PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ace Santiago (ranked 5294 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Castro (ranked 4208 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Santiago
vs
Castro

184 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin

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 Hilo, Ace Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Erik Castro!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Castro rushes Santiago and presses him up against the cage.
Castro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castro jumps guard but Santiago turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Santiago stalling the fight.
Santiago avoids a wild elbow strike from Castro.
Santiago taking a breather.
Castro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Castro tries to throw a body punch but Santiago avoids it by throwing Castro back against the cage.
Santiago is working Castro over against the cage.
Santiago gets underhooks to prevent Castro's takedown attempt.
Santiago lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Erik Castro has been cut.

Santiago breaks the clinch.

Santiago clinches up with Castro and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santiago taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Castro being controlled against the cage.

Santiago manages to break the clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Santiago.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a series of wild punches.
A shot to the liver by Castro. Beautiful body shot.

Santiago rushes Castro and presses him up against the cage.
Come on Santiago - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santiago displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Castro throws out the jab.

Castro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Santiago, pushing him back against the cage.
Santiago lands a good knee to the midsection. Castro won't want to take too many of those.

Santiago gets control of Castro's arms and successfully pulls guard. Santiago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Castro preventing the sweep.
Santiago wants to stand and escape but Castro is having none of it.
Castro 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.
Santiago controls Castro momentarily but Castro frees himself.

Castro stands and steps away. Santiago gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch but Castro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Santiago has Castro up against the cage in a clinch.
Castro tries to throw a body punch but Santiago avoids it by throwing Castro back against the cage.
Santiago crunches a lovely knee into Castro's ribcage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Santiago pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ace Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Castro.
Castro throws a series of punches but Santiago moves out of range.

Santiago closes the distance and pushes Castro back into the cage.
Castro tries a body shot but Santiago blocks it.

Santiago manages to break the clinch.

Santiago rushes Castro and presses him up against the cage.

Santiago breaks the clinch.
Santiago is breathing heavily.

Castro moves into the clinch.
Castro tries for a takedown but Santiago manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro tries for a takedown but Santiago manages to get underhooks.
Santiago is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Santiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Santiago tries to clinch but Castro is having none of it.
Castro is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Santiago with a body shot.
Santiago takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Castro closes the distance and clinches.
Castro wants to break free but Santiago has control.
Santiago slowing the pace effectively.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Castro lands with a light punch inside.
Santiago on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Santiago is trying to pull guard but Castro has him pressed against the cage.

Santiago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Santiago gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Santiago landing knees to the head.
Santiago is trying to maintain a safe position but Castro gets an underhook and turns Santiago into the cage.
Castro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Santiago managing to block the knees to the body from Castro.
Castro wants a takedown but no success here.
Castro tries to pull guard but Santiago holds him up against the cage and eventually Castro drops back down to his feet.

Castro manages to pull guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Santiago is sitting in close to Castro's body. Castro has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Santiago is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Santiago is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Castro.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Erik Castro!