PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Atapang Atao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andre Santos will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Atao
vs
Santos

155 cm
25
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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, Atapang Atao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Santos!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atao throws a sloppy body shot
and Santos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Atao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Atao throws a head kick that misses.
Atao misses with a body punch
and Santos counters with a two punch combo.
Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Santos keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Atao.
Santos moves out of range as Atao strikes.
Santos tries to clinch but Atao moves out of range.
Santos tries to clinch but Atao is having none of it.
Atao defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Santos.
Santos throws a head kick that misses.
Santos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Santos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Atao as he jumps to the side.
Atapang Atao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Santos.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atao throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.
Atao just misses with a punch to the body.
Atao misses with a double jab
and Santos counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Atapang Atao has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atao leaves Santos with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Atao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Atao throws a right and a left that Santos avoids nicely.
Santos shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Atao sprawls well. Atao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Santos gets slowly back to his feet.
Atao defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Santos.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Atao.
Santos wants to clinch up but Atao keeps it at a distance.
Atao jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

It looks like Andre Santos has been cut.
Atao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santos.
Atao just misses with a punch to the body.
Santos misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Atao misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Atao.
Santos tries for a takedown but Atao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Atao throws a big shot that misses.
Santos takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atao misses with a hook
and Santos counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Santos looks gassed!
Atao bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Santos slips a jab from Atao.
Atao misses with a straight right.
Atao tries to land a front kick but Santos steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Atao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santos tries to clinch but Atao moves out of range.
Santos lands an overhand right.
Atao misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atao looks to land a right hand but Santos moved out of range.
Atao throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Santos clobbers Atao with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sloppy strikes from Atao. Those never looked like landing.
Atapang Atao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Santos has a takedown stuffed.
Atao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santos moves away.
Atao looks to land a combination but Santos avoids it well.
Atao is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Santos's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Atao throws a poor cross that misses
and Santos counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Santos moves in looking to clinch but Atao pushes him off.
Santos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Atao's waist but Atao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Santos off to one side.
Santos fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Atao avoids it really well and circles away.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Atao.
Santos is trying to pull guard but Atao has him pressed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Atao.
Nice body punch from Atao - that landed with a thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Atao works on Santos's body with a couple of short punches.
Atao lands a hook to the side of the head.
Atao lands with a short shot to the head.
Atao lands with a left to the head.
Santos misses with a knee strike.
Atao lands a left hand that snaps the head of Santos backwards.
Santos drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Atao gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Atao cracks Santos with a nice body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice left hand lands by Atao.
Atao scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atapang Atao dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Atao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Atao misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Atao lands a big head kick that sends Santos tumbling to the mat! Atao takes a step backwards and waves Santos back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Santos is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Santos is still on wobbly legs! Can Atao finish him?
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atao swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Atao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Santos takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Atao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Atao misses with a hook. Santos ducked under it nicely.
Santos tries to score a power double leg takedown but Atao sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Santos somewhat.
Atao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Atao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santos seems to have recovered his senses.
Santos avoids the body shot from Atao.
Santos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Santos avoids the head kick by Atao.
Atao misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos checks a low kick from Atao.
Atapang Atao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Atao throws a lazy uppercut
and Santos counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Santos tries to clinch up
and Atao counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Atao misses with a body kick.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Atapang Atao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Santos.
Atao throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.
Atapang Atao is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Santos is defended easily by Atao.
Atao throws a combination that misses
and Santos counters with a stiff right hand.
Atao throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Santos counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Santos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atao throws a jab but it's blocked by Santos.
Santos closes the distance and clinches up with Atao, looking for a takedown. Santos pushes Atao against the cage but Atao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Atao throws a series of punches but Santos moves out of range.
Santos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Atao takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Santos takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Atao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Santos has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Atao tries to score with a low kick but Santos moves his leg out of the way.
Santos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Atao as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Atao.
No joy there for Atao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Andre Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santos lands a jab-cross combination.
Atao lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A big right from Atao misses.
Santos has a takedown stuffed.
Santos takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Atao misses with a head kick.
Atao swinging wildly here.
Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Atao.
Santos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Atao tries to avoid it but Santos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Atao to the ground. Atao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Santos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Atao defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atao lets loose with a powerful body kick. Santos will feel that in the morning.
Atao feints a jab promting Santos to slip. Atao then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Santos slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santos misses with a two punch combination.
Atao misses with a head kick.
Atao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Atao throws a body punch but Santos moves out of range.
Atao thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Santos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Santos swinging wildly here.
Santos shoots in for a takedown but Atao shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atapang Atao dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Santos with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Atao to score with a decent uppercut.
Atao scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Atao stuffs the takedown.
Atao moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Atao works Santos's body with a nice hook.
Atao throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.
Santos avoids the body shot from Atao.
Atao misses with an uppercut.
Atao throws a body punch but Santos moves out of range.
Santos has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Santos there as he acknowledges the shot.
Santos tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Atao finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Atao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Santos.
Santos is trying desperately to land a takedown but Atao is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Santos.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Atao avoids the body shot from Santos.
Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Atao swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Atao moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Atao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Atao.
Atao misses with a looping right.
Atao throws a sloppy body shot
and Santos counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Santos is defended easily by Atao.
Atapang Atao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Santos.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Santos.
Atao with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Atao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Atao tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries to land a front kick but Atao steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big right from Atao misses.
Atao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Santos has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Atao.
Atao lands with a thumping leg kick.
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!
Atao misses with a straight right.
A cross from Atao lands.
Santos keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Atao.
Atao looks to land a left hand but Santos moved out of range nicely.
Atao blocks a head kick by Santos.
Atao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A good leg kick by Atao.
Atao lands with an overhand left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
No luck for Santos with that takedown attempt.
Atao throws a push kick but Santos slaps the foot to one side.
Santos takes a jab right on the kisser.
Atao lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Santos at a distance.
Santos misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Santos on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Atao. Atao obviously looking to wear him down.
Nice body kick there by Atao.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Atao - that will leave a mark!
Atao lands with a kick to the temple. Santos shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Atao takes a swing at Santos's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries to clinch but Atao moves away
letting Atao counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Santos.
Santos has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Atao.
A solid leg kick lands there for Atao.
A nice inside leg kick there by Atao. That's going to slow Santos down.
Santos slips under a jab from Atao.
Atao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Santos's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Santos avoids the head kick by Atao.
Atao slaps away a takedown attempt from Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Atao. Santos does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Atao.
Andre Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santos lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Santos misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Atapang Atao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Atao has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Atapang Atao!