PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 3195 p4p, 3079 weight class) and Christopher Irwin (ranked 305 p4p, 299 weight class). The key to victory for Alessio Da Santiago has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Da Santiago
vs
Irwin

175 cm
27
150
11 - 11 - 0

150 cm
27
148
3 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessio Da Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christopher Irwin!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Santiago throws a series of punches but Irwin avoids them all with ease.

Da Santiago tries to sprawl but Irwin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Irwin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Da Santiago wants to get back to full guard.
Da Santiago looks like he's trying to stand up.
Irwin wants to pass the guard but Da Santiago is defending well.
Irwin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Irwin trying to mount his opponent but Da Santiago defends it.
Well, if Irwin 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Santiago is in trouble now - Irwin has advanced to mount!
Irwin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Irwin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago tries to lock up and control but Irwin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Irwin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Da Santiago really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Irwin controlling the pace for now.
Da Santiago can't escape the position.
Irwin controlling the pace for now.
Da Santiago has given up his back here. Will Irwin look for the submission or keep pounding away?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irwin has good solid back control here.
Da Santiago is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Da Santiago manages to escape to his feet.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Da Santiago as he avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Da Santiago tries to work over Irwin's front leg with a kick but Irwin checks it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Irwin or perhaps it was just good defense by Da Santiago, which made it look bad.

Da Santiago gets caught flat footed, as Irwin shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
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!

Da Santiago is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Irwin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Da Santiago has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Irwin has managed to get both his arms back between Da Santiago's legs - danger averted.

Da Santiago had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Irwin defends it easily.
Irwin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Da Santiago's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Irwin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago is trying to stand back up but Irwin is controlling him
Irwin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Da Santiago is trying to stand.

Da Santiago looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Da Santiago looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Irwin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Irwin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Da Santiago!
Irwin works his way to his opponent's back.
Irwin controlling the position well here. Da Santiago rolled but Irwin kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Da Santiago is trying to get back to his feet but Irwin has full control of the position and if anything, Da Santiago has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Da Santiago is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Irwin.
Let's hope that Irwin has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Da Santiago wants to get back to his feet.
Irwin is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Da Santiago trying to get back to his feet but Irwin is in full control for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Irwin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Irwin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Irwin just content to control the position.
Da Santiago is looking to regain half guard here but Irwin keeps moving and retains side control.
Irwin controlling the position from side mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Santiago is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Irwin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Irwin taking a breather here.
Da Santiago wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago is trying to escape the position but Irwin is controlling the position.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Irwin.
Da Santiago is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Irwin is controlling him well.
Irwin moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Christopher Irwin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yet more stalling tactics from Irwin.
Da Santiago wants to get back to his feet but Irwin drags him back down.
Da Santiago seems a little lost for a moment, as Irwin dominates the positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
You can see the frustration on Da Santiago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Irwin controls the position.
Da Santiago wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
We've been told by Da Santiago's head coaches at Underground Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Da Santiago. Irwin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Da Santiago. No joy for Irwin on that attempt.
Da Santiago throws a chopping leg kick but Irwin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Christopher Irwin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Da Santiago wants to land a leg kick but Irwin is out of range.
Irwin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Da Santiago counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Irwin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Da Santiago manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Irwin is refusing to be controlled, as Da Santiago sits in half guard.
Irwin is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin gets full guard.
Da Santiago wants to get up but he can't break Irwin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Irwin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Irwin controlling the action here.
Da Santiago is trying to stand up here but Irwin is controlling him well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Irwin passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irwin controlling the pace for now.
Da Santiago really wants to buck Irwin off and get back to his feet.
Irwin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Irwin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Da Santiago is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Irwin is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Da Santiago is in real trouble.
Irwin has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Da Santiago's body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Santiago tries to escape but Irwin has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Irwin just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Irwin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Da Santiago misses with a wild combination.

Irwin drives through with a takedown into Da Santiago's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Irwin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Da Santiago is keeping the position for now.
Irwin passes into half guard.
Da Santiago pushes Irwin off looking to stand but Irwin dives back in and keeps control.
Da Santiago trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Irwin controlling the action here.
Irwin wants to pass the guard but Da Santiago is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irwin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Da Santiago actively working from the bottom here.
Irwin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin is continuing to stall.
The adventures of Irwin the control monster continue. Boring.
Irwin wants to pass the guard but Da Santiago is defending well.
Da Santiago wants to get back to his feet.
Irwin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Da Santiago wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Irwin seems content to control.
Irwin works his way into side control.

Irwin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Da Santiago has escaped the position, nice work there.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago pushes Irwin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Irwin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Irwin taking a breather here.
Da Santiago is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Irwin controls the position from side control.
You can see the frustration on Da Santiago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Alessio Da Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Irwin takes a little break here. Da Santiago wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
More stalling from Irwin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Irwin is controlling him well.
Irwin takes a little break here. Da Santiago wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Christopher Irwin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Da Santiago wants to control but Irwin postures up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Da Santiago wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Da Santiago feints and then cracks Irwin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Irwin down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irwin closes the distance and clinches up with Da Santiago, looking for a takedown. Irwin pushes Da Santiago against the cage but Da Santiago circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Irwin checks a leg kick.
A punch combination from Da Santiago misses.
Irwin slips a straight right by Da Santiago.
Da Santiago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Da Santiago is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Irwin.

Irwin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Da Santiago on his heels. He'll look to pass Da Santiago's guard now, I'm sure.
Da Santiago will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Irwin is pushing down on Da Santiago's leg trying to pass to half guard. Da Santiago is fighting to maintain full guard but Irwin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Irwin has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Da Santiago tries to reverse the position but Irwin maintains control.
Irwin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Irwin wants to take his opponent's back but Da Santiago doesn't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Santiago throwing hammer fists to the chest of Irwin. What's that going to do exactly?
Irwin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Irwin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Irwin 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Irwin!
Christopher Irwin decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.