PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bill Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santiago has chosen The Rza - Samurai Showdown as his entrance music. Jose Santiago will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hicks
vs
Santiago

170 cm
30
154 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

179 cm
22
164 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bill Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jose Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Santiago.
Santiago bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hicks's head backwards.
Santiago thumps Hicks with a low kick.
Santiago throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hicks.

Hicks feints and as Santiago raises his hands in defense, Hicks changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Our spies down at at Vicious Striking inform us that Santiago has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santiago has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hicks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hicks trying to control but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Santiago trying to keep a closed guard but Hicks is proving a slippery customer.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Santiago keeps moving.

Hicks is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hicks stays in close to Santiago's body and controls the position.
Santiago looking for a sweep. Not yet Santiago, not yet.
Hicks forces his way into half guard.
Hicks trying to control the action but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Hicks works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is bucking up trying to escape but Hicks cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hicks avoids the attempt from Santiago to control.
Hicks landing strikes from the mount and Santiago is in trouble!
Santiago tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hicks trying to control but Santiago is having none of it.
Santiago working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks with good strikes from the mount here!
Hicks controlling the position easily from mount.
Santiago is looking to improve his position but Hicks isn't that keen on the idea.
Santiago tries to hold on but Hicks pushes him away.
Santiago is squirming around, avoiding Hicks's attempts to control the action.
Santiago slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to get to full guard but Hicks has control of the leg.
Santiago is pressing down on Hicks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Santiago throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but Santiago has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santiago keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Hicks looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Hicks dominated that round.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Santiago looks to land a combination. Hicks sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Santiago looks to land a left hand but Hicks moved out of range nicely.
Santiago throws a leg kick which misses Hicks's front leg but catches the back leg as Hicks tries to avoid it.
Hicks looks for the body kick but Santiago saw that one coming.
A jab from Santiago finds it's way through Hicks's defenses.
Santiago throws a looping overhand right but Hicks ducks down to avoid it.
Hicks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hicks drops his hands momentarily and Santiago takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A cross from Santiago lands.
Santiago throws out a loose jab but Hicks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hicks tries to counter with a takedown but Santiago is quick to defend against it.
Santiago throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hicks on the side of 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 tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hicks fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Santiago. Hicks shrugs it off though.

Santiago manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hicks on his heels. He'll look to pass Hicks's guard now, I'm sure.
Santiago wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.

Santiago avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Santiago wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Santiago is one step ahead there.
Santiago trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santiago has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Santiago controlling from the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hicks throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Santiago tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hicks is in Santiago's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hicks has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hicks bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Santiago's guard.

Santiago is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Hicks frees his head nicely. Oh but Santiago has switched to an armbar! Hicks is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Jose Santiago!
A relieved looking Jose Santiago thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.