PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Starbuck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Santos
vs
Starbuck

175 cm
20
178 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
24
178 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antonio Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Starbuck!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starbuck shoots in looking for a takedown but Santos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Starbuck's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Santos leaves Starbuck with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Santos showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Starbuck.
Starbuck walks into a jab.
Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Starbuck sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Santos gets caught napping as Starbuck dives in and scores a takedown. Santos manages to retain guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Santos is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Santos keeping full guard, as Starbuck tries to pass.

Starbuck stands up from Santos's guard - Starbuck perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nice takedown defense from Santos. No joy for Starbuck on that attempt.
Antonio Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Starbuck.
Santos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Starbuck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Starbuck.
Santos misses with a takedown attempt

and Starbuck decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Santos's guard.
Starbuck trying to control the position from guard on top but Santos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Starbuck looks gassed!
Starbuck throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Starbuck pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Santos is keeping the position for now.
Santos is trying to control the position but Starbuck postures up.
Santos keeping moving, preventing Starbuck from controlling successfully.
Santos is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Starbuck tries to score a power double leg takedown but Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Starbuck somewhat.
Santos tries to land a front kick but Starbuck steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries for a takedown but Starbuck sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Starbuck looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santos is fending him off so far but Starbuck persists. Nope, Santos circles away and we're back to standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santos dives in and grabs Starbuck's left leg, looking for a takedown. Starbuck pushes down on Santos's head and hops out.
Starbuck changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Santos tries to avoid it but Starbuck manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Santos to the ground. Santos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Starbuck shoots in and drives through. Santos sprawls well.

Starbuck shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Santos's guard.

Starbuck is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Santos has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Starbuck is looking to defend but Santos has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Starbuck! Santos pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Starbuck taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Antonio Santos!