PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fidel Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saenchai Murbaratchon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saenchai Murbaratchon is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Santiago
vs
Murbaratchon

168 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

169 cm
26
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fidel Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Saenchai Murbaratchon!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up but Santiago circles away and keeps his distance.
Murbaratchon has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Santiago.

Murbaratchon has taken the fight to the clinch.
Santiago blocks a body shot from Murbaratchon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santiago fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fidel Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murbaratchon throws a knee to the head but misses.

Santiago has hold of one of Murbaratchon's legs. Murbaratchon is fighting the takedown attempt but Santiago gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Murbaratchon is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Santiago is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santiago thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Santiago stops Murbaratchon from standing up.

Murbaratchon is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Santiago drops down looking for an ankle pick but Murbaratchon pulls his leg out and moves away.

Murbaratchon drives through and clinches with Santiago against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon misses with a knee to the head.
Santiago prevents a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Santiago wants to take the fight to the mat but Murbaratchon manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Murbaratchon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Murbaratchon has closed the distance and engaged Santiago in a clinch.
Santiago is looking for a takedown.
Santiago looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Santiago is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Murbaratchon pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Murbaratchon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Santiago goes for a takedown in the clinch but Murbaratchon prevents it.
Santiago is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santiago pulls guard effortlessly.
Murbaratchon really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Santiago. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Murbaratchon would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Murbaratchon stands up from Santiago's guard - Murbaratchon perhaps looking for a knockout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Murbaratchon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Murbaratchon rushes Santiago and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Murbaratchon.
Santiago wants a takedown.
Santiago takes a knee to the side of the body.

Santiago jumps guard.
Santiago looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Murbaratchon tries to stand but Santiago is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Murbaratchon stands and steps away. Santiago gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Murbaratchon wants to clinch.
Murbaratchon is looking to clinch but Santiago is avoiding it.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt
and Murbaratchon counters with a left and a right that stings Santiago.
Murbaratchon fails in his attempt to clinch.

Murbaratchon drives through and clinches with Santiago against the ropes.
Murbaratchon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murbaratchon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Santiago.
A knee to the head by Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon misses with a knee to the head.
Murbaratchon looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murbaratchon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Santiago.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fidel Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murbaratchon scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santiago can't get the takedown.
Santiago tries for a takedown but Murbaratchon manages to get underhooks.
A knee to the head by Murbaratchon.
A hook to the body from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murbaratchon lands a body shot.
Saenchai Murbaratchon seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murbaratchon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Santiago goes for a takedown in the clinch but Murbaratchon prevents it.
A right handed body shot lands from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon stalling the fight.
Murbaratchon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murbaratchon obliges.
Murbaratchon is leaning against Santiago and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Santiago blocks a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Murbaratchon scores with a hook to the body.
Murbaratchon works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murbaratchon looking to throw knees to the head but Santiago is blocking nicely.
Murbaratchon slows down the pace here.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Murbaratchon rushes Santiago and presses him up against the ropes.
Santiago goes for a takedown in the clinch but Murbaratchon prevents it.
Murbaratchon scores with a hook to the body.

Murbaratchon manages to break the clinch.
Santiago shoots in and drives through. Murbaratchon sprawls well.
Murbaratchon is looking for the big counter here.

Murbaratchon gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murbaratchon breaks from the clinch.
Saenchai Murbaratchon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Murbaratchon moves into range and clinches up with Santiago.
Santiago prevents Murbaratchon from breaking the clinch.
Murbaratchon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Santiago.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch.

Murbaratchon darts in and clinches Santiago up against the ropes.
Santiago managing to block the knees to the body from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Santiago's defenses.

It looks like Fidel Santiago has been cut.
Murbaratchon cracks Santiago with a nice body shot.

Santiago ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Santiago no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murbaratchon is looking to stand up but Santiago won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saenchai Murbaratchon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fidel Santiago's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Murbaratchon darts in and clinches Santiago up against the ropes.
Santiago blocks a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Nice body punch from Murbaratchon - that landed with a thud.

Murbaratchon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santiago swats away the attempt to clinch by Murbaratchon.
As Murbaratchon looks to move away, Santiago throws a big counter combo bu Murbaratchon just gets out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt
and Murbaratchon counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Murbaratchon wants to clinch up but Santiago keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Murbaratchon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murbaratchon breaks from the clinch.
Santiago keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago tries to counter with a takedown but Murbaratchon is quick to defend against it.
Murbaratchon tries to clinch up but Santiago circles away and keeps his distance.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and pushes Santiago back into the ropes.
Murbaratchon is looking to break free of the clinch but Santiago has double underhooks.
Nice body punch from Murbaratchon - that landed with a thud.
Murbaratchon is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Murbaratchon breaks from the clinch.
Fidel Santiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Murbaratchon has Santiago up against the ropes in a clinch.
Murbaratchon tries to land a knee to the head but Santiago blocks with his arms.
Murbaratchon is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon is trying to break the clinch but Santiago is controlling him.
Murbaratchon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A hook to the body from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Santiago prevents a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Santiago drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Murbaratchon gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Murbaratchon tries to throw a body punch but Santiago avoids it by throwing Murbaratchon back against the ropes.

Murbaratchon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and clinches.
Murbaratchon lands a body punch in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murbaratchon tries to throw a body punch but Santiago avoids it by throwing Murbaratchon back against the ropes.
Murbaratchon is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon wants to stall.
Murbaratchon can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Santiago prevents Murbaratchon from breaking the clinch.
Saenchai Murbaratchon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Santiago is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fidel Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon is working Santiago over against the ropes.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon tries to close the distance and clinch but Santiago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Murbaratchon doesn't manage to clinch there - Santiago circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murbaratchon gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Murbaratchon.
Santiago can't get the takedown.
Santiago blocks a body shot from Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon works on Santiago's body with a couple of short punches.
Santiago tries for a takedown. No joy.
Murbaratchon tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murbaratchon lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A right hook to the body lands for Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Santiago.
Fidel Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short body shot lands from Murbaratchon as the two fighters clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saenchai Murbaratchon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murbaratchon 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 25:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saenchai Murbaratchon!