PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafael dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marshall Mathers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). dos Santos comes to the cage accompanied by Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger. Mathers has chosen Victory by Eminem as his entrance music. 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.

dos Santos
vs
Mathers

178 cm
30
155 lbs
11 - 9 - 1

177 cm
21
163 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marshall Mathers!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for dos Santos with that takedown attempt.
Mathers fails to land with a series of punches.
Mathers clobbers dos Santos with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mathers connects with a looping right hand.

It looks like Rafael dos Santos has been cut.
Mathers throws a looping overhand right but dos Santos ducks down to avoid it.
dos Santos lands a nice shot that snaps Mathers's head back.
dos Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mathers sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten dos Santos somewhat.
Mathers misses with a double jab.
dos Santos fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
dos Santos misses with a takedown attempt
and Mathers counters with a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mathers swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by dos Santos.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from dos Santos is defended easily by Mathers.
dos Santos shoots in for a takedown but Mathers shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Santos dives in and grabs Mathers's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mathers pushes down on dos Santos's head and hops out.
Mathers throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by dos Santos.
Mathers works dos Santos's body with a nice hook.
dos Santos is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mathers.
Mathers clobbers dos Santos with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mathers slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
dos Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mathers sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten dos Santos somewhat.
Mathers throws a body punch but dos Santos moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mathers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
dos Santos drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathers scores with a push kick.
Mathers misses with a two punch combination.
dos Santos shoots in but no luck this time.
dos Santos is breathing heavily.
Mathers's jab looks to have found its range, popping dos Santos under the eye.
dos Santos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mathers!
Mathers displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Mathers gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mathers tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mathers is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
dos Santos throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mathers keeping moving, preventing dos Santos from controlling successfully.
Mathers working a defensive guard here.
Mathers controlling dos Santos's posture.
Mathers looking to hit a scissor sweep but dos Santos is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
dos Santos with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
dos Santos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mathers is keeping the position for now.
dos Santos is working hard here to advance position.
Mathers trying to control the position.

Marshall Mathers has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
dos Santos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mathers's waist but Mathers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing dos Santos off to one side.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice body punch from Mathers.
dos Santos misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marshall Mathers dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael dos Santos's cut.
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.

dos Santos fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mathers on the side of the head.
Mathers throws a body punch but dos Santos moves out of range.
dos Santos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mathers throws a right and a left that dos Santos avoids nicely.
Marshall Mathers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
dos Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mathers sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten dos Santos somewhat.
dos Santos fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
dos Santos slips a jab from Mathers.
dos Santos moves out of range of the strikes.
Mathers throws a combination. dos Santos tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
dos Santos misses with a series of wild punches.
Mathers connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathers takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
That kick from Mathers tenderised dos Santos's leg. dos Santos is trying to keep his angry face on.
Mathers ducks under a wild hook from dos Santos.
A slow jab from Mathers misses its intended target.
Mathers throws a leg kick that misses.
Mathers lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mathers throws out a powerful jab.
Mathers throws a right and a left that dos Santos avoids nicely.
Mathers cracks dos Santos with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
dos Santos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mathers's waist but Mathers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing dos Santos off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
dos Santos misses with a takedown attempt
and Mathers makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
dos Santos fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab by Mathers.
Mathers lands a jab.
Nice jab there from Mathers.
Mathers looks to land a combination. dos Santos sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Marshall Mathers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mathers throws a series of punches but dos Santos avoids them all with ease.
A left lands for Mathers.
Mathers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jab by Mathers.
Some wild striking there from Mathers.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Mathers. Beautiful body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mathers!
dos Santos misses with a few strikes there.
Mathers connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
dos Santos avoids a punch combination nicely.
dos Santos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

dos Santos shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mathers trying to control the position here.
Mathers wants to stand but dos Santos is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathers is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
dos Santos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mathers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mathers looking for a sweep. Not yet Mathers, not yet.
dos Santos is stalling in the full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Marshall Mathers hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
dos Santos shoots for a double leg takedown but Mathers sprawls well. He's pushed dos Santos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mathers pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces dos Santos back to the cage. Mathers follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marshall Mathers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rafael dos Santos's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

dos Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Mathers tries to sprawl out of it but dos Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mathers manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
dos Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
dos Santos misses the jab.
Mathers stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mathers throws a right and a left that both miss.

dos Santos shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

dos Santos is trying to work for a kimura but Mathers is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mathers trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dos Santos is pressing down on Mathers's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mathers is holding on for now.
Mathers is trying to maintain the position but dos Santos is very close to passing his half guard.
Mathers desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Mathers tries to roll over but dos Santos keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Marshall Mathers wasn't active enough on the ground.
Mathers looks to land a combination but dos Santos avoids it well.
dos Santos fails to land the takedown.
Mathers stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mathers stuns dos Santos with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
dos Santos defending well as Mathers loads up on a big left hand.
Nice straight punches there by Mathers. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mathers.
Rafael dos Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch lands to the side of dos Santos 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mathers lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mathers connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathers scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mathers jabs at dos Santos's body.
Mathers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but dos Santos manages to avoid it.
Mathers lands a nice looking body kick.
No luck for dos Santos with that takedown attempt.
Mathers lands an overhand right.
Marshall Mathers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mathers lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mathers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but dos Santos manages to avoid it.
Mathers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
dos Santos misses with a few strikes there.
Mathers defends well against a solid takedown attempt from dos Santos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Mathers.
Mathers scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd cheers as Mathers lands an impressive looking overhand right. dos Santos doesn't seem phased though.
Mathers circles away from the clinch attempt.
dos Santos showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mathers.
Sloppy strikes from Mathers. Those never looked like landing.
Rafael dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mathers scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
dos Santos thows a body shot but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mathers slaps away a takedown attempt from dos Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mathers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marshall Mathers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mathers 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marshall Mathers!