PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rashid Khan (ranked 4115 p4p, 196 weight class) and Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 7546 p4p, 276 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Khan
vs
Da Santiago

168 cm
25
142 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
144 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rashid Khan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessio Da Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Santiago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alessio Da Santiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khan looks to score with a jab to the body but Da Santiago is just out of range.
Da Santiago tries to clinch up but Khan circles away and keeps his distance.
Khan throws a lazy right hand but Da Santiago sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Da Santiago is looking to clinch but Khan is avoiding it.
Khan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Da Santiago throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Da Santiago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Da Santiago shoots in and drives through. Khan sprawls well.
Khan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khan circles away from the clinch attempt
and Khan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Khan lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan lands a jab-cross combination.
Khan misses with a double jab.
Da Santiago tries to score a power double leg takedown but Khan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Da Santiago somewhat.
Khan lands a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khan. Da Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khan swings for the body but Da Santiago moves out of range.
Khan's corner calls for a 1-2. Khan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Khan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Da Santiago.
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!
Khan looks to score with a jab to the body but Da Santiago is just out of range.
Da Santiago will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rashid Khan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessio Da Santiago.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Khan as he avoids it easily.
Da Santiago takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Da Santiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khan. Da Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Da Santiago moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Da Santiago avoids the body shot from Khan.
Khan throws a hook but Da Santiago blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Khan misses the target.
Khan misses the jab.
A left lands for Khan.
Da Santiago throws a body punch but Khan moves out of range.
Khan seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Da Santiago.
Khan misses with a wild body shot.
We've been told by Khan's head coaches at Bad Education that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Khan stuffs the takedown.
Khan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Da Santiago changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Khan tries to avoid it but Da Santiago manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Khan to the ground. Khan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Da Santiago feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Khan looking for a sweep. Not yet Khan, not yet.
Da Santiago passes into half guard.

Da Santiago is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Khan is just riding it out for now. Da Santiago eventually gives up the hold.
Da Santiago wants to pass to mount but Khan is defending the position.
Da Santiago is keen to just control but Khan is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashid Khan dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Khan stalks Da Santiago and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Da Santiago's face. Da Santiago staggers backwards, shaken.
Khan works the jab nicely.
Da Santiago shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Khan defends it nicely.
Da Santiago darts in trying to clinch
and Khan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khan thuds a left hand into Da Santiago's body.
Khan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Khan wants it to stay on the feet.
A quick step to the side and Khan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Da Santiago staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Khan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Da Santiago.
Rashid Khan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessio Da Santiago.
Da Santiago is looking to clinch.
Khan throws out a powerful jab.
A slow jab from Khan misses its intended target.
Khan fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Da Santiago looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Da Santiago takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Khan scores with a shot to the body.
Khan lands a slapping body shot.
Khan misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Da Santiago forces Khan back against the cage and clinches.
A short right from Khan on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Da Santiago tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Khan smiles and moves away.
Khan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Khan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Da Santiago has his takedown stuffed
and Khan counters with a nice body shot.
Da Santiago wants to clinch up but Khan keeps it at a distance.
Khan lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Da Santiago was well out of range. Poor timing from Khan.
Khan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khan lands the left hand.
Khan lands a jab.
Khan is looking to wear down Da Santiago with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Da Santiago avoids the body shot from Khan.
As Khan backs off Da Santiago throws a huge counter combo but Khan manages to avoid it all.
Da Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Khan looks to score with a jab to the body but Da Santiago is just out of range.
Khan lands with a hook. Da Santiago tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Khan looks to score with a jab to the body but Da Santiago is just out of range.
Khan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Da Santiago can do to turn this around?
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown but Khan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Khan throwing a counter right hand but Da Santiago manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago dives in and grabs Khan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Khan pushes down on Da Santiago's head and hops out.
Da Santiago blocks a jab.
Da Santiago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Khan is fending him off so far but Da Santiago persists. Nope, Khan circles away and we're back to standing.
Khan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Da Santiago was well out of range. Poor timing from Khan.
Da Santiago is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Khan loads up on a big right hand but Da Santiago slips the punch.
Khan throws a body punch but Da Santiago moves out of range.
Khan swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Santiago.
Khan is looking to counter punch.
Some wild striking there from Khan.
Rashid Khan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!

Da Santiago fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Khan, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashid Khan dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Da Santiago.
Da Santiago dives in and grabs Khan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Khan pushes down on Da Santiago's head and hops out.
Da Santiago tries to clinch but Khan moves out of range.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Khan sprawls well. Khan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Da Santiago gets slowly back to his feet.
Khan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Rashid Khan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessio Da Santiago.
Khan misses with a two punch combination.
Da Santiago looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khan misses the shot to the body.
Khan keeps the fight on the outside.
Khan takes a swing at Da Santiago's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Khan but Khan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Khan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Khan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Da Santiago.
Da Santiago wants to clinch up but Khan keeps it at a distance.
Khan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Da Santiago avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khan misses with a wild body shot.
Da Santiago tries to counter by closing the distance.
Khan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Da Santiago.
Khan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Da Santiago was well out of range. Poor timing from Khan.
Rashid Khan is winning the standup battle so far.
Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Khan sprawls well. Khan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Da Santiago gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan connects with a body shot.
Khan lands the left hand.
Khan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Da Santiago moves away.
Alessio Da Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Da Santiago fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Khan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Da Santiago was well out of range. Poor timing from Khan.
Da Santiago displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Khan throws out the jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khan looks to score with a jab to the body but Da Santiago is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago ducks under a wild hook from Khan.
Da Santiago fails to land the takedown.
Da Santiago tries to clinch but Khan is having none of it.
Alessio Da Santiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Khan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Da Santiago avoids the body shot from Khan.
Khan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Khan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Da Santiago ducks under a wild hook from Khan.
Da Santiago gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Khan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Da Santiago manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khan. Da Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Da Santiago is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Khan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Khan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rashid Khan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Da Santiago takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Da Santiago closes the distance looking to clinch
and Khan counters with a one-two to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashid Khan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Khan, 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:25
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashid Khan!
Rashid Khan gave a mention to Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013 in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).