PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Romeo Del Gaiso (ranked 3650 p4p, 2922 weight class) and Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 209 p4p, 378 weight class). Del Gaiso's entrance music is Deorro, Elvis Crespo & Henry Fong - Pica. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Del Gaiso
vs
Da Santiago

180 cm
23
142
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
30
146
15 - 13 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Conquer

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Romeo Del Gaiso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessio Da Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Roberts and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Del Gaiso tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Da Santiago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Del Gaiso really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Decent striking displayed by Del Gaiso there.
Da Santiago circles away from the clinch attempt.

Da Santiago gets caught napping as Del Gaiso dives in and scores a takedown. Da Santiago manages to retain guard.

Da Santiago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Del Gaiso defends well.

Da Santiago has his foot on Del Gaiso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Del Gaiso works his way back into a safe position though.
Del Gaiso passes Da Santiago's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Del Gaiso seems to be looking for submissions.
Da Santiago moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Da Santiago is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Del Gaiso is aware though and is defending well.
Del Gaiso throws a big elbow that misses.
Del Gaiso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Da Santiago works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Del Gaiso throws a big elbow that misses.
Del Gaiso throwing strikes but missing.
Del Gaiso throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Da Santiago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Del Gaiso defends well.
Del Gaiso throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Da Santiago avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Del Gaiso makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Del Gaiso avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Da Santiago is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Del Gaiso is aware though and is defending well.

Da Santiago has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Del Gaiso can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Del Gaiso stands and throws Da Santiago's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Del Gaiso creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Da Santiago sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Da Santiago is looking for a sweep.
Del Gaiso postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Del Gaiso misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on Da Santiago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Da Santiago manages to work his way to half guard, despite Del Gaiso's best efforts.
Del Gaiso 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Del Gaiso is trying to work for a kimura but Da Santiago is defending well.
Da Santiago keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Da Santiago tries to get to full guard but Del Gaiso has control of the leg.

Del Gaiso seems to be looking for submissions.
Da Santiago blocking the ground and pound attempt from Del Gaiso.

Da Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Del Gaiso works his way into side control.
Da Santiago is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Del Gaiso's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
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!
Del Gaiso working the body and head with strikes.

Del Gaiso is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Da Santiago knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Da Santiago gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Del Gaiso throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Da Santiago looking for submissions off his back.

Da Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Da Santiago looking for submissions off his back.
Del Gaiso lands with a punch from half guard.
Del Gaiso throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Del Gaiso trying to pass the guard but Da Santiago defending well.
Del Gaiso missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Del Gaiso postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Da Santiago to stand up.

Del Gaiso darts in and clinches Da Santiago up against the cage.
I was talking to Del Gaiso's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Del Gaiso jumps guard and drags Da Santiago to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Da Santiago trying to control the position from guard on top but Del Gaiso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Del Gaiso has his hands on Da Santiago's head, controlling the position.
Del Gaiso keeping full guard, as Da Santiago tries to pass.
Del Gaiso trying to control the position here.
Del Gaiso is trying to control the position but Da Santiago postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Da Santiago dives in and scores a takedown into Del Gaiso's guard.
Da Santiago stopping the sweep attempt from Del Gaiso.
Da Santiago looking to pass the guard.
Da Santiago content to stall in guard here.

Del Gaiso manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Santiago blocks an uppercut.
Da Santiago tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Da Santiago lands a hook that snaps the head of Del Gaiso backwards.
Da Santiago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Del Gaiso backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Del Gaiso manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Da Santiago won't allow Del Gaiso to get back to his feet.
Da Santiago is stalling in the full guard.
Da Santiago trying to control but Del Gaiso is working from the bottom.
Da Santiago stopping the sweep attempt from Del Gaiso.
Da Santiago wants to control from the top but Del Gaiso keeps moving.
Del Gaiso wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Del Gaiso manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Del Gaiso decides to pull guard.
Del Gaiso wants to get back to his feet but Da Santiago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Del Gaiso keeping moving, preventing Da Santiago from controlling successfully.
Da Santiago looking to pass the guard.
Da Santiago wants to control from the top but Del Gaiso keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Del Gaiso is on top in guard.

Da Santiago has his foot on Del Gaiso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Del Gaiso works his way back into a safe position though.

Da Santiago had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Del Gaiso defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Del Gaiso's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Da Santiago is looking for a triangle but Del Gaiso pushes his legs off easily.
Del Gaiso postures up in Da Santiago's guard and throws a big left but Da Santiago blocks it.
Del Gaiso throwing strikes from guard but Da Santiago blocks nicely.
Del Gaiso throws a big right hand that misses.
Del Gaiso wants to pass the guard but Da Santiago is keeping the position.
Del Gaiso with a flurry of punches that miss.

Da Santiago is working an open guard so Del Gaiso takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Da Santiago closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Del Gaiso's guard.

Del Gaiso is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Santiago pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Del Gaiso swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Da Santiago pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Da Santiago blocks an uppercut.
Del Gaiso throws a head punch that misses.
Del Gaiso is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Da Santiago can do to turn this around?
Still in the clinch, Del Gaiso scores with a nice short uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Da Santiago takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Da Santiago with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Del Gaiso tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Da Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Del Gaiso has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Del Gaiso has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Da Santiago regains guard immediately.

Del Gaiso avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Del Gaiso 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!

Del Gaiso wants to clinch.

Del Gaiso closes the distance and clinches.
Da Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Del Gaiso has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Da Santiago blocking some punches.
Del Gaiso misses with the head strike.
Da Santiago with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Del Gaiso lands a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Del Gaiso decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Da Santiago, up you get!
Da Santiago throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Del Gaiso's waist but Del Gaiso gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Da Santiago off to one side.

Da Santiago shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Del Gaiso pushes Da Santiago off and gets back to his feet.
Da Santiago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Santiago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Del Gaiso is looking to clinch.
Da Santiago has a takedown stuffed.
Da Santiago changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Del Gaiso tries to avoid it but Da Santiago manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Del Gaiso to the ground. Del Gaiso escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Romeo Del Gaiso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alessio Da Santiago.

Del Gaiso darts in and clinches Da Santiago up against the cage.
Del Gaiso lands a nice uppercut.
Del Gaiso fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Del Gaiso lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Del Gaiso is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Da Santiago can't fight it off and eventually Del Gaiso manages to take the fight to the floor. Da Santiago looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Del Gaiso throws a big right hand that misses.
Del Gaiso postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Del Gaiso drops back looking for a leg! Da Santiago is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Da Santiago manages to kick Del Gaiso off! Del Gaiso jumps back into Da Santiago's guard.

Da Santiago has his foot on Del Gaiso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Del Gaiso works his way back into a safe position though.
Del Gaiso working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Da Santiago's head.
Del Gaiso throwing strikes but missing.

Del Gaiso is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Da Santiago looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Alessio Da Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Da Santiago avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Del Gaiso throwing strikes but missing.
Del Gaiso passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Del Gaiso working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago prevents Del Gaiso from improving position.
Del Gaiso misses with the ground and pound.
The strikes coming from Del Gaiso are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Da Santiago is looking to regain half guard here but Del Gaiso keeps moving and retains side control.
Da Santiago takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Del Gaiso is putting a hurting on Da Santiago here, landing some big shots from side control.
Da Santiago is trying to get back to half guard.
Del Gaiso working the ground and pound but Da Santiago is defending the strikes.
Del Gaiso throws an elbow but Da Santiago slips to the side and avoids it well.
Del Gaiso creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Da Santiago sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Da Santiago tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Del Gaiso wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Da Santiago struggling a bit here.

Del Gaiso thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Da Santiago tries to buck Del Gaiso off but Del Gaiso is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago keeps trying to improve his position.
Romeo Del Gaiso overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Da Santiago is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Del Gaiso landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The strikes coming from Del Gaiso are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Da Santiago dodges the ground and pound from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Del Gaiso misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Del Gaiso tries to advance to mount but Da Santiago denies him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Da Santiago tries to buck Del Gaiso off but Del Gaiso is having none of it.
The ground and pound from Del Gaiso seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Del Gaiso is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Da Santiago is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Del Gaiso lands a decent elbow from side control.
Romeo Del Gaiso is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Del Gaiso stands up and beckons Da Santiago to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romeo Del Gaiso showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Del Gaiso has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romeo Del Gaiso!
Romeo Del Gaiso seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.