PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Correa Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mat McWhorter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Correa Santiago has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Santiago
vs
McWhorter

190 cm
22
221 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
204 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Correa Santiago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mat McWhorter!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McWhorter stuffs the takedown.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Santiago tries to clinch there but McWhorter circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McWhorter.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McWhorter landing a few strikes.
McWhorter slows the pace down.
McWhorter trying to control the position but Santiago is working away.
McWhorter is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Santiago tries to buck McWhorter off but McWhorter is having none of it.
Santiago manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Santiago looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McWhorter is in trouble now - Santiago has advanced to mount!

Santiago stands up from mount. Strange move.
McWhorter lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.

McWhorter scores with a takedown into Santiago's guard.
McWhorter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santiago swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McWhorter preventing the sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McWhorter content to stall in guard here.

Santiago is looking for a triangle but McWhorter pushes his legs off easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Santiago is on top in guard.
McWhorter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McWhorter looks gassed!
Santiago throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McWhorter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santiago stopping the sweep attempt from McWhorter.
Santiago trying to control but McWhorter is working from the bottom.
Santiago scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McWhorter controls Santiago momentarily but Santiago frees himself.
Santiago trying to control but McWhorter is working from the bottom.
McWhorter trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Santiago throws a sloppy head kick and McWhorter moves out of range easily.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch but McWhorter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Santiago fails in his attempt to clinch.

McWhorter closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McWhorter lands in his opponent's guard.
McWhorter wants to control from the top but Santiago keeps moving.
Santiago is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santiago is really struggling to control McWhorter but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Santiago looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santiago is looking for a triangle but McWhorter pushes his legs off easily.
McWhorter is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Santiago had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. McWhorter is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Santiago Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take McWhorter's back instead.
McWhorter rolls, trying to escape but Santiago keeps control of the position.
Santiago tries to get the hooks in deep but McWhorter pushed the leg off.

Santiago looking to break McWhorter's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. McWhorter remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Santiago will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Santiago is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Santiago tries to keep control of the position but McWhorter is staying busy.

Santiago is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged McWhorter with him. McWhorter is trying to defend but Santiago has an arm under the chin now! McWhorter grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Correa Santiago!
Correa Santiago retains his light heavyweight title!