PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jose Ignacio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Whitaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Whitaker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ignacio
vs
Whitaker

199 cm
23
260 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

192 cm
18
270 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jose Ignacio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Whitaker!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignacio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Whitaker's waist but Whitaker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ignacio off to one side.
Whitaker misses with a wild combination.
Ignacio swings for the body but Whitaker moves out of range.

Whitaker shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Ignacio has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Whitaker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitaker wants to control from the top but Ignacio keeps moving.
Ignacio has his hands on Whitaker's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whitaker sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignacio keeping full guard, as Whitaker tries to pass.
Whitaker tries to stand but Ignacio is controlling from the bottom.
Whitaker wants to control from the top but Ignacio keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ignacio shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Whitaker counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Whitaker.
Whitaker wants to pass the guard but Ignacio is keeping the position.
Whitaker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Whitaker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ignacio swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker throws a big right hand that misses.
Ignacio has a closed guard, preventing Whitaker from standing up.

Whitaker drops back looking for a leg! Ignacio is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ignacio manages to kick Whitaker off! Whitaker jumps back into Ignacio's guard.
Whitaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Ignacio is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Whitaker pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Ignacio throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Whitaker was covering up waiting for the punch and Ignacio finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ignacio won't allow Whitaker to get back to his feet.
Ignacio is breathing heavily.
Whitaker is looking to sweep but instead, Ignacio has passed into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whitaker flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Whitaker gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Jose Ignacio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Whitaker shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Whitaker is looking to take a break and control but Ignacio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Whitaker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Whitaker tries to pass to full mount but Ignacio defends it.
Ignacio wants to control but Whitaker is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker wants to get back to his feet.
Whitaker should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Ignacio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Whitaker.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Ignacio throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Whitaker was covering up waiting for the punch and Ignacio finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ignacio won't allow Whitaker to sweep him here.
Ignacio stops Whitaker from standing up.
Whitaker is striking but Ignacio is not phased and passes to half guard.
Whitaker has a hand on Ignacio's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Ignacio takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignacio prevents Whitaker from getting the reversal.
BOOM! Ignacio connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Whitaker is trying to stand.
Whitaker is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
BOOM! Ignacio connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Whitaker is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Whitaker tries to hold on but Ignacio pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is looking to improve his position but Ignacio isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Ignacio dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A big left from Whitaker misses.
Ignacio shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Whitaker counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ignacio!
Ignacio bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Whitaker wants to sweep here but Ignacio controlling him for the moment.
Ignacio trying to control the position from guard on top but Whitaker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker looking to control but Ignacio is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Whitaker thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Whitaker throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Whitaker has hold of Ignacio's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ignacio manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

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.
Whitaker trying to control but Ignacio is having none of it.
Whitaker is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Whitaker controlling his opponent.
Mike Whitaker has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Whitaker is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ignacio has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ignacio!

Whitaker pushes Ignacio off and gets back to his feet.

Ignacio feints and as Whitaker raises his hands in defense, Ignacio changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is trying to keep Ignacio in close.
Whitaker is looking to sweep but instead, Ignacio has passed into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Whitaker.
I think Whitaker 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Whitaker!