PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Santos (ranked 6073 p4p, 3241 weight class) and Li Bai (ranked 566 p4p, 407 weight class). Bai has chosen Kung Fu Fighting as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Santos
vs
Bai

180 cm
21
187
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
26
169
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Li Bai!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A jab from Bai misses.
Santos uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bai.

Santos lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Bai sprawling to the canvas. Santos follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Bai hang on?

Bai is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santos works his way into side control.
Bai is still in real trouble! Can Santos finish him?
The referee asks Santos politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Santos prefers to stall for the moment though.
Santos cracks Bai with a big elbow.
A lull in the action here as Santos stalls from top position.
Santos has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Bai!
Santos lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Santos has control of Bai's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Bai regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Santos landing punches.
Santos controlling from mount.
Bai seems to have recovered his senses.

Santos goes for an armbar but Bai turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Bai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos pulls Bai in close to his closed guard and prevents Bai from doing any damage or advancing position.
Santos lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Santos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Santos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Santos stops Bai from standing up.
Santos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Santos drops back looking for a leg! Bai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bai manages to kick Santos off! Santos jumps back into Bai's guard.
Bai can't keep his opponent in guard - Santos advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Santos passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bai!
Santos controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bai is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Santos controlling from the full mount.
Bai is controlling an arm, preventing Santos from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Santos is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Santos controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Santos takes Bai's back.
Santos is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Bai won't enjoy being in this position. Santos looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Bai is tapping - it's over boys! Santos picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Daniel Santos!
During a confident post fight interview, Daniel Santos thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Li Bai spoke after the fight, saying 'So saying, I was drunk all the day, Lying helpless at the porch in front of my door.'.