PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 3289 p4p, 23691 weight class) and Kirk Fitzpatrick (ranked 340 p4p, 506 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Da Santiago
vs
Fitzpatrick

175 cm
26
144
10 - 10 - 0

178 cm
20
145
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alessio Da Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kirk Fitzpatrick!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzpatrick misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Fitzpatrick tries to keep at a distance but Da Santiago has taken the fight into the clinch.
Da Santiago controlling the action here for a moment.
Da Santiago misses with a knee strike.
Fitzpatrick is looking to break free of the clinch but Da Santiago has double underhooks.

Fitzpatrick works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Da Santiago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fitzpatrick defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzpatrick tries to free his leg and advance position but Da Santiago is retaining full guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Da Santiago manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Da Santiago's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago lands a damaging elbow.

Da Santiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Da Santiago gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Da Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fitzpatrick has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Da Santiago connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fitzpatrick's face.
Fitzpatrick blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Fitzpatrick's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Da Santiago pushes Fitzpatrick up against the cage in a clinch.
Da Santiago throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fitzpatrick blocks it with crossed arms.

Da Santiago breaks the clinch.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Da Santiago but Da Santiago pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Da Santiago takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fitzpatrick is defending well for now.
Fitzpatrick looking for a takedown.
Alessio Da Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirk Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Da Santiago has him pressed against the cage.

Da Santiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Da Santiago rushes Fitzpatrick and presses him up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Santiago lands a right hand.
Da Santiago manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Da Santiago.
Fitzpatrick has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Da Santiago seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Fitzpatrick can turn it around.
Fitzpatrick takes an elbow to the forehead.

Da Santiago breaks from the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Da Santiago tries to work over Fitzpatrick's front leg with a kick but Fitzpatrick checks it.
Da Santiago moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Da Santiago darts in and clinches Fitzpatrick up against the cage.
Fitzpatrick wants to take the fight to the mat but Da Santiago manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Fitzpatrick manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Da Santiago drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fitzpatrick looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fitzpatrick looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fitzpatrick!

Da Santiago pushes Fitzpatrick away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Fitzpatrick gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Da Santiago tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Da Santiago sneaks back into half guard.

Da Santiago is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fitzpatrick pulls his head out easily.

Fitzpatrick is looking for a kimura but Da Santiago is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fitzpatrick to get the leverage.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Da Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitzpatrick is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Da Santiago has managed to free his arm - good work.

Fitzpatrick is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Da Santiago sees it coming and defends easily.
Fitzpatrick looks winded!
Fitzpatrick not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Da Santiago is looking for a sweep. Fitzpatrick is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Da Santiago looking for submissions off his back.

Fitzpatrick is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Da Santiago doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fitzpatrick.

Da Santiago looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alessio Da Santiago dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Da Santiago clinches with his opponent.
Fitzpatrick looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Da Santiago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzpatrick shoots in looking for a takedown but Da Santiago manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fitzpatrick's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Da Santiago is looking to clinch.
Da Santiago lands with a hook. Fitzpatrick tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Da Santiago rushes Fitzpatrick and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Da Santiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Da Santiago lands a jab to Fitzpatrick's midsection.
That kick from Da Santiago tenderised Fitzpatrick's leg. Fitzpatrick is trying to keep his angry face on.
Da Santiago stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Da Santiago wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Santiago tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fitzpatrick manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a takedown but Da Santiago shows good takedown defense.
Alessio Da Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirk Fitzpatrick.
Da Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch but Fitzpatrick swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Fitzpatrick scores with a takedown into Da Santiago's guard.

Da Santiago wriggles free and stands up.
Fitzpatrick is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago tries to clinch there but Fitzpatrick circles away.
Alessio Da Santiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fitzpatrick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Da Santiago connects with a solid leg kick.
Alessio Da Santiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Da Santiago shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Fitzpatrick eats them both and turns towards Da Santiago to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A good leg kick by Da Santiago.

Da Santiago has managed to clinch.
Da Santiago content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Da Santiago pushes off an throws an elbow but Fitzpatrick leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Da Santiago - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Da Santiago trying to control the position but instead, Fitzpatrick has worked for underhooks and has pushed Da Santiago into the cage.
Da Santiago utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Da Santiago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Da Santiago looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Santiago scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fitzpatrick tries for a takedown but Da Santiago sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fitzpatrick will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Da Santiago chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Fitzpatrick tries to keep at a distance but Da Santiago has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Da Santiago - that landed with a thud.
Da Santiago lands an elbow that stopped Fitzpatrick in his tracks for a moment.
Fitzpatrick wants a takedown.
Da Santiago is pressed up against the cage. Fitzpatrick has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Da Santiago down to the mat. Da Santiago avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fitzpatrick circles away from the clinch attempt.
Da Santiago is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fitzpatrick can do to turn this around?
Da Santiago scores with a jab to the head.

Oooooh!!! Da Santiago has knocked Fitzpatrick down with a huge combo! Da Santiago steps away and waves a wobbly Fitzpatrick back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Fitzpatrick is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago thuds a left hand into Fitzpatrick's body.
Fitzpatrick is still on wobbly legs! Can Da Santiago finish him?

Da Santiago clinches up against the cage.
Da Santiago with a knee to the head.
Da Santiago connects with a knee to the head.
Da Santiago lands an elbow inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Da Santiago.

Da Santiago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Da Santiago connects with a jab, followed by a picture perfect straight right that sends Fitzpatrick to the canvas, out cold! What a finish by Da Santiago!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Alessio Da Santiago!
Our winner, Alessio Da Santiago, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.