PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daigo Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sato has chosen japanese war music as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Dos Santos
vs
Sato

173 cm
25
146 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Bad Man Clothing

Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daigo Sato!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sato lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dos Santos's sensitive parts.
Sato fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sato with a nice cross.
Dos Santos takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sato throws a leg kick
and Dos Santos counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dos Santos swinging wildly here.
Dos Santos tries to clinch there but Sato circles away.
Sato throws a nice looking combination but Dos Santos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sato fails with a takedown attempt.

Dos Santos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sato tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dos Santos avoids it.
Dos Santos working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Our sources have told us that Dos Santos has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Dos Santos lands a knee to the head.
Sato missing with knees to the body.
Dos Santos is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos controlling the action here for a moment.
Dos Santos takes an elbow to the temple.
Dos Santos throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sato blocks it with crossed arms.
Sato throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Dos Santos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sato gets through Dos Santos's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dos Santos lands a nice elbow.
Sato takes an elbow to the forehead.
Dos Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Sato.
Sato tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sato avoiding damage as Dos Santos throws knees to the body.
Dos Santos gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Dos Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Sato.
Dos Santos manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Dos Santos blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos lands an elbow inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dos Santos is trying to maintain a safe position but Sato gets an underhook and turns Dos Santos into the cage.
Sato wants a takedown but no success here.
Dos Santos content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sato struggles to land a body shot inside as Dos Santos controls his hands.
Sato tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dos Santos avoids it.

Sato breaks the clinch.
Dos Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dos Santos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sato misses with a low kick.
Sato throws a leg kick
and Dos Santos counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Dos Santos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sato circles away quickly and effectively.
Sato lands with a thumping leg kick.

Sato looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dos Santos!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
You can see the frustration on Dos Santos's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The strikes coming from Sato are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Dos Santos is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Dos Santos stops Sato from passing to mount.
Sato is looking to take a break and control but Dos Santos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dos Santos tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

Sato is trying to get an arm triangle but Dos Santos is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is not content to let Sato control the position.
We've been informed that Sato has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Sato working away.

Sato is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Dos Santos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dos Santos tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Sato thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos parries the strikes from Sato easily there. Sato is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Dos Santos to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Daigo Sato will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dos Santos throws a big shot that misses.
Sato throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sato throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dos Santos.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dos Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dos Santos tries to clinch but Sato moves out of range.
Sato lands a nice looking kick to the body. Dos Santos takes a step back to recover.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Dos Santos.
Sato dives in for a single leg takedown but Dos Santos sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dos Santos stalling in the clinch but Sato improves position.
Sato wants to take the fight to the mat but Dos Santos manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sato utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sato lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dos Santos backwards.
Dos Santos is trying to stall.
Dos Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Sato.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Sato.
Sato lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sato has Dos Santos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dos Santos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daigo Sato.
Dos Santos works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A shot in the inside from Sato.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throws an elbow that misses.
Dos Santos lands a body shot.
Sato is breathing heavily.
Dos Santos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dos Santos content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Dos Santos creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sato's defenses.
Dos Santos has Sato pressed against the cage.
Sato with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dos Santos avoiding damage as Sato throws knees to the body.
Dos Santos misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sato up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dos Santos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dos Santos is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dos Santos lands an elbow inside.
Dos Santos is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sato pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is looking to control Sato's arms but Sato gets an underhook and turns him. Now Dos Santos has his back to the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Rafael Dos Santos.
Dos Santos looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dos Santos walks into a straight right hand from Sato.
Sato scores with a punch to the head.
Dos Santos moves away from the strike by Sato.
Sato lands an overhand right.
Dos Santos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice body punch from Sato.
Sato scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dos Santos in his tracks.
Sato avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Daigo Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sato ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dos Santos moves away.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick

and Sato counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sato.
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!
Sato is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sato connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato throwing strikes from guard but Dos Santos blocks nicely.

Sato has gone for a leg lock! Dos Santos slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sato's guard.
Dos Santos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sato lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Dos Santos!
Sato lands a big elbow.
Dos Santos bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato working a defensive guard here.
Dos Santos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Daigo Sato will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Sato scores with a hook.
Dos Santos tries to clinch up but Sato circles away and keeps his distance.
Rafael Dos Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dos Santos tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sato manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sato throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dos Santos takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Sato gets tackled into the cage by Dos Santos. Dos Santos maintains the clinch.
Dos Santos taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sato connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Dos Santos lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rafael Dos Santos has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sato softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Dos Santos.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dos Santos gets through Sato's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sato pushes Dos Santos back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Dos Santos.
Sato changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dos Santos fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sato's corner calls for a 1-2. Sato obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sato scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Dos Santos doesn't seem bothered though.
Sato scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sato tests Dos Santos's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sato swings for the body but Dos Santos moves out of range.
Sato lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dos Santos's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Dos Santos duly obliges.
Dos Santos swinging wildly here.
Dos Santos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dos Santos tries to clinch but Sato moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos takes a swing at Sato's ribcage but misses.
Dos Santos avoids the head kick by Sato.
Sato scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dos Santos tries to clinch up but Sato circles away and keeps his distance.
Dos Santos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sato can pounce on him.
Dos Santos wants to clinch.
Dos Santos tries to clinch there but Sato circles away.
Dos Santos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sato connects with a solid leg kick.
Dos Santos moves forwards but Sato connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Dos Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sato paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dos Santos throws a series of punches but Sato moves out of range.
Dos Santos tries to close the distance and clinch but Sato swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dos Santos moves in looking to clinch but Sato pushes him off.
Sato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice jab there from Sato.
Dos Santos looks to land a combination but Sato avoids it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dos Santos tries to close the distance and clinch but Sato swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dos Santos wants to clinch

and Sato counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Sato decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Sato's corner calls for a 1-2. Sato obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sato avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dos Santos on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sato. Sato obviously looking to wear him down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sato avoids the body shot from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos has Sato up against the cage in a clinch.
Dos Santos is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato misses with a knee strike.
Sato blocks the elbow strike.
Dos Santos avoids the elbow strike from Sato, against the cage.
Sato wants to break the clinch but can't.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sato misses with a knee to the head.
Daigo Sato is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sato drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dos Santos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sato with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A shot in the inside from Dos Santos.
Rafael Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dos Santos looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Daigo Sato.
I've got Sato winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Daigo Sato!
A relieved looking Daigo Sato thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Rafael Dos Santos was interviewed post fight and said 'Losing sucks I won't let this happen again '.