PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between chico keldosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Melendez Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

keldosa
vs
Santiago

187 cm
20
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
195 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

We Go Hard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, chico keldosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Melendez Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago leaves keldosa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
chico keldosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

keldosa looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

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

Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Santiago is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but keldosa pulls his head out easily.
Santiago tries to get to full guard but keldosa has control of the leg.

Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Santiago actively working from the bottom here.
Santiago avoiding damage under a succession of punches from keldosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Santiago looks gassed!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Santiago gets caught flat footed, as keldosa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
keldosa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
keldosa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
keldosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Santiago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
keldosa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
keldosa passes into half guard.

Santiago looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

keldosa is looking for a kimura but Santiago is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for keldosa to get the leverage.
keldosa prevents Santiago from improving his position.
keldosa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
keldosa trying to mount his opponent but Santiago defends it.

Santiago actively working from the bottom here.

Santiago is defending against the submission attempts here by keldosa.

Santiago looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Santiago has keldosa up against the cage in a clinch.

Santiago has keldosa pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Santiago pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending keldosa tumbling to the mat - Santiago dives into keldosa's guard.
keldosa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Santiago.

keldosa is looking for a triangle but Santiago pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago postures up in keldosa's guard and throws a big left but keldosa blocks it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Santiago's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Santiago with a flurry of punches that miss.
keldosa is trying to keep Santiago in close.
Santiago with a flurry of punches that miss.

Santiago thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that chico keldosa will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Santiago moves into the clinch.
keldosa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Santiago pulls his leg out and moves away.
keldosa dives in and grabs Santiago's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santiago pushes down on keldosa's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Santiago closes the distance and pushes keldosa back into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
keldosa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Santiago gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for chico keldosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Santiago gets control of keldosa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Santiago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Santiago looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Santiago is looking for a triangle but keldosa pushes his legs off easily.

Santiago looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

keldosa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Santiago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and keldosa defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
keldosa forces his way into half guard.
keldosa working the head and body with strikes.

Santiago looking for submissions off his back.

Santiago looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Santiago looking for submissions off his back.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Santiago looking for submissions off his back.
keldosa wants to pass to mount but Santiago is defending the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Santiago slaps away a takedown attempt from keldosa, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Santiago closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. keldosa did well to prevent Santiago getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago thows a huge punch but keldosa dodges it nicely.
keldosa gets full guard.
keldosa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Santiago drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Santiago as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! keldosa screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Santiago! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Melendez Santiago!
Melendez Santiago is the new middleweight champion!