PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dante Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Curtis Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Payne has chosen Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Santiago
vs
Payne

180 cm
21
165 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

165 cm
21
164 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dante Santiago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Curtis Payne!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Lou da Vinci and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne lands a nice looking body shot.
Santiago misses with a few strikes there.
Santiago slaps away a takedown attempt from Payne, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Payne just misses with a punch to the body.
Payne fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Payne looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Santiago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Payne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santiago.
Santiago misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Payne misses with a straight left.
Santiago misses with a looping right.
Santiago scores with a jab to the head.
Santiago takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Payne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santiago misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Payne misses with a body punch

and Santiago counters by moving into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Santiago fails to land.
Payne is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Payne manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Santiago slows down the pace here.
Santiago seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Payne taking a breather.
Santiago displaying some good clinch control by pressing Payne up against the cage.
Santiago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Payne backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Santiago.
A short uppercut from Santiago.
Payne letting Santiago take a breather here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Santiago.
Santiago stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Santiago lands a shoulder strike.
The referee calls for Santiago to work.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dante Santiago.
Santiago wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a few strikes there.
Payne shoots for a double leg takedown but Santiago sprawls well. He's pushed Payne's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Payne scores with a shot to the body.
Curtis Payne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Payne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice sprawl there from Santiago as Payne shoots in.
Santiago thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Payne rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Santiago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Payne is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Santiago rather than just go for the knockout.
Payne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Santiago was well out of range. Poor timing from Payne.
Santiago throws a right and a left that both miss.
Payne lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Payne.
Santiago swings for the body but Payne moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne misses with an uppercut
and Santiago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Payne throws a series of punches but Santiago moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne throws a hook but Santiago avoids it easily.
Payne misses with an uppercut
and Santiago counters with a three punch combo that has Payne backing up. Payne nods at Santiago to acknowledge the strikes.
Payne throws a shot from downtown. Santiago moves away and avoids it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Payne.
Payne swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Santiago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Payne pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Payne tries for a takedown but Santiago sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Payne misses the body punch
and Santiago makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Santiago.
Payne keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Payne throws a sloppy body shot
and Santiago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Santiago throws a jab but it's blocked by Payne.
Payne misses with a hook to the body

and Santiago counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Santiago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Payne backwards.
Santiago is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Santiago lands an uppercut.
Santiago holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Santiago throws a head punch that misses.
Payne is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Santiago.
Payne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Payne drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Santiago gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Payne.
Payne looking to stall.
Santiago effectively controlling the action here.
Payne can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Santiago stalling.
Santiago lands a body shot.
Santiago throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Paynes head.
Payne controlling the action here for a moment.
Payne is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Santiago is keeping busy.
Santiago blocking some punches.

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.
Santiago blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Santiago.
Payne misses with a punch to the body.
Santiago lands a body punch in the clinch.
Payne wants to stall.
The referee is keeping an eye on Santiago - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Santiago is leaning against Payne and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Santiago scores with a shoulder strike.
Payne tries to stall but Santiago uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Payne being controlled against the cage.
Santiago scores with a shoulder strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Santiago dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Payne misses with an uppercut.

Santiago instigates a clinch.
Payne fails to pull guard.
A nice left hand lands by Santiago.
Santiago lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Santiago.
Santiago scores with a shot to the side of Payne's head.
A right hook to the body lands for Santiago.
Santiago slows down the pace here.
Payne tries to work over Santiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Santiago scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Santiago working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Santiago lands a hook that snaps the head of Payne backwards.
Santiago lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Payne.
Santiago lands with a light punch inside.
Santiago effectively controlling the action here.
Santiago scores with a shot to the side of Payne's head.
Santiago digs a right hand into Payne's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Payne's gas tank.
Payne jumps guard but Santiago stands there with Payne around his waist. Payne gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Santiago - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Santiago lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago controlling the action here for a moment.
Santiago lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Payne backwards.
Santiago blocks an uppercut.
Santiago slows down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dante Santiago.
Payne throws a sloppy body shot
and Santiago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Santiago misses with a body shot.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago throws a head punch that misses.
Payne misses with the head strike.
Payne tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Santiago's elbow.
Santiago lands a shoulder strike.
Santiago softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Santiago scores with a nice short uppercut.
Payne being controlled against the cage.
Santiago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Santiago lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short left from Santiago.
Payne is trying to maintain a safe position but Santiago gets an underhook and turns Payne into the cage.
The referee calls for Santiago to work.
Dante Santiago has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Payne misses with a body punch.
Santiago scores with a nice hook to the head.
Payne is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Santiago is keeping busy.
Santiago lands a hook to the side of the head.
Payne struggles to land a body shot inside as Santiago controls his hands.
Santiago just leaning against Payne, taking a breather.
Nice body punch from Santiago.
Santiago stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Santiago stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Payne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Santiago works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Payne is trying to stall.
Santiago lands a right hand.
Payne trying to control the position but instead, Santiago has worked for underhooks and has pushed Payne into the cage.
Santiago stalling in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Santiago clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Payne looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santiago is fending him off so far but Payne persists. Nope, Santiago circles away and we're back to standing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Payne. Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Payne misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Santiago counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Payne swings for the body but Santiago moves out of range.

Santiago clinches up with Payne and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Santiago fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Santiago darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne misses with a jab to the body

and Santiago counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A hook to the body from Santiago.
Santiago lands with a left to the head.
Good body shot from Santiago.
Payne misses with the head strike.
Payne drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Santiago gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Payne.
A short right from Santiago on the inside.
Santiago scores with a shot to the side of Payne's head.
Payne is looking to control Santiago's arms but Santiago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Payne has his back to the cage.
Santiago controlling the action here for a moment.
A left hand lands to the body for Santiago.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Santiago just leaning against Payne, taking a breather.
Santiago gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Payne trying to stall but Santiago improves his position.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Santiago stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Santiago fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Santiago pushes Payne back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Santiago lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Payne misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Santiago takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Santiago gets through Payne's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Santiago taking a breather.
Santiago lands a right hand.
Payne tries to stall but Santiago uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Santiago.
Santiago is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Payne can do to turn this around?
Santiago leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short left from Santiago.
Santiago leaning against his opponent.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dante Santiago.
Payne swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Payne takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Payne dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Payne swings away with a body shot that misses
and Payne takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Payne tries for a takedown but Santiago sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Payne misses with a body punch

and Santiago counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Santiago lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Payne fails to pull guard.
Santiago lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Santiago lands a shot to the body.
Santiago is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Santiago had his way with Curtis Payne in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Santiago bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Payne's head backwards.
Santiago leaves Payne with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Payne does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Payne paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Payne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
Dante Santiago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Payne thows a body shot but no joy.
Santiago throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Payne stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Payne tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santiago swivels and escapes.
Santiago ducks under a wild hook from Payne.
Payne misses with a body shot
enabling Santiago to counter with a crisp jab.
Curtis Payne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Payne throws a right hand that misses
and Santiago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Payne shoots in for a takedown but Santiago shows good takedown defense.
Dante Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Payne.
Santiago just misses with a punch to the body.
Santiago misses with a wild body shot.
Payne throws a left and a right that both miss
and Payne takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown but Santiago manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Payne's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Santiago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Payne moves away.
Payne throws a big shot that misses.
Santiago throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Payne misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Santiago counters with a stiff right hand.
Santiago wants to clinch.
Santiago lands a jab.

That's four 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.
Payne jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Payne has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Santiago misses with a jab to the body

so Payne counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Payne thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dante Santiago.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Santiago, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 50:44
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 50:44
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Santiago!
Dante Santiago is the new lightweight champion!