PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Champagne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominic Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Champagne
vs
Santos

195 cm
21
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andrew Champagne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dominic Santos!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Chad Campbell and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Champagne misses with a double jab
and Champagne takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Champagne.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Santos is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Champagne content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Champagne thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Santos is looking for a sweep.
Santos is not content to let Champagne control the position.
Santos is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos is not content to let Champagne control the position.
Santos is looking for a sweep.
Santos sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Champagne pulls his head out easily.

Santos looking for submissions off his back.
Champagne is pressing down on Santos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Santos is holding on for now.

Santos actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Champagne is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Santos looking for submissions off his back.
Champagne controlling the action here.
Santos won't allow Champagne to pass to mount.
Champagne missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Champagne is keen to just control but Santos is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champagne is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Santos is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Santos looking for submissions off his back.
Champagne seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Champagne pulls his head out easily.

Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Champagne is controlling the pace.

Santos looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santos actively working from the bottom here.
Champagne seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Champagne is looking to advance position but Santos won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Champagne trying to control from half guard but Santos is working away.

Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Champagne pulls his head out easily.
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 Andrew Champagne will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Champagne closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Champagne lands in his opponent's guard.

Santos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Champagne can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Santos looking for a guillotine here but Champagne defends easily.
Champagne controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santos had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Champagne defends it easily.

Champagne avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Santos working for a triangle but Champagne defends it easily.

Santos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Champagne is aware though and is defending well.

Santos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Santos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Champagne defends well.
Champagne has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Santos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Champagne can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Santos is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champagne sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Santos working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Champagne has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Champagne is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Santos sees it coming and defends easily.
Champagne is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Santos looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Champagne pulls his head out easily.
Champagne tries to pass the half guard into mount. Santos knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Santos actively working from the bottom here.
Champagne performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Champagne trying to mount his opponent but Santos defends it.

Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Champagne stands up from half guard.

Champagne takes the fight into the clinch.

Champagne manages to pull guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Santos is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dominic Santos will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Santos gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Champagne to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Champagne trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
Champagne is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Santos has his foot on Champagne's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Champagne works his way back into a safe position though.

Santos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Andrew Champagne overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Santos is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Champagne frees his head nicely. Oh but Santos has switched to an armbar! Champagne is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Dominic Santos!