PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kurt Angle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Angle comes to the cage accompanied by Medal. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Angle
vs
Santiago

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kurt Angle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pedro Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Angle tries a head kick but it misses.
Santiago misses with a body kick.
Santiago tries for a takedown but Angle circles away easily

so Angle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Santiago is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Santiago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Angle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Santiago preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Angle passes into half guard.
Angle is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago wants to get back to his feet.

We're going to have a standup here because Kurt Angle wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Angle is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Santiago's half guard.
Still in half guard, Angle seems content to control.

Angle wants to work for an arm triangle but Santiago is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Angle seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Angle moves into full mount! Santiago won't be happy about that!
Angle landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is desperately trying to improve his position but Angle has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Angle controlling from the full mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santiago is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angle controlling the pace for now.

Kurt Angle has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Santiago looks gassed!
Angle throws a nice head kick!

Angle looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Angle is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Angle has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Angle looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kurt Angle just wasn't active enough.
Santiago shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Angle decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Santiago's guard.
Kurt Angle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Santiago.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Angle forces his way into half guard.
Angle works his way into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Angle is staying tight to Santiago's torso, preventing him from escaping.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Angle dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Santiago throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Santiago fails with the takedown

and Angle counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Angle slows the pace down in half guard.
Santiago keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Angle keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Angle connects with a nice short shot to Santiago's temple.
Angle frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Angle tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Santiago wants to hold on but Angle pushes him away.
Angle controlling the pace for now.

Angle is working for a guillotine from mount but Santiago frees his head quite easily.
Angle postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Santiago looks a forlorn figure.
Santiago is breathing heavily.
Angle controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago working to try and regain half guard.
Kurt Angle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Angle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Angle lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Angle has hold of Santiago's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Santiago manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Santiago is in a horrible position here. Angle smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Santiago tries to lock up and control but Angle gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angle controlling from the full mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kurt Angle just wasn't active enough.
Some wild striking there from Angle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Angle jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Angle looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Angle controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Angle content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Angle slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kurt Angle just wasn't active enough.
Angle keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Angle dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Angle looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Angle moves into full mount! Santiago won't be happy about that!
Angle putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Angle controlling his opponent.
Angle prevents Santiago from getting the reversal.
Santiago wants to hold on but Angle pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angle controlling from the full mount.
Angle lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Santiago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Angle sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Angle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santiago can do to turn this around?

Angle working for a guillotine from mount but Santiago is in no mood to give up.
Angle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Angle with good strikes from the mount here!
Angle looking to finish Santiago with some ground and pound. This is bad for Santiago!
Angle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Angle avoids the attempt from Santiago to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Angle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Angle breaks from Santiago's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Angle prevents Santiago from getting the reversal.
Angle tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Angle raining down shots from the mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Angle is working for a guillotine from mount but Santiago frees his head quite easily.
Angle sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Angle has control of Santiago's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Santiago regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Angle stands up from mount. Strange move.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt

and Angle counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Angle goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Angle stalling the fight.
Angle tries to break free but Santiago pushes him back against the cage.
Santiago crunches a lovely knee into Angle's ribcage.
Santiago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kurt Angle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Angle displaying some good clinch control by pressing Santiago up against the cage.
Pedro Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santiago has had enough of the clinch but Angle keeps him there for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kurt Angle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Angle 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kurt Angle!
Kurt Angle tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.