses with a hook
enabling Spencer to counter with a crisp jab.
Spencer fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Spencer lands with a nice body punch.
Spencer is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Spencer's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dos Santos under the eye.
A bone on bone clash there as Spencer blocks the leg kick.
Rafael Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dos Santos throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Spencer counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dos Santos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Spencer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dos Santos misses with a body shot
and Spencer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dos Santos misses with a few strikes there.
Dos Santos throws a body punch but Spencer moves out of range.
Spencer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos tries a low kick but Spencer avoids it.
Spencer slips under a jab from Dos Santos.
Good exchange - Spencer coming out on top.
Dos Santos digs a good hook to Spencer's body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dos Santos throws a solid leg kick but Spencer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dos Santos.
Dos Santos lands with a straight right. Spencer didn't see that one coming.
Dos Santos throws a left and a right that both miss
and Spencer counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Spencer connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rafael Dos Santos.
I think Spencer 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn Spencer!
Shawn Spencer seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.