PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gervonta Whittaker (ranked 3738 p4p, 0 weight class) and Levka Botkin (ranked 5974 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
Botkin

190 cm
21
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gervonta Whittaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Levka Botkin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Botkin tests Whittaker's chin there with a solid looking shot.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Botkin enables Whittaker to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Botkin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Botkin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whittaker controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Whittaker thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Whittaker passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whittaker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Botkin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botkin is controlling Whittaker's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Whittaker gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Botkin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Whittaker gets the takedown into side control.
Whittaker moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Whittaker stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Whittaker scores with a takedown into Botkin's guard.
Botkin wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker sitting in guard here, content to control.
Whittaker throwing strikes but missing.
Botkin keeping full guard, as Whittaker tries to pass.
Whittaker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Whittaker stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Botkin scores with a nice strike.
Whittaker shoots and misses
and Botkin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Whittaker throws a head kick but Botkin moves out of range.
Botkin looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Whittaker has taken the fight to the clinch.

Whittaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Botkin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Whittaker's head backwards.
Whittaker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Botkin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Whittaker feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Whittaker is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Whittaker decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Botkin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gervonta Whittaker will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Botkin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Botkin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Whittaker takes one on the button.
Gervonta Whittaker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Whittaker moves to clinch but Botkin breaks away
and Botkin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Botkin lands a jab.

Whittaker rushes Botkin and presses him up against the cage.
Whittaker is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botkin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Whittaker tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gervonta Whittaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Whittaker avoiding damage.
Whittaker tries to pull guard but Botkin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Botkin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Botkin works Whittaker's body with a nice hook.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Whittaker tries to pull guard but Botkin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Whittaker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Botkin lands a slapping body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botkin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Whittaker throws a body shot but no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Whittaker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It seemed like Botkin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Botkin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Whittaker. Whittaker circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Botkin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Botkin scores with a hook to the body. Whittaker takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice body punch from Botkin.
Botkin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Botkin coming out on top.

Whittaker pushes Botkin up against the cage in a clinch.
Whittaker prevents Botkin from breaking the clinch.
The referee calls for Whittaker to work.
Botkin can't find room to land a body shot as Whittaker controls the action.

Whittaker breaks from the clinch.
Botkin cracks Whittaker with an open hand slap.
Levka Botkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Whittaker throws a big shot that misses.
Botkin cracks Whittaker with an open hand slap.
Gervonta Whittaker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Botkin lands with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Botkin jabs Whittaker right on the nose. Whittaker blinks but takes it well.
Botkin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Whittaker shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Botkin counters with a nice uppercut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Botkin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Whittaker doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Botkin to counter with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Whittaker with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Botkin to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice shot by Botkin.
Botkin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Botkin jabs Whittaker to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Levka Botkin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Whittaker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Whittaker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Botkin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Whittaker somewhat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Botkin.
Botkin circles away from the clinch attempt
and Botkin counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whittaker closes the distance but Botkin moves to the side
and Botkin counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Whittaker changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Botkin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Botkin is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Whittaker has just dragged him back down to the mat.
You can see the frustration on Botkin's face as Whittaker controls the position.
Botkin is looking to reverse the position.

Whittaker tries for a kimura but Botkin is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Whittaker stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botkin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Whittaker.

Botkin tries to sprawl but Whittaker drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Botkin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Whittaker. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Botkin keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Botkin wants to improve his position but Whittaker is controlling well.
Botkin is trying to control but can't.

Whittaker is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Botkin is trying to stand back up but Whittaker is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Botkin is looking to improve his position.
Botkin trying to control from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Botkin connects with a crisp jab.
Whittaker shoots in and drives through. Botkin sprawls well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Botkin! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gervonta Whittaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Whittaker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Botkin finds it's way round the side to connect with Whittaker's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whittaker misses with a leg kick
and Botkin counters with a nice uppercut.
Whittaker misses with a takedown
and Botkin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Botkin lands a jab to the head.
Botkin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Botkin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Levka Botkin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Whittaker takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Botkin tests Whittaker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Botkin stuffs the takedown attempt from Whittaker. Whittaker gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Levka Botkin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Botkin 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Levka Botkin!