PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fahad Al Qarni (ranked 871 p4p, 138 weight class) and Joao De Santo Cristo (ranked 595 p4p, 93 weight class). Al Qarni's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hells Bells. De Santo Cristo has chosen Que país é esse? as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Al Qarni
vs
De Santo Cristo

180 cm
36
183 lbs
28 - 18 - 3

174 cm
33
175 lbs
20 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Project Mayhem
King of Clothes

King of Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 18 - 3, fighting out of New York, Fahad Al Qarni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joao De Santo Cristo!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Santo Cristo takes one to the side of the head.
Al Qarni takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Al Qarni attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Al Qarni stuns De Santo Cristo with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by De Santo Cristo.
Al Qarni lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A shot to the body from Al Qarni misses
and De Santo Cristo counters with a nice kick to the body.
De Santo Cristo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
De Santo Cristo misses with a looping left.
Al Qarni is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
De Santo Cristo fails in his attempt to clinch.

De Santo Cristo gets the takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Qarni is looking for a sweep.
De Santo Cristo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Qarni keeps working.
Al Qarni takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
My spies in Brazilian Elite Team inform me that De Santo Cristo has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Al Qarni takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Al Qarni trying to control here.
Al Qarni's coaches at Martial Arts Dojo have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. De Santo Cristo connects with a nice short shot to Al Qarni's temple.
Al Qarni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
De Santo Cristo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Al Qarni wants to get back to full guard.
De Santo Cristo working over Al Qarni with some ground and pound. Al Qarni looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
De Santo Cristo trying to control the pace.
De Santo Cristo trying to control the action but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. De Santo Cristo lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni blocking the ground and pound attempt from De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo is thwarting Al Qarni's attempts to control the position.
De Santo Cristo is nestled in close to Al Qarni, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Al Qarni trying to hold on to De Santo Cristo's head to control him but De Santo Cristo postures up.
Al Qarni is looking to improve his position.
Al Qarni is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. De Santo Cristo connects with a nice short shot to Al Qarni's temple.
De Santo Cristo is looking to stall here but Al Qarni recovers full guard.
De Santo Cristo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
De Santo Cristo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Al Qarni looking to hit a scissor sweep but De Santo Cristo is one step ahead there.
De Santo Cristo connects with a couple of short punches.
Al Qarni looking for a sweep. Not yet Al Qarni, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al Qarni escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. De Santo Cristo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
De Santo Cristo trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Qarni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Santo Cristo is working Al Qarni over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
De Santo Cristo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
De Santo Cristo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
De Santo Cristo pushing down on Al Qarni's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Qarni slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
De Santo Cristo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
De Santo Cristo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
De Santo Cristo stands up over Al Qarni, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
De Santo Cristo landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao De Santo Cristo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

De Santo Cristo cracks Al Qarni with a right hand to the side of the head.
De Santo Cristo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Al Qarni misses with an attempted mid kick.

De Santo Cristo pushes Al Qarni up against the cage in a clinch.
De Santo Cristo has a couple of punches blocked by Al Qarni.
De Santo Cristo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
De Santo Cristo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Al Qarni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
De Santo Cristo scores with a hook to the body.
Al Qarni working aggressively here.
Al Qarni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

De Santo Cristo gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Al Qarni regains guard.
De Santo Cristo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
De Santo Cristo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
De Santo Cristo wants to control from the top but Al Qarni keeps moving.
De Santo Cristo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Al Qarni's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni tries to land a sweep but no joy.
De Santo Cristo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Al Qarni keeping moving, preventing De Santo Cristo from controlling successfully.
De Santo Cristo landing with the ground and pound.
De Santo Cristo with a nice head shot there.
Al Qarni wants to sweep here but De Santo Cristo controlling him for the moment.

De Santo Cristo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and De Santo Cristo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Al Qarni is trying to control the position from the bottom.
De Santo Cristo trying to control but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo wants to pass the guard but Al Qarni is keeping the position.
Al Qarni is trying to control the position but De Santo Cristo postures up.
De Santo Cristo scoring with some ground and pound.

Al Qarni has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but De Santo Cristo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Al Qarni bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in De Santo Cristo's guard.

De Santo Cristo pulls Al Qarni in to control the position.
De Santo Cristo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
De Santo Cristo trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Qarni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Santo Cristo stands up over Al Qarni, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
De Santo Cristo landing with the ground and pound.
De Santo Cristo distracts Al Qarni with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
De Santo Cristo working some strikes from top position.
De Santo Cristo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Al Qarni wants to sweep but no luck.
De Santo Cristo trying to control but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.
De Santo Cristo lands a couple of digs.
De Santo Cristo trying to control but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.
Al Qarni looking for a sweep. Not yet Al Qarni, not yet.
De Santo Cristo scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Santo Cristo content to stall in guard here.
De Santo Cristo pushes down on Al Qarni's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao De Santo Cristo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Al Qarni.
De Santo Cristo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Al Qarni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Al Qarni breaks the clinch.
Al Qarni loads up on a big right hand but De Santo Cristo slips the punch.
De Santo Cristo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Al Qarni.
De Santo Cristo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Qarni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
De Santo Cristo walks forward, straight into a front kick from Al Qarni.
De Santo Cristo tries to clinch but Al Qarni moves out of range.
Al Qarni lands with a hook. De Santo Cristo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

De Santo Cristo closes the distance and clinches.
Al Qarni is trying to break the clinch but De Santo Cristo has him pressed against the cage.
De Santo Cristo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Al Qarni wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but De Santo Cristo has him pressed against the cage.
De Santo Cristo has a couple of punches blocked by Al Qarni.
A short right from De Santo Cristo on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
De Santo Cristo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Al Qarni working hard to break the clinch.
De Santo Cristo scores with a nice hook to the head.

Al Qarni manages to break the clinch.
Al Qarni throws a big shot that misses.
Al Qarni fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but De Santo Cristo is out of range.
De Santo Cristo lands a nice shot that snaps Al Qarni's head back.
De Santo Cristo wants to clinch up but Al Qarni keeps it at a distance.

De Santo Cristo rushes Al Qarni and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

De Santo Cristo is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Al Qarni can't fight it off and eventually De Santo Cristo manages to take the fight to the floor. Al Qarni looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
De Santo Cristo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Al Qarni tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Al Qarni looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fahad Al Qarni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Al Qarni keeping moving, preventing De Santo Cristo from controlling successfully.
Al Qarni manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. De Santo Cristo manages to get himself to full guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Santo Cristo is controlling Al Qarni's posture.

Al Qarni avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Al Qarni preventing the sweep.
De Santo Cristo is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
De Santo Cristo trying to control the position.
De Santo Cristo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Al Qarni preventing the sweep.
De Santo Cristo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Al Qarni sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
De Santo Cristo scores with a jab to the jaw.
De Santo Cristo has a takedown stuffed.
It looked like Al Qarni wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Al Qarni swats away the attempt to clinch by De Santo Cristo.
Al Qarni throws a sloppy head kick and De Santo Cristo moves out of range easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Qarni on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by De Santo Cristo. De Santo Cristo obviously looking to wear him down.
Al Qarni looks to land a right hand but De Santo Cristo moved out of range.
Al Qarni bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
De Santo Cristo thuds his right hand into Al Qarni's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joao De Santo Cristo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got De Santo Cristo 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao De Santo Cristo!
Joao De Santo Cristo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.