PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Merle Pace (ranked 6188 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pernell Whitaker (ranked 23293 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pace
vs
Whitaker

174 cm
19
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
147 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Merle Pace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Pernell Whitaker!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pace shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Whitaker shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Pace is trying to defend but Whitaker finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Pace tries to kick Whitaker off but Whitaker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Whitaker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Whitaker is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Whitaker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pace controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Whitaker is nestled in close to Pace, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Whitaker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Whitaker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pace taking some punishment here, with Whitaker in his half guard.

Pace is rocked!

Whitaker is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pace avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Whitaker.
Whitaker is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Oh Pace is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Whitaker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whitaker lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Pace quite badly. Pace pulls Whitaker in close trying to recover. Whitaker postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Pace on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Pace doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pernell Whitaker!