PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rantang Gustus (ranked 1264 p4p, 2733 weight class) and Michel Santos (ranked 113 p4p, 248 weight class). Santos has chosen DMX - Intro as his entrance music. Rantang Gustus has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gustus
vs
Santos

159 cm
30
157
9 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
155
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

SynCity Fightwear
Shadow Realm NYC

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rantang Gustus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michel Santos!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Steve Montenegro and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustus takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gustus misses with a takedown attempt - Santos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gustus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Santos looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Santos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gustus swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gustus might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Gustus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santos looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gustus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Let's hope that Santos has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gustus looking to control.
Santos looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gustus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Santos is one step ahead there.
Santos engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gustus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Santos wants to pass the guard but Gustus is keeping the position.
Gustus looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Santos stopping the sweep attempt from Gustus.
Santos content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gustus wants to sweep here but Santos controlling him for the moment.
Santos landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos trying to control but Gustus is working from the bottom.

Gustus is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Santos trying to control but Gustus is working from the bottom.
Gustus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Santos tries to free his leg and advance position but Gustus is retaining full guard.
Santos trying to control but Gustus is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Gustus fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Santos to the ground. Gustus is now in Santos's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustus stopping the sweep attempt from Santos.
Gustus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santos swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Santos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gustus gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Santos keeping full guard, as Gustus tries to pass.
Gustus is looking to advance position but Santos has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Santos fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gustus keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Santos takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michel Santos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Santos stuffs the takedown.
Gustus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Santos as he jumps to the side.
Santos scores with a jab.
Gustus on the wrong end of a nice jab.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Santos enables Gustus to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Santos manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Santos controls Gustus momentarily but Gustus frees himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Santos is on top in guard.

Michel Santos has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustus wants to sweep but no luck.
Santos looking to pass the guard.
Santos keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos wants to control from the top but Gustus keeps moving.
Santos won't allow Gustus to sweep him here.
Santos is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gustus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gustus 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.
Gustus is working hard here to advance position.
Gustus wants to improve his position but instead Santos has moved into half guard.

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.
Gustus is trying to get back to full guard.
Santos is keen to just control but Gustus is a slippery customer.
Gustus trying to control from the bottom.
Santos is looking to take a break and control but Gustus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gustus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gustus trying to hold on to Santos's head to control him but Santos postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Gustus fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rantang Gustus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustus tries for a takedown but Santos circles away easily
enabling Santos to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustus takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gustus has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gustus there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gustus lands with a hook. Santos tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gustus fails with the takedown.
Gustus tries to land a leg kick but Santos saw it coming and moves away.
No luck for Gustus with that takedown attempt.
Gustus misses with a right hand
and Santos counters with a straight right hand.
Gustus doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Santos counters with a straight right hand.
Gustus fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Santos. No joy for Gustus on that attempt.
Gustus closes this distance looking for a takedown but Santos circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos tests Gustus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Santos has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
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!
Nice uppercut there from Santos.
Santos cracks Gustus with a right hand to the side of the head.
A cross from Santos lands.
Santos connects with a single shot there.
Santos scores with a jab.
Santos is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gustus doesn't manage to clinch there - Santos circles away.
Santos swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gustus has his takedown stuffed
and Santos counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michel Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Santos as Gustus shoots in.
Santos throws out a counter right but Gustus avoids it with no problem.
Gustus tries for a takedown but Santos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gustus dives in and grabs Santos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Santos pushes down on Gustus's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rantang Gustus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gustus fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Santos sprawls well initially but Gustus persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gustus looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Santos tries to get to full guard but Gustus has control of the leg.

Gustus is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Santos sees it coming and defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos trying to control from the bottom.
Santos felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Gustus thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santos's head.
Santos trying to control here.
Gustus is keen to just control but Santos is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos pushes Gustus off looking to stand but Gustus dives back in and keeps control.

Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gustus pulls his head out easily.

Gustus is working for a submission of some sort.
Santos is trying to maintain the position but Gustus is very close to passing his half guard.

Gustus wants to work for an arm triangle but Santos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Santos is trying to stand.

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.
Santos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Santos wants it to stay on the feet.
Santos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice defenses there by Santos.
Gustus doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Santos cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gustus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gustus shoots in but Santos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Santos.

Gustus feints and as Santos raises his hands in defense, Gustus changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gustus tries to free his leg and advance position but Santos is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santos has his foot on Gustus's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gustus works his way back into a safe position though.
Gustus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gustus tries to free his leg and advance position but Santos is retaining full guard.
Santos keeping moving, preventing Gustus from controlling successfully.
Gustus stops Santos from standing up.
Gustus trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
Gustus prevents Santos from getting back to his feet.
Santos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gustus wants to control from the top but Santos keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Gustus closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Santos's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gustus 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.
Gustus advances to half guard.
Santos trying to control here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rantang Gustus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

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 Rantang Gustus.
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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michel Santos!
Michel Santos decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.