PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rupert Whiston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Wright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Rupert Whiston has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Whiston
vs
Wright

175 cm
26
204 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

183 cm
26
187 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rupert Whiston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shawn Wright!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wright drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Whiston throws Wright to one side and escapes!
Wright takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Whiston throws a lazy head kick
and Wright counters with a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whiston throws a series of punches but Wright avoids them all with ease.
Whiston moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromWright.
Wright takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Whiston has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Extreme MMA (7 Elites $250/week) in the buildup to the fight.
Wright darts in looking for a takedown but Whiston gets double underhooks and turns Wright into the cage.
Wright tries for a takedown but Whiston circles away easily
and Whiston counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Whiston works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Wright changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Whiston tries to avoid it but Wright manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Whiston to the ground. Whiston escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rupert Whiston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Wright.
Whiston throws a right hand that Wright ducks under and follows up with a left that Wright also avoids with ease.
Wright moves in looking to clinch but Whiston pushes him off.
Some wild striking there from Whiston.
Wright lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Wright pushes Whiston up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Whiston's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright tries for a takedown. No joy.
A frustrated look appears on Whiston's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Whiston prevents a takedown attempt there.
Whiston is trying to break free.

Whiston is fighting off a takedown attempt but Wright is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Whiston to the mat. Whiston regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Whiston is adopting a defensive guard.
Wright landing some decent shots from guard.
Whiston wants to stand and escape but Wright is having none of it.
Wright loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Whiston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wright looking to pass the guard.
Wright has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wright prevents Whiston from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Whiston holds on and takes a little breather.
Wright throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Whiston manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Whiston throws a hook but Wright blocks it.
Nice sprawl there from Whiston as Wright shoots in.
Whiston swings for the body but Wright moves out of range.
Wright moves forwards but Whiston connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
Whiston misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wright wants to clinch up but Whiston keeps it at a distance.
Whiston scores with a punch to the head.
Whiston leaves Wright with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Wright throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Whiston's waist but Whiston gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wright off to one side.
Whiston misses with a head kick.
Wright tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Whiston is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whiston throws a sloppy head kick and Wright moves out of range easily.
Wright takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nice sprawl there from Whiston as Wright shoots in.
Wright wants to clinch up but Whiston keeps it at a distance.
Whiston misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wright is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Wright shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wright misses with a takedown attempt
and Whiston counters with a right hand to the body.
Wright takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wright throws a body punch but Whiston moves out of range.
Donk. Whiston catches Wright right on the button with a cross.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Whiston, right into the meat.
Whiston is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Wright shoots in for a double leg but Whiston sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Whiston jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Whiston throws a looping overhand right but Wright ducks down to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Whiston throws a hook but Wright blocks it.
Whiston lands with a cross.
Wright misses with a takedown attempt - Whiston sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whiston throws a jab when Wright was well out of range.
Wright tries for a takedown but Whiston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Whiston works Wright's body with a nice hook.
No luck for Wright with that takedown attempt.
Wright looks for a takedown but Whiston sprawls well.
Wright misses with a takedown attempt
and Whiston connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Whiston throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Whiston works Wright's body with a nice hook.

Wright fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Whiston sprawls well initially but Wright persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wright looks winded!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Whiston pushes Wright off looking to stand but Wright dives back in and keeps control.
Whiston tries to roll over but Wright keeps him under control.
Wright working over Whiston with some ground and pound. Whiston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rupert Whiston dominated that round.
That's time! Whiston's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fighters circling - Whiston throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Whiston swings for the body but Wright moves out of range.
Wright has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Wright shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Whiston misses with a two punch combination.
Wright keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wright feints the counter takedown.
Whiston misses with a straight left.
Wright is trying hard to land a takedown here. Whiston sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Whiston is looking for a counter combo.
Whiston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wright manages to avoid it.
Wright looks for a takedown but Whiston sprawls well.
Rupert Whiston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Wright.
Wright fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Whiston manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wright tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Whiston fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wright looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Whiston slaps away a takedown attempt from Wright, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wright shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Whiston defends it nicely.
Wright is breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whiston. Wright does a little dance to reset his feet.
Whiston wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Whiston scores with a sloppy right hand. Wright should have avoided that one.
Whiston throws a nice looking combination but Wright bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice defenses there by Wright.
Whiston scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Shawn Wright has been cut.
Wright scores with a shot to the body.
Jab from Whiston.
Wright is looking to clinch but Whiston is avoiding it.
Whiston jabs Wright right on the nose. Wright blinks but takes it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Whiston throws an overhand right that lands on Wright's shoulder, as Wright tries to avoid the shot.
Whiston throws a body punch but Wright moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wright drives through with a takedown into Whiston's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Wright trying to control but Whiston is working from the bottom.
Whiston pulls Wright in close to prevent any damage.
Whiston is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wright is controlling him.
Whiston preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Whiston wants to stand up but Wright is controlling him.
Wright trying to control but Whiston is working from the bottom.
Wright stopping the sweep attempt from Whiston.
Wright with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Shawn Wright has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wright is fighting to break Whiston's control of his arms but Whiston is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Whiston continues to stall.
Wright throwing strikes but missing.
Wright throws a strike but Whiston rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wright throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Wright is looking for a triangle but Whiston pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Whiston decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Wright, up you get!
Wright on the wrong end of a nice jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wright.
Wright fails to land the takedown.
A little feinted left hand from Whiston on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Wright takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Wright misses with a takedown attempt
and Wright takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wright shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Whiston defends it nicely.
Whiston misses the shot to the body.
A nice combination there by Whiston.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whiston throws a jab when Wright was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rupert Whiston dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Shawn Wright's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Wright uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Whiston.
Wright takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shawn Wright is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wright shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Whiston connects with a body shot that sends Wright's belly button to the back.
Whiston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wright.
Whiston tries to bum rush Wright with a series of wild strikes but Wright uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wright takes one to the side of the head.
Nice sprawl there from Whiston as Wright shoots in.
Whiston lands with a thumping leg kick.
Whiston checks a leg kick nicely.
Wright takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whiston throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Whiston tries to sprawl but Wright drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Wright takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Whiston tries to roll over but Wright keeps him under control.
Whiston pushes Wright off looking to stand but Wright dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright thows a huge punch but Whiston dodges it nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Wright lands a nice short elbow.
Whiston keeping hold of Wright's head, controlling as best he can.
Whiston is trying to stand up here but Wright is controlling him well.
Wright throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Whiston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wright.
Wright landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wright thows a huge punch but Whiston dodges it nicely.
Whiston holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wright throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wright is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Whiston tries to roll over but Wright keeps him under control.
Wright drops an elbow to the side of Whiston's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whiston wants to get back to his feet.
Wright not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wright throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wright thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Whiston's head.
Wright stops Whiston from getting back to his feet.
Wright seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Whiston does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Whiston wants to improve his position but Wright is controlling well.

Wright is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Whiston has managed to free his arm - good work.
Wright trying to control from half guard but Whiston is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Whiston lands a jab to the head.
Whiston throws a jab when Wright was well out of range.
Wright shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Whiston swings for the body but Wright moves out of range.
Whiston scores with a nice right hand.

Wright shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Whiston manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Whiston manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Whiston stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wright fails with the takedown.
Rupert Whiston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Wright.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wright has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wright is trying to drag Whiston to the mat but Whiston just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Whiston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Whiston stuns Wright with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wright avoids the body shot from Whiston.
A big right from Whiston misses.
Whiston throws a body shot but no joy.
Whiston lands a jab to the head.
Whiston throws a hook but Wright blocks it.
Whiston keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Shawn Wright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Whiston jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rupert Whiston is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wright darts in trying to clinch
and Whiston counters with a left to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rupert Whiston showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Whiston, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rupert Whiston!