PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maia has chosen I Get Knocked Down as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dos Santos
vs
Maia

175 cm
22
142 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
143 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

[JMFC]Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q156 REC/CARDIO

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Dos Santos!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Maia!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos fails with an attempt to clinch.

Dos Santos gets a clinch.

Dos Santos has picked Maia up - he's going for a ride! Dos Santos dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Dos Santos is trying to work for a kimura but Maia is defending well.
Dos Santos trying to control from half guard but Maia is working away.

Dos Santos seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Maia has recovered full guard.
Maia looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Dos Santos puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Dos Santos trying to pass the guard but Maia defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.

Maia looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dos Santos working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maia's head.
Dos Santos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dos Santos pushing down on Maia's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dos Santos is thwarting Maia's attempts to control the position.
Maia won't allow Dos Santos to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dos Santos is working for a kimura here but Maia manages to reverse the position and he's now in Dos Santos's guard.

Dos Santos has his foot on Maia's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maia works his way back into a safe position though.
Maia trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.

Maia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dos Santos defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maia has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dos Santos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Maia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dos Santos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dos Santos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Maia has his foot on Dos Santos's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dos Santos works his way back into a safe position though.
Maia looks gassed!
Dos Santos thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Dos Santos drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maia manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Dos Santos has Maia in his guard.

Dos Santos looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maia postures up in Dos Santos's guard and throws a big left but Dos Santos blocks it.
Maia trying to control the position from guard on top but Dos Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maia drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dos Santos manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Maia has Dos Santos in his guard.
Dos Santos tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Dos Santos dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dos Santos cracks Maia with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dos Santos tries to close the distance and clinch but Maia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Dos Santos gets caught flat footed, as Maia shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Maia wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.
Dos Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maia preventing the sweep.
Maia postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maia stopping the sweep attempt from Dos Santos.
Maia looking to sit in guard and control but Dos Santos gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Dos Santos tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos pushing down on Maia's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Maia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Dos Santos is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Maia defends it well.
Dos Santos prevents Maia from improving his position.

Dos Santos seems to be looking for submissions.

Dos Santos is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Maia has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Maia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dos Santos's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dos Santos's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dos Santos is really stuck here.
Maia lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Dos Santos manages to reverse the position and now he's in Maia's guard. Nice work there by Dos Santos.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Dos Santos from controlling successfully.
Dos Santos looking to sit in guard and control but Maia gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.

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

Dos Santos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dos Santos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maia gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Dos Santos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maia throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maia working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Maia on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dos Santos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maia throws out the jab.
Dos Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maia.
Maia circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dos Santos looks to land a left hand but Maia moved out of range nicely.
Maia ducks under a wild hook from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Maia to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Maia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dos Santos misses with a looping left.
Dos Santos misses with a takedown attempt
and Maia connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fighters circling - Maia throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dos Santos misses with an uppercut.
Dos Santos throws a hook to the side of Maia's head but Maia sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maia swats away the attempt to clinch by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dos Santos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Maia uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dos Santos.
Maia throws a jab when Dos Santos was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maia misses with a looping left.

Maia fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dos Santos sprawls well initially but Maia persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dos Santos regains full guard. Nicely done.

Dos Santos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dos Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dos Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dos Santos not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maia tries to free his leg and advance position but Dos Santos is retaining full guard.

Dos Santos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maia is pushing down on Dos Santos's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dos Santos is fighting to maintain full guard but Maia has managed to sneak the leg through.

Maia is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dos Santos sees it coming and defends easily.
Dos Santos gets full guard.
Maia works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Maia trying to pass the guard but Dos Santos defending well.
Dos Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maia.
Thiago Maia has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Maia wants to pass the guard but Dos Santos is keeping the position.
Maia passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Maia works to advance to full mount. Dos Santos defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Dos Santos gets back to half guard.
Dos Santos is looking to control Maia's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dos Santos avoid being mounted?
Dos Santos is trying to get back to full guard.

Maia is looking for a kimura but Dos Santos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Maia to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos trying to hold on to Maia's head to control him but Maia postures up.
Maia missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dos Santos manages to get to full guard.
Dos Santos manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dos Santos is trying to take his opponent's back.

Dos Santos goes for an armbar but Maia turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Maia.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Maia looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Dos Santos's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dos Santos is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dos Santos fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Maia looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dos Santos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dos Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dos Santos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maia sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big right from Dos Santos misses.
Maia fails to land the takedown.
Dos Santos throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thiago Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maia moves away from the strike by Dos Santos.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dos Santos looks to land a left hand but Maia moved out of range nicely.
Dos Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Maia circles away.
Dos Santos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maia was well out of range. Poor timing from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dos Santos gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Maia to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos tries to clinch there but Maia circles away.
Dos Santos looks to throw the jab but Maia is out of range.
Maia takes one to the side of the head.
Dos Santos takes a swing at Maia's ribcage but misses.
Maia steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos tries to clinch but Maia moves out of range.
Dos Santos tries to clinch but Maia is having none of it.
Dos Santos fails with the takedown

and Maia counters with a single leg into guard. Dos Santos didn't expect that.
Maia wants to pass the guard but Dos Santos is keeping the position.
Maia wants to control from the top but Dos Santos keeps moving.
Maia slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dos Santos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maia defends well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Maia drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dos Santos manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Maia has Dos Santos in his guard.

Maia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dos Santos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maia is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is working hard here to advance position.
Maia can't keep his opponent in guard - Dos Santos advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Dos Santos seems to be looking for submissions.
Dos Santos trying to mount his opponent but Maia defends it.
Maia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Dos Santos drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maia manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Dos Santos has Maia in his guard.
Maia slips nicely into half guard.
Maia missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maia pulls his head out easily.
Maia trying to pass the guard but Dos Santos defending well.
Dos Santos is not content to let Maia control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Maia dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Maia closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Maia wants to work for an arm triangle but Dos Santos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maia trying to control from half guard but Dos Santos is working away.
Dos Santos slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Maia preventing the sweep.

Maia 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.
Maia is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Dos Santos is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dos Santos is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maia doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dos Santos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos is looking to stall here but Maia recovers full guard.
Dos Santos is pushing down on Maia's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maia is fighting to maintain full guard but Dos Santos has managed to sneak the leg through.
Thiago Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dos Santos tries to pass to full mount but Maia defends it.
Dos Santos moves nicely into side control.

Dos Santos is working to tighten is grip on Maia's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Maia has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Dos Santos is really squeezing tight and eventually Maia passes out! Dos Santos breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Thiago Dos Santos!
Thiago Dos Santos is the new bantamweight champion!