PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joe Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Mexican Samurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mexican Samurai comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Forever And A Day kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The Mexican Samurai will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Santiago
vs
Mexican Samurai

176 cm
23
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
145 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

MMA's Best Nutrition

Convicted
Team S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, The Mexican Samurai!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mexican Samurai misses with a kick to the body.

Mexican Samurai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Santiago!
Santiago regains half guard.
Santiago moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Santiago had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mexican Samurai 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 Mexican Samurai's back instead.

Mexican Samurai showing good submission defense here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santiago is looking for the choke from the back position but Mexican Samurai is controlling his hands well.
Mexican Samurai trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Santiago punishes Mexican Samurai with strikes from the back mount.
Mexican Samurai turns into Santiago and is now in his guard.
Santiago wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mexican Samurai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mexican Samurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Santiago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mexican Samurai stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Santiago defending well as Mexican Samurai loads up on a big left hand.
Santiago really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mexican Samurai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santiago throws a low kick but Mexican Samurai avoids it.
Santiago doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mexican Samurai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A thudding body kick lands there by Mexican Samurai!
Mexican Samurai throws a head kick that misses.
Santiago connects with a single shot there.

Mexican Samurai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Santiago, pushing him back against the cage.
Mexican Samurai is looking to control Santiago's arms but Santiago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mexican Samurai has his back to the cage.
Santiago tries to land knees in the clinch but Mexican Samurai avoids the damage to the body.
Santiago looking to throw knees to the head but Mexican Samurai is blocking nicely.
Mexican Samurai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Santiago gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mexican Samurai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mexican Samurai turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Mexican Samurai looks gassed!
Mexican Samurai landing a few strikes.
Santiago is looking to regain half guard here but Mexican Samurai keeps moving and retains side control.

Mexican Samurai is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Santiago is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Santiago tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mexican Samurai wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mexican Samurai wants to stand but Santiago is controlling his arm.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Santiago closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mexican Samurai counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to clinch but Mexican Samurai moves out of range.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.
Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but Mexican Samurai blocks with his arms.
Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Santiago misses with a knee to the head.
Mexican Samurai tries to stall but Santiago uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The referee calls for Mexican Samurai to work.
Santiago is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mexican Samurai is keeping busy.
A bit of stalling here from Santiago.

Santiago successfully pulls guard.
Mexican Samurai is looking to stand up but Santiago won't let him.

Santiago is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago working a defensive guard here.
Santiago manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mexican Samurai manages to get himself to full guard.

Mexican Samurai is looking for a triangle but Santiago pushes his legs off easily.
Santiago pushes down on Mexican Samurai's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Santiago seems to be working for a kimura but Mexican Samurai defends the submission attempt.
Mexican Samurai is trying to stand up here but Santiago is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Santiago dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mexican Samurai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Santiago throws a low kick but Mexican Samurai avoids it.
Mexican Samurai tries to clinch but Santiago moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Mexican Samurai.

Santiago gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mexican Samurai would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Mexican Samurai has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Santiago to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Mexican Samurai is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Santiago pulls down on the head and he's put Mexican Samurai to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Joe Santiago!