PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Almiro Baros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andres Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Almiro Baros had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 156.3lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Andres Santiago will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Baros
vs
Santiago

173 cm
24
166 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Master Lee's One Stop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Almiro Baros!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andres Santiago!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Baros fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santiago avoids it really well and circles away.

Santiago looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Baros!
Santiago misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Santiago tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Santiago trying to control the position but Baros is working away.
Baros is looking to regain half guard here but Santiago keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baros sneaks back into half guard.
Baros wants to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Andres Santiago was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Santiago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Santiago is looking to clinch but Baros is avoiding it.
Santiago misses with a series of wild punches.
Santiago throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Santiago crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Baros - the referee stops the clock and Santiago gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Baros. Santiago manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Santiago tries to bum rush Baros with a series of wild strikes but Baros uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baros is looking to clinch.
Santiago falls off balance throwing a combination

and Baros moves into the clinch.
Santiago is looking to break free of the clinch but Baros has double underhooks.
Baros keeps control of Santiago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Santiago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Good body shot from Santiago.

Baros's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baros takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Baros throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Santiago.
Baros looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Santiago throws a push kick but Baros slaps the foot to one side.
A clash of legs there as Baros blocks the low kick.
We've been informed that Santiago has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Santiago throws a nice looking combination but Baros bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Baros checks a low kick from Santiago.
Santiago tries to clinch but Baros moves out of range.
Baros tries to clinch up but Santiago circles away and keeps his distance.
Santiago looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Santiago misses with a wild combination.

Baros gets a clinch.
Santiago is trying to break the clinch but Baros is controlling him.
Baros changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Santiago fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Baros checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Santiago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Baros has closed the distance and engaged Santiago in a clinch.
Baros tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almiro Baros. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baros just leaning against Santiago, taking a breather.
Santiago is trying to push Baros away but Baros has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santiago wants to break free but Baros has control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baros has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Santiago is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Baros fails to pull guard.
Baros prevents a body shot from Santiago.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andres Santiago dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Baros tries to clinch up.
Santiago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baros was well out of range. Poor timing from Santiago.
Santiago moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Santiago changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A cross from Santiago lands.
Baros seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Andres Santiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santiago attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Baros fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santiago avoids it really well and circles away.
Baros on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Santiago lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Baros backs up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santiago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santiago misses with a few strikes there.
Baros circles away from the clinch attempt.
Baros keeps the fight on the outside.
Santiago tries to clinch but Baros is having none of it.
Santiago darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baros tries to land a front kick but Santiago steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baros uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santiago.
Santiago scores with a nice head shot.
A shot to the body from Santiago misses
and Baros counters with a nice body kick.
A punch combination from Santiago misses.
Andres Santiago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santiago moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Santiago throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Baros tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Santiago is in Baros's guard.
Santiago wants to stand and escape but instead Baros has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Santiago manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Baros has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Santiago regains guard immediately.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baros is stalling in the full guard.
Santiago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Baros. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is looking to stand up but Baros isn't so interested in that idea.
Santiago is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Baros stays in close to Santiago's body and controls the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Santiago is trying to control the position but Baros postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Andres Santiago was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Santiago jabs Baros to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Santiago jabs Baros to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Baros fails with an attempt to clinch.
Santiago misses with the combination.

Santiago bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Baros tries to buck Santiago off but Santiago is having none of it.
Santiago lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Baros tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santiago wants to control but Baros is keeping him busy.
Baros is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Santiago's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andres Santiago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Santiago misses the shot to the body.
Santiago lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Santiago drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Baros is looking to reverse the position.
Santiago tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Baros gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baros controlling the position well.
Santiago prevents Baros from improving his position.

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

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Andres Santiago wasn't active enough on the ground.
Santiago goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Santiago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baros lands a front kick.
Santiago throws a leg kick
and Baros counters with an inside leg kick.

Oooooh!!! Santiago has knocked Baros down with a huge combo! Santiago steps away and waves a wobbly Baros back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Baros is rocked!
Santiago cracks Baros with a hook to the temple - Baros is on wobbly legs here! Santiago swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Baros falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Santiago wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Andres Santiago!