PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 3420 p4p, 4555 weight class) and Chris George (ranked 313 p4p, 391 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Da Santiago
vs
George

175 cm
28
150
12 - 12 - 0

187 cm
30
150
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition

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 12 - 12 - 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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris George!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

George clinches up against the cage.
Da Santiago gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Da Santiago lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Da Santiago stalling in the clinch.
Da Santiago throws a knee to the head but misses.
Da Santiago lands an elbow inside that George shrugs off.
Da Santiago lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
George blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Da Santiago pushes off an throws an elbow but George leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Da Santiago creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A frustrated look appears on George's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
George can't get the takedown.
Nice elbow from Da Santiago.
George tries to score a body lock takedown but Da Santiago shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago lands a nice elbow.
George is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
George trying to control the position but instead, Da Santiago has worked for underhooks and has pushed George into the cage.
George is looking to take this one to the mat.
Alessio Da Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris George.
George tries to break the clinch but Da Santiago is controlling the position.
Da Santiago misses with a knee strike.
George trying to control the position but instead, Da Santiago has worked for underhooks and has pushed George into the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Da Santiago displaying some good clinch control by pressing George up against the cage.
Da Santiago landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Da Santiago obliges.
George tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Da Santiago lands an elbow inside that George shrugs off.
Da Santiago lands a knee to the body.
Da Santiago lands an elbow that stopped George in his tracks for a moment.
Da Santiago scores with a knee to the head.
Da Santiago comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
George tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Da Santiago just stands there and leans against the cage.
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 throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Da Santiago lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Da Santiago lands an elbow that stopped George in his tracks for a moment.
Da Santiago prevents a takedown attempt there.
Da Santiago dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Da Santiago lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago taking a breather.
George wants to take the fight to the mat but Da Santiago manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
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.
Da Santiago is struggling to control the position.
George has had enough of the clinch but Da Santiago keeps him there for the moment.
George takes an elbow to the forehead.
Da Santiago stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
George tries to pull guard but Da Santiago holds him up against the cage and eventually George drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Da Santiago.
Da Santiago will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning George up against the cage.
George takes an elbow to the temple.
George is trying to force a seperation but Da Santiago has the dominant position.
George takes an elbow to the temple.
Da Santiago misses with a knee to the head.
Da Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Da Santiago lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
George drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Da Santiago gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Da Santiago has George pressed against the cage, preventing George from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alessio Da Santiago dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Da Santiago is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in George's half guard.
Da Santiago is pressing down on George's thigh, looking to free his foot. George is holding on for now.
Da Santiago is taking a breather. George says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
George trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
George gets full guard.
Da Santiago controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
George can't keep his opponent in guard - Da Santiago advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Da Santiago is taking a breather. George says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
George is looking to escape.

That's two 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.
George tries to get to full guard but Da Santiago has control of the leg.

George is defending against the submission attempts here by Da Santiago.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Santiago seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Da Santiago clinches.
Da Santiago lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Da Santiago misses with a knee strike.
Da Santiago holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Da Santiago connects with a nasty looking knee right to George's face.
Da Santiago is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that George can do to turn this around?
Da Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but George has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Da Santiago throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but George blocks it with crossed arms.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Da Santiago as George tries to tie him up.
Da Santiago lands an elbow just above George 's eye.
George is trying to break free.
Da Santiago lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Da Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but George has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
George is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Da Santiago creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through George's defenses.
George blocks an elbow strike from Da Santiago.
Da Santiago gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Da Santiago content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Da Santiago throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
George is trying to break the clinch but Da Santiago is controlling him.
I was talking to Da Santiago's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Da Santiago throws a knee to the head but misses.
Da Santiago gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A short right from Da Santiago.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
George has Da Santiago pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Da Santiago manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Da Santiago lands an elbow just above George 's eye.
Da Santiago throws an elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alessio Da Santiago 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!

George gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Da Santiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Da Santiago has George pressed against the cage.
Da Santiago gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Da Santiago throws an elbow but misses.
Da Santiago lands a damaging elbow.
George looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

George is trying to trip Da Santiago. He has hold of a leg but Da Santiago is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. George persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Da Santiago throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! George escapes and throws Da Santiago's legs to the side, diving into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Santiago is trying to work for a sweep but George has mounted him!
George avoids the attempt from Da Santiago to control.
Da Santiago bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

George working for a triangle but Da Santiago defends it easily.
George bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Da Santiago's guard.

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.

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

Da Santiago looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
George wants to control from the top but Da Santiago keeps moving.
George wants to pass the guard but Da Santiago is keeping the position.
George would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Da Santiago throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Da Santiago working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because George has passed into half guard!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
George is thwarting Da Santiago's attempts to control the position.
Alessio Da Santiago is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Da Santiago keeping hold of George's head, controlling as best he can.
Da Santiago is trying to maintain the position but George is very close to passing his half guard.
Da Santiago is looking to improve his position.

George is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Da Santiago has managed to free his arm - good work.
Da Santiago is controlling George's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Da Santiago is trying to maintain the position but George is very close to passing his half guard.
Da Santiago is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Da Santiago is working hard here to advance position.
Da Santiago controlling the position for now.
Da Santiago trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
George manages to capitalize on a mistake by Da Santiago to take his back!
Chris George has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Da Santiago is trying to remain composed but George is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris George comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Da Santiago has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:26
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:26
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alessio Da Santiago!
Alessio Da Santiago thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Chris George had this to say: 'he fought better'.