PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Petr Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santos has chosen Fight as his entrance music. Petr Smirnov looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Smirnov
vs
Santos

170 cm
20
150 lbs
4 - 12 - 0

184 cm
23
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very confident

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 4 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petr Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Christian Santos!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov dives in and grabs Santos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santos pushes down on Smirnov's head and hops out.
Santos has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Santos.
Santos looks to land a right hand but Smirnov moved out of range.
Smirnov feinted with a counter takedown.
Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Smirnov feinted with a counter takedown.
Santos misses with a looping right.
The fighters circling - Santos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smirnov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Smirnov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Santos circles away.
Smirnov is breathing heavily.
Smirnov moves out of range of the leg kick from Santos.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A telegraphed right hand from Santos misses the target.
Smirnov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santos avoids it really well and circles away.
Santos tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Petr Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smirnov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Santos, right into the meat.
Santos attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Santos feints and then cracks Smirnov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smirnov down.
Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Santos throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Santos is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos loads up on a big right hand but Smirnov slips the punch.
Smirnov fails to land the takedown.
Santos throws out a loose jab but Smirnov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Santos wants to land a leg kick but Smirnov is out of range.
Smirnov feinted with a counter takedown.
Smirnov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Santos tries to avoid it but Smirnov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Santos to the ground. Santos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Smirnov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smirnov tries to counter with a takedown but Santos is quick to defend against it.
Santos throws a low kick, looking for Smirnov's leg but Smirnov calmly moves out of range.
Christian Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smirnov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Santos to score with a decent uppercut.
Santos is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Santos misses with a series of wild punches.
The fighters circling - Santos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Santos misses with a looping right.
Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smirnov attempts a counter takedown but Santos avoids it well and moves away.
Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Smirnov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Santos.
Santos throws a body shot but no joy.
Smirnov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smirnov tries to counter with a takedown but Santos is quick to defend against it.
Santos tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Santos connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Santos.
Santos misses with a looping left.
Santos throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Smirnov feinted with a counter takedown.
Santos misses with a low kick.
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!
Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smirnov slips a jab from Santos.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smirnov gets slowly back to his feet.
Santos throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Santos throws a jab when Smirnov was well out of range.
Santos tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Smirnov is able to avoid easily.
Santos throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Smirnov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Santos throws a solid leg kick but Smirnov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Santos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos misses with a low kick as Smirnov jumps back.
Smirnov blocks a low kick nicely.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Smirnov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Santos pinned against the cage. Santos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Santos tries to counter with a clinch but Smirnov shakes him off and moves away.
Santos throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
Smirnov moves away from the strike by Santos.
Santos swinging wildly here.
Smirnov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Santos sprawls and moves away.
Santos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Santos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Smirnov.
Petr Smirnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos throws a nice looking combination but Smirnov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice takedown defense from Santos. No joy for Smirnov on that attempt.
Smirnov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smirnov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Santos misses the jab.
Santos loads up on a big right hand but Smirnov slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Santos.
Santos throws a low kick but Smirnov moves out of range easily.
Santos throws a hook to the side of Smirnov's head but Smirnov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Santos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Santos misses with an uppercut. Smirnov saw that one coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smirnov.
Santos drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Smirnov defends it well.
Santos looks to land a left hand but Smirnov moved out of range nicely.
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!
Santos throws a front kick aimed at Smirnov's knee but Smirnov avoids it well.
Santos throws a jab when Smirnov was well out of range.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown but Santos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smirnov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Santos misses with a low kick.
Santos moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smirnov dives in and grabs Santos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santos pushes down on Smirnov's head and hops out.
Santos connects with a leg kick. Smirnov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Santos is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Smirnov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Santos.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Santos dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smirnov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt - Santos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Santos throws a lazy right hand but Smirnov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Good work by Smirnov as he checks the leg kick.
Smirnov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Santos. Santos obviously looking to wear him down.
A slow jab from Santos misses its intended target.
Santos throws out a leg kick but Smirnov moves out of range and Santos only half commits.
Santos is looking to score with low kicks.
Santos throws a solid leg kick but Smirnov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Santos.
Santos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smirnov tries to counter with a takedown but Santos is quick to defend against it.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Santos defends it nicely.
Christian Santos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Santos.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Santos is looking to score with low kicks.
Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Santos misses the jab.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Santos tries to work over Smirnov's front leg with a kick but Smirnov checks it.
Santos throws a chopping leg kick but Smirnov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Smirnov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Petr Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos throws a lazy right hand but Smirnov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Santos will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Santos fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Smirnov checks it well.
Santos will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Santos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov checks it.
Smirnov feinted with a counter takedown.
Smirnov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Santos.
An inside leg kick from Santos misses.
Santos throws a low kick, looking for Smirnov's leg but Smirnov calmly moves out of range.
Smirnov fails with a takedown attempt.
Smirnov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
Smirnov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Santos can pounce on him.
Santos tries to work over Smirnov's front leg with a kick but Smirnov checks it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smirnov.
Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smirnov moves away.
Smirnov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Santos misses with a hook. Smirnov ducked under it nicely.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Santos.
Santos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Smirnov checks a leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Smirnov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smirnov is defended easily by Santos.
Smirnov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws a solid leg kick but Smirnov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Santos.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Santos but Santos pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smirnov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Smirnov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov checks it.
Smirnov fails with the takedown.
Smirnov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Santos.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown but Santos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Santos feints the counter takedown.
That kick from Santos tenderised Smirnov's leg. Smirnov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Santos connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Santos throws a solid leg kick but Smirnov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Santos.
Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov moved away.
Smirnov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Santos's waist but Santos gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smirnov off to one side.
Santos misses with a straight left.
Smirnov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santos. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos tried to score with a low kick but Smirnov checks it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smirnov.
Santos throws a body shot but no joy.
Smirnov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santos is fending him off so far but Smirnov persists. Nope, Santos circles away and we're back to standing.
Santos thumps Smirnov with a low kick.
Smirnov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Santos.
A telegraphed right hand from Santos misses the target.
Smirnov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Santos.
Petr Smirnov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smirnov shoots for a takedown but Santos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An inside leg kick from Santos misses.
A leg kick checked by Smirnov.
Santos misses with a straight left.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Santos misses with a low kick.
Smirnov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Santos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd cheers as Santos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smirnov doesn't seem phased though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Santos throws a looping overhand right but Smirnov ducks down to avoid it.
Santos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Santos wants it to stay on the feet.
Santos throws a low kick, looking for Smirnov's leg but Smirnov calmly moves out of range.
Santos throws a looping overhand right but Smirnov ducks down to avoid it.
Santos cracks the inside of Smirnov's front leg.
Smirnov blocks a jab.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Smirnov might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Santos cracks the inside of Smirnov's front leg.
Santos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smirnov looks for a takedown but Santos sprawls well.
Santos swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Santos. No joy for Smirnov on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Petr Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A leg kick checked by Smirnov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Santos throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
Smirnov shoots for a takedown but Santos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Santos is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Santos throws a jab when Smirnov was well out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An inside leg kick from Santos misses.
Smirnov feinted with a counter takedown.
Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Smirnov or perhaps it was just good defense by Santos, which made it look bad.
Santos connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Santos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Santos throws a low kick, looking for Smirnov's leg but Smirnov calmly moves out of range.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown. Santos tries to sprawl out of it but Smirnov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Santos manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice defenses there by Smirnov.
Santos fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Smirnov checks it well.
Smirnov moves out of range of the strikes.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown but Santos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smirnov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Santos thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smirnov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Santos sprawls and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smirnov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smirnov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smirnov has a takedown stuffed.
Santos fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Smirnov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Santos throws a leg kick but Smirnov moved away.
Santos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smirnov darts in looking for a takedown but Santos gets double underhooks and turns Smirnov into the cage.
Santos misses with a straight right.
Smirnov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Good work by Smirnov as he checks the leg kick.
Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smirnov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Santos leaves Smirnov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Santos misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck for Smirnov with that takedown attempt.
Christian Santos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov staying out of range there.
Santos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smirnov gets slowly back to his feet.
Santos scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smirnov doesn't seem bothered though.
Santos throws a leg kick which misses Smirnov's front leg but catches the back leg as Smirnov tries to avoid it.
Santos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smirnov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Santos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smirnov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Santos is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smirnov.
Smirnov fails to land the takedown.
Smirnov sets himself, and Santos steps forward looking for the clinch! Smirnov avoids it this time.
Santos throws a hook to the side of Smirnov's head but Smirnov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Santos throws a hook but Smirnov blocks it.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws a looping overhand right but Smirnov ducks down to avoid it.
Santos looks to land a left hand but Smirnov moved out of range nicely.
Smirnov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Smirnov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smirnov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smirnov somewhat.
Santos drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Smirnov defends it well.
Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smirnov attempts a counter takedown but Santos avoids it well and moves away.
Santos throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
Smirnov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smirnov gets slowly back to his feet.
Santos fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Smirnov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Petr Smirnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smirnov slips under a jab from Santos.
Santos attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Santos has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 24:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Santos!
Post fight, an emotional Christian Santos said 'Thank my mentor Rabid Alien'.