PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Whelan (ranked 1603 p4p, 2195 weight class) and Cutter Lune (ranked 184 p4p, 252 weight class). Whelan comes into the arena with The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin' blaring out of the sound system. Cutter Lune has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Whelan
vs
Lune

176 cm
27
167
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
27
170
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mickey Whelan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cutter Lune!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Whelan is defended easily by Lune.
Lune defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Whelan.
Whelan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lune sprawls well. Lune wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Whelan gets slowly back to his feet.
Lune shapes to counter with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Whelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lune tries to sprawl but Whelan drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lune wants to get back to full guard.
Whelan wants to free his trapped foot but Lune is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lune trying to control from the bottom.

Lune actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whelan trying to control the pace.
Lune trying to control here.
Whelan frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Lune has given up his back.

Whelan is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Whelan controlling well, preventing Lune from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lune manages to reverse the position and now he's in Whelan's guard. Nice work there by Lune.
Whelan trying to keep a closed guard but Lune is proving a slippery customer.
Whelan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lune manages to get himself to full guard.

Whelan stands and throws Lune's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Lune tries to buck Whelan off but Whelan is having none of it.
Lune manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lune seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Whelan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Whelan is looking to improve his position.
Whelan gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whelan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lune stopping the sweep attempt from Whelan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lune accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lune accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Whelan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lune's guard.

Whelan trying to control the position from guard on top but Lune is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whelan tries to free his leg and advance position but Lune is retaining full guard.
Whelan pushing down on Lune's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lune wants to control but Whelan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lune wants to improve his position but Whelan is controlling well.
Whelan with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Whelan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lune knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whelan is keen to just control but Lune is a slippery customer.

Lune looking for submissions off his back.

Whelan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Whelan trying to mount his opponent but Lune defends it.
Whelan works his way into full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Whelan takes Lune's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Lune is in trouble.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Whelan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Whelan looks for a takedown but Lune sprawls well.
Lune tries a quick counter leg kick but Whelan is wise to it.
Whelan fails with a takedown attempt.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lune tries to counter with a clinch but Whelan shakes him off and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Whelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Whelan with a poor takedown

and Lune counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Lune to keep the fight standing.
Whelan jumps guard but Lune stands there with Whelan around his waist. Whelan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lune lands an elbow just above Whelan 's eye.
Whelan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lune creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Whelan's defenses.
Nice elbow from Lune.
Lune crunches a lovely knee into Whelan's ribcage.
Lune lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lune holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Whelan jumps guard but Lune turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whelan jumps guard but Lune turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Lune trying to stall but Whelan improves his position.
Whelan takes an elbow to the temple.
Lune lands an elbow inside.
Whelan fails to pull guard.
Whelan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Whelan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but Lune turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Lune throws an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Lune just misses with a elbow thrown towards Whelan's brow.
Whelan avoids a wild elbow strike from Lune.
Whelan avoids the elbow strike from Lune, against the ropes.
Lune lands an elbow inside.
Whelan jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lune walks away with a smile on his face. Whelan gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lune as he avoids it easily.
Lune wants to counter with a clinch but Whelan pushes him away.
Whelan misses with a takedown attempt - Lune sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lune wants to counter the offense by Whelan and move into the clinch position.
Whelan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whelan fails with a takedown attempt.
Lune steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown but Lune shows good takedown defense.
Lune steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Whelan.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lune but Lune pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Whelan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lune avoids it really well and circles away.
Lune steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Whelan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lune keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lune is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Whelan fails with a takedown attempt.
Whelan sets himself, and Lune steps forward looking for the clinch! Whelan avoids it this time.
Mickey Whelan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whelan shoots for a takedown but Lune saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Whelan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lune pinned against the ropes. Lune gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Whelan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lune defends it nicely.

Whelan shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lune is trying to defend but Whelan finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lune trying to control but Whelan postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lune has a hand on Whelan's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Whelan takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Lune stops Whelan from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Lune keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Whelan is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lune has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Lune tries to lock up and control but Whelan gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Whelan is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lune has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cutter Lune showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Whelan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Whelan dives in and grabs Lune's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lune pushes down on Whelan's head and hops out.
Whelan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lune's waist but Lune gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Whelan off to one side.
Lune wants to counter the offense by Whelan and move into the clinch position.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Whelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Whelan misses with a takedown

and Lune moves into the clinch.
Whelan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lune just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Lune lands an elbow inside.
Lune has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Whelan takes an elbow to the temple.
Cutter Lune seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Whelan jumps guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lune trying to control but Whelan is working from the bottom.
Lune is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Mickey Whelan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lune preventing the sweep.
Lune wants to control from the top but Whelan keeps moving.
Whelan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lune distracts Whelan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Whelan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Lune avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Whelan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lune won't allow Whelan to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lune works over Whelan with some ground and pound from guard.
Lune controls from within his opponent's guard.

Whelan looking for a guillotine here but Lune defends easily.
Whelan wants to sweep here but Lune controlling him for the moment.
Whelan trying to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lune trying to control but Whelan is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Whelan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Whelan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lune shapes to counter with a head kick.
Whelan shoots in but no luck this time.
Whelan moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromLune.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Whelan.
Lune tries to counter by closing the distance.
Whelan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lune defends well and Whelan ends up having to push Lune into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lune is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but Lune turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Lune comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Lune creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Whelan's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lune throws an elbow but it misses.
Lune crunches a lovely knee into Whelan's ribcage.
Lune creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Whelan's defenses.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but Lune has him pressed against the ropes.
Lune lands a damaging elbow.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Lune to keep the fight standing.
Lune creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Whelan's defenses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Whelan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Whelan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lune lands a nice elbow.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Lune to keep the fight standing.
Whelan jumps guard but Lune stands there with Whelan around his waist. Whelan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lune utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lune creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Whelan's defenses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lune lands an elbow that stopped Whelan in his tracks for a moment.
Lune gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Lune to keep the fight standing.
Lune gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lune stuffs the takedown.
Cutter Lune seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lune stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lune wants it to stay on the feet.
Lune wants to counter with a clinch but Whelan pushes him away.
Whelan shoots in but Lune avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lune throws a big counter head kick but Whelan avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Whelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lune stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lune wants it to stay on the feet.
Whelan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lune but Lune pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Whelan dives in and grabs Lune's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lune pushes down on Whelan's head and hops out.
Lune is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Lune as Whelan shoots in.
Lune tries to counter with a clinch but Whelan shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lune stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lune wants it to stay on the feet.
Lune tries to counter with a clinch but Whelan shakes him off and moves away.
Whelan tries for a takedown but Lune sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lune tries a quick counter leg kick but Whelan is wise to it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Whelan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lune wants to counter with a clinch but Whelan pushes him away.
Whelan shoots in but no luck this time.
Lune replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Whelan blocks it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whelan fails to land the takedown.
Lune feints a counter leg kick.
Lune keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Whelan sets himself, and Lune steps forward looking for the clinch! Whelan avoids it this time.
Whelan fails with the takedown.
Lune tries to counter with a clinch but Whelan shakes him off and moves away.
Whelan has his takedown stuffed

and Lune holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lune comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Mickey Whelan has been cut.
Whelan takes an elbow to the temple.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but Lune turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Whelan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lune just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Lune is looking to control Whelan's arms but Whelan gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lune has his back to the ropes.
Lune lands a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lune lands a nice elbow.
Whelan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lune smiles and moves away.
Lune stuffs the takedown attempt from Whelan. Whelan gets slowly back to his feet.
Whelan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lune slaps away a takedown attempt from Whelan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Whelan dives in for a single leg takedown but Lune sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Lune throws an elbow but misses.
Lune gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Whelan jumps guard but Lune turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Lune putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Whelan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lune throws an elbow but it misses.
Lune looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lune lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whelan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lune just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Nice elbow from Lune.
Lune lands an elbow inside that Whelan shrugs off.
Whelan tries to pull guard but Lune holds him up against the ropes and eventually Whelan drops back down to his feet.
Lune lands an elbow that stopped Whelan in his tracks for a moment.
Lune landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Whelan is trying to pull guard but Lune has him pressed against the ropes.
Lune trying to stall but Whelan improves his position.
Lune landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Whelan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lune smiles and moves away.
Whelan fails with a takedown attempt.
Lune wants to counter the offense by Whelan and move into the clinch position.
Whelan fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whelan with a poor takedown
and Lune counters with a nice low kick that buckles Whelan's knee momentarily.
Whelan shoots in looking for a takedown but Lune manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Whelan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lune wants to counter the offense by Whelan and move into the clinch position.
Whelan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lune defends well and Whelan ends up having to push Lune into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Whelan dodges an elbow strike from Lune.
Whelan takes an elbow to the temple.
Lune landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Whelan tries to pull guard but Lune holds him up against the ropes and eventually Whelan drops back down to his feet.
Lune is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Whelan takes an elbow to the temple.
Lune gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Whelan jumps guard but Lune stands there with Whelan around his waist. Whelan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Whelan takes an elbow to the forehead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cutter Lune dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Mickey Whelan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Whelan shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lune is trying to defend but Whelan finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lune punching from the bottom.
Whelan trying to pass the guard but Lune defending well.

Whelan is looking for a kimura but Lune is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Whelan to get the leverage.
Lune moves into full guard.
Whelan preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lune is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Whelan trying to control the position from guard on top but Lune is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whelan wants to pass the guard but Lune is keeping the position.

Lune is looking for a triangle but Whelan pushes his legs off easily.
Lune keeping moving, preventing Whelan from controlling successfully.
Whelan wants to pass the guard but Lune is keeping the position.
Whelan pushes down on Lune's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lune is looking to control Whelan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lune avoid being mounted?
Lune wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lune moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Whelan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lune is keeping the position for now.
Whelan forces his way into half guard.
Lune punching from the bottom.
Whelan is thwarting Lune's attempts to control the position.
Whelan is pressing down on Lune's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lune is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lune tries to roll over but Whelan keeps him under control.
Lune is refusing to be controlled, as Whelan sits in half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Whelan moves nicely into side control.
Whelan trying to control the position but Lune is working away.
Lune tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lune struggling a bit here.
Whelan looking to control but instead Lune has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Cutter Lune is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lune trying to hold on to Whelan's head to control him but Whelan postures up.
Whelan not doing much here.
Lune trying to hold on to Whelan's head to control him but Whelan postures up.
Lune is in trouble now - Whelan has advanced to mount!
Whelan wants to control the pace but Lune is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lune tries to control Whelan's body but Whelan pushes him off. Lune squirms to his side and now Whelan has his back!
Mickey Whelan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Whelan throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mickey Whelan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lune has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 46:48
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 46:48
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 46:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cutter Lune!
Cutter Lune is the new lightweight champion!