PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aster Ixtlan (ranked 5998 p4p, 5600 weight class) and Roberto Silva Dos Santos (ranked 595 p4p, 571 weight class). The key to victory for Aster Ixtlan has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ixtlan
vs
Silva Dos Santos

182 cm
19
175
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
22
165
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aster Ixtlan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Roberto Silva Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Glass and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva Dos Santos throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ixtlan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Silva Dos Santos moves into range and clinches up with Ixtlan.
Silva Dos Santos works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ixtlan has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Silva Dos Santos after a bit of a struggle.
Ixtlan can't find room to land a body shot as Silva Dos Santos controls the action.
Ixtlan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ixtlan blocks a body shot from Silva Dos Santos.

Ixtlan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ixtlan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ixtlan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Silva Dos Santos trying to control but Ixtlan is working from the bottom.
Ixtlan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva Dos Santos is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Silva Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Ixtlan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ixtlan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ixtlan can't keep his opponent in guard - Silva Dos Santos advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Silva Dos Santos seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ixtlan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ixtlan is holding on to half guard well.
Silva Dos Santos wants to control but Ixtlan is keeping him busy.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ixtlan connects with a jab.
Ixtlan connects with a single shot there.
Silva Dos Santos thuds a left hand into Ixtlan's body.

Silva Dos Santos moves into the clinch.
Ixtlan jumps guard but Silva Dos Santos turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Silva Dos Santos is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aster Ixtlan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ixtlan can't get the takedown.
Ixtlan definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a body punch.
Ixtlan is working for takedown but Silva Dos Santos is calmly controlling the position for now.
Silva Dos Santos lands a body punch.
Silva Dos Santos keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ixtlan's efforts to push away.
Silva Dos Santos struggles to land a body shot inside as Ixtlan controls his hands.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a punch to the body.
A shot in the inside from Silva Dos Santos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva Dos Santos goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ixtlan tries to pull guard but Silva Dos Santos holds him up against the cage and eventually Ixtlan drops back down to his feet.
Silva Dos Santos goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Silva Dos Santos tries to work over Ixtlan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva Dos Santos can't find room to land a body shot as Ixtlan controls the action.
Silva Dos Santos can't find room to land a body shot as Ixtlan controls the action.
Silva Dos Santos keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ixtlan's efforts to push away.
Ixtlan fails to pull guard.
Silva Dos Santos tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ixtlan's elbow.
Ixtlan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silva Dos Santos prevents it.
Ixtlan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silva Dos Santos prevents it.
Ixtlan tries to throw a body punch but Silva Dos Santos avoids it by throwing Ixtlan back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva Dos Santos can't find room to land a body shot as Ixtlan controls the action.
Silva Dos Santos working aggressively here.
Silva Dos Santos lands a shot to the body.
Silva Dos Santos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Silva Dos Santos can't find room to land a body shot as Ixtlan controls the action.
Silva Dos Santos working aggressively here.
Silva Dos Santos has a couple of punches blocked by Ixtlan.
Silva Dos Santos doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ixtlan working hard to break the clinch.
Ixtlan blocks a body shot from Silva Dos Santos.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a punch on the inside.
Ixtlan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ixtlan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ixtlan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ixtlan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva Dos Santos takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Silva Dos Santos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Silva Dos Santos looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Silva Dos Santos wants to control from the top but Ixtlan keeps moving.
Ixtlan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Silva Dos Santos's guard.

Ixtlan looking to sit in guard and control but Silva Dos Santos gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ixtlan keeping full guard, as Silva Dos Santos tries to pass.

Ixtlan working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Silva Dos Santos has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ixtlan is staying active underneath Silva Dos Santos, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva Dos Santos prevents Ixtlan from improving his position.
Silva Dos Santos wants to control but Ixtlan is keeping him busy.
Silva Dos Santos stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ixtlan is trying to control but can't.
Ixtlan is trying to get back to full guard.
Ixtlan trying to control but Silva Dos Santos postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva Dos Santos controlling the action here.
Ixtlan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Silva Dos Santos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Silva Dos Santos walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a few strikes there.
Silva Dos Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Ixtlan throwing a counter right hand but Silva Dos Santos manages to avoid it.
Silva Dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Ixtlan is just out of range.
Silva Dos Santos takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Silva Dos Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ixtlan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ixtlan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Silva Dos Santos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a body shot.
Ixtlan connects with a single shot there.
Ixtlan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Silva Dos Santos. Silva Dos Santos circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silva Dos Santos wants to clinch up but Ixtlan keeps it at a distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ixtlan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silva Dos Santos tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ixtlan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aster Ixtlan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ixtlan connects with a body shot that sends Silva Dos Santos's belly button to the back.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Silva Dos Santos tries to clinch up but Ixtlan circles away and keeps his distance.
Ixtlan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ixtlan.
A lazy left from Ixtlan finds it's target.
Aster Ixtlan is winning the standup battle so far.
Ixtlan with a hook.
Ixtlan lands with a good body shot.
Aster Ixtlan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva Dos Santos swings for the body but Ixtlan moves out of range.
Ixtlan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a double jab.
Ixtlan swings for the body but Silva Dos Santos moves out of range.
Ixtlan scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Silva Dos Santos instigates a clinch.
Silva Dos Santos softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ixtlan digs a right hand into Silva Dos Santos's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Silva Dos Santos's gas tank.
Ixtlan prevents a body shot from Silva Dos Santos.
A head punch on the inside from Silva Dos Santos fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ixtlan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Silva Dos Santos's elbow.
Roberto Silva Dos Santos seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Ixtlan pulls guard successfully.
Ixtlan keeping moving, preventing Silva Dos Santos from controlling successfully.
Silva Dos Santos is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Ixtlan is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ixtlan continues to stall.
Ixtlan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ixtlan is trying to keep Silva Dos Santos in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Silva Dos Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a hook to the body
and Ixtlan counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan cracks Silva Dos Santos with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Silva Dos Santos throws a jab when Ixtlan was well out of range.
Silva Dos Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Silva Dos Santos takes one to the chin there.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ixtlan.
Ixtlan is looking to counter punch.
Silva Dos Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ixtlan moves away.
Silva Dos Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Ixtlan is just out of range.
Silva Dos Santos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Silva Dos Santos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ixtlan was well out of range. Poor timing from Silva Dos Santos.
Ixtlan shoots in looking for a takedown but Silva Dos Santos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ixtlan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ixtlan lands with a nice body punch.
Silva Dos Santos moves in looking to clinch but Ixtlan pushes him off.
Ixtlan connects with the punch.
Ixtlan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Silva Dos Santos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ixtlan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silva Dos Santos pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Silva Dos Santos working aggressively here.
Ixtlan is working for takedown but Silva Dos Santos is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aster Ixtlan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva Dos Santos throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ixtlans head.
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!
Ixtlan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Silva Dos Santos to keep the fight standing.
Silva Dos Santos lands an uppercut.
Silva Dos Santos misses with a body punch.
Ixtlan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ixtlan looking for a takedown.
Silva Dos Santos keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ixtlan's efforts to push away.
Ixtlan working hard to break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Silva Dos Santos.
Silva Dos Santos lands a shoulder strike.
Silva Dos Santos swings wildly with an uppercut but Ixtlan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ixtlan is trying to drag Silva Dos Santos to the mat but Silva Dos Santos just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Aster Ixtlan.
I think Ixtlan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aster Ixtlan!