PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alessio Da Santiago (ranked 4081 p4p, 338 weight class) and Duffy Fulcher (ranked 24672 p4p, 453 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Da Santiago
vs
Fulcher

175 cm
23
144 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

179 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

UnderGround Supplements
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessio Da Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Duffy Fulcher!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Da Santiago pushes Fulcher up against the ropes in a clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Fulcher has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Fulcher wants a takedown but no success here.
Fulcher is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Da Santiago gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Fulcher gets control of Da Santiago's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fulcher will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Da Santiago tries to free his leg and advance position but Fulcher is retaining full guard.
Da Santiago stays in close to Fulcher's body and controls the position.

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

Da Santiago got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fulcher has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Da Santiago has managed to get both his arms back between Fulcher's legs - danger averted.
Da Santiago has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fulcher throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Da Santiago escapes and throws Fulcher's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Da Santiago happy to just control the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fulcher is not content to let Da Santiago control the position.
Fulcher manages to work his way to half guard, despite Da Santiago's best efforts.
Da Santiago lands with a punch from half guard.
Da Santiago content to control rather than advance.
Da Santiago's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Fulcher looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Fulcher is defending against the submission attempts here by Da Santiago.
Da Santiago knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fulcher on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago slips a nice elbow through Fulcher's hands, connecting with Fulcher's forehead.
Fulcher misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Da Santiago seems to be looking for submissions.

Da Santiago is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fulcher defends it well.
Fulcher is pressing down on Da Santiago's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Fulcher working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Da Santiago doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Da Santiago manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Fulcher had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Da Santiago defends it easily.
Da Santiago's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Santiago keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fulcher's head.

Fulcher is looking for a triangle but Da Santiago pushes his legs off easily.
Da Santiago is pushing down on Fulcher's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fulcher is fighting to maintain full guard but Da Santiago has managed to sneak the leg through.

Da Santiago is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fulcher sees it coming and defends easily.
Da Santiago controlling the pace.

Fulcher looking for subs from the bottom but Da Santiago mounts him!
Fulcher looks winded!

Da Santiago swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alessio Da Santiago!
Alessio Da Santiago made sure to mention his sponsor, UnderGround Supplements in his post fight interview.