PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ediz Gulbahar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evair Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ediz Gulbahar has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gulbahar
vs
Santos

186 cm
26
262 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

191 cm
21
254 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Bos Energy MMA159.4

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ediz Gulbahar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Evair Santos!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gulbahar defends it nicely.
Gulbahar wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Gulbahar throws a body kick that misses.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Santos shoots in for a double leg but Gulbahar sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ediz Gulbahar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evair Santos.
Santos misses with a takedown

and Gulbahar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gulbahar.
Gulbahar is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Santos is keeping busy.
Gulbahar prevents the takedown attempt.
Gulbahar tries a body shot but Santos blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gulbahar just leaning against Santos, taking a breather.
Gulbahar gets underhooks to prevent Santos's takedown attempt.
Gulbahar is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Santos pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Santos has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gulbahar after a bit of a struggle.

Santos lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gulbahar controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Santos trying to mount his opponent but Gulbahar defends it.
Gulbahar is looking to escape.

Santos is looking for a kimura here.
Santos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gulbahar is looking for a sweep. Santos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gulbahar wants to control but Santos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Santos wants to take a breather but Gulbahar is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gulbahar manages to get to full guard.
Gulbahar wants to sweep but no luck.
We've been hearing good reports from Gulbahar'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.

Santos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gulbahar has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Santos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gulbahar is trying to control the position but Santos postures up.
Santos is standing up over Gulbahar. Gulbahar looks to escape but Santos dives into side control.
Gulbahar is not content to let Santos control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gulbahar is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Gulbahar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Santos controls the position.
Santos is looking to take a break and control but Gulbahar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Santos tries to advance to mount but Gulbahar denies him.
Santos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gulbahar keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Santos works to advance to full mount. Gulbahar defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Gulbahar is looking to improve his position but Santos isn't that keen on the idea.

Santos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Gulbahar is desperately trying to improve his position but Santos has a good base and remains in mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Santos trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gulbahar is trying to escape the mount.
Santos moves to the back position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evair Santos dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gulbahar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Santos.
Gulbahar misses with a few strikes there.
Gulbahar swings for the body but Santos moves out of range.
Santos avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gulbahar connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Gulbahar bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Santos tries to buck Gulbahar off but Gulbahar is having none of it.
Gulbahar working away.
Santos is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gulbahar's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gulbahar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Santos defending well though.
Santos is looking to control Gulbahar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santos avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gulbahar is trying to control. Santos wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Santos controlling the position well.
Santos trying to control from the bottom.
Gulbahar wants to control but Santos is keeping him busy.
Santos regains full guard. Nicely done.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gulbahar.
Gulbahar wants to control from the top but Santos keeps moving.
Gulbahar has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gulbahar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Santos fails with the takedown

and Gulbahar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Gulbahar gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Santos taking some punishment here, with Gulbahar in his half guard.
Gulbahar looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Santos with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gulbahar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nice strikes from Gulbahar there.
Santos trying to control from the bottom.
Gulbahar is taking a breather. Santos says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Santos is refusing to be controlled, as Gulbahar sits in half guard.
Santos is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gulbahar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gulbahar in particular looking to stall.
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.
Gulbahar is thwarting Santos's attempts to control the position.
Gulbahar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santos's head.
Santos manages to get to full guard.
Ediz Gulbahar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Santos can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gulbahar controls the pace.
Santos is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gulbahar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santos can do to turn this around?

Santos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gulbahar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Our spies down at at Signature Martial Arts inform us that Santos has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Gulbahar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Santos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gulbahar has managed to get both his arms back between Santos's legs - danger averted.
Gulbahar trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gulbahar is looking to work some ground and pound but Santos has wrist control.
Santos looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ediz Gulbahar dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Santos looking to score a takedown here. Gulbahar is defending well but Santos drives through and ends up in Gulbahar's guard.
Santos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gulbahar is keeping the position for now.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Gulbahar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santos slips nicely into half guard.
Well, if Santos is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gulbahar knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Santos seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos is thwarting Gulbahar's attempts to control the position.
Santos tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gulbahar knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gulbahar is looking to improve his position.
Gulbahar landing rabbit punches to the side of Santos's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Santos prevents Gulbahar from improving his position.
Santos trying to control the action but Gulbahar is working from the bottom.
Santos is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Santos prevents Gulbahar from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Santos is keen to just control but Gulbahar is a slippery customer.
Gulbahar is trying to get back to full guard.
Gulbahar trying to control but Santos postures up.
Gulbahar knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Santos on the ground.
Gulbahar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Santos is looking to take a break and control but Gulbahar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Santos slips under a jab.
Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Gulbahar tries to sprawl out of it but Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Gulbahar manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As Santos tries to get set, Gulbahar tries to push him back and clinch up but Santos manages to avoid the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries for a takedown but Gulbahar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gulbahar swings for the body but Santos moves out of range.
Santos darts in looking for a takedown but Gulbahar gets double underhooks and turns Santos into the ropes.
Ediz Gulbahar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evair Santos.

Gulbahar gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Santos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gulbahar controls Santos momentarily but Santos frees himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gulbahar is on top in guard.

Santos not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gulbahar won't allow Santos to sweep him here.
Gulbahar throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gulbahar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Santos controlling the position.
Gulbahar looking to sit in guard and control but Santos gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Santos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gulbahar is keeping the position for now.
Gulbahar keeping moving, preventing Santos from controlling successfully.

Santos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Santos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Gulbahar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santos won't allow Gulbahar to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evair Santos really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gulbahar slaps away a takedown attempt from Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Santos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Evair Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gulbahar misses with a looping right.
Santos throws a looping overhand right but Gulbahar ducks down to avoid it.
Gulbahar just misses with a punch to the body.

Santos rushes Gulbahar and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Santos has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gulbahar regains guard immediately.
Gulbahar is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gulbahar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos is pressing down on Gulbahar's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Santos is on top in guard.

Gulbahar is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gulbahar.
Gulbahar landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Santos regains full guard. Nicely done.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gulbahar.
Gulbahar working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Santos's head.
Santos trying to control the position.
Santos wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gulbahar wants to control from the top but Santos keeps moving.

That's two 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.
Gulbahar won't allow Santos to sweep him here.
Santos is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gulbahar is one step ahead there.
Santos trying to control the position.
Gulbahar has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Santos is proving hard to escape from.
Santos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gulbahar trying to control the position from guard on top but Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gulbahar scores with a takedown into Santos's guard.
Santos not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gulbahar.
Santos bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gulbahar's guard.

Santos is pushing down on Gulbahar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gulbahar is fighting to maintain full guard but Santos has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gulbahar is trying to control but Santos manages to pass to mount!
Santos looking to control but Gulbahar is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Santos wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Gulbahar is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gulbahar tries to hold on but Santos pushes him away.

Santos goes for an armbar but Gulbahar turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Gulbahar.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santos working a defensive guard here.
Santos has control of Gulbahar's left arm, preventing Gulbahar from doing any damage.
Santos looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Evair Santos will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gulbahar on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Santos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gulbahar defends it nicely.
Gulbahar stuffs the takedown attempt from Santos. Santos gets slowly back to his feet.
Gulbahar misses with a jab, cross combination.
Santos tries to counter with a clinch but Gulbahar shakes him off and moves away.
Santos defending well as Gulbahar loads up on a big left hand.
Gulbahar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Santos paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Santos darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gulbahar tries to roll over but Santos keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gulbahar is refusing to be controlled, as Santos sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos tries to pass to full mount but Gulbahar defends it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Santos is looking to advance position but Gulbahar won't allow it.
Santos controlling the action here.
Santos prevents Gulbahar from improving his position.
Gulbahar is working hard here to advance position.
Evair Santos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Santos takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Gulbahar is not content to let Santos control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Santos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gulbahar wants to clinch.
Gulbahar is looking to land body kicks.
Santos looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Gulbahar throws a hook but Santos avoids it easily.
Ediz Gulbahar is winning the standup battle so far.

Santos decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gulbahar is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Santos's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Santos's back!
Gulbahar gets his hands free as Santos looks to control.
Gulbahar somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Gulbahar struggling to land strikes to the head as Santos covers up.
Gulbahar trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Santos rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Santos wants to get back to his feet.
Santos gets full guard.
Gulbahar scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Santos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gulbahar is trying to get back to full guard.
Ediz Gulbahar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santos wants to pass the guard but Gulbahar is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santos frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gulbahar is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evair Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Santos has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 47:48
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evair Santos! Evair Santos retains his heavyweight title!
Evair Santos managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Bos Energy MMA159.4, into his post fight interview.