PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matti Nyberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcelo Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcelo Santiago acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Nyberg
vs
Santiago

184 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

155 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Powerful

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matti Nyberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcelo Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago with a poor takedown
and Nyberg counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nyberg lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nyberg.
Nyberg throws out a leg kick but Santiago moves out of range and Nyberg only half commits.
Santiago looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Santiago shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nyberg really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nyberg is on top in guard.

Santiago looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nyberg is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Santiago escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nyberg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nyberg controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nyberg stopping the sweep attempt from Santiago.

Santiago looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nyberg passes into side control.
Santiago is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Santiago is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Nyberg decides to stand back up. Nyberg steps back and let's Santiago get back to his feet.
Santiago dodges the punch combination from Nyberg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nyberg scores with a nice strike.

Santiago closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nyberg to the mat! Nyberg manages to get full guard.

Santiago is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nyberg is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nyberg has escaped and now he's on top!

Nyberg controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nyberg sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Santiago's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nyberg stands up out of the half guard.
Nyberg throws out a loose jab but Santiago uses good head movement to avoid it.
It seemed like Santiago was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nyberg throws the kick towards the body but Santiago avoids it.
Santiago looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nyberg seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Santiago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matti Nyberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Santiago moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
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 dodges the punch combination from Nyberg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santiago slips a jab from Nyberg.
Santiago tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Santiago takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nyberg misses with a leg kick

and Santiago counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nyberg won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nyberg slips under a jab from Santiago.
Nyberg cracks a nice hook into Santiago's ribs.
Nyberg scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Santiago has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nyberg's corner calls for a 1-2. Nyberg obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Santiago ducks under a wild hook from Nyberg.
Nyberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santiago fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nyberg misses with a double jab.
And Santiago tries to counter it with a takedown but Nyberg pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nyberg throws a big shot that misses.
No joy there for Nyberg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago tries for a takedown but Nyberg sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nyberg slips under a jab from Santiago.
Nyberg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Santiago looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nyberg misses with a combination
enabling Santiago to counter with a crisp jab.
Some wild striking there from Nyberg.

Santiago shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nyberg is trying to defend but Santiago finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Nyberg kicks Santiago off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nyberg lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Santiago walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A cross from Nyberg lands.
Nyberg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Santiago was well out of range. Poor timing from Nyberg.
Santiago throws out a counter right but Nyberg avoids it with no problem.
Santiago takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Matti Nyberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nyberg throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Santiago! But no joy.
Matti Nyberg is winning the standup battle so far.
Nyberg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Santiago with the counter takedown but Nyberg avoids it easily.
Nyberg throws a sloppy head kick

so Santiago counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Nyberg pushes Santiago off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Santiago moves away from the strike by Nyberg.
Santiago is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nyberg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nyberg throws a wild body kick that Santiago sees coming a mile off.
A little jabbing left from Santiago on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Santiago darts in looking for a takedown but Nyberg gets double underhooks and turns Santiago into the cage.
Matti Nyberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelo Santiago.
Nyberg slips a jab from Santiago.
Nyberg throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nyberg misses with a series of wild punches.
Santiago doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Santiago takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nyberg tries to land a leg kick but Santiago saw it coming and moves away.
Santiago fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nyberg throws a sloppy body shot

and Santiago counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Santiago is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Nyberg reverses the position - he's now on top in Santiago's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nyberg gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nyberg cracks Santiago with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nyberg lands with a cross.
No joy there for Nyberg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nyberg is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Nyberg throws a one two combo.
Nyberg throws a right hand that Santiago ducks under and follows up with a left that Santiago also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nyberg dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nyberg lands a nice shot to the body.
Nyberg is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santiago can do to turn this around?
Nyberg throws a shot to the body.
Santiago avoids the body shot from Nyberg.
Santiago swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nyberg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Santiago drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nyberg defends it well.
Nyberg ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nyberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Santiago throws out the jab.
Nyberg goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nyberg throws a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Santiago closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Santiago swings around for an armbar but Nyberg sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Santiago's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santiago is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santiago looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Nyberg has picked Santiago up and slammed him! Santiago can't keep hold of the triangle and Nyberg manages to pass to side control!
Nyberg scores with punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nyberg controlling from side mount.
Santiago is trying to get back to half guard.
Nyberg taking a breather here.
Marcelo Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Nyberg trying to control the position but Santiago is working away.
Nyberg will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nyberg takes a little break here. Santiago wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Santiago is looking to regain half guard here but Nyberg keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nyberg decides to stand back up. Nyberg steps back and let's Santiago get back to his feet.
Matti Nyberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nyberg throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nyberg fails to land with a series of punches.
Santiago swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Matti Nyberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Santiago shoots in for a takedown but Nyberg shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nyberg throwing a counter right hand but Santiago manages to avoid it.
Nyberg looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Santiago changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nyberg misses the jab.
Nyberg takes a swing at Santiago's ribcage but misses.
Nyberg throws a nice looking combination but Santiago bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nyberg connects with a jab.
Santiago takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Santiago shoots in but no luck this time.
Santiago misses with a straight right.
Nyberg connects with a body shot that sends Santiago's belly button to the back.
Santiago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nyberg.
Nyberg connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nyberg fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Santiago has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santiago avoids a punch combination nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Nyberg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nyberg has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Nyberg!
Matti Nyberg opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.