PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Gambacorto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gambacorto
vs
Santiago

173 cm
27
168 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

180 cm
26
165 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

160!

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Gambacorto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dante Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago just misses with a punch to the body.
A combination from Gambacorto does no damage.
Santiago ducks under a wild hook from Gambacorto.
Gambacorto throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Dante Santiago has been cut.
Gambacorto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gambacorto slips a jab and a cross from Santiago.
Santiago throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Santiago thows a left - swing and a miss!
Santiago loads up on a big right hand but Gambacorto slips the punch.
Santiago misses with a lunging right hand
and Gambacorto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Santiago tries to clinch up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Gambacorto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gambacorto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gambacorto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A big right from Gambacorto misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Gambacorto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Santiago connects with a right hand. Gambacorto shakes it off.
Santiago misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gambacorto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago swings for the body but Gambacorto moves out of range.
Gambacorto throws a big shot that misses.
Santiago throws a lazy right hand but Gambacorto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gambacorto throws the left hand but Santiago avoids the punch easily.

Gambacorto moves into range and clinches up with Santiago.
Gambacorto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gambacorto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gambacorto lands a nice elbow.
Gambacorto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Santiago.
Gambacorto lands with a short shot to the head.
Gambacorto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Santiago lands a left hand.
Gambacorto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gambacorto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santiago swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Gambacorto counters with a nice uppercut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Gambacorto does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gambacorto.
Santiago ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Santiago throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gambacorto on the side of the head.
Santiago moves away from the strike by Gambacorto.
Santiago is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gambacorto rather than just go for the knockout.
Santiago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gambacorto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gambacorto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
Gambacorto misses with a few strikes there.

Gambacorto gets tackled into the ropes by Santiago. Santiago maintains the clinch.
Nice elbow from Gambacorto.

Gambacorto manages to break the clinch.
Santiago swinging wildly here.
Santiago throws a big shot that misses.

Gambacorto has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gambacorto scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gambacorto is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Santiago is keeping busy.
Gambacorto wants to break free but Santiago has control.
Gambacorto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Santiago backwards.
Santiago is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Santiago lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Santiago misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gambacorto lands with a short shot to the head.
Gambacorto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That has opened up Dante Santiago's cut even more.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gambacorto.
Santiago lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Santiago can't break the clinch.

Gambacorto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Santiago swings for the body but Gambacorto moves out of range.
Gambacorto doesn't manage to clinch there - Santiago circles away.
Santiago lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gambacorto throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gambacorto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gambacorto slips under a jab.
Gambacorto missing with a left hand there. Santiago was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gambacorto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Santiago.
Santiago staying out of range there.
Santiago throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gambacorto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
Gambacorto misses the jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gambacorto scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A jab from Santiago misses.
Santiago throws a jab but it's blocked by Gambacorto.
Santiago missing with a left hand there. Gambacorto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
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 Mark Gambacorto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dante Santiago's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Santiago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gambacorto has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Gambacorto throws an overhand right that lands on Santiago's shoulder, as Santiago tries to avoid the shot.
Santiago moves out of range as Gambacorto strikes.
Santiago throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gambacorto moves away.
Santiago throws a lazy uppercut
and Gambacorto counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gambacorto keeps the fight on the outside.
Gambacorto throws a nice inside leg kick.
Santiago throws a body punch but Gambacorto moves out of range.
Gambacorto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gambacorto takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mark Gambacorto is winning the standup battle so far.
Santiago looks to score with a jab to the body but Gambacorto is just out of range.
Gambacorto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Gambacorto has taken the fight to the clinch.
Santiago tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gambacorto's elbow.
A short left from Gambacorto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago tries to circle away but Gambacorto has him pinned against the ropes.
Santiago misses with a punch on the inside.
Gambacorto misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Santiago.
Gambacorto blocks an uppercut.

Gambacorto manages to break the clinch.
Gambacorto avoids the body shot from Santiago.
Gambacorto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santiago.

Santiago tries to keep at a distance but Gambacorto has taken the fight into the clinch.

Gambacorto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big left from Santiago misses.
Gambacorto slips under a jab.
Gambacorto scores with a jab.
Santiago misses with a hook. Gambacorto ducked under it nicely.
Gambacorto is looking to slow Santiago down with leg kicks.
Gambacorto slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago throws an overhand right that lands on Gambacorto's shoulder, as Gambacorto tries to avoid the shot.

Santiago tries to keep at a distance but Gambacorto has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mark Gambacorto has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Santiago scores with a nice hook to the head.
Santiago is trying to break the clinch but Gambacorto is controlling him.

Gambacorto breaks the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santiago misses with a few strikes there.
Santiago misses with an uppercut
and Gambacorto counters with a stiff right hand.
Santiago lands a slapping body shot.
Santiago swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Santiago with a hook.
Gambacorto throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gambacorto fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Santiago on the side of the head.
Gambacorto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Santiago misses with a straight left.
Nice body punch from Gambacorto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Gambacorto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Santiago avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gambacorto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Santiago lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Santiago slips a jab and a cross from Gambacorto.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.
Gambacorto is trying to stall.
Santiago throws a head punch that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Santiago misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gambacorto lands a right hand.
Santiago tries to break free but Gambacorto pushes him back against the ropes.
Santiago tries a body shot but Gambacorto blocks it.
Gambacorto lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Santiago backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Gambacorto fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Santiago.
Santiago misses with a punch on the inside.
Gambacorto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Gambacorto throws an elbow but misses.
Santiago lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gambacorto controlling the action here for a moment.
Santiago working hard to break the clinch.
Gambacorto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Santiago lands with a left to the head.
Santiago lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Santiago swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gambacorto is looking to control Santiago's arms but Santiago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gambacorto has his back to the ropes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Gambacorto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gambacorto instigates a clinch.
Gambacorto just leaning against Santiago, taking a breather.
Santiago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gambacorto has him pressed against the ropes.
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 Mark Gambacorto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dante Santiago's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gambacorto is looking to clinch but Santiago is avoiding it.
Gambacorto shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Santiago throws a looping overhand right but Gambacorto ducks down to avoid it.
Santiago misses with a looping right.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gambacorto moves away.
Gambacorto keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Santiago.

Santiago gets tackled into the ropes by Gambacorto. Gambacorto maintains the clinch.
Gambacorto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Santiago misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gambacorto lands a body shot.
Santiago takes a shot to the head.
Santiago has a couple of punches blocked by Gambacorto.

Gambacorto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Santiago throws a hook but Gambacorto avoids it easily.
Santiago misses with an uppercut. Gambacorto saw that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gambacorto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago misses with the combination.
Santiago scores with a jab.
Gambacorto keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Santiago.
Gambacorto scores with a jab to the jaw.
Santiago with a jab.
Gambacorto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Santiago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santiago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Santiago is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gambacorto.
Gambacorto tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.
Santiago takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gambacorto slips under a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Santiago as he connects with a hook.
Gambacorto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Santiago in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Gambacorto misses.
Santiago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gambacorto doesn't manage to clinch there - Santiago circles away.
Gambacorto throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.
Santiago throws a jab but it's blocked by Gambacorto.
Nice cross by Santiago.
Santiago throws a right hand that misses
and Gambacorto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dante Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santiago displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gambacorto throws out the jab.
Gambacorto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Santiago throws a body punch but Gambacorto moves out of range.
Gambacorto lands with a straight right. Santiago didn't see that one coming.
Gambacorto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santiago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gambacorto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gambacorto throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Santiago on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santiago uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gambacorto.
Santiago throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gambacorto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Santiago.
Gambacorto connects with a right hand. Santiago shakes it off.
Gambacorto throws the left hand but Santiago avoids the punch easily.

Gambacorto has Santiago up against the ropes in a clinch.
Santiago tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gambacorto's elbow.
Gambacorto is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Santiago lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Still in the clinch, Santiago scores with a nice short uppercut.

Gambacorto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gambacorto is looking to clinch.
Gambacorto closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gambacorto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Santiago. That did some damage!
Santiago swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Santiago getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mark Gambacorto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Santiago waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gambacorto.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Gambacorto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gambacorto defending well as Santiago loads up on a big left hand.
Santiago misses with a straight right.
Santiago slips a jab and a cross from Gambacorto.
Santiago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Santiago throws a shot from downtown. Gambacorto moves away and avoids it.
A jab lands there for Santiago.
Santiago sizes up Gambacorto with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dante Santiago.
Well Gambacorto 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Gambacorto!
An out of breath and clearly excited Mark Gambacorto thanked 1337 ANZAC for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).