PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Merle Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Thigpen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merle Santiago has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Santiago
vs
Thigpen

224 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Merle Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Thigpen!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Darius Henderson and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thigpen throws a head kick but Santiago moves out of range.
Thigpen misses with a series of wild punches.

Santiago gets caught flat footed, as Thigpen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Thigpen sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Santiago looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Santiago looking to control.

Santiago has an active guard here but Thigpen has managed to pass into half guard.
Thigpen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thigpen prevents Santiago from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Thigpen seems content to control.
Thigpen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Santiago does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thigpen controlling the action here.
Santiago regains full guard. Nicely done.

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.
Santiago looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Santiago not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thigpen wants to stand but Santiago is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Thigpen gets a double leg takedown into Santiago's guard.
Santiago will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thigpen trying to control but Santiago is working from the bottom.
Thigpen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thigpen connects with a couple of short punches.

Santiago is rocked!
Thigpen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Santiago. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thigpen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Oh Santiago is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Santiago trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santiago has his foot on Thigpen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thigpen works his way back into a safe position though.
Thigpen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Santiago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thigpen defends well.
Santiago is breathing heavily.
Thigpen scoring with some ground and pound.
Thigpen loads up on a big left hand. Santiago felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Thigpen looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Santiago can't hide his disappointment, as Thigpen celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Thigpen!