PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Douglas Santana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luca Fuschini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Santana
vs
Fuschini

182 cm
22
183 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

178 cm
28
180 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Douglas Santana!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Luca Fuschini!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fuschini throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Santana.
Fuschini takes a swing at Santana's ribcage but misses.

Santana tries to keep at a distance but Fuschini has taken the fight into the clinch.
Santana lands a nice shot to the body.
Fuschini digs a right hand underneath Santana's ribcage. Santana let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Santana misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Fuschini - that landed with a thud.
Fuschini trying to stall but Santana improves his position.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.

Fuschini jumps into guard, dragging Santana to the mat.
Fuschini seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Santana wants to stand but Fuschini is controlling his posture from full guard.

Fuschini looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fuschini is on top in guard.
Santana keeping moving, preventing Fuschini from controlling successfully.
Fuschini postures up in Santana's guard and throws a big left but Santana blocks it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fuschini tries to free his leg and advance position but Santana is retaining full guard.
Fuschini throws a big right hand that misses.
Fuschini trying to control the position from guard on top but Santana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fuschini throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fuschini throws a big right hand that misses.
Fuschini wants to control from the top but Santana keeps moving.
Fuschini throws and elbow that misses. Santana uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fuschini's guard. Nice move by Santana!
Fuschini is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Santana wanted to stand there but Fuschini had control of the position.

Santana stands and steps away. Fuschini gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Santana scores with a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana avoids the body shot from Fuschini.
Santana swats away the attempt to clinch by Fuschini.
A punch combination from Santana misses.
Fuschini lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A lazy left from Santana finds it's target.

Fuschini rushes Santana and presses him up against the ropes.
Santana stops a takedown attempt from Fuschini.
Santana is trying to maintain a safe position but Fuschini gets an underhook and turns Santana into the ropes.
Fuschini jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Santana walks away with a smile on his face. Fuschini gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Santana fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Fuschini on the side of the head.
Fuschini ducks under a wild hook from Santana.
Fuschini takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Santana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana misses the shot to the body.
Santana throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Santana on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fuschini slips under a jab from Santana.
Fuschini fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Douglas Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luca Fuschini.
Fuschini misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fuschini misses the jab.
Santana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fuschini.
Fuschini takes one to the chin there.
Santana looks to land a right hand but Fuschini moved out of range.

Fuschini darts in and clinches Santana up against the ropes.
Santana throws a punch but it's blocked by Fuschini.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luca Fuschini will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fuschini thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice shot lands for Fuschini.
Fuschini throws out a powerful jab.
Fuschini lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Santana at a distance.
Santana is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Santana throws a hook to the side of Fuschini's head but Fuschini sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fuschini throws a big shot that misses.
A shot to the body from Fuschini misses
and Santana cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fuschini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Santana was well out of range. Poor timing from Fuschini.
Santana just misses with a punch to the body.
Fuschini walks into a jab.
Fuschini throws a predictable looking body shot
and Santana counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Santana takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana connects with a good right hand that stumbles Fuschini. Fuschini circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fuschini misses with a hook.
Santana lands a glancing blow to the side of Fuschini's head.
Santana lands with a right hand.

Santana gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fuschini wants to pass the guard but Santana is keeping the position.
Fuschini won't allow Santana to get back to his feet.
Fuschini wants to control from the top but Santana keeps moving.

Santana scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini fails in his attempt to clinch.
Santana lands a right hook to the body.
Fuschini throws a looping overhand right but Santana ducks down to avoid it.
Santana swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fuschini wants to clinch.
A combination from Santana does no damage.
Fuschini misses with a body punch
and Santana counters with a series of strikes. Fuschini will be more careful next time no doubt.
Santana doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini wants to clinch up but Santana keeps it at a distance.
Fuschini scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the body from Fuschini misses
and Santana counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Santana throws a sloppy body shot

and Fuschini decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Santana's guard.
Santana is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fuschini is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fuschini trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fuschini trying to control the position from guard on top but Santana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fuschini missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana keeping moving, preventing Fuschini from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Fuschini working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fuschini looking to pass the guard.

Fuschini drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Santana manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fuschini has Santana in his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santana wanted to stand there but Fuschini had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Luca Fuschini will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fuschini ducks under a wild hook from Santana.
Fuschini shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Santana but Santana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Santana works over Fuschini's head and body with a nice combination.
Fuschini on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fuschini takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fuschini tries to close the distance and clinch up but Santana swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Santana keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Fuschini looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Santana!
Fuschini throws a sloppy strike and Santana uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Santana has ended up in Fuschini's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana wants to pass the guard but Fuschini is keeping the position.

Fuschini is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Santana decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Santana throws a shot from downtown. Fuschini moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Santana throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fuschini has his takedown stuffed
and Santana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fuschini misses with a body kick.
Santana misses with a two punch combination.
Fuschini misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana cracks Fuschini with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Fuschini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santana manages to avoid it.
Santana defending well as Fuschini loads up on a big left hand.

Fuschini closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fuschini lands in his opponent's guard.
Fuschini sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fuschini looking to sit in guard and control but Santana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana wants to stand but Fuschini is controlling his posture from full guard.
Santana trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Fuschini is looking for a triangle but Santana pushes his legs off easily.
Fuschini trying to keep a closed guard but Santana is proving a slippery customer.
Fuschini keeping full guard, as Santana tries to pass.

Fuschini has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Santana can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fuschini takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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

That's four 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.

Santana gets to his feet. Fuschini looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Fuschini thows a body shot but no joy.
Santana throws a shot to the body.
Fuschini takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Fuschini closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fuschini is stalling here. Santana is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Fuschini seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Santana has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Santana tries to stand but Fuschini is controlling his head.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Santana has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santana ducks under a wild hook from Fuschini.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Douglas Santana did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fuschini shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Santana napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Santana regains half guard there - taking advantage of Fuschini's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Santana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fuschini.
Santana is refusing to be controlled, as Fuschini sits in half guard.
Fuschini looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fuschini lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuschini is just content to waste time from the top position. Santana takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Fuschini with a flurry of punches that miss.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fuschini wants to control from the top but Santana keeps moving.
Luca Fuschini has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fuschini trying to move into half guard but instead Santana has managed to sweep!

Santana stands and steps away. Fuschini gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Fuschini misses with a straight right.

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.
Fuschini fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fuschini scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Santana on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A shot to the body from Fuschini misses
and Santana counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fuschini slips a jab from Santana.
Santana misses with a hook to the body
and Fuschini counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Santana thinking.
Fuschini dodges the punch combination from Santana.
Santana loads up on a big right hand but Fuschini slips the punch.
Fuschini doesn't manage to clinch there - Santana circles away.
Fuschini shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fuschini with a poor takedown
letting Santana counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini looks to score with a jab to the body but Santana is just out of range.
Fuschini misses with a body punch
and Santana counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fuschini gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Santana.
Santana thows a body shot but no joy.
Fuschini takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Santana misses with a wild body shot.
Fuschini misses with a body shot
and Santana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A combination from Santana does no damage.
Fuschini tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Santana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana scores with a three punch combo!
Fuschini falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Santana counter with a right hand.
Fuschini tries for a takedown but Santana circles away easily
and Santana counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Douglas Santana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luca Fuschini.
Fuschini misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Santana counter with a right hand.
Fuschini misses with a body punch
and Santana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Santana lands with a shot to the body.
Santana throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fuschini dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fuschini has his takedown stuffed
and Santana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Douglas Santana had his way with Luca Fuschini in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fuschini avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fuschini misses with a hook. Santana ducked under it nicely.
Fuschini takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Fuschini. That snapped Santana's head back.
Santana getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A right-left combo lands from Santana.

Fuschini scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Santana is trying to stand back up but Fuschini is controlling him
Fuschini missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fuschini perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuschini not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Fuschini uses his free foot to push down on Santana's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Santana.
Fuschini scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Santana?
Fuschini throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Fuschini looking to control and managing it successfully.
Poor strikes thrown by Fuschini there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Fuschini can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Santana is looking to escape.
Fuschini misses with a head shot.
Fuschini controlling his opponent.
Fuschini tries to control but Santana wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Santana tries to buck Fuschini off but he can't manage it.
Santana holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Fuschini tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Fuschini trying to control but he's not successful this time.

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.
Fuschini is stalling here but it's allowed Santana to get half guard.
Fuschini missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fuschini missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fuschini sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Fuschini is working for a kimura but Santana is defending it quite comfortably.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luca Fuschini comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fuschini has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 48:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 48:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Douglas Santana retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!