PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Saenchai Murbaratchon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fidel Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saenchai Murbaratchon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Murbaratchon
vs
Santiago

169 cm
26
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Worldwide Nutrition (160q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Saenchai Murbaratchon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fidel Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Daniel Cesar and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murbaratchon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Murbaratchon stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Murbaratchon tries a body shot but Santiago blocks it.
Murbaratchon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Santiago is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Murbaratchon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murbaratchon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murbaratchon can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left hand lands to the body for Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon is working Santiago over against the ropes.
Murbaratchon digs a right hand into Santiago's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Santiago's gas tank.
Murbaratchon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Murbaratchon trying to land knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Murbaratchon.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch.
Santiago tries to clinch but Murbaratchon is having none of it.
Murbaratchon throws a quick counter head kick but Santiago was just out of range.
Murbaratchon fails in his attempt to clinch.

Santiago rushes Murbaratchon and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Murbaratchon scores with a knee to the head.
Murbaratchon tries to throw a body punch but Santiago avoids it by throwing Murbaratchon back against the ropes.

Santiago breaks the clinch.
Santiago leaves Murbaratchon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And Santiago tries to counter it with a takedown but Murbaratchon pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Murbaratchon instigates a clinch.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murbaratchon can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago dives in and grabs Murbaratchon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Murbaratchon pushes down on Santiago's head and hops out.
Santiago tries to land a front kick but Murbaratchon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Murbaratchon shoots in for a double leg but Santiago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saenchai Murbaratchon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murbaratchon moves in looking to clinch but Santiago pushes him off.
Murbaratchon shoots in but no luck this time.
We've been informed that Santiago has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Murbaratchon dives in for a single leg takedown but Santiago sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Santiago throws a head kick but Murbaratchon moves out of range.
Santiago closes the distance and clinches up with Murbaratchon, looking for a takedown. Santiago pushes Murbaratchon against the ropes but Murbaratchon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Santiago tries to pull guard but Murbaratchon forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.

Santiago breaks from the clinch.
Santiago wants to clinch but Murbaratchon slips to the side
and Murbaratchon counters with a left and a right that stings Santiago.
Santiago dives in for a single leg takedown but Murbaratchon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Murbaratchon is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Murbaratchon closes this distance looking for a takedown but Santiago circles away.
Murbaratchon shoots in looking for a takedown but Santiago manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murbaratchon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Santiago fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Murbaratchon has managed to clinch.
Santiago drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murbaratchon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murbaratchon obliges.
Santiago content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Santiago tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Murbaratchon just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Murbaratchon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murbaratchon tries to stall but Santiago uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Santiago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.
Murbaratchon sets himself, and Santiago steps forward looking for the clinch! Murbaratchon avoids it this time.
Murbaratchon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Murbaratchon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Murbaratchon.
Santiago 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.

Saenchai Murbaratchon dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Murbaratchon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Santiago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santiago slaps away a takedown attempt from Murbaratchon, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Santiago gets a clinch.

Santiago breaks from the clinch.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Santiago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Santiago steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Murbaratchon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Santiago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Murbaratchon wants to clinch up but Santiago keeps it at a distance.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt - Murbaratchon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but Santiago moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murbaratchon tries to close the distance and clinch but Santiago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Santiago with a lazy takedown attempt
and Murbaratchon counters with a three punch combo that has Santiago backing up. Santiago nods at Murbaratchon to acknowledge the strikes.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.

Murbaratchon clinches.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murbaratchon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Santiago missing with a left hand there. Murbaratchon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Santiago fails with a takedown attempt.
Murbaratchon appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Saenchai Murbaratchon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fidel Santiago.
Santiago shoots for a takedown but Murbaratchon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Murbaratchon has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murbaratchon manages to break the clinch.
Murbaratchon tries to close the distance and clinch but Santiago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Santiago changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Murbaratchon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Murbaratchon wants to clinch.
Santiago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Santiago changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and clinches.
Santiago blocks a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Santiago is trying to stall.
Murbaratchon tries to break free but Santiago pushes him back against the ropes.
Santiago prevents a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Saenchai Murbaratchon has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Santiago prevents a body shot from Murbaratchon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon is looking to control Santiago's arms but Santiago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Murbaratchon has his back to the ropes.
Murbaratchon looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Murbaratchon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santiago can do to turn this around?
Murbaratchon is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Santiago is keeping busy.
Murbaratchon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murbaratchon wants to break the clinch but can't.

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

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Murbaratchon rushes Santiago and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Santiago fails to pull guard.
Santiago is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Murbaratchon pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Santiago gets control of Murbaratchon's arms and successfully pulls guard. Santiago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Murbaratchon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago controls Murbaratchon momentarily but Murbaratchon frees himself.
Murbaratchon 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.
Santiago has a closed guard, preventing Murbaratchon from standing up.
Murbaratchon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Santiago is keeping the position for now.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Santiago is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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

That was a close second round but I would say that Saenchai Murbaratchon will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Murbaratchon fails with a takedown attempt.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up but Santiago circles away and keeps his distance.

Murbaratchon tries to keep at a distance but Santiago has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murbaratchon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Santiago in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Santiago is working for takedown but Murbaratchon is calmly controlling the position for now.
Santiago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Murbaratchon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murbaratchon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Santiago throws a fast counter high kick but Murbaratchon manages to duck under it in time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Murbaratchon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago has his takedown stuffed
and Murbaratchon counters with a two punch combo.
Murbaratchon wants to clinch up but Santiago keeps it at a distance.
Murbaratchon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saenchai Murbaratchon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.
Murbaratchon misses with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon digs a right hand underneath Santiago's ribcage. Santiago let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Santiago prevents a body shot from Murbaratchon.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Santiago looks for a takedown but Murbaratchon sprawls well.
Santiago shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murbaratchon pinned against the ropes. Murbaratchon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up but Santiago circles away and keeps his distance.
Murbaratchon fails in his attempt to clinch.
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Santiago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon shoots for a double leg takedown but Santiago sprawls well. He's pushed Murbaratchon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Murbaratchon tries a body shot but Santiago blocks it.
Murbaratchon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Santiago's elbow.
Santiago fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees to the body from Murbaratchon.

Santiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saenchai Murbaratchon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but Santiago moves out of range.
Murbaratchon moves in looking to clinch but Santiago pushes him off.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murbaratchon is defended easily by Santiago.
Murbaratchon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santiago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Santiago throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fidel Santiago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santiago goes for a double leg but Murbaratchon avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Murbaratchon continues to drive forward.
Santiago shoots for a double leg takedown but Murbaratchon sprawls well. He's pushed Santiago's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Santiago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Santiago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Santiago is trying to pull guard but Murbaratchon has him pressed against the ropes.

Santiago decides to pull guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murbaratchon stays in close to Santiago's body and controls the position.

Murbaratchon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fidel Santiago.
I think Murbaratchon 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a draw!