PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Shelby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Santiago
vs
Shelby

155 cm
23
150 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

176 cm
21
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

King of Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcelo Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Tommy Shelby!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shelby connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Santiago momentarily.
Santiago shoots in but Shelby avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shelby ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shelby looks to score with a jab to the body but Santiago is just out of range.
Shelby scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shelby ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Santiago goes for a double leg but Shelby avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shelby continues to drive forward.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt - Shelby sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shelby has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Santiago is landing a low percentage of strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shelby will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Santiago was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tommy Shelby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santiago takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago fails with a takedown attempt.
Shelby throws a body shot but no joy.
Santiago half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nice body punch from Shelby.

Santiago scores with a takedown into Shelby's guard.

Santiago drops back looking for a leg! Shelby is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shelby manages to kick Santiago off! Santiago jumps back into Shelby's guard.
Shelby is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shelby wriggles free and stands up.
Shelby lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shelby throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.
Shelby lands with a cross.
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 big shot that misses.
Shelby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Santiago moves away.
Tommy Shelby is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shelby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santiago.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shelby. Santiago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Shelby there.
Shelby swinging wildly here.
Santiago swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago moves out of range of the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Santiago on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Santiago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shelby is fending him off so far but Santiago persists. Nope, Shelby circles away and we're back to standing.
Shelby misses with a body shot.
Santiago attempts a counter takedown but Shelby avoids it well and moves away.
Santiago tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shelby defends well and Santiago ends up having to push Shelby into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Shelby takes a swing at Santiago's ribcage but misses.
Shelby throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Santiago looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Santiago staying out of range there.
Santiago changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Shelby lands a jab.
Shelby is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Shelby scores with a nice right hand.
Shelby has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A big right from Santiago misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby throws a right hand that Santiago ducks under and follows up with a left that Santiago also avoids with ease.
Shelby swinging wildly here.
Jab, jab by Shelby - just one landing.
Shelby thuds a left hand into Santiago's body.
Shelby is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Santiago had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Santiago takes one on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shelby works Santiago's body with a nice hook.
Shelby throws an overhand right that lands on Santiago's shoulder, as Santiago tries to avoid the shot.
Shelby lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Santiago at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Santiago is defended easily by Shelby.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Shelby dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shelby swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santiago feinted with a counter takedown.

Santiago drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Shelby pushes Santiago off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Shelby throws a body punch but Santiago moves out of range.
Shelby has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shelby lands with a right hand.
Shelby is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Santiago rather than just go for the knockout.
Shelby misses with a hook

and Santiago counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shelby won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santiago wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shelby keeps working.
Shelby is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Santiago tries for a kimura but Shelby is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby is not content to let Santiago control the position.
Tommy Shelby has got the better of the ground game so far.
Santiago is really struggling to control Shelby but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Shelby is trying to get back to his feet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shelby misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Santiago misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shelby catches Santiago with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Shelby stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shelby wants it to stay on the feet.
Shelby takes a swing at Santiago's ribcage but misses.
Santiago is looking to counter punch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Shelby in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A slow jab from Shelby misses its intended target.
Santiago is looking to counter punch.

Santiago closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Shelby quickly recovers to half guard.
Shelby is not content to let Santiago control the position.

Santiago is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shelby has managed to free his arm - good work.
Santiago is trying to control the action in half guard but Shelby is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Shelby is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shelby pushes Santiago off and gets back to his feet.
Shelby misses with an uppercut.
Shelby throws a lazy uppercut
and Santiago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shelby moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab from Shelby misses.
Shelby scores with a three punch combo!
Shelby lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Santiago shoots in and drives through. Shelby sprawls well.
Nice defenses there by Shelby.
No joy there for Shelby, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
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!
Shelby looks to land a left hand but Santiago moved out of range nicely.
Santiago was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shelby digs a good body shot into Santiago's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Santiago on the side of the head.
Santiago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shelby.
Santiago uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shelby.
Santiago is looking to counter punch.
Shelby misses with a body shot
and Santiago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shelby lands with a cross.
Shelby throws a nice looking combination but Santiago bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santiago tries to counter with a takedown but Shelby is quick to defend against it.
Santiago tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shelby defends well and Santiago ends up having to push Shelby into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A swing and a miss from Santiago.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shelby! But no joy.
Shelby throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Santiago avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Shelby showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shelby throws a shot from downtown. Santiago moves away and avoids it.
It looked like Santiago wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Santiago jabs Shelby to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tommy Shelby seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santiago walks into a left hand.
Shelby misses with a hook

and Santiago counters with a nice double leg into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Shelby manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Santiago drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Shelby gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Shelby manages to break the clinch.
Shelby throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Santiago stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shelby looks to land a right hand but Santiago moved out of range.
Santiago attempts a counter takedown but Shelby avoids it well and moves away.
Shelby lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Santiago circles away quickly and effectively.
A little feinted left hand from Santiago on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shelby scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shelby keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santiago manages to avoid it.
Shelby throws out a powerful jab.
Santiago uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shelby.
Santiago dives in and grabs Shelby's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shelby pushes down on Santiago's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Shelby as Santiago shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Santiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santiago manages to avoid it.
A left lands for Shelby.
Shelby lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice jab there from Shelby.
Shelby tries to move into range but Santiago moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Shelby bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Santiago's head backwards.
Marcelo Santiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Santiago feinted with a counter takedown.
Shelby swings for the body but Santiago moves out of range.
Santiago feinted with a counter takedown.
Santiago gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Shelby counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Santiago thinking.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shelby throws a body shot but no joy.
Santiago swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
No luck for Santiago with that takedown attempt.
Shelby misses with a straight right.
Santiago swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Shelby lands with a shot to the body.
Shelby defending well as Santiago loads up on a big left hand.
Santiago avoids the body shot from Shelby.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Shelby.
Shelby looks to score with a jab to the body but Santiago is just out of range.
Shelby waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Santiago.
Santiago looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Santiago misses with a takedown attempt - Shelby sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shelby just misses with a punch to the body.
Santiago takes a jab right on the kisser.
Santiago is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Shelby jabs at Santiago's body.
Shelby misses with a left hand
and Santiago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Santiago misses.
Santiago misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby digs a good hook to Santiago's body.
Shelby lands a jab to the head.
Shelby throws a series of punches but Santiago avoids them all with ease.
Tommy Shelby is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shelby fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circle momentarily. Shelby darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Shelby paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shelby connects with a good right hand that stumbles Santiago. Santiago circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Shelby steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Santiago.
Shelby throws a big shot that misses.
A quick step to the side and Santiago tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Santiago takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Santiago walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Shelby comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shelby has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Shelby!