PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Selestion Mudisbarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pernell Whitaker Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Mudisbarov
vs
Whitaker Jr

182 cm
23
180 lbs
11 - 6 - 1

177 cm
23
167 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Selestion Mudisbarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pernell Whitaker Jr!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mudisbarov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Whitaker Jr circles away quickly and effectively.
Whitaker Jr throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mudisbarov.
Good exchange - Whitaker Jr coming out on top.
Mudisbarov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Whitaker Jr to score with a decent uppercut.
Whitaker Jr misses with an uppercut. Mudisbarov saw that one coming.
Mudisbarov connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Pernell Whitaker Jr has been cut.
Mudisbarov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mudisbarov misses with a leg kick
and Whitaker Jr counters with a body kick that stops Mudisbarov in his tracks momentarily.
Mudisbarov blocks a low kick nicely.
Mudisbarov tries a head kick but it misses.
Mudisbarov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Whitaker Jr is out of range and Mudisbarov settles back down.
A low kick from Mudisbarov is predictable there
and Whitaker Jr finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from Whitaker Jr.
Mudisbarov lands with a nice body punch.
Selestion Mudisbarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mudisbarov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Whitaker Jr fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mudisbarov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Whitaker Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mudisbarov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Whitaker Jr throws a leg kick which misses Mudisbarov's front leg but catches the back leg as Mudisbarov tries to avoid it.
Mudisbarov lands a leg kick that knocks Whitaker Jr off balance momentarily.
Mudisbarov looks to land a right hand but Whitaker Jr moved out of range.
Mudisbarov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mudisbarov lands with a slapping head kick.
Whitaker Jr uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mudisbarov.
Good exchange - Mudisbarov coming out on top.
Mudisbarov cracks the inside of Whitaker Jr's front leg.
Mudisbarov lands a jab to Whitaker Jr's midsection.
Mudisbarov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mudisbarov is looking to score with low kicks.
Mudisbarov tries to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr moves his leg out of the way.
Mudisbarov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Whitaker Jr. That one must have hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mudisbarov throws a right hand that Whitaker Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Whitaker Jr also avoids with ease.
Mudisbarov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mudisbarov scores with a push kick.
Mudisbarov tries to land a front kick but Whitaker Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Whitaker Jr tries to land a leg kick but Mudisbarov saw it coming and moves away.
Whitaker Jr lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mudisbarov throws a hook but Whitaker Jr blocks it.
Mudisbarov misses with a hook.
Sloppy strikes from Mudisbarov. Those never looked like landing.
Mudisbarov lands with a cross.
Whitaker Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mudisbarov.
Mudisbarov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Whitaker Jr has time to react.
Mudisbarov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Whitaker Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mudisbarov.
Whitaker Jr lands with a straight right. Mudisbarov didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mudisbarov throws a leg kick
and Whitaker Jr counters with an outside leg kick.
Whitaker Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mudisbarov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Whitaker Jr somewhat.
Selestion Mudisbarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pernell Whitaker Jr.
Mudisbarov lands a jab to Whitaker Jr's midsection.
Whitaker Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mudisbarov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mudisbarov scores with a jab to the head.
Whitaker Jr misses with a low kick.
Mudisbarov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whitaker Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mudisbarov tries to avoid it but Whitaker Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mudisbarov to the ground. Mudisbarov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mudisbarov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Whitaker Jr in his tracks.
Mudisbarov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big right from Mudisbarov misses.
Whitaker Jr takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr defending well as Mudisbarov loads up on a big left hand.
Whitaker Jr lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mudisbarov checks a leg kick nicely.
Mudisbarov misses with a right hand
and Whitaker Jr makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Whitaker Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Mudisbarov throws a right hand that Whitaker Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Whitaker Jr also avoids with ease.
Mudisbarov throws a low kick, looking for Whitaker Jr's leg but Whitaker Jr calmly moves out of range.
Whitaker Jr moves away from the strike by Mudisbarov.
Whitaker Jr finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Selestion Mudisbarov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Whitaker Jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mudisbarov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Whitaker Jr throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr slips a straight right by Mudisbarov.
Mudisbarov throws a hook but Whitaker Jr blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Selestion Mudisbarov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pernell Whitaker Jr's cut.
That's time! Mudisbarov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mudisbarov motions for Whitaker Jr to come forward. Mudisbarov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mudisbarov misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Whitaker Jr to counter with a crisp jab.
Mudisbarov throws an overhand right that lands on Whitaker Jr's shoulder, as Whitaker Jr tries to avoid the shot.
Mudisbarov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mudisbarov misses with a head kick.
Whitaker Jr takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mudisbarov throws a right and a left that Whitaker Jr avoids nicely.
Mudisbarov works the jab nicely.
Mudisbarov throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Whitaker Jr decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mudisbarov's guard.
Whitaker Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Mudisbarov has wrist control.
Whitaker Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Whitaker Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Whitaker Jr slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mudisbarov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Whitaker Jr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mudisbarov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Whitaker Jr controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Whitaker Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mudisbarov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mudisbarov moves out of range as Whitaker Jr strikes.
Mudisbarov avoids the head kick by Whitaker Jr.
A clash of legs there as Whitaker Jr blocks the low kick.
Mudisbarov throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Whitaker Jr lands a nice shot to the body.
Whitaker Jr tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Selestion Mudisbarov is winning the standup battle so far.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range of the leg kick from Mudisbarov.
Whitaker Jr ducks under a wild hook from Mudisbarov.
Mudisbarov misses with a head kick.
A big right from Mudisbarov misses.
Whitaker Jr lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mudisbarov at a distance.
Mudisbarov misses with a lunging right hand
and Whitaker Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mudisbarov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Whitaker Jr connects with a looping right hand.
Mudisbarov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Whitaker Jr chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mudisbarov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mudisbarov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mudisbarov throws an overhand right that lands on Whitaker Jr's shoulder, as Whitaker Jr tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Mudisbarov.
Whitaker Jr connects with a looping right hand.
Whitaker Jr takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Whitaker Jr has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Mudisbarov throws the left hand but Whitaker Jr avoids the punch easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Mudisbarov as he connects with a hook.
Whitaker Jr scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Whitaker Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Mudisbarov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mudisbarov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Whitaker Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Whitaker Jr lands with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mudisbarov wants to land a leg kick but Whitaker Jr is out of range.
Mudisbarov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Whitaker Jr tries to move into range but Mudisbarov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mudisbarov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Mudisbarov misses with a looping left.
Whitaker Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mudisbarov.
Mudisbarov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mudisbarov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Whitaker Jr counters with a single leg into guard. Mudisbarov didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mudisbarov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Whitaker Jr stands and throws Mudisbarov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whitaker Jr landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell Whitaker Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pernell Whitaker Jr's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Whitaker Jr connects with a solid leg kick.
Good shot there by Mudisbarov.
Whitaker Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mudisbarov throws out the jab.
Mudisbarov blocks the body kick.
Mudisbarov throws a hook to the side of Whitaker Jr's head but Whitaker Jr sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Good shot there by Whitaker Jr.
A telegraphed right hand from Mudisbarov misses the target.
Mudisbarov missing with a left hand there. Whitaker Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mudisbarov throws a lazy head kick

and Whitaker Jr counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Whitaker Jr.
Mudisbarov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mudisbarov is trying to hold Whitaker Jr in close to prevent damage but Whitaker Jr has managed to pass into half guard.
Whitaker Jr landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr is trying to control the action in half guard but Mudisbarov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mudisbarov is looking to improve his position.
Whitaker Jr throwing shots but Mudisbarov is blocking nicely.
Mudisbarov is staying active underneath Whitaker Jr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Whitaker Jr might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mudisbarov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Whitaker Jr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Mudisbarov is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Exiled Elite, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Whitaker Jr is trying to control. Mudisbarov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mudisbarov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mudisbarov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Whitaker Jr moves away.
Whitaker Jr throws a leg kick which misses Mudisbarov's front leg but catches the back leg as Mudisbarov tries to avoid it.
Whitaker Jr lands with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Mudisbarov misses the target.
Mudisbarov lands with a straight right. Whitaker Jr didn't see that one coming.
Mudisbarov swings widly with a right hand
and Whitaker Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mudisbarov misses with a right hand
and Whitaker Jr counters with a nice leg kick.
Mudisbarov tries to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr moves his leg out of the way.
Mudisbarov misses with an uppercut. Whitaker Jr saw that one coming.
Mudisbarov throws a low kick but Whitaker Jr avoids it.
Whitaker Jr uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mudisbarov has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Whitaker Jr as he connects with a hook.
A thudding body kick lands there by Whitaker Jr!
Mudisbarov misses with a double jab

and Whitaker Jr counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mudisbarov won't be happy with that.
Mudisbarov is not content to let Whitaker Jr control the position.
Whitaker Jr lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mudisbarov down.
Whitaker Jr working the head with strikes.
Mudisbarov is looking for a sweep.
Whitaker Jr remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mudisbarov is not content to let Whitaker Jr control the position.

Whitaker Jr wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mudisbarov, who protects the arm well.
Whitaker Jr scoring with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pernell Whitaker Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Whitaker Jr 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pernell Whitaker Jr!
A victorious Pernell Whitaker Jr thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.