PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago De Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sellus Gravius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Santos comes to the cage accompanied by Drop the World. Gravius is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Morrowind. 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.

De Santos
vs
Gravius

212 cm
33
320 lbs
21 - 13 - 1

225 cm
24
300 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Thiago De Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sellus Gravius!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Steve Montenegro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

De Santos gets in close and instigates a clinch.
De Santos jumps guard but Gravius stands there with De Santos around his waist. De Santos gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
De Santos avoiding damage as Gravius throws knees to the body.
Gravius is pressed up against the cage. De Santos has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gravius down to the mat. Gravius avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

De Santos fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gravius sprawls well initially but De Santos persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
De Santos drops an elbow to the side of Gravius's head.
De Santos prevents Gravius from improving his position.
De Santos thows a huge punch but Gravius dodges it nicely.
Gravius tries to roll over but De Santos keeps him under control.
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. De Santos connects with a nice short shot to Gravius's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Santos not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gravius is trying to stand up here but De Santos is controlling him well.

De Santos is working for a kimura but Gravius is defending it quite comfortably.
Gravius trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gravius gets back to full guard.
De Santos landing some decent shots from guard.
De Santos preventing the sweep.

Gravius pushes De Santos off and scrambles back to his feet.
De Santos tries to clinch up.

Gravius closes the distance and clinches.
Gravius misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gravius works on De Santos's body with a couple of short punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Santos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gravius avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago De Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gravius looking to throw knees to the head but De Santos is blocking nicely.

De Santos has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gravius uses from the top position.
De Santos wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gravius decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on De Santos, up you get!

Gravius has managed to clinch.
De Santos is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gravius is defending well.
De Santos tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
De Santos jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gravius walks away with a smile on his face. De Santos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
De Santos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

De Santos shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gravius's guard.
De Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Santos 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.

Gravius is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gravius tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gravius is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
De Santos pushes down on Gravius's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gravius is refusing to be controlled, as De Santos sits in half guard.
De Santos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
De Santos lands with a punch from half guard.
De Santos is trying to control. Gravius wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gravius tries to kick De Santos off but De Santos keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
De Santos prevents Gravius from improving his position.
De Santos sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gravius defending well though.
De Santos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gravius tries to kick De Santos off but De Santos keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gravius is trying to defend against the ground and pound but De Santos scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gravius wants to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gravius is trying to get back to full guard.
Gravius is trying to defend against the ground and pound but De Santos scores with a couple of nice shots.

Gravius manages to escape and get back to his feet!
De Santos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gravius as he avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gravius.
De Santos avoids the head kick by Gravius.
Gravius tries to bum rush De Santos with a series of wild strikes but De Santos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gravius misses with a kick to the body.
Gravius clobbers De Santos with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
De Santos misses with a body punch
and Gravius counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago De Santos dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gravius misses with a head kick.
Gravius works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

It looks like Thiago De Santos has been cut.
De Santos misses with a left hand
and Gravius counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. De Santos is lucky that one didn't land flush.
De Santos blocks a head kick by Gravius.

De Santos darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gravius tries to roll over but De Santos keeps him under control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Santos lands strikes from half guard.
Gravius is looking to escape.

De Santos is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gravius defends it well.

De Santos seems to be working for a kimura but Gravius defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gravius is refusing to be controlled, as De Santos sits in half guard.
De Santos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gravius is looking to escape.

De Santos seems to be looking for submissions.
Gravius trying to control here.
De Santos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Santos wants to free his trapped foot but Gravius is holding on for dear life with his legs.
De Santos lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santos throwing shots but Gravius is blocking nicely.
De Santos is trying to control. Gravius wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gravius keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
De Santos working over Gravius with some ground and pound. Gravius looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gravius is defending against the submission attempts here by De Santos.

De Santos is looking for a kimura here.
De Santos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thiago De Santos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
De Santos prevents Gravius from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Santos lands strikes from half guard.
Gravius moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gravius keeping full guard, as De Santos tries to pass.
De Santos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
De Santos forces his way into half guard.
De Santos stops Gravius from getting back to his feet.
Gravius is trying to get back to full guard.

De Santos is working for a submission of some sort.
Gravius is trying to stand back up but De Santos is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santos thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gravius looks like he's trying to stand up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Santos thows a huge punch but Gravius dodges it nicely.
Gravius is trying to get back to full guard.
Gravius really doesn't want to stay on the ground with De Santos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gravius looks like he's trying to stand up.

De Santos is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gravius doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time De Santos.
De Santos working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago De Santos dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thiago De Santos's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Gravius swats away the attempt to clinch by De Santos.
Gravius lands a nice leg kick that just misses De Santos's sensitive parts.
Gravius jabs at De Santos's body.
Gravius displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from De Santos.
A bone on bone clash there as De Santos blocks the leg kick.
Gravius throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gravius lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gravius connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed De Santos momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheers as Gravius lands an impressive looking overhand right. De Santos doesn't seem phased though.
Sellus Gravius seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gravius lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gravius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
De Santos stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gravius.
Gravius with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gravius is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gravius scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gravius looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gravius swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gravius bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of De Santos's head.
Sellus Gravius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gravius connects with a body shot that sends De Santos's belly button to the back.
Gravius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
De Santos tries to clinch up.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gravius, as that shot connected.
Sellus Gravius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santos has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from De Santos there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thiago De Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gravius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Santos was well out of range. Poor timing from Gravius.
De Santos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
De Santos on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
De Santos walks into a stiff left hand from Gravius.

Gravius has taken the fight to the clinch.
De Santos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gravius putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has De Santos in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gravius lands a knee to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gravius.
Gravius using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gravius softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gravius with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gravius connects with a nasty looking knee right to De Santos's face.
Thiago De Santos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Thiago De Santos's cut is getting worse.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Gravius.
De Santos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gravius lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gravius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gravius can't find room to land a body shot as De Santos controls the action.
Gravius throws a punch but it's blocked by De Santos.
Gravius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
De Santos avoiding damage as Gravius throws knees to the body.
Gravius tries a body shot but De Santos blocks it.
Gravius has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gravius struggles to land a body shot inside as De Santos controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Gravius.
De Santos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gravius tries to land knees in the clinch but De Santos avoids the damage to the body.
Gravius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gravius looking to throw knees to the head but De Santos is blocking nicely.
Gravius misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from De Santos.
Gravius tries a knee to the head but De Santos blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

De Santos works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Santos content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sellus Gravius comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think De 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Thiago De Santos!
Thiago De Santos gave a mention to Mango Nutrition in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).