PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael De Santos (ranked 3780 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel Benn Jr (ranked 3462 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Rafael De Santos has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rafael De Santos seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

De Santos
vs
Benn Jr

186 cm
30
199 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
31
203 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rafael De Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nigel Benn Jr!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Santos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Benn Jr as he avoids it easily.
Benn Jr leaves De Santos with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
De Santos takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Benn Jr connects with a nice looking jab.
De Santos misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Benn Jr! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael De Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.

De Santos shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Benn Jr is trying to defend but De Santos finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

De Santos is trying to work for a kimura but Benn Jr is defending well.
De Santos passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Benn Jr!

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Santos throws some wild stikes that Benn Jr manages to avoid easily.
Benn Jr wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Benn Jr has left one of his arms exposed and De Santos doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Benn Jr screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael De Santos!
During a confident post fight interview, Rafael De Santos thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Nigel Benn Jr had this to say: 'ill be back'.