PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Erica Santana (ranked 2270 p4p, 2285 weight class) and Ari Katajamaki (ranked 166 p4p, 167 weight class). Santana's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Scream - OG Ron C. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Santana
vs
Katajamaki

170 cm
26
135
7 - 8 - 0

162 cm
27
135
8 - 15 - 2

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erica Santana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Katajamaki!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santana throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Katajamaki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Katajamaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Santana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Katajamaki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Santana's head.
Katajamaki landing with the ground and pound.

Santana working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Katajamaki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Katajamaki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santana utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Katajamaki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Katajamaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Katajamaki scoring with punches to the head and body.
Katajamaki content to stall in guard here.
Katajamaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Katajamaki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Katajamaki trying to control but Santana is working from the bottom.
Katajamaki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Santana shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Katajamaki closes the distance and clinches up with Santana, looking for a takedown. Katajamaki pushes Santana against the cage but Santana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Santana throwing a counter right hand but Katajamaki manages to avoid it.
Katajamaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Santana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santana shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Santana throwing strikes from guard but Katajamaki blocks nicely.
Katajamaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Katajamaki, not yet.
Katajamaki pulls Santana in close to his closed guard and prevents Santana from doing any damage or advancing position.
Santana landing with the ground and pound.
Santana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Katajamaki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Katajamaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Santana trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Katajamaki is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki throwing strikes but missing.
Katajamaki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Katajamaki scoring with some ground and pound.
Santana keeping moving, preventing Katajamaki from controlling successfully.
Katajamaki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Katajamaki throws an elbow that misses. Santana uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Katajamaki's guard. Nice move by Santana!

Santana loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Katajamaki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Santana throws a big right hand that misses.
Santana has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Santana throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Santana is looking to work some ground and pound but Katajamaki has wrist control.
Santana definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Santana loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Katajamaki wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Katajamaki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Katajamaki working Santana over with strikes.
Katajamaki slips a nice elbow through Santana's hands, connecting with Santana's forehead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ari Katajamaki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Santana's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Katajamaki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Santana!
Santana taking a bit of punishment here - Katajamaki scoring with strikes.
The strikes coming from Katajamaki are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Katajamaki works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Santana takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Katajamaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Katajamaki is working Santana over with some ground and pound from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katajamaki working the ground and pound but Santana is defending the strikes.
Katajamaki cracks Santana with a big elbow.
Katajamaki is putting a hurting on Santana here, landing some big shots from side control.
The strikes coming from Katajamaki are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Santana takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Katajamaki landing a few strikes.
Katajamaki postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Santana holds on to Katajamaki's head and controls the position momentarily.
Katajamaki creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Santana sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Katajamaki scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Santana to see if he's OK.
Katajamaki scoring with punches and elbows.
Katajamaki tries to score with some ground and pound. Santana controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Katajamaki sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Santana is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Santana regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki is looking to take a break and control but Santana is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Katajamaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Katajamaki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Santana blocking the ground and pound attempt from Katajamaki.
Katajamaki thows a huge punch but Santana dodges it nicely.

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

Katajamaki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Katajamaki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Katajamaki is nestled in close to Santana, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Santana is pressing down on Katajamaki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki distracts Santana with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Katajamaki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Katajamaki with a nice head shot there.
Katajamaki connects with a couple of short punches.
Katajamaki throws a big elbow that misses.
Katajamaki landing some decent shots from guard.
Katajamaki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Katajamaki stands up over Santana, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Katajamaki distracts Santana with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Katajamaki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Katajamaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Santana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Santana moves in looking to clinch but Katajamaki pushes him off.
Katajamaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Santana tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Katajamaki swivels and escapes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Katajamaki is defended easily by Santana.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Katajamaki closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Santana did well to prevent Katajamaki getting side control.
Katajamaki is trying to control. Santana wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Katajamaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown but Santana shows good takedown defense.
Katajamaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santana avoids it really well and circles away.

Katajamaki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Katajamaki lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santana wants to sweep here but Katajamaki controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katajamaki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Katajamaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Santana wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki lands a couple of elbows.
Santana utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Katajamaki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Katajamaki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Katajamaki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Katajamaki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Santana has momentary wrist control but Katajamaki slips an elbow through the middle.
Katajamaki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Katajamaki throwing strikes from guard but Santana blocks nicely.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki closes the distance and clinches up with Santana, looking for a takedown. Katajamaki pushes Santana against the cage but Santana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Erica Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
Katajamaki blocks a head kick by Santana.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice defenses there by Katajamaki.

Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Katajamaki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Katajamaki tries to score with some ground and pound. Santana controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Katajamaki cracks Santana with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Katajamaki throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Katajamaki working the ground and pound.
Katajamaki scores with a couple of short elbows.
Katajamaki in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Katajamaki throws a strike aimed at the side of Santana's head but Santana avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana prevents Katajamaki from improving position.
Katajamaki working the head with strikes.
Erica Santana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Katajamaki lands a decent elbow from side control.
Santana prevents Katajamaki from moving into mount.
Ari Katajamaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Santana trying to remain calm as Katajamaki controls from the top position.
Ari Katajamaki has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four 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.
Katajamaki is continuing to stall.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Katajamaki has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Santana is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Katajamaki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Santana circles away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Some wild striking there from Santana.
Santana throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Katajamaki on the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ari Katajamaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Katajamaki 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ari Katajamaki!
After winning the bout, Ari Katajamaki thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.