PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tom Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jones
vs
Santiago

171 cm
29
152 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

176 cm
32
135 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tom Jones!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Jones throws a chopping leg kick but Santiago manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Jones misses with a wild combination.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.
Santiago connects with an inside leg kick.
Santiago tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
Santiago tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. Santiago will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jones thuds a left hand into Santiago's body.
Jones throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Some wild striking there from Jones.
Santiago wants to clinch.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones throws a shot to the body.
Jones throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.

Jones decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jones trying to control from half guard but Santiago is working away.

Jones is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Jones is trying to work for a kimura but Santiago is defending well.
Jones is pressing down on Santiago's thigh, looking to free his foot. Santiago is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to control the action in half guard but Santiago is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Santiago trying to control but Jones postures up.

Jones is looking for a kimura here.
Jones missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jones tries to pass the half guard into mount. Santiago knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Jones is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Santiago sees it coming and defends easily.
Jones seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones is trying to work for a kimura but Santiago is defending well.

Jones looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jones thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Jones is working for a kimura but Santiago is defending it quite comfortably.
Santiago wants to get back to full guard but Jones has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Jones laying and praying for a moment but Santiago takes advantage and regains half guard.
Santiago trying to control but Jones postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santiago actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jones is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Santiago has managed to free his arm - good work.
Santiago throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Jones dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones throws a lazy right hand but Santiago sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jones throws a looping overhand right but Santiago ducks down to avoid it.
Jones shoots for a takedown but Santiago saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jones misses with a takedown attempt - Santiago sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Jones closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Santiago quickly recovers to half guard.

Jones seems to be working for a kimura but Santiago defends the submission attempt.
Jones prevents Santiago from improving his position.

Santiago manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Jones fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Jones blocks a head kick by Santiago.
Tom Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santiago tries a head kick but it misses.
Jones scores with a leg kick.
Santiago is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jones slips a jab and a cross from Santiago.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
A lazy left from Jones finds it's target.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Santiago circles away quickly and effectively.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Jones avoids the body shot from Santiago.
Jones sizes up Santiago with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jones tries a head kick but it misses.
Santiago ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Santiago lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Santiago takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago moves away from the strike by Jones.
Santiago closes the distance looking to clinch
and Jones cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jones ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santiago moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Santiago swings wildly with an uppercut but Jones uses good head movement to avoid it.
Santiago is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Santiago prevents a takedown attempt there.
Santiago scores with a shot to the side of Jones's head.
Santiago is trying to maintain a safe position but Jones gets an underhook and turns Santiago into the cage.
Santiago blocks a body shot from Jones.
Santiago's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jones takes a knee right on the jaw!
Santiago prevents a body shot from Jones.
Santiago tries a body shot but Jones blocks it.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Santiago looking to slow down the pace here.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Santiago lands a hook to the side of the head.
Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but Jones blocks with his arms.
Jones is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Santiago pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jones has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Santiago avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Santiago controls the action.
Jones lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Santiago backwards.
Jones lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones jumps guard.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jones working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Santiago doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Santiago manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Jones looking for a guillotine here but Santiago defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santiago trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Tom Jones overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santiago stopping the sweep attempt from Jones.

Jones is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tom Jones will probably get the nod.
That's time! Jones's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jones lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Santiago.
Jones lands a body shot.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jones shoots in but no luck this time.
Santiago tries to clinch but Jones moves out of range.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santiago.
Jones displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Santiago throws out the jab.
Jones tests Santiago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones scores with a hook to the body. Santiago takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Santiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Jones circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Santiago's guard.

Jones 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.

Santiago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.
Santiago keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Santiago keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.
Jones trying to control but Santiago is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santiago swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Santiago bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jones's guard.
Santiago has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Jones is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Santiago from controlling successfully.
Santiago must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Santiago won't allow Jones to sweep him here.
Santiago trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Santiago walks into a straight right hand from Jones.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jones misses with a punch to the body.
Santiago landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Santiago throws an elbow but it misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jones.
Santiago lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Jones managing to block the knees to the body from Santiago.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Jones.
Jones misses with a looping left.
Jones tries for a takedown but Santiago sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jones swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santiago fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jones, pushing him back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Santiago just misses with a elbow thrown towards Jones's brow.
Santiago landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santiago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jones is defending well for now.
Santiago looking to slow down the pace here.
Jones blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Santiago misses with some punches.
Jones lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Jones.
Jones lands a right hand.
A short uppercut from Santiago.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Jones's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A punch combination from Jones misses.
Joe Santiago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jones works Santiago's body with a nice hook.
Jones misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tom Jones did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Santiago misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jones.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones cracks Santiago with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Santiago uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jones.
Santiago tries to clinch
and Jones counters with a left to the body.
Jones throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Santiago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Santiago dodges the punch combination from Jones.
Santiago throws a one two combo.
Jones lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jones looks to land a combination but Santiago avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Jones throws a body punch but Santiago moves out of range.
Jones lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
Santiago throws a nice looking combination but Jones bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santiago uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jones.
Santiago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jones waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Santiago.
Santiago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Santiago looks to land a combination but Jones avoids it well.
Jones throws a hook to the side of Santiago's head but Santiago sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tom Jones is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones misses with the combination.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Santiago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Santiago tries to clinch up.
Santiago lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Jones is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jones shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santiago sprawls well. Santiago wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
Oh Jones is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Jones gets tackled into the cage by Santiago. Santiago maintains the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Santiago.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Santiago lands a hook to the side of the head.
Santiago lands a big right hand that drops Jones! The killer instinct kicks in and Santiago finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Santiago!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joe Santiago!
Joe Santiago is the new featherweight champion!