PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sone Aluko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aluko comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 3 Little Birds kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dos Santos
vs
Aluko

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
23
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

[EVO] Koffin Inc. *Laundry Available*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rafael Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sone Aluko!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Aluko counters with a one-two to the body.
Aluko slaps away a takedown attempt from Dos Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dos Santos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aluko's waist but Aluko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dos Santos off to one side.
Good leg kick by Dos Santos there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Aluko throws a head kick that Dos Santos semi-blocks.
Aluko should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Dos Santos misses with a left hand

and Aluko moves into the clinch.
Dos Santos misses with a knee strike.

Aluko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dos Santos is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aluko.
Dos Santos misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rafael Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick that is checked
and Aluko counters with a one-two to the body.
Dos Santos thuds his right hand into Aluko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dos Santos misses with a combination
and Aluko counters with a left and a right that stings Dos Santos.
Aluko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Dos Santos misses.
A low kick from Dos Santos misses
and Aluko counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dos Santos is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A telegraphed right hand from Dos Santos misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with a low kick.
Dos Santos thows a leg kick but Aluko checks it

and Aluko counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Aluko.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aluko tries to pull guard but Dos Santos forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Aluko breaks from the clinch.
Aluko tried to score with a low kick but Dos Santos checks it.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick but Aluko checks it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Aluko avoids them all with ease.
Dos Santos swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Aluko counters with a nice leg kick.

Dos Santos shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Aluko napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Aluko wants to get back to his feet but Dos Santos drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Aluko works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Dos Santos wants to work for an arm triangle but Aluko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Aluko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Aluko is trying to stand.

Dos Santos stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Nice shot lands for Dos Santos.
A shot to the body from Dos Santos misses
and Aluko counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aluko dives in and grabs Dos Santos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dos Santos pushes down on Aluko's head and hops out.
Aluko moves out of range of the strikes.
Aluko tries a head kick but it misses.
A shot to the body from Dos Santos misses
and Aluko counters with a nice leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Aluko tries to sprawl out of it but Dos Santos keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Aluko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Dos Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos throws a hook but Aluko avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Aluko blocks a leg kick.
Dos Santos misses with a jab to the body
and Aluko counters with a left and a right that stings Dos Santos.
Aluko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Aluko shoots in for a double leg but Dos Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dos Santos misses with a double jab.
Aluko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aluko moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dos Santos. Aluko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aluko checks the leg kick.
Aluko fails with a takedown attempt.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick
and Aluko counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Dos Santos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dos Santos misses with a hook to the body

and Aluko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
Dos Santos has had enough of the clinch but Aluko keeps him there for the moment.

Aluko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dos Santos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aluko as he jumps to the side.
Dos Santos looks to land a combination but Aluko avoids it well.
Aluko ducks under a wild hook from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick that is checked
and Aluko counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos throws a hook but Aluko avoids it easily.
Dos Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aluko moves away.
Aluko throws a head kick that misses.
Rafael Dos Santos is winning the standup battle so far.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick but Aluko checks it.
Dos Santos lands a nice shot to the body.
Dos Santos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aluko.
Dos Santos walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Aluko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aluko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sloppy strikes from Dos Santos. Those never looked like landing.
Aluko throws a sloppy head kick and Dos Santos moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with a left hand
and Aluko counters with a head kick. That will keep Dos Santos thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Dos Santos throws a jab but it's blocked by Aluko.
Dos Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dos Santos motions for Aluko to come forward. Dos Santos throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dos Santos throws a lazy uppercut

and Aluko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Aluko has Dos Santos pressed against the cage, preventing Dos Santos from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Aluko pulls guard.
Dos Santos trying to stand up but can't free himself from Aluko's guard.

Aluko is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Aluko has Dos Santos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dos Santos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sone Aluko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is trying to break the clinch but Aluko is controlling him.
Dos Santos wants to break free but Aluko has control.
Aluko tries for a takedown but Dos Santos manages to get underhooks.
Aluko jumps guard but Dos Santos stands there with Aluko around his waist. Aluko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Aluko is breathing heavily.
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Aluko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aluko misses with a head kick.
Dos Santos wants to land a leg kick but Aluko is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos looks to land a right hand but Aluko moved out of range.
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Aluko moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rafael Dos Santos will probably get the nod.
That's time! Dos Santos's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Dos Santos throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Aluko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Dos Santos's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Aluko blocking some punches.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but Aluko is controlling the position.
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dos Santos wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dos Santos is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Aluko manages to break the clinch.
Aluko avoids the head kick by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aluko.
Dos Santos misses with a hook. Aluko ducked under it nicely.
Dos Santos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dos Santos wants it to stay on the feet.
Aluko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dos Santos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Dos Santos misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Dos Santos tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aluko is able to avoid easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aluko.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sone Aluko.
Dos Santos misses with a looping right.
Dos Santos swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Aluko moves into the clinch.
Dos Santos working hard to break the clinch.

Aluko breaks the clinch.
Dos Santos misses with a wild combination.
Aluko avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aluko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws a right hand that misses
and Aluko counters with a leg kick.
Dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Aluko is just out of range.
Aluko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dos Santos.
A clash of legs there as Aluko blocks the low kick.
Dos Santos misses with a double jab
and Aluko counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Aluko counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dos Santos trying to strike off his back.
Dos Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dos Santos wants to sweep here but Aluko controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aluko throws a big right hand that misses.
Aluko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Aluko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dos Santos working a defensive guard here.
Aluko won't allow Dos Santos to get back to his feet.
Rafael Dos Santos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aluko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dos Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Aluko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aluko postures up in Dos Santos's guard and throws a big left but Dos Santos blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aluko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dos Santos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aluko is one step ahead there.
Aluko throws a big elbow that misses.
Aluko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aluko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Dos Santos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aluko is one step ahead there.
Aluko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dos Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sone Aluko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aluko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos wants to stand and escape but Aluko is having none of it.
Aluko is looking to work some ground and pound but Dos Santos has wrist control.
Aluko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dos Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Aluko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sone Aluko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dos Santos has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rafael Dos Santos!