PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joao Capitao (ranked 5746 p4p, 503 weight class) and Matthew Santoro (ranked 8486 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Capitao
vs
Santoro

190 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
240 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joao Capitao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Santoro!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Capitao with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Santoro to score with a decent uppercut.
Capitao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santoro.
Santoro is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Capitao shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Santoro manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Capitao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Capitao content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Capitao has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Capitao throws a big right hand that misses.
Capitao has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Santoro is proving hard to escape from.
Capitao is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Santoro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Santoro gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Santoro is looking to chop away at Capitao's legs.
Capitao drops down looking for a counter takedown but Santoro sprawls and moves away.
Capitao lands a jab to Santoro's midsection.
Santoro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Capitao manages to avoid it.
Capitao seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Santoro throws a sloppy head kick and Capitao moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santoro gets caught napping as Capitao dives in and scores a takedown. Santoro manages to retain guard.
Capitao is stalling in the full guard.
Santoro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Capitao throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Capitao is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Capitao throwing strikes from guard but Santoro blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capitao slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Santoro should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Capitao pushes Santoro up against the cage in a clinch.

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

Capitao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Santoro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Santoro has Capitao up against the cage in a clinch.
Capitao tries to pull guard but Santoro forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Santoro jumps guard but Capitao turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Capitao gets control of Santoro's arms and successfully pulls guard. Capitao will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Santoro wants to control from the top but Capitao keeps moving.
Capitao wants to get back to his feet but Santoro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Capitao dominated that round.
That's time! Capitao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Santoro lands with a nice combination. Capitao backs away looking to recover.
Santoro lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Capitao circles away quickly and effectively.

Capitao has closed the distance and engaged Santoro in a clinch.

Capitao pulls guard.
Capitao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Capitao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Santoro can do to turn this around?
Capitao is pulling down on Santoro's head to control his posture.

Santoro is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Capitao is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Capitao has escaped and now he's on top!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santoro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Capitao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capitao postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Capitao is pushing down on Santoro's leg trying to pass to half guard. Santoro is fighting to maintain full guard but Capitao has managed to sneak the leg through.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Capitao seems to be looking for submissions.
Santoro wants to control but Capitao is keeping busy.
Capitao controlling the action here.
Santoro tries to roll over but Capitao keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capitao sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Capitao wants to stand but Santoro has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Capitao escapes and gets back to his feet.
Capitao with a lazy takedown attempt
and Santoro cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capitao fails with an attempt to clinch.

Capitao moves into range and clinches up with Santoro.
Santoro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Capitao pulls his leg out and moves away.
Capitao throws a head kick that misses
and Santoro counters with a body kick that stops Capitao in his tracks momentarily.
Capitao tries to clinch up.
Capitao closes the distance and clinches up with Santoro, looking for a takedown. Capitao pushes Santoro against the cage but Santoro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Capitao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Santoro was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Capitao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Capitao lands with a nice combination. Santoro backs away looking to recover.
Santoro misses with a shot to the body

and Capitao counters by clinching up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santoro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Capitao takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Matthew Santoro seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Capitao gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Santoro stops a takedown attempt from Capitao.

Capitao ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Capitao no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santoro throws a big elbow that misses.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Capitao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Capitao has his hands on Santoro's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Capitao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Capitao dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Santoro throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Capitao checks a low kick from Santoro.
Capitao slips a jab and a cross from Santoro.
Capitao closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Matthew Santoro has been cut.
Joao Capitao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santoro lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Capitao circles away quickly and effectively.
Capitao fails with the takedown.
Santoro is looking for the big counter here.

Capitao closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Santoro did well to prevent Capitao getting side control.
Capitao works his foot free and advances to mount.
Capitao punching from mount but Santoro doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capitao content just to control the position here.
The referee warns Santoro that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Capitao controlling from the full mount.

That's two 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.
Capitao lands a couple of good shots and Santoro has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Capitao is riding his opponent, not letting Santoro buck him off.
Capitao avoiding Santoro 's attempts to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santoro fending off the submission attempt from Capitao.

Capitao is cranking Santoro's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Santoro! He's tightened the choke and Santoro is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joao Capitao!