PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tony Bova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raymond Whittaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bova's entrance music is I came to bring the pain!. A fine choice. Tony Bova has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bova
vs
Whittaker

175 cm
33
96 lbs
18 - 27 - 0

172 cm
25
150 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Bova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raymond Whittaker!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whittaker lands with a right hand.
Whittaker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bova. Bova circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Whittaker throws out a loose jab but Bova uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bova avoids a punch combination nicely.
Whittaker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whittaker throws an overhand right that lands on Bova's shoulder, as Bova tries to avoid the shot.
Whittaker throws a lazy uppercut

and Bova holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Whittaker tries to throw a body punch but Bova avoids it by throwing Whittaker back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bova.
Whittaker has a couple of punches blocked by Bova.
Whittaker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Whittaker misses with a punch on the inside.
Bova tries for a takedown but Whittaker manages to get underhooks.
Whittaker can't break the clinch.
Whittaker throws a head punch that misses.
Whittaker swings wildly with an uppercut but Bova uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bova gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Whittaker regains guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bova is looking to work some ground and pound but Whittaker has wrist control.
Whittaker pulls Bova in close to prevent any damage.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Whittaker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bova. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Whittaker's head.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bova is looking to work some ground and pound but Whittaker has wrist control.
Bova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bova 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.
Bova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bova's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bova postures up in Whittaker's guard and throws a big left but Whittaker blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bova keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Whittaker's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bova prevents Whittaker from getting back to his feet.
Bova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Whittaker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bova distracts Whittaker with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Whittaker is on top in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bova is on top in guard.
Bova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova stopping the sweep attempt from Whittaker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bova throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Whittaker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bova looking to pass the guard.
Whittaker is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Whittaker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bova really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Whittaker blocks nicely.
Bova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bova throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Whittaker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bova with a nice head shot there.
Bova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bova won't allow Whittaker to sweep him here.
Bova is working Whittaker over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Whittaker blocks nicely.
Bova lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bova passes Whittaker's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Bova misses with a head shot. Whittaker uses the momentum to regain guard.
Whittaker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bova dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Whittaker misses with a low kick.
Bova checks a low kick from Whittaker.
Whittaker loads up on a big right hand but Bova slips the punch.
Bova keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Whittaker.
Whittaker throws a good cross that connects.
Whittaker misses with a looping right.
Whittaker throws an off balance right hand
and Bova counters with a straight right hand.
Bova slips under a jab from Whittaker.
A shot to the body from Whittaker misses

so Bova counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Whittaker wants to sweep here but Bova controlling him for the moment.
Bova landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova works over Whittaker with some ground and pound from guard.
Bova postures up.
Bova landing with the ground and pound.
Bova postures up in Whittaker's guard and throws a big left but Whittaker blocks it.
Whittaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Bova here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Bova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bova cracks Whittaker with a solid left hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bova lands a couple of elbows.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bova throws a big elbow that misses.
Whittaker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Whittaker looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bova throwing strikes but missing.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Whittaker blocks nicely.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bova's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bova won't allow Whittaker to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Whittaker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bova postures up in Whittaker's guard and throws a big left but Whittaker blocks it.
Bova landing some decent shots from guard.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bova cracks Whittaker with a solid left hand.
Bova connects with a couple of short punches.
Bova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Whittaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Whittaker is controlling Bova's posture.
Whittaker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Whittaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Whittaker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Whittaker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Whittaker blocks nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bova postures up in Whittaker's guard and throws a big left but Whittaker blocks it.
Bova is working Whittaker over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Whittaker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Whittaker seems keen to control Bova's posture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bova postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bova moves out of range as Whittaker strikes.
Whittaker fails to land with a series of punches.
Whittaker is looking to score with low kicks.
Whittaker misses with a hook.
Whittaker misses with a hook

and Bova decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Whittaker's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Whittaker can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tony Bova overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bova throws a strike but Whittaker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bova trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bova punching from the bottom.
Bova trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Whittaker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Whittaker postures up in Bova's guard and throws a big left but Bova blocks it.
Bova not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Whittaker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bova's head.
Whittaker lands a couple of digs.
Whittaker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Whittaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Whittaker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bova working a defensive guard here.
Bova throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Whittaker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Whittaker is in close to Bova's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Bova is rocked!
Whittaker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Oh Bova is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Whittaker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bova's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whittaker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Whittaker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Whittaker loads up on a big left hand. Bova felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Whittaker looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Bova can't hide his disappointment, as Whittaker celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Raymond Whittaker!
Raymond Whittaker seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.