PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frenchie Le French (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Badauu Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Badauu Santiago acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Le French
vs
Santiago

180 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

176 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Frenchie Le French!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Badauu Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Le French slips a jab and a cross from Santiago.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Le French stuffs the takedown attempt from Santiago. Santiago gets slowly back to his feet.
Le French stuffs the takedown.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Le French swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Le French shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Santiago as he jumps to the side.
Santiago fails in his attempt to clinch.

Santiago drives through and clinches with Le French against the cage.
Santiago tries a knee to the head but Le French blocks it.
Santiago with a knee to the head.
Santiago misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Santiago throws an elbow but misses.
Santiago will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Le French up against the cage.
Le French tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Santiago connects with a nasty looking knee right to Le French's face.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Le French keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Frenchie Le French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Badauu Santiago.
Santiago looks gassed!
Le French avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Le French wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le French lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Santiago at a distance.
Le French fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Santiago drives through with a takedown into guard.
Le French is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Le French doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Le French wants to stand but Santiago is controlling the position.

Le French scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Santiago fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Le French scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Danga de danga de dang - Le French scores with a four punch combination!
Santiago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Santiago has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Santiago there as he acknowledges the shot.
Le French bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Santiago's head backwards.
Le French lunges at Santiago with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Santiago's hand.
Le French connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Santiago's hands.
A nice combination there by Le French.
Le French scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Frenchie Le French seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Le French shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Le French moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Le French scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A punch lands to the side of Santiago 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Danga de danga de dang - Le French scores with a four punch combination!
Santiago is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Le French.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to clinch but Le French is having none of it.
Le French scores with a three punch combo!
Le French throws a series of strikes that have Santiago backpedaling.
A nice combination there by Le French.
Le French scores with a three punch combo!
Le French uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Le French scores with a crisp jab that stopped Santiago in his tracks.
Le French throws a series of strikes that have Santiago backpedaling.
Santiago takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Le French scores with a jab to the head.
Le French goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Le French doesn't manage to clinch there - Santiago circles away.
Santiago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Le French moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Santiago takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Santiago tries to clinch but Le French is having none of it.
Le French connects with a good right hand that stumbles Santiago. Santiago circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Santiago has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Le French lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Le French works over Santiago's head and body with a nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Le French - just one landing.
Le French lands with a straight right. Santiago didn't see that one coming.
Le French lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Santiago has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Santiago there as he acknowledges the shot.
A left and a right from Le French both land. Nice combination.
Le French looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Santiago closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Santiago walks into a left hand.
Le French throws a combination. Santiago tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Le French scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Santiago is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Le French.
Le French scores with the left hand. Santiago knows he should have avoided that one.
Santiago fails to land the takedown.
Santiago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Santiago shoots in for a double leg but Le French sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santiago is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Le French.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frenchie Le French dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Santiago has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Le French pushes him off.
Le French fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Santiago moves forwards but Le French connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Le French tries to clinch

and Santiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Le French paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Le French doesn't manage to clinch there - Santiago circles away.
Le French tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.
Santiago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Le French throws a one two combo.
Santiago shoots in but no luck this time.
Santiago takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Frenchie Le French is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Le French scores with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santiago gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Le French.
Le French is looking to clinch.
Santiago is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Le French.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Le French works over Santiago's head and body with a nice combination.
Le French scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Jab from Le French.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Le French.
Le French scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Le French scores with a hook to the body. Santiago takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Left hook, right uppercut from Le French.
Le French throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Santiago closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Le French lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Decent striking displayed by Le French there.
Le French fails with a takedown attempt.
Le French lands with a nice combination. Santiago backs away looking to recover.
Le French moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Le French lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Le French is working the combinations to good effect here.
Le French lands with a right hand.
Le French lands a jab-cross combination.
Le French thuds a left hand into Santiago's body.
Santiago walks into a straight right hand from Le French.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago shoots in for a double leg but Le French sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A nice combination there by Le French.
Le French lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Santiago tries for a takedown but Le French sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Frenchie Le French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Badauu Santiago.
Santiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Le French works over Santiago's head and body with a nice combination.
Santiago takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Danga de danga de dang - Le French scores with a four punch combination!
Santiago takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Santiago has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Le French is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Santiago walks into a left hand.
A left and a right from Le French both land. Nice combination.
Le French cracks a nice hook into Santiago's ribs.
Le French lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Santiago throws a series of punches but Le French moves out of range.
Le French lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Santiago takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Le French is looking to clinch but Santiago is avoiding it.
Le French lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le French moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Le French lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Le French.
Le French avoids a punch combination nicely.
Santiago needs to keep his hands up - Le French had a free shot at his head there.
A slow jab from Santiago misses its intended target.
Le French cracks Santiago with an open hand slap.
Le French lands with a nice combination. Santiago backs away looking to recover.

Le French gets a takedown into half guard.
Le French is thwarting Santiago's attempts to control the position.
Le French knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Santiago on the ground.
Le French tries to pass the half guard into mount. Santiago knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le French prevents Santiago from improving his position.
Le French seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Santiago tries to kick Le French off but Le French keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Le French decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Santiago changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le French tries to avoid it but Santiago manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le French to the ground. Le French escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Good shot there by Le French.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Le French circles away and keeps his distance.
Santiago swats away the attempt to clinch by Le French.
Le French keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frenchie Le French dominated that second round.
That's time! Le French's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Le French displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Le French misses with a double jab.
Le French lands a two punch combo.
Le French avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Santiago fails to land the takedown.
A cross from Le French lands.
Le French shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Le French uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Santiago.
Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Le French closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Santiago tries to clinch but Le French is having none of it.
Le French looks to land a combination. Santiago sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Le French scores with a three punch combo!
Santiago will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Santiago walks into a straight right hand from Le French.
Le French lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Le French.
Le French paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Le French works over Santiago's head and body with a nice combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Le French lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le French tries to clinch but Santiago is having none of it.
Le French misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Le French swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.
Frenchie Le French is winning the standup battle so far.
Santiago shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Frenchie Le French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Badauu Santiago.
Le French lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Santiago keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Le French lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Santiago circles away quickly and effectively.
Le French lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Le French avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Le French clinches with his opponent.
Santiago is pressed up against the cage. Le French has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Santiago down to the mat. Santiago avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Santiago throws a one two combo.
Santiago takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Le French!
Santiago is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to clinch there but Le French circles away.
Le French rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Santiago moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Le French lands a two punch combo.
Le French looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santiago is fending him off so far but Le French persists. Nope, Santiago circles away and we're back to standing.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Santiago wants to clinch up but Le French keeps it at a distance.
Santiago takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Le French connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Le French misses with a double jab.
Le French keeps the fight on the outside.
Le French misses with a series of wild punches.
Santiago tries to clinch but Le French is having none of it.
Santiago drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Santiago has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Santiago there as he acknowledges the shot.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Le French circles away and keeps his distance.
Le French throws a combination. Santiago tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Le French scores with a one two! Santiago had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Le French wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Santiago has taken the fight to the clinch.
Le French blocking some punches.
Le French is looking to break free of the clinch but Santiago has double underhooks.
Le French tries to break the clinch but Santiago is controlling the position.
Le French fails to pull guard.
Le French is trying to break the clinch but Santiago has him pressed against the cage.
Santiago misses with a knee strike.
Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Le French has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santiago throws an elbow that misses.
Le French is looking to break free of the clinch but Santiago has double underhooks.
Santiago looking to throw knees to the head but Le French is blocking nicely.
Le French is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Santiago gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Santiago creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Santiago throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Le French blocks it with crossed arms.
Le French is working for takedown but Santiago is calmly controlling the position for now.
Le French takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Still in the clinch, Santiago scores with a nice short uppercut.
Santiago connects with a nasty looking knee right to Le French's face.
Santiago throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Le French is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Le French is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Santiago scores with a knee to the head.
A short left from Santiago.
Santiago throws an elbow that misses.
Le French avoids the elbow strike from Santiago, against the cage.
Santiago keeps control of Le French as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Santiago throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Le French blocks it with crossed arms.
Santiago tries a knee to the head but Le French blocks it.
Le French fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Santiago.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Le French fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Le French fails to pull guard.
Santiago with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Badauu Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Frenchie Le French is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Santiago lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Le French tries to break the clinch but Santiago is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Frenchie Le French.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Le French, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frenchie Le French!