PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santiago kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Asesinos - Los Crudos. Belfort is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Forever and 300 Violin Orchestra Remix (Crack Bottles Forever). Antonio Santiago has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Santiago
vs
Belfort

188 cm
40
198 lbs
28 - 12 - 1

182 cm
27
188 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 28 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Seu Braga and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.
Belfort lands with a kick to the temple. Santiago shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Belfort looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Belfort looks to land a body kick but Santiago moved away.
Santiago will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belfort closes the distance looking to clinch

and Santiago counters with a single leg into guard. Belfort didn't expect that.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Santiago showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Belfort is looking to stand up but Santiago isn't so interested in that idea.
Santiago throwing strikes from guard but Belfort blocks nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santiago is in close to Belfort's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belfort working for submissions but it's allowed Santiago to get to half guard.
Santiago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Santiago controlling the action here.
Belfort wants to get back to his feet.
Santiago passes to side control.
Belfort really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Santiago. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Santiago working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Santiago scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Belfort is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Santiago can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Antonio Santiago!
A very excited looking Antonio Santiago made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.