PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vito Carleone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and richard whitaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Carleone
vs
whitaker

225 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vito Carleone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, richard whitaker!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Steve Erwin and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
whitaker keeps the fight on the outside.

Carleone gets the takedown into side control.
whitaker is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
whitaker wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Carleone working away.
Carleone will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Carleone trying to control the position but whitaker is working away.
Carleone scores with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carleone lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear whitaker down.
You can see the frustration on whitaker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
whitaker sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
whitaker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Carleone.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
whitaker is looking to improve his position.
Carleone has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Carleone is pressing down on whitaker's thigh, looking to free his foot. whitaker is holding on for now.
Carleone is taking a breather. whitaker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Carleone missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Carleone is trying to control. whitaker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Carleone looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ground and pound from Carleone.
whitaker tries to roll over but Carleone keeps him under control.
Carleone is controlling the pace.
Carleone stalling away here and it's allowed whitaker to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Carleone throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carleone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. whitaker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Carleone is working hard here to advance position.
whitaker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Carleone drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and whitaker dives on top into guard.
whitaker throws and elbow that misses. Carleone uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in whitaker's guard. Nice move by Carleone!
whitaker controls Carleone momentarily but Carleone frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
whitaker controlling the position.
whitaker is looking to stand up but Carleone isn't so interested in that idea.
Carleone wants to control from the top but whitaker keeps moving.
whitaker is looking to stand up but Carleone isn't so interested in that idea.
whitaker looks gassed!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
whitaker trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vito Carleone dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Carleone is defended easily by whitaker.
Vito Carleone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Carleone tries to keep at a distance but whitaker has taken the fight into the clinch.
whitaker prevents Carleone from breaking the clinch.
whitaker managing to block the knees to the body from Carleone.

whitaker pulls guard effortlessly.
whitaker working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carleone wants to control from the top but whitaker keeps moving.
Carleone wants to pass the guard but whitaker is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
whitaker wants to sweep but no luck.
whitaker trying to control the position.
Carleone stopping the sweep attempt from whitaker.
whitaker is breathing heavily.
whitaker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for Carleone with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
whitaker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Carleone makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Carleone misses with a takedown

and whitaker decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Carleone's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Carleone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carleone managing to control the position.

Carleone uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Carleone closes the distance and clinches.
whitaker has Carleone pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Carleone manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carleone drops to a knee looking for a takedown but whitaker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
whitaker tries to pull guard but Carleone won't allow it.
Carleone connects with a knee to the head.
Carleone working aggressively here.
whitaker tries to pull guard but Carleone won't allow it.
Stalling in the clinch from whitaker.
whitaker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Carleone tries for a takedown. No joy.
whitaker wants to get back to striking at distance but Carleone won't allow it.
Carleone tries to pull guard but whitaker won't allow it.

whitaker has picked Carleone up - he's going for a ride! whitaker dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Carleone is trying to stand back up but whitaker is controlling him
whitaker is nestled in close to Carleone, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
whitaker wants to take a breather but Carleone is having none of it.

Carleone looking for submissions off his back.
Carleone is not content to let whitaker control the position.
whitaker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

whitaker is looking for a kimura but Carleone is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for whitaker to get the leverage.
Carleone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Carleone.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

richard whitaker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

whitaker clinches but Carleone breaks the clinch
and Carleone counters with a big head kick but whitaker shrugs it off.
Carleone goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
whitaker avoids the body shot from Carleone.
Carleone looks to land a combination but whitaker avoids it well.

whitaker feints and as Carleone raises his hands in defense, whitaker changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
whitaker with a nice head shot there.
Carleone keeping moving, preventing whitaker from controlling successfully.
richard whitaker has got the better of the ground game so far.
whitaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Carleone is retaining full guard.
whitaker distracts Carleone with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carleone is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Carleone being controlled here, momentarily.
Carleone is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

whitaker stands up and waves to Carleone to follow him.

whitaker clinches up with Carleone and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carleone wants a takedown.
Carleone fails to pull guard.
whitaker is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
whitaker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Carleone avoids it.
whitaker avoiding damage as Carleone throws knees to the body.
Carleone fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Carleone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
whitaker has Carleone pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Carleone manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Carleone tries for a takedown but whitaker manages to get underhooks.
Carleone tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Carleone manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carleone tries for a takedown but whitaker circles away easily

and whitaker counters with a shoot takedown. Carleone fights it but they end up in guard.
whitaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

whitaker stands and steps away. Carleone gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

whitaker has closed the distance and engaged Carleone in a clinch.
whitaker tries for a takedown but Carleone manages to get underhooks.
Carleone changes levels and goes for a takedown here. whitaker fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Carleone misses with a takedown attempt

and whitaker counters with a single leg into guard. Carleone didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
whitaker is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Let's hope that whitaker has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
whitaker lands a couple of digs.
Carleone keeping moving, preventing whitaker from controlling successfully.

Carleone is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. whitaker is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carleone throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
whitaker wants to control from the top but Carleone keeps moving.
whitaker postures up in Carleone's guard and throws a big left but Carleone blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
richard whitaker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... richard whitaker!