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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gary Bitters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bitters comes to the cage accompanied by Maybe. Santiago is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Rza - Samurai Showdown. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 171 cm
29
142 lbs
11 - 5 - 0 |
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179 cm
23
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Bitters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jose Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Santiago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bitters on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Santiago lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gary Bitters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bitters fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bitters lands a nice shot to the body.
Bitters getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Santiago tries to keep at a distance but Bitters has taken the fight into the clinch.
Santiago has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Bitters regains guard immediately.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santiago trying to control the position from guard on top but Bitters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santiago preventing the sweep.
Bitters doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitters can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Santiago controls the pace.
Bitters wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Santiago is now in half guard.
Bitters is looking for a sweep. Santiago is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bitters is looking to control Santiago's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bitters avoid being mounted?
Santiago working over Bitters with some ground and pound. Bitters looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Santiago is working for a submission of some sort.
Bitters wants to control but Santiago is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bitters keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Santiago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bitters's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitters is trying to get back to full guard.
Bitters is staying active underneath Santiago, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bitters flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Santiago prevents Bitters from improving his position.
Bitters controlling the position for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Santiago is looking to take a break and control but Bitters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Santiago throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Bitters to regain full guard.
Santiago wants to control from the top but Bitters keeps moving.
Santiago has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Santiago forces his way into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bitters tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Bitters is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Santiago slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitters is controlling Santiago's trapped leg to prevent Santiago from advancing to side control.
Santiago is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bitters keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Santiago is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bitters!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago breaks from Bitters's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Bitters is trying to escape the mount.
Santiago avoids the attempt from Bitters to control.
Santiago landing strikes from the mount and Bitters is in trouble!
It looks like Gary Bitters has been cut.
Santiago looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santiago prevents Bitters from getting the reversal.
Santiago has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bitters's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jose Santiago dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gary Bitters's cut.
That's time! Bitters's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Santiago lands a jab to the head.
Santiago looks to score with a jab to the body but Bitters is just out of range.
Santiago closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bitters circles away.
Bitters cracks the inside of Santiago's front leg.
Santiago throws a series of punches but Bitters avoids them all with ease.
Bitters misses the shot to the body.
Bitters checks the leg kick nicely there.
Santiago throws a hook but Bitters avoids it easily.
Santiago swings for the body but Bitters moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Bitters.
Santiago misses with a hook.
It looked like Bitters wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bitters ducks under a wild hook from Santiago.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitters moves into range and connects with a jab.
Santiago has a takedown stuffed.
Bitters buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bitters. Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a two punch combination.
Bitters on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Santiago. Santiago obviously looking to wear him down.
Santiago throws a low kick but Bitters avoids it.
Santiago just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab from Bitters.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Bitters blocks the leg kick.
Santiago turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Santiago throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bitters swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Santiago misses with a punch on the inside.
Bitters prevents Santiago from breaking the clinch.
Santiago has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bitters avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gary Bitters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Santiago.
Santiago is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bitters to keep the fight standing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitters breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Santiago moves forwards but Bitters connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Santiago throws a head kick that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bitters.
Bitters looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Santiago throws a hook but Bitters blocks it.
Bitters tries to clinch but Santiago moves out of range.
Bitters missing with a left hand there. Santiago was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice combination there by Santiago.
Bitters uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Santiago.
Bitters swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bitters pivots, looking for a leg kick but Santiago is out of range and Bitters settles back down.
Bitters lands a head shot.
Bitters tries to close the distance and clinch but Santiago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bitters digs a good hook to Santiago's body.
Santiago throws a leg kick but Bitters sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Jab by Santiago.
Bitters thuds a left hand into Santiago's body.
Gary Bitters is winning the standup battle so far.
Santiago takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago staying out of range there.
Bitters lands with a nice body punch.
Bitters fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santiago manages to avoid it.
A big left from Bitters misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Santiago! But no joy.
Santiago throws the left hand but Bitters avoids the punch easily.
Bitters slips under a jab from Santiago.
Bitters slips under a jab.
Santiago throws a head kick but Bitters moves out of range.
Bitters is looking to clinch.
Santiago throws a big shot that misses.
Bitters works the jab nicely.
Bitters checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gary Bitters is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bitters misses with a body shot.
Bitters misses with a left hand
and Santiago counters with a nice uppercut.
Bitters throws out a loose jab but Santiago uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bitters misses with a wild combination.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a body kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Bitters misses its target.
Bitters throws a hook but Santiago avoids it easily.
Bitters throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bitters slips under a jab.
Crunch! Santiago slams his shin into Bitters's torso.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santiago throws a body kick that misses
and Bitters decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Santiago's guard.
Bitters scoring with some ground and pound.
Jose Santiago has got the better of the ground game so far.
Santiago preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bitters scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bitters throwing strikes from guard but Santiago blocks nicely.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Santiago is on top in guard.
Bitters wants to improve his position but instead Santiago has moved into half guard.
Santiago is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bitters sees it coming and defends easily.
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 Gary Bitters will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gary Bitters's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Bitters fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Santiago checks it well.
Bitters pushes Santiago up against the cage in a clinch.
Bitters breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bitters throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Santiago misses with a looping left.
Santiago misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bitters was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bitters uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
Bitters connects with a leg kick. Santiago looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Santiago misses with a hook. Bitters ducked under it nicely.
Bitters appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Santiago misses with a body shot.
Bitters lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santiago throws a looping overhand right but Bitters ducks down to avoid it.
Bitters lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bitters throws a hook to the side of Santiago's head but Santiago sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Santiago slips a jab from Bitters.
Bitters lands with a good body shot.
Bitters throws a nice outside leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitters moves out of range of the body kick.
That kick from Santiago tenderised Bitters's leg. Bitters is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bitters feints and then cracks Santiago's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Santiago down.
Santiago shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bitters as he avoids it easily.
Bitters moves into the clinch.
Bitters jumps into guard, dragging Santiago to the mat.
Bitters managing to control the position.
Bitters wants to control but Santiago passes easily into half guard.
Bitters knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Santiago on the ground.
Santiago is keen to just control but Bitters is a slippery customer.
Bitters trying to control but Santiago postures up.
Bitters wants to improve his position but Santiago is controlling well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santiago is taking a breather. Bitters says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Santiago is looking to take a break and control but Bitters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Santiago working the head and body with strikes.
Santiago wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bitters keeps working.
Santiago thows a huge punch but Bitters dodges it nicely.
Bitters flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bitters is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Santiago pulls his head out easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Santiago there.
Santiago is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bitters sees it coming and defends easily.
Santiago trying to pass the guard but Bitters defending well.
Santiago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bitters has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Santiago is working away from the top position though.
Santiago is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Santiago can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bitters is looking to escape.
Bitters is wriggling around trying to escape.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is landing with some decent strikes but Bitters is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Santiago is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Bitters can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Santiago throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Santiago punching from mount but Bitters doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Santiago wants to finish this one by submission but Bitters is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Santiago.
Bitters is in all sorts of trouble here.
Santiago lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bitters tries to reverse the position but Santiago maintains control.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jose Santiago.
I think Santiago has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Santiago!
Jose Santiago gave a mention to Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
51% |
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