PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robert Whittaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Lestrange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Whittaker
vs
Lestrange

183 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Whittaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fred Lestrange!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whittaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Whittaker.
Whittaker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Whittaker takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Robert Whittaker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lestrange moves out of range of the body kick from Whittaker.
Whittaker blocks a head kick by Lestrange.
Whittaker misses the shot to the body.
Lestrange moves out of range as Whittaker throws a body kick.
Whittaker misses the shot to the body.
Whittaker attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lestrange lands a body shot.
Whittaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whittaker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lestrange steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Whittaker.
Whittaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lestrange.
Whittaker tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Whittaker swinging wildly here.
Lestrange lands with a kick to the ribs.
Whittaker is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lestrange shoots for a takedown but Whittaker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Whittaker stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lestrange.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whittaker. Lestrange does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lestrange dives in and grabs Whittaker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Whittaker pushes down on Lestrange's head and hops out.
Lestrange slips a jab and a cross from Whittaker.
Lestrange is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Whittaker looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lestrange is defended easily by Whittaker.
Robert Whittaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Lestrange.

Lestrange scores with a takedown into Whittaker's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Whittaker is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Lestrange presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker is trying to force a seperation but Lestrange has the dominant position.
Whittaker is trying to push Lestrange away but Lestrange has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Whittaker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Whittaker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lestrange is looking for a takedown.
Whittaker working hard to break the clinch.
Whittaker is trying to push Lestrange away but Lestrange has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Whittaker is trying to stall.
Lestrange tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lestrange has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Whittaker after a bit of a struggle.

Lestrange breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Whittaker stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Whittaker wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lestrange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Whittaker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lestrange was well out of range. Poor timing from Whittaker.
Whittaker leaves Lestrange with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Whittaker throws a body shot but no joy.
Lestrange slips a straight right by Whittaker.
Whittaker on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Robert Whittaker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Whittaker throws a leg kick that is checked
and Lestrange counters with a good low kick that Whittaker was not able to check.
Whittaker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lestrange is out of range.
An inside leg kick from Whittaker misses.
Lestrange throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Whittaker throws a head kick that misses.
Jab from Whittaker.
Lestrange checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker throws a solid leg kick but Lestrange takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Whittaker.
Whittaker plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Whittaker leaves Lestrange with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lestrange shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Whittaker as he jumps to the side.
Lestrange dives in and grabs Whittaker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Whittaker pushes down on Lestrange's head and hops out.
A solid leg kick lands there for Whittaker.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Whittaker keeps Lestrange at a distance using the push kick.
Whittaker misses with a head kick.
Whittaker misses with a lunging right hand
and Lestrange counters with a head kick.
Whittaker lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Whittaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Whittaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lestrange moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Whittaker dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Whittaker pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Lestrange has Whittaker up against the cage in a clinch.
Whittaker is trying to stall.

Lestrange manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Whittaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Whittaker stands up and waves to Lestrange to follow him.
Whittaker misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lestrange shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Whittaker but Whittaker pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lestrange uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Whittaker.
Whittaker fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lestrange looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fred Lestrange is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Whittaker scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whittaker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lestrange tries to counter by closing the distance.
Whittaker checks a low kick from Lestrange.
Whittaker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whittaker tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Whittaker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lestrange misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Whittaker went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Whittaker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lestrange. Lestrange circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Whittaker throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Lestrange counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Whittaker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lestrange can do to turn this around?
Lestrange fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whittaker manages to avoid it.
Whittaker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lestrange appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lestrange fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Whittaker avoids it really well and circles away.
Robert Whittaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Lestrange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lestrange. That did some damage!
Lestrange blocks a head kick by Whittaker.
A decent looking cross lands there for Whittaker.
Lestrange avoids the head kick by Whittaker.
Whittaker sets himself, and Lestrange steps forward looking for the clinch! Whittaker avoids it this time.
Lestrange fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
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!
Whittaker fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Whittaker scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Whittaker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Whittaker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Whittaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Whittaker lands with a good body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Whittaker as Lestrange shoots in.
Whittaker lands a jab.
Lestrange shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Whittaker on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Whittaker fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lestrange scores with a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lestrange looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lestrange shoots in looking for a takedown but Whittaker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lestrange's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Whittaker misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lestrange takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A slow jab from Whittaker misses its intended target.
Lestrange tries to close the distance and clinch but Whittaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Whittaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Lestrange is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lestrange blocks a head kick by Whittaker.

Lestrange instigates a clinch.

Lestrange pulls guard effortlessly.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lestrange wants to improve his position but instead Whittaker has moved into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Whittaker in particular looking to stall.
Lestrange tries to get to full guard but Whittaker has control of the leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Whittaker dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Whittaker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Whittaker misses with a wild body shot.
Whittaker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Whittaker lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Lestrange has managed to clinch.
Whittaker can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Whittaker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Whittaker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lestrange.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lestrange has Whittaker pressed against the cage, preventing Whittaker from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lestrange is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Whittaker is defending well for now.

Lestrange pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whittaker lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Whittaker scores with a kick to the midsection.
Whittaker looks for the body kick but Lestrange saw that one coming.
Whittaker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lestrange.
Robert Whittaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Lestrange.
Lestrange takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lestrange blocks a head kick by Whittaker.
Lestrange takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Whittaker throws a chopping leg kick but Lestrange manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lestrange lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Lestrange tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lestrange.
A punch lands to the side of Lestrange 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lestrange shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Whittaker throwing a counter right hand but Lestrange manages to avoid it.
Whittaker misses with a body kick.
Whittaker throws a series of punches but Lestrange moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Whittaker keeps Lestrange at a distance using the push kick.
Whittaker lands a nice shot that snaps Lestrange's head back.
A head kick misses from Whittaker.
Whittaker throws a nice inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Whittaker.
Whittaker throws a push kick but Lestrange slaps the foot to one side.
Whittaker throws a hook but Lestrange blocks it.
Lestrange has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Whittaker.

Lestrange darts in and clinches Whittaker up against the cage.
Whittaker is looking to break free of the clinch but Lestrange has double underhooks.

Lestrange pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Whittaker keeps Lestrange at a distance using the push kick.
Lestrange shoots for a double leg takedown but Whittaker sprawls well. He's pushed Lestrange's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Whittaker fires out a quick counter leg kick but Lestrange just manages to avoid it.
Whittaker wants to slow Lestrange down by chopping away at his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lestrange avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lestrange wants to counter with a clinch but Whittaker pushes him away.
Lestrange shoots in for a takedown but Whittaker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Whittaker throws a sloppy head kick and Lestrange moves out of range easily.
Whittaker tries a low kick but Lestrange avoids it.
Lestrange unleashes a big counter combination but Whittaker bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Whittaker scores with a jab to the head.
Lestrange avoids the head kick by Whittaker.
Whittaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lestrange moves away.
Lestrange raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lestrange or perhaps it was just good defense by Whittaker, which made it look bad.

Lestrange closes the distance and pushes Whittaker back into the cage.
Lestrange is working for takedown but Whittaker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Whittaker stalls.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lestrange as Whittaker tries to tie him up.
Lestrange fails to pull guard.
Whittaker is trying to break free.

Whittaker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Whittaker is looking to land body kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Whittaker.
Whittaker swats away the attempt to clinch by Lestrange.
Lestrange throws a one two combo.
Fred Lestrange has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Whittaker throws out a powerful jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Whittaker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Whittaker, 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Whittaker!