PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santiago Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nogueira has chosen Nogueira PRIDE entrance as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Santiago
vs
Nogueira

202 cm
21
246 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
270 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santiago Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Nogueira!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nogueira throws an overhand right that lands on Santiago's shoulder, as Santiago tries to avoid the shot.
Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nogueira looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nogueira misses with a two punch combination.
Santiago will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Santiago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Nogueira throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Santiago is looking to clinch but Nogueira is avoiding it.
Santiago throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nogueira.
Nogueira misses with an uppercut. Santiago saw that one coming.
Nogueira jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nogueira circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nogueira lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Santiago at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santiago misses with a head kick.
Santiago takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nogueira misses with a hook.
Santiago misses with a wild combination.
Santiago slips under a jab.
Nogueira lands with a cross.

It looks like Santiago Santiago has been cut.
Nogueira dips to his left and cracks Santiago with an uppercut!
Santiago shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nogueira defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago tries to clinch up.
Santiago slips a jab from Nogueira.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nogueira enables Santiago to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nogueira manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Santiago stops Nogueira from standing up.
Nogueira has Santiago pulled in close to control his posture.
Nogueira looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Santiago puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nogueira is looking to improve his position.
Santiago trying to control from half guard but Nogueira is working away.
Santiago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santiago is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nogueira has managed to free his arm - good work.
Santiago tries to stand but can't do so whilst Nogueira controls his leg.

Nogueira looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nogueira actively working from the bottom here.
Santiago throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nogueira tries to roll over but Santiago keeps him under control.
Santiago passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Nogueira!
Santiago wants to stand but Nogueira is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Nogueira is wriggling around trying to escape.
Nogueira is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Santiago working for a submission but Nogueira is keeping him at bay.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Santiago wants to stand but Nogueira is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Nogueira wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Santiago will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nogueira keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Nogueira is still trying to improve position.
Santiago tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Nogueira is in all sorts of trouble here.
Nogueira wants to try and get back to his feet.
Santiago wants to stand but Nogueira is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Santiago misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Santiago wants to stand but Nogueira is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Nogueira is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Nogueira is wriggling around trying to escape.
Nogueira is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Santiago is looking to stand but Santiago has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

Santiago get's back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nogueira throws a lazy right hand but Santiago sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Santiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Santiago slips a straight right by Nogueira.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nogueira digs a good hook to Santiago's body.
Nogueira misses with a lunging right hand
and Santiago counters with a head kick. That will keep Nogueira thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nogueira swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.
Nogueira lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thiago Nogueira will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Santiago Santiago's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nogueira moves out of range as Santiago throws a body kick.
Nogueira throws a looping overhand right but Santiago ducks down to avoid it.
Santiago Santiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santiago lands with a kick to the temple. Nogueira shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nogueira falls off balance throwing a combination
and Santiago counters with a two punch combo.
Santiago wants to clinch up but Nogueira keeps it at a distance.
Santiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Nogueira.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch but Nogueira swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nogueira takes a swing at Santiago's ribcage but misses.
Thiago Nogueira seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santiago is looking to clinch but Nogueira is avoiding it.
A big left from Nogueira misses.
Nogueira throws a right hand that misses
and Santiago counters with a good low kick that Nogueira was not able to check.
Santiago takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nogueira rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Santiago moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nogueira misses with a wild body shot.
Santiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Nogueira shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Santiago napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago is looking to regain half guard here but Nogueira keeps moving and retains side control.

Nogueira is trying to get an arm triangle but Santiago is defending well.

Nogueira working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
An elbow from Nogueira crashes against the mat.
Santiago is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nogueira has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Santiago wants to control but Nogueira postures up.
Santiago tries to escape but Nogueira is in control.

Nogueira tries for a kimura but Santiago is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nogueira swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nogueira throws a big shot that misses.
Nogueira has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Santiago.
Nogueira looks to score with a jab to the body but Santiago is just out of range.
Santiago with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nogueira to score with a decent uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santiago displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nogueira throws out the jab.
Nogueira throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santiago fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Santiago doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Nogueira throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nogueira lands with a straight right. Santiago didn't see that one coming.
Thiago Nogueira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santiago takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nogueira is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santiago.

Santiago pushes Nogueira up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira avoiding damage as Santiago throws knees to the body.

Nogueira breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Nogueira drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Santiago wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Santiago stops Nogueira from passing to mount.

Nogueira decides to stand back up.
Santiago tries to clinch but Nogueira moves out of range.
Nogueira connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Santiago lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nogueira looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nogueira misses with a two punch combination.
Nogueira will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Santiago moves out of range as Nogueira strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Nogueira circles away and keeps his distance.
Santiago takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nogueira tests Santiago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nogueira loads up on a big right hand but Santiago slips the punch.
Santiago throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nogueira's waist but Nogueira gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Santiago off to one side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santiago. Nogueira does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nogueira fails with a takedown attempt.
A good leg kick by Santiago.
Nogueira misses with a few strikes there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nogueira.
Santiago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nogueira avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santiago Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nogueira misses with an uppercut.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Nogueira pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Nogueira showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Santiago Santiago's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nogueira looks to land a right hand but Santiago moved out of range.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Nogueira pushes him off.
Santiago throws a head kick that Nogueira semi-blocks.
Nogueira takes a kick to the side of the head.
Santiago walks into a stiff left hand from Nogueira.
Santiago uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nogueira.
Nogueira is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santiago.
Nogueira thows a body shot but no joy.
Santiago dodges the punch combination from Nogueira.
Nice straight punches there by Nogueira. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nogueira.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santiago closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nogueira works the jab nicely.

Santiago moves into the clinch successfully.
Santiago is looking to control Nogueira's arms but Nogueira gets an underhook and turns him. Now Santiago has his back to the cage.
Nogueira is trying to break the clinch but Santiago is controlling him.
Nogueira is trying to break the clinch but Santiago is controlling him.

Nogueira manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nogueira is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Santiago.
Nogueira misses with a hook. Santiago ducked under it nicely.
Nogueira with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Santiago tries to clinch but Nogueira is having none of it.
Santiago is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nogueira sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice cross by Nogueira.
Nogueira fails with the takedown.
Nogueira misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Nogueira pushes him off.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Nogueira circles away and keeps his distance.
Nogueira swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.
Nogueira lands with a nice body punch.
Santiago moves out of range of the strikes.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Nogueira lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Santiago throws a head kick that misses.
Nogueira will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Santiago ducks under a wild hook from Nogueira.
Santiago fails with an attempt to clinch.

Santiago fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nogueira, pushing him back against the cage.

Nogueira has clasped his hands together around Santiago's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Nogueira decides to stand back up. Nogueira steps back and let's Santiago get back to his feet.
Nogueira swats away the attempt to clinch by Santiago.

Santiago closes the distance and clinches.
Santiago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nogueira is defending well for now.
Nogueira working hard to break the clinch.
Santiago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nogueira is defending well for now.

Nogueira escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nogueira jabs at Santiago's body.
Santiago doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Santiago looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Santiago moves in looking to clinch but Nogueira pushes him off.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nogueira paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nogueira moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nogueira misses with a series of wild punches.
Nogueira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Santiago tries to avoid it but Nogueira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Santiago to the ground. Santiago escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nogueira slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nogueira throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nogueira misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Santiago tries to clinch up but Nogueira circles away and keeps his distance.
Nogueira misses with a head kick.
Nogueira avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nogueira. Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Santiago throws a sloppy head kick and Nogueira moves out of range easily.

Nogueira gets a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nogueira is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Santiago is just riding it out for now. Nogueira eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago manages to get to full guard.
Santiago wants to stand and escape but Nogueira is having none of it.
Thiago Nogueira is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Santiago has his foot on Nogueira's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nogueira works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nogueira won't allow Santiago to get back to his feet.

Nogueira gets to his feet. Santiago looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Santiago Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nogueira throws a right hand that Santiago ducks under and follows up with a left that Santiago also avoids with ease.
A nice inside leg kick there by Santiago. That's going to slow Nogueira down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Nogueira comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nogueira winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Nogueira!
Thiago Nogueira decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.