PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Justin Purcell (ranked 2649 p4p, 278 weight class) and Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 4198 p4p, 384 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Purcell
vs
Da Santiago

185 cm
28
155 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
24
144 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Purcell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessio Da Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Santiago checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Da Santiago looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Purcell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Purcell is not content to let Da Santiago control the position.
Purcell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Da Santiago is keen to just control but Purcell is a slippery customer.
Da Santiago not doing much here.
Purcell gets back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Purcell has his foot on Da Santiago's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Da Santiago works his way back into a safe position though.
Da Santiago distracts Purcell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Da Santiago slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Purcell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Da Santiago is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Purcell looking for a guillotine here but Da Santiago defends easily.

Purcell looking for a guillotine here but Da Santiago defends easily.
Da Santiago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Da Santiago is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Purcell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Da Santiago defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Da Santiago trying to stand up but can't free himself from Purcell's guard.
Da Santiago stops Purcell from standing up.

Purcell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Da Santiago defends it easily.

Da Santiago drops back looking for a leg! Purcell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Purcell manages to kick Da Santiago off! Da Santiago jumps back into Purcell's guard.

Da Santiago avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Purcell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Da Santiago wants to control from the top but Purcell keeps moving.
Da Santiago postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Da Santiago stopping the sweep attempt from Purcell.
Da Santiago trying to control but Purcell is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Purcell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Purcell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Da Santiago defends well.
Purcell keeping moving, preventing Da Santiago from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Purcell looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Da Santiago puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Da Santiago prevents Purcell from improving his position.
Well, if Da Santiago 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.
Da Santiago trying to mount his opponent but Purcell defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Purcell moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Justin Purcell will probably get the nod.
That's time! Purcell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Purcell stuffs the takedown attempt from Da Santiago. Da Santiago gets slowly back to his feet.
Purcell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Da Santiago.
A jab lands there for Purcell.
Da Santiago looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A little feinted left hand from Purcell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Purcell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Purcell motions for Da Santiago to come forward. Purcell throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Da Santiago takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Da Santiago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Da Santiago shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Purcell pinned against the cage. Purcell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Justin Purcell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessio Da Santiago.
Purcell misses with an uppercut. Da Santiago saw that one coming.
Da Santiago steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Purcell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Santiago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Purcell is fending him off so far but Da Santiago persists. Nope, Purcell circles away and we're back to standing.
Da Santiago tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Purcell defends well and Da Santiago ends up having to push Purcell into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Purcell lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Purcell thows a body kick. Da Santiago tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Purcell scores with a hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slapping leg kick lands for Purcell.
Da Santiago tries to move into range but Purcell moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Da Santiago bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Alessio Da Santiago has got the better of the ground game so far.
Purcell can't do much from the bottom here.
Da Santiago tries to move to mount but Purcell blocks the move with his legs.
Da Santiago avoids the strikes from the bottom by Purcell.
Da Santiago trying to control the position but Purcell is working away.
Purcell throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Purcell wants to control but Da Santiago postures up.
Purcell gets back to half guard.

Purcell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Purcell wants to improve his position but Da Santiago is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Purcell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Da Santiago.
Purcell is trying to maintain the position but Da Santiago is very close to passing his half guard.
Da Santiago wants to control but Purcell is keeping him busy.

Purcell looking for submissions off his back.
Da Santiago wants to lay and pray for a moment but Purcell keeps working.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago prevents Purcell from improving his position.
Purcell is looking to escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Purcell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Purcell misses with a low kick.
Da Santiago wants to clinch up but Purcell keeps it at a distance.
Da Santiago has a takedown stuffed.
Da Santiago will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Da Santiago shoots for a double leg takedown but Purcell sprawls well. He's pushed Da Santiago's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Da Santiago has a takedown stuffed.
Purcell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Da Santiago can do to turn this around?
Purcell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Da Santiago.
Purcell looks for the body kick but Da Santiago saw that one coming.
Purcell buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Purcell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Da Santiago.
Purcell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Da Santiago.
Purcell misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Purcell's waist but Purcell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Da Santiago off to one side.
Purcell misses with an attempted mid kick.
Purcell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Purcell misses.
Da Santiago throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Da Santiago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Purcell is fending him off so far but Da Santiago persists. Nope, Purcell circles away and we're back to standing.
A little feinted left hand from Purcell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Da Santiago closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A punch combination from Da Santiago misses.
Da Santiago is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Da Santiago moves away from the strike by Purcell.
Purcell throws a sloppy head kick and Da Santiago moves out of range easily.
Purcell thumps Da Santiago with a low kick.
Da Santiago tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Purcell as he jumps to the side.
Purcell lands a leg kick that knocks Da Santiago off balance momentarily.
Da Santiago fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Purcell.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Purcell dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Da Santiago blocks a leg kick.
Purcell stuffs the takedown attempt from Da Santiago. Da Santiago gets slowly back to his feet.
Da Santiago fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Purcell throwing a counter right hand but Da Santiago manages to avoid it.
Da Santiago shoots in looking for a takedown but Purcell manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Da Santiago's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Justin Purcell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessio Da Santiago.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Purcell - that will leave a mark!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Purcell, right into the meat.
That kick from Purcell tenderised Da Santiago's leg. Da Santiago is trying to keep his angry face on.
Purcell throws a head kick that Da Santiago semi-blocks.
Purcell misses with a hook.
Justin Purcell is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice takedown defense from Purcell. No joy for Da Santiago on that attempt.
A slow jab from Purcell misses its intended target.
Da Santiago tries to counter with a clinch but Purcell shakes him off and moves away.
Da Santiago tries for a takedown but Purcell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Da Santiago fails with a takedown attempt.
Purcell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Da Santiago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Da Santiago.
Purcell lands a leg kick that knocks Da Santiago off balance momentarily.
Da Santiago fails to land the takedown.
Alessio Da Santiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago misses with a takedown attempt - Purcell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Purcell bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Purcell misses with an uppercut.
Da Santiago wants to counter with a clinch but Purcell pushes him away.
Purcell scores with a leg kick.

Da Santiago closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Purcell did well to prevent Da Santiago getting side control.
Purcell regains full guard. Nicely done.
Purcell wants to sweep here but Da Santiago controlling him for the moment.

Purcell manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Da Santiago's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Purcell managing to block the knees to the body from Da Santiago.

Purcell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Purcell throws a head kick but Da Santiago moves out of range.
Da Santiago shoots in but no luck this time.
Purcell connects with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Da Santiago throws a hook but Purcell avoids it easily.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Purcell but Purcell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Purcell lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Purcell scores with a hook.
Da Santiago gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Purcell throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Purcell misses the jab.
Nice takedown defense from Purcell. No joy for Da Santiago on that attempt.
Purcell lands a nice leg kick that just misses Da Santiago's sensitive parts.
Alessio Da Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Da Santiago shoots in looking for a takedown. Purcell tries to sprawl out of it but Da Santiago keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Purcell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Purcell bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Da Santiago's head backwards.
Da Santiago wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Purcell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Da Santiago takes a jab right on the kisser.
Purcell looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Da Santiago with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Purcell to score with a decent uppercut.
Da Santiago tries to clinch there but Purcell circles away.
Both fighters circling a little - Purcell finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown but Purcell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Purcell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Da Santiago. Da Santiago circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Purcell displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Da Santiago.
Da Santiago takes one to the side of the head.
Da Santiago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Purcell throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Da Santiago misses with a takedown attempt - Purcell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Purcell with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Purcell swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Da Santiago.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Purcell feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Da Santiago's calf.
Purcell lunges at Da Santiago with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Da Santiago's hand.
Purcell throws a leg kick which misses Da Santiago's front leg but catches the back leg as Da Santiago tries to avoid it.
Purcell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Da Santiago fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Purcell.
Purcell is looking to land body kicks.
Da Santiago tries to clinch there but Purcell circles away.
Da Santiago sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Purcell cracks Da Santiago with an open hand slap.
Purcell throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Da Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Purcell connects with an inside leg kick.
Da Santiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Purcell as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice leg kick lands there from Da Santiago.
Purcell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Da Santiago fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Justin Purcell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Purcell throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Purcell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Purcell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Purcell!
A victorious Justin Purcell thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.