PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Santana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Halipois (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Santana
vs
Halipois

200 cm
25
260 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

225 cm
20
256 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Francis Santana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joshua Halipois!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halipois shoots in and drives through. Santana sprawls well.

Halipois clinches with his opponent.
Santana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Halipois.
Santana working Halipois over with knees to the body.
Halipois looks gassed!
Santana pushes off an throws an elbow but Halipois leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Santana pushes off an throws an elbow but Halipois leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Halipois's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Halipois gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Santana to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santana is working Halipois over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
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.
Santana landing some decent shots from guard.
Halipois really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Santana. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Santana makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Santana scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santana chips away with some ground and pound.
Santana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Halipois is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Santana with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Santana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Santana makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Santana lands a couple of elbows.
Santana lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Santana landing some decent shots from guard.
Santana keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Halipois's head.
Santana cracks Halipois with a solid left hand.
Santana chips away with some ground and pound.
Santana is in close to Halipois's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Halipois tries to strike from the bottom.
Santana scoring with some ground and pound.
Santana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Santana with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Santana makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Santana postures up and lands a big shot to Halipois's brow.
Halipois wants to stand and escape but Santana is having none of it.
Santana lands a couple of elbows.
Santana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Santana forces his way into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Santana connects with a nice short shot to Halipois's temple.
Santana lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Santana working over Halipois with some ground and pound. Halipois looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Santana connects with a nice short shot to Halipois's temple.
Santana is nestled in close to Halipois, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Halipois trying to control here.
Halipois is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halipois has hold of Santana's hands but Santana slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Santana working the head and body with strikes.
Halipois is trying to stand up here but Santana is controlling him well.
Santana is nestled in close to Halipois, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Santana working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Santana lands strikes from half guard.
Halipois is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Santana scores with a couple of nice shots.
Santana scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Halipois is trying to get back to full guard.
Santana looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Halipois is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Santana scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Halipois is looking to improve his position.

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

Santana shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Halipois manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Santana keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Halipois's head.
Santana lands a couple of digs.

Halipois looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Santana distracts Halipois with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santana landing some decent shots from guard.
Santana working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Santana dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Santana feints and as Halipois raises his hands in defense, Santana changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Halipois is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santana working some strikes from top position.
Santana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Santana is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Halipois is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Santana postures up and lands a big shot to Halipois's brow.
Santana postures up and lands a big shot to Halipois's brow.
Santana stands up over Halipois, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Santana lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Santana works over Halipois with some ground and pound from guard.
Halipois is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana cracks Halipois with a solid left hand.
Santana is in close to Halipois's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Santana cracks Halipois with a solid left hand.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Santana landing some decent shots from guard.
Santana scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Halipois is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santana stands up over Halipois, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Santana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Santana scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Santana loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Santana lands a couple of digs.
Santana lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Halipois working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Santana doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Santana manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Halipois is trying hard to land a takedown here. Santana sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Halipois lands a nice shot to the body.

Santana scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Santana takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Santana takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Halipois taking some punishment here, with Santana in his half guard.
Francis Santana overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Halipois is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Santana looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Santana takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Halipois trying to control but Santana postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Halipois wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Santana drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Santana working the body and head with strikes.
Halipois takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Santana grinds an elbow into Halipois's temple.
Santana grinds an elbow into Halipois's temple.
Halipois takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Santana lands a decent elbow from side control.
Halipois is looking to regain half guard here but Santana keeps moving and retains side control.
Santana scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Halipois to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Halipois down.
Santana lands a few punches from side control.
Santana cracks Halipois with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Santana cracks Halipois with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Halipois is working to avoid the ground and pound but Santana connects with a decent elbow.
Halipois is looking to reverse the position.
Santana is putting a hurting on Halipois here, landing some big shots from side control.
Santana is putting a hurting on Halipois here, landing some big shots from side control.
Santana lands a decent elbow from side control.
Santana landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Santana cracks Halipois with a big right hand but Halipois just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Santana working the ground and pound.
Santana grinds an elbow into Halipois's temple.
Halipois wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Santana dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Santana gets the takedown into side control.
Santana working the head with strikes.
Santana cracks Halipois with a big elbow.
Santana working the body and head with strikes.
Check out the look on Santana's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Santana connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Halipois some visible discomfort.
Santana cracks Halipois with a big right hand but Halipois just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Santana is chipping away with strikes.
Santana scoring with punches and elbows.
Halipois is working to avoid the ground and pound but Santana connects with a decent elbow.
Santana scores with a couple of short elbows.
Santana scoring with punches from side control.
Santana lands an elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Santana lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Halipois down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Halipois some visible discomfort.
Halipois taking a bit of punishment here - Santana scoring with strikes.
Halipois is trying to improve his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Halipois doesn't manage to clinch there - Santana circles away.

Santana shoots in and bounces Halipois off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Santana cracks Halipois with a solid left hand.
Santana might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Halipois looking for a guillotine here but Santana defends easily.
Santana lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana chips away with some ground and pound.

Halipois escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Santana gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Santana working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Santana with a nice head shot there.
Santana cracks Halipois with a solid left hand.
Santana lands a couple of elbows.
Santana preventing the sweep.
Santana stands up over Halipois, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Santana lands a couple of elbows.
Santana working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Halipois's head.
Santana makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Santana chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana throwing strikes from guard but Halipois blocks nicely.
Santana thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Halipois misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Santana is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Halipois can do to turn this around?
Santana avoids a kick to the body.

Santana gets the takedown into side control.
Halipois wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Santana lands a nice forearm strike.
You can see the frustration on Halipois's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Santana in side control lands a decent elbow.
Santana scoring with punches from side control.
Santana cracks Halipois with a big right hand but Halipois just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halipois is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Santana asserts his dominance and retains side control.

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

Santana closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Halipois to the mat! Halipois manages to get full guard.
Santana with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Santana distracts Halipois with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Halipois has momentary wrist control but Santana slips an elbow through the middle.
Santana is looking to work some ground and pound but Halipois has wrist control.
Halipois preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Santana thows a big elbow that misses.
Santana lands a couple of elbows.
Santana missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

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

Halipois gets caught flat footed, as Santana shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Joshua Halipois has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santana connects with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francis Santana showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Santana has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:25
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Santana!