PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilson Kirk (ranked 6074 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Santoro (ranked 6065 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kirk
vs
Santoro

175 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wilson Kirk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Santoro!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santoro tries a head kick but it misses.
Kirk avoids the head kick by Santoro.
Kirk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Santoro.

Santoro looking to score a takedown here. Kirk is defending well but Santoro drives through and ends up in Kirk's guard.
Kirk avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kirk pushes Santoro off and gets back to his feet.
Santoro swats away the attempt to clinch by Kirk.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santoro scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kirk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Santoro is looking for the big counter here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro throws a head kick that misses.
Kirk is looking for a counter combo.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Santoro!
Santoro misses with a double jab

and Kirk counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Santoro!

Kirk tries for a kimura but Santoro is defending well.
Kirk could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Kirk working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro is looking to regain half guard here but Kirk keeps moving and retains side control.

Kirk working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kirk moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santoro manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kirk's best efforts.

Kirk wants to work for an arm triangle but Santoro is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Kirk is looking for a kimura here.

Kirk seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Santoro has recovered full guard.

That's four 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.
Santoro pulls Kirk in to control the position.
Kirk won't allow Santoro to sweep him here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kirk might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kirk connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santoro wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Santoro pushes Kirk away with a front kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Santoro dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kirk gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Santoro to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Santoro wants to stand but Kirk has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Santoro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Santoro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Santoro wants to pass the guard but Kirk is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santoro won't allow Kirk to get back to his feet.
Santoro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kirk is looking to stand up but Santoro isn't so interested in that idea.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Matthew Santoro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A right-left combo lands from Santoro.
Santoro tries a head kick but it misses.
Santoro just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKirk.
Santoro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Santoro throws a series of punches but Kirk avoids them all with ease.
Kirk takes a jab right on the kisser.
Santoro takes a swing at Kirk's ribcage but misses.
Kirk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kirk avoids the head kick by Santoro.
Kirk looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santoro shoots in and bounces Kirk off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Santoro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Santoro trying to control but Kirk is working from the bottom.
Kirk pulls Santoro in close to prevent any damage.
Santoro postures up in Kirk's guard and throws a big left but Kirk blocks it.
Santoro stopping the sweep attempt from Kirk.
Matthew Santoro has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirk keeping moving, preventing Santoro from controlling successfully.
Kirk wants to stand up but Santoro is controlling him.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kirk takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
No joy there for Santoro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
As Santoro tries to get set, Kirk tries to push him back and clinch up but Santoro manages to avoid the attempt.
Wilson Kirk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santoro feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kirk's calf.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Santoro. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kirk bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Santoro struggling a bit here.
Santoro is trying to get back to half guard.

Kirk tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Kirk thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Santoro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kirk tries to clinch up.
Santoro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Kirk rushes Santoro and presses him up against the cage.
Santoro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kirk is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Santoro is defending well.
Santoro is trying to break the clinch but Kirk has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Santoro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Santoro misses with a double jab.
Santoro misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro moves in looking to clinch but Kirk pushes him off.
Santoro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kirk looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Santoro swinging wildly here.
As Santoro tries to get set, Kirk tries to push him back and clinch up but Santoro manages to avoid the attempt.
Santoro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Santoro throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro lands with a straight right. Kirk didn't see that one coming.
Santoro pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kirk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Santoro fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A good leg kick by Santoro.
Santoro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kirk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Santoro.
Santoro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Santoro plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santoro scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Kirk throws Santoro to one side and escapes!

Kirk shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kirk is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santoro tries to roll over but Kirk keeps him under control.

Kirk seems to be looking for submissions.
Wilson Kirk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthew Santoro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santoro wants to control but Kirk is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matthew Santoro.
I've got Santoro 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Santoro!