PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Dos Santos (ranked 7470 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdul Hakim Bafawuse (ranked 24819 p4p, 0 weight class). Bafawuse has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Abdul Hakim Bafawuse is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Dos Santos
vs
Hakim Bafawuse

175 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

182 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodrigo Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdul Hakim Bafawuse!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Joseph Jones and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bafawuse will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bafawuse looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Dos Santos closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dos Santos lands in his opponent's guard.
Bafawuse wants to get back to his feet but Dos Santos passes into half guard.

Dos Santos blocks the strikes from Bafawuse.
Dos Santos is trying to control. Bafawuse wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Dos Santos decides to return to a standing position.
Bafawuse pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abdul Hakim Bafawuse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dos Santos closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bafawuse did well to prevent Dos Santos getting side control.
Dos Santos uses his free foot to push down on Bafawuse's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bafawuse.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dos Santos trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dos Santos jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bafawuse manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Dos Santos decides to stand back up. Dos Santos steps back and let's Bafawuse get back to his feet.
Dos Santos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Dos Santos looking to score a takedown here. Bafawuse is defending well but Dos Santos drives through and ends up in Bafawuse's guard.
Dos Santos wants to control from the top but Bafawuse keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos pushes down on Bafawuse's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Dos Santos decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Dos Santos wants to clinch.

Dos Santos shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Dos Santos was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bafawuse bucks up and tries to throw Dos Santos off but instead Dos Santos has got his back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
I really don't envy Bafawuse right now.
Bafawuse is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bafawuse covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Dos Santos controlling well, preventing Bafawuse from escaping the position.
Dos Santos trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Bafawuse is looking to escape here. Oh dear - Dos Santos has locked on a rear naked choke here! Bafawuse is tapping out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rodrigo Dos Santos!