PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Whitaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Aguinaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Whitaker might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to "Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragon Force. Shane Whitaker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Whitaker
vs
Aguinaga

185 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
209 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Elite Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shane Whitaker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Felix Aguinaga!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, William Gold and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker is looking to clinch but Aguinaga is avoiding it.
Aguinaga scores with a nice head shot.
Whitaker tries to clinch up but Aguinaga circles away and keeps his distance.
Whitaker fails with a takedown attempt.
Aguinaga wants to slow Whitaker down by chopping away at his legs.
Aguinaga cracks the inside of Whitaker's front leg.
Aguinaga misses with a double jab.
Whitaker shoots in for a double leg but Aguinaga sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Aguinaga looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aguinaga sizes up Whitaker with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Whitaker avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Aguinaga.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Aguinaga. No joy for Whitaker on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Whitaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Whitaker misses with a takedown attempt - Aguinaga sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Whitaker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aguinaga is fending him off so far but Whitaker persists. Nope, Aguinaga circles away and we're back to standing.
Whitaker misses with a left hand

and Aguinaga counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Whitaker!
Aguinaga wants to control the pace but Whitaker is squirming around nicely.
Whitaker is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Aguinaga stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Whitaker closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Whitaker is breathing heavily.
Whitaker wants to control but Aguinaga is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga is trying to get back to full guard.
Whitaker passes the guard and advances to mount!
Aguinaga regains half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aguinaga is looking for a sweep. Whitaker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Still in half guard, Whitaker seems content to control.
Whitaker prevents Aguinaga from standing back up.
Whitaker not doing much here.
Whitaker is looking to advance position but Aguinaga won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Whitaker looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Whitaker trying to control the action but Aguinaga is working from the bottom.
Whitaker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aguinaga throws a series of punches but Whitaker moves out of range.
Aguinaga misses with a double jab.
Good exchange - Whitaker coming out on top.

Whitaker looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Whitaker trying to control from half guard but Aguinaga is working away.

Whitaker is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Aguinaga defends it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Aguinaga pushes Whitaker off but Whitaker dives into side control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Whitaker tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Whitaker working away.
Aguinaga sneaks back into half guard.
Whitaker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aguinaga knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Aguinaga is looking to escape.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Whitaker prevents Aguinaga from improving his position.
Aguinaga is trying to control but can't.

Aguinaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Aguinaga works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aguinaga is looking to sweep but instead, Whitaker has passed into half guard.
Aguinaga works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aguinaga trying to keep a closed guard but Whitaker is proving a slippery customer.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Whitaker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Whitaker forces his way into half guard.
Aguinaga is trying to get back to full guard.
Whitaker wants to take a breather but Aguinaga is having none of it.
Aguinaga controlling the position well.
Aguinaga is looking to improve his position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aguinaga trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Whitaker manages to pass to mount!
Whitaker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Aguinaga sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Aguinaga missing with punches from the bottom.
Aguinaga wants to control but Whitaker is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Aguinaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga strikes from the bottom but Whitaker passes into mount!
Whitaker looking to control but Aguinaga is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Whitaker controlling from the full mount.
Aguinaga wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Aguinaga looking very determined here, making life difficult for Whitaker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Whitaker drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Aguinaga's face as Whitaker controls the position.
Aguinaga tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Aguinaga's face as Whitaker controls the position.
Aguinaga trying his best to control but Whitaker has mounted him.
Whitaker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Shane Whitaker just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Whitaker tries to clinch but Aguinaga moves out of range.
Felix Aguinaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aguinaga tries to bum rush Whitaker with a series of wild strikes but Whitaker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Whitaker tries for a takedown but Aguinaga circles away easily
and Aguinaga counters with a series of strikes. Whitaker will be more careful next time no doubt.

Whitaker clinches.
Whitaker lands an elbow just above Aguinaga 's eye.
A bit of stalling here from Whitaker.
Whitaker with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Whitaker with a knee to the head.
Whitaker with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Whitaker throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Whitaker lands a hook that snaps the head of Aguinaga backwards.
Whitaker pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Whitaker lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Whitaker holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Whitaker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Whitaker lands a knee to the head.
Aguinaga wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Whitaker will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Aguinaga up against the ropes.
Whitaker trying to stall but Aguinaga improves his position.
Whitaker comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Whitaker is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Whitaker seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Aguinaga is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Shane Whitaker.
Aguinaga scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Aguinaga gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aguinaga is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga pulls Whitaker in close to his closed guard and prevents Whitaker from doing any damage or advancing position.
Whitaker trying to control but Aguinaga is working from the bottom.
Aguinaga wants to stand up but Whitaker is controlling him.
Whitaker looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Aguinaga trying to keep a closed guard but Whitaker is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Aguinaga had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Whitaker is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Aguinaga Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Whitaker's back instead.
Whitaker trying to control but not successfully.

Whitaker is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Aguinaga gets his way!
Whitaker tries to escape the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker prevents Aguinaga from getting a body triangle.
Whitaker trying to control the hands but Aguinaga breaks the grip.
Aguinaga trying to control.
Aguinaga is trying to stick to Whitaker's back but Whitaker is turning into Aguinaga. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Aguinaga's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Whitaker.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Aguinaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Whitaker circles away from the clinch attempt

and Whitaker decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Aguinaga's guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga wants to stand but Whitaker is controlling the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Whitaker passes into half guard.
Aguinaga trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Whitaker content just to control the position here.
Whitaker avoids the attempt from Aguinaga to control.
Aguinaga is looking to get to half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga is squirming around, avoiding Whitaker's attempts to control the action.
Aguinaga is working to get back to half guard.
Aguinaga is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Aguinaga is squirming around, avoiding Whitaker's attempts to control the action.
Aguinaga tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Aguinaga tries to control the position but Whitaker now has his back.
Whitaker trying to control.
Whitaker has the hooks in. Aguinaga is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Aguinaga manages to reverse the position and now he's in Whitaker's guard. Nice work there by Aguinaga.
Whitaker keeping full guard, as Aguinaga tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aguinaga throws a sloppy head kick

and Whitaker counters with a shoot takedown. Aguinaga fights it but they end up in guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aguinaga is looking to stand up but Whitaker isn't so interested in that idea.

Aguinaga isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Whitaker stacks Aguinaga on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Whitaker!
You can see the frustration on Aguinaga's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Aguinaga is looking to regain half guard here but Whitaker keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Whitaker dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Aguinaga throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Whitaker.
A combination from Aguinaga does no damage.
Whitaker tries to clinch up.
Whitaker moves out of range as Aguinaga throws a body kick.

Whitaker closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Whitaker is tying to control. Aguinaga wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Whitaker prevents Aguinaga from improving his position.
Whitaker is thwarting Aguinaga's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker stalling.
Aguinaga trying to control but Whitaker postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker slows the pace down in half guard.
Aguinaga tries to get to full guard but Whitaker has control of the leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Aguinaga throws a sloppy head kick and Whitaker moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Whitaker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aguinaga, pushing him back against the ropes.
Whitaker misses with a knee strike.
Aguinaga lands a body punch in the clinch.
Whitaker throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A bit of stalling here from Whitaker.
Aguinaga is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Aguinaga breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aguinaga swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Whitaker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Aguinaga is looking to chop away at Whitaker's legs.
Aguinaga connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A head kick misses from Aguinaga.

Whitaker clinches up against the ropes.
Whitaker missing with knees to the body.
Whitaker is looking to control Aguinaga's arms but Aguinaga gets an underhook and turns him. Now Whitaker has his back to the ropes.
Aguinaga is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Aguinaga breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Whitaker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aguinaga.
Whitaker tries to clinch but Aguinaga moves away
and Aguinaga counters with a series of strikes. Whitaker will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga misses with a double jab.
Whitaker tries to clinch but Aguinaga moves out of range.
Whitaker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Aguinaga.
Aguinaga throws a wild body kick that Whitaker sees coming a mile off.
Whitaker wants to clinch.
Aguinaga tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aguinaga lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Whitaker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aguinaga tries to avoid it but Whitaker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aguinaga to the ground. Aguinaga escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A punch combination from Aguinaga misses.
Aguinaga ducks right into an uppercut from Whitaker.
Felix Aguinaga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Whitaker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is looking to take a break and control but Aguinaga is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Whitaker is taking a breather. Aguinaga 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.
Whitaker thows a huge punch but Aguinaga dodges it nicely.

Whitaker decides to stand up.
Aguinaga tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Whitaker counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Whitaker controlling the action here.

Aguinaga looking for submissions off his back.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Aguinaga is not content to let Whitaker control the position.
Aguinaga is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Whitaker's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Whitaker's back!
Whitaker is in bad spot here.

Whitaker is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Aguinaga is looking for a rear naked choke here but Whitaker reverses the position brilliantly into Aguinaga's guard!
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Aguinaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shane Whitaker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Whitaker!
Aguinaga avoids the attempt from Whitaker to control.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Shane Whitaker just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Aguinaga wants to clinch

and Whitaker counters with a single leg into guard. Aguinaga didn't expect that.
Whitaker works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Aguinaga is trying to control but can't.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Aguinaga is looking for a sweep. Whitaker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aguinaga moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Aguinaga looking for a sweep. Not yet Aguinaga, not yet.
Aguinaga throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Aguinaga keeping moving, preventing Whitaker from controlling successfully.
Aguinaga controls Whitaker momentarily but Whitaker frees himself.
Whitaker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Aguinaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker stays in close to Aguinaga's body and controls the position.
Aguinaga wants to sweep here but Whitaker controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Whitaker instigates a clinch.
Whitaker fails to pull guard.
Nice elbow from Whitaker.
Whitaker slows down the pace here.
Whitaker lands an elbow inside.
Aguinaga is trying to break the clinch but Whitaker has him pressed against the ropes.
Aguinaga wants to break the clinch but can't.
Whitaker lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Whitaker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Whitaker has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight for Shane Whitaker!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Shane Whitaker!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Shane Whitaker!

Shane Whitaker wins by unanimous decision!
Shane Whitaker is the new light heavyweight champion!