PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Risto Raivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Raivo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Prodigy - `Warrior`s Dance`. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Raivo
vs
Santos

177 cm
24
191 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
21
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Frank`s TASTE 'Q147

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Risto Raivo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Damien Santos!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos swinging wildly here.
Santos misses with a low kick.
Raivo shoots in but no luck this time.
Santos throws a chopping leg kick but Raivo manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Santos throws a right and a left that Raivo avoids nicely.
Santos misses the shot to the body.
Santos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A punch combination from Santos misses.
Raivo fails with the takedown.

Raivo moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Risto Raivo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos wants to break the clinch but can't.
Santos is trying to maintain a safe position but Raivo gets an underhook and turns Santos into the cage.
Raivo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Damien Santos has been cut.
Raivo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Raivo prevents Santos from breaking the clinch.
Raivo looking to throw knees to the head but Santos is blocking nicely.
Raivo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos misses with some punches.
Raivo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Santos prevents it.
Raivo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Raivo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Santos up against the cage.
Santos throws a head punch that misses.
Raivo jumps guard but Santos stands there with Raivo around his waist. Raivo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Raivo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Raivo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Santos pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Santos wants to get back to striking at distance but Raivo won't allow it.
Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Raivo has him pressed against the cage.
Raivo fails to pull guard.
Santos tries to circle away but Raivo has him pinned against the cage.
Santos is trying to break free.
Santos blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Santos gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Raivo.
Santos is trying to break free.
Raivo comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Raivo has him pressed against the cage.
Raivo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Santos gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Raivo is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Santos can't fight it off and eventually Raivo manages to take the fight to the floor. Santos looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raivo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Raivo 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.
Santos has his hands on Raivo's head, controlling the position.
Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Raivo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Raivo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Santos is controlling Raivo's posture.
Raivo trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
Santos is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Raivo thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raivo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Santos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Raivo has managed to get both his arms back between Santos's legs - danger averted.
Santos trying to control the position.
Santos is trying to hold Raivo in close to prevent damage but Raivo has managed to pass into half guard.
Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raivo.
Santos on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Raivo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Santos defends it well.
Santos wants to control but Raivo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Raivo is pressing down on Santos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Santos is holding on for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santos tries to roll over but Raivo keeps him under control.
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.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Raivo passes the guard and advances to mount!
Raivo looking to control but Santos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Raivo wants to finish this one by submission but Santos is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Raivo.
Santos is in all sorts of trouble here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Santos can do anything to dispel that myth.
Santos wants to hold on but Raivo pushes him away.
Santos manages to control the position for a moment.

Raivo is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Santos has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Raivo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Damien Santos's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A right-left combo lands from Santos.
Santos fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Santos misses.
Raivo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Santos as he jumps to the side.
Raivo dodges the punch combination from Santos.
Santos throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Santos misses with a wild combination.
Raivo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Santos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raivo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santos swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Risto Raivo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raivo shoots in for a takedown but Santos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Santos displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Raivo throws a push kick but Santos slaps the foot to one side.
Santos throws a leg kick but Raivo checks it.
Risto Raivo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santos wants to land a leg kick but Raivo is out of range.
Santos throws a right hand that Raivo ducks under and follows up with a left that Raivo also avoids with ease.
Good standup being displayed there by Santos as he connects with a hook.
Santos throws a series of punches but Raivo moves out of range.
Santos fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Raivo is out of range.
No joy there for Santos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Santos walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Raivo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Santos tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Raivo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Santos is pushing Raivo's head away, looking to escape. Raivo manages to hold on to the position though.
Santos tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Santos wants to control but Raivo is having none of it.
Santos doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?

Raivo has hold of Santos's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Santos manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Santos wants to hold on but Raivo pushes him away.
Raivo scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Raivo lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raivo is landing with some decent strikes but Santos is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Raivo looking to control but Santos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Santos tries to lock up and control but Raivo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Raivo throwing strikes here but Santos is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Santos is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Santos sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Santos tries to kick Raivo off but Raivo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Santos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raivo.
Raivo working over Santos with some ground and pound. Santos looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Raivo throwing shots but Santos is blocking nicely.
Raivo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raivo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Santos is trying to control but can't.
Raivo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raivo throwing shots but Santos is blocking nicely.
Santos is looking to control Raivo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Santos avoid being mounted?
Raivo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santos's head.
Santos trying to control but Raivo postures up.
Santos really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Raivo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Raivo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos trying to control but Raivo postures up.
Raivo trying to pass the guard but Santos defending well.
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. Raivo connects with a nice short shot to Santos's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Raivo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Damien Santos's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Raivo shoots in but Santos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Damien Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Santos. No joy for Raivo on that attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Santos. No joy for Raivo on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Risto Raivo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Raivo backs up against the cage.
Santos misses with a low kick.
Santos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Raivo shoots for a double leg takedown but Santos sprawls well. He's pushed Raivo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Raivo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raivo shoots in for a double leg but Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santos throws a front kick aimed at Raivo's knee but Raivo avoids it well.
Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos throws a series of punches but Raivo avoids them all with ease.
Santos throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Raivo on the side of the head.
Santos tries a low kick but Raivo avoids it.
Raivo blocks a low kick nicely.
Santos connects with a single shot there.
Raivo fails with a takedown attempt.
Santos connects with a nice looking jab.
Santos finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Raivo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Raivo avoids the body shot from Santos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Santos lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Santos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Santos stuffs the takedown attempt from Raivo. Raivo gets slowly back to his feet.
Good work by Raivo as he checks the leg kick.
Santos stuffs the takedown.
Santos tries to land a leg kick but Raivo saw it coming and moves away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Santos.
Santos misses with a few strikes there.
No joy there for Santos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Raivo shoots for a takedown but Santos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Raivo tries for a takedown but Santos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Risto Raivo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos swings for the body but Raivo moves out of range.
Raivo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Santos lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Santos closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Santos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Santos misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Raivo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Santos misses with a leg kick.
Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Santos looks to land a combination but Raivo avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Raivo blocks a low kick nicely.
Santos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Santos throws a low kick but Raivo avoids it.
Santos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raivo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Raivo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santos.
Damien Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raivo shoots in for a double leg but Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santos tries to score with a low kick but Raivo moves his leg out of the way.

Raivo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Santos keeping full guard, as Raivo tries to pass.
Raivo wants to control from the top but Santos keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damien Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Raivo 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Risto Raivo!