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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Whitaker (ranked 1935 p4p, 271 weight class) and Sultan Yusupov (ranked 1852 p4p, 260 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Sultan Yusupov enters the cage!
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| 185 cm
25
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0 |
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181 cm
25
208 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eric Whitaker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sultan Yusupov!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Winston Alpacca.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yusupov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Whitaker.
Whitaker throws out a loose jab but Yusupov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yusupov wants to counter the offense by Whitaker and move into the clinch position.
We've been told by Whitaker's head coaches at ELITE Island Gym - 19 Elite Coaches that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Whitaker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yusupov was well out of range. Poor timing from Whitaker.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Yusupov wants to counter the offense by Whitaker and move into the clinch position.
Whitaker swats away the attempt to clinch by Yusupov.
Whitaker avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yusupov throws a hook to the side of Whitaker's head but Whitaker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yusupov slips under a jab from Whitaker.
Yusupov misses with a straight left.
Whitaker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Whitaker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yusupov was well out of range. Poor timing from Whitaker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yusupov tries to clinch up.
Whitaker is looking to wear down Yusupov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Whitaker misses with an uppercut.
Whitaker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yusupov ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker.
Yusupov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker slips under a jab from Yusupov.
Whitaker fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yusupov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yusupov walks into a left hand.
Nice defenses there by Yusupov.
Eric Whitaker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Yusupov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Whitaker.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
A big left from Whitaker misses.
Whitaker misses with a looping right.
Yusupov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yusupov throws a looping overhand right but Whitaker ducks down to avoid it.
Yusupov moves away from the strike by Whitaker.
Yusupov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yusupov misses with a hook.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Yusupov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Yusupov rushes Whitaker and presses him up against the cage.
Whitaker is trying to break the clinch but Yusupov has him pressed against the cage.
Whitaker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Yusupov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Yusupov does a little dance to reset his feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov tries to clinch up but Whitaker circles away and keeps his distance.
Whitaker throwing a counter right hand but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Yusupov tries to land a leg kick but Whitaker saw it coming and moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yusupov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Whitaker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Whitaker throws a lazy right hand but Yusupov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Whitaker misses with an uppercut
and Yusupov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Yusupov.
Whitaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yusupov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yusupov blocks a jab.
Yusupov looks to land a left hand but Whitaker moved out of range nicely.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Yusupov is just out of range.
A big left from Whitaker misses.
Whitaker misses with a wild body shot.
Yusupov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Whitaker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yusupov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Whitaker blocks a low kick nicely.
Whitaker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Whitaker is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Whitaker misses the target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov tries to clinch up.
Yusupov moves in looking to clinch but Whitaker pushes him off.
Yusupov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Yusupov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yusupov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Whitaker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yusupov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Whitaker.
Whitaker misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Yusupov.
Yusupov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
Yusupov tries to close the distance and clinch but Whitaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Whitaker.
Whitaker throws a body shot but no joy.
Yusupov takes the fight into the clinch.
Whitaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yusupov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Whitaker.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yusupov ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Yusupov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Whitaker swings for the body but Yusupov moves out of range.
Whitaker blocks a leg kick.
Yusupov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yusupov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Yusupov blocks a jab.
Whitaker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yusupov was well out of range. Poor timing from Whitaker.
Yusupov tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
Yusupov throws a looping overhand right but Whitaker ducks down to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Yusupov does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yusupov doesn't manage to clinch there - Whitaker circles away.
Yusupov misses with a hook.
Yusupov wants to clinch.
Whitaker loads up on a big right hand but Yusupov slips the punch.
Whitaker uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Yusupov throws a lazy right hand but Whitaker sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Whitaker keeps the fight on the outside.
Whitaker with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eric Whitaker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Yusupov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yusupov is trying to pull guard but Whitaker has him pressed against the cage.
Yusupov can't find room to land a body shot as Whitaker controls the action.
Yusupov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Whitaker just stands there and leans against the cage.
Whitaker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Eric Whitaker is winning the standup battle so far.
Whitaker misses with a looping left.
Yusupov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Yusupov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
A jab from Whitaker misses.
Yusupov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Whitaker, pushing him back against the cage.
Whitaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yusupov staying out of range there.
Yusupov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Yusupov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yusupov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Whitaker.
Whitaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yusupov ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker.
Whitaker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Whitaker bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Yusupov's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker missing with a left hand there. Yusupov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yusupov is looking to clinch but Whitaker is avoiding it.
Yusupov wants to slow Whitaker down by chopping away at his legs.
Whitaker ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yusupov moves in looking to clinch but Whitaker pushes him off.
Yusupov wants to clinch up but Whitaker keeps it at a distance.
The fighters circle momentarily. Whitaker darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Yusupov moves away from the strike by Whitaker.
A big left from Whitaker misses.
Yusupov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Yusupov avoids the body shot from Whitaker.
Whitaker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Whitaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Yusupov throws a low kick but Whitaker moves out of range easily.
Whitaker loads up on a big right hand but Yusupov slips the punch.
Whitaker slips a straight right by Yusupov.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov tries to clinch but Whitaker moves out of range.
Yusupov misses with a looping right.
Whitaker throws a looping overhand right but Yusupov ducks down to avoid it.
Yusupov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Whitaker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yusupov.
Whitaker moves out of range of the strikes.
It looked like Whitaker wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Whitaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yusupov moves away.
Yusupov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big right from Yusupov misses.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yusupov throws a nice looking combination but Whitaker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yusupov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yusupov fails to land with a series of punches.
Whitaker is looking to counter punch.
Yusupov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Whitaker misses with a looping right.
Yusupov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Yusupov staying out of range there.
Whitaker throws an overhand right that lands on Yusupov's shoulder, as Yusupov tries to avoid the shot.
Yusupov forces Whitaker back against the cage and clinches.
Yusupov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Whitaker smiles and moves away.
Eric Whitaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sultan Yusupov.
Yusupov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yusupov doesn't manage to clinch there - Whitaker circles away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Whitaker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yusupov can do to turn this around?
The fighters circling - Whitaker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yusupov throws a hook but Whitaker blocks it.
Whitaker misses the shot to the body.
Whitaker throws the left hand but Yusupov avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circling - Whitaker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Whitaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yusupov.
Yusupov misses with a hook. Whitaker ducked under it nicely.
Whitaker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yusupov tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
Yusupov moves in looking to clinch but Whitaker pushes him off.
Whitaker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yusupov.
Yusupov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yusupov tries to score with a low kick but Whitaker moves his leg out of the way.
Whitaker throws a shot from downtown. Yusupov moves away and avoids it.
Yusupov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Whitaker.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Yusupov is just out of range.
Yusupov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Yusupov ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker.
Yusupov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Yusupov is just out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker clobbers Yusupov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Yusupov throws a right and a left that Whitaker avoids nicely.
Whitaker looks to land a left hand but Yusupov moved out of range nicely.
Whitaker scores with a body shot.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Whitaker misses with an uppercut.
Yusupov wants to counter with a clinch but Whitaker pushes him away.
Yusupov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whitaker misses with a straight left.
Yusupov avoids the body shot from Whitaker.
Whitaker swings for the body but Yusupov moves out of range.
Yusupov tries to clinch but Whitaker is having none of it.
Whitaker misses the shot to the body.
Whitaker throws a looping overhand right but Yusupov ducks down to avoid it.
Whitaker cracks Yusupov with a good jab.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Yusupov throws a big shot that misses.
Yusupov is looking to clinch but Whitaker is avoiding it.
Yusupov wants to clinch.
It looked like Whitaker wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eric Whitaker dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Nice shot lands for Whitaker.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Whitaker swings for the body but Yusupov moves out of range.
Whitaker looks to throw the jab but Yusupov is out of range.
Yusupov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Whitaker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Yusupov trying to control the position but instead, Whitaker has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yusupov into the cage.
Whitaker has had enough of the clinch but Yusupov keeps him there for the moment.
Whitaker breaks from the clinch.
Yusupov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yusupov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Whitaker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yusupov moves in looking to clinch but Whitaker pushes him off.
Yusupov moves away from the strike by Whitaker.
Whitaker misses with a wild body shot.
Yusupov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Whitaker.
Yusupov throws a big shot that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Whitaker lands the left hand.
Whitaker works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Yusupov tries to close the distance and clinch but Whitaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Whitaker throws the left hand but Yusupov avoids the punch easily.
Whitaker looks to throw the jab but Yusupov is out of range.
Whitaker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yusupov.
Yusupov slips under a jab from Whitaker.
Yusupov missing with a left hand there. Whitaker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fighters circling - Yusupov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yusupov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Whitaker was well out of range. Poor timing from Yusupov.
Yusupov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Yusupov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Whitaker moves away.
Whitaker throws a hook but Yusupov blocks it.
Yusupov darts in trying to clinch
and Whitaker counters with a stiff right hand.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yusupov trying to stall but Whitaker improves his position.
Whitaker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Yusupov misses with some punches.
Whitaker breaks the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Whitaker misses.
Yusupov misses with a hook.
Yusupov is looking to clinch.
Whitaker misses with a hook. Yusupov ducked under it nicely.
Whitaker throws a big shot that misses.
Yusupov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Yusupov throws a hook but Whitaker avoids it easily.
Whitaker throwing a counter right hand but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Yusupov tries to clinch up.
Yusupov misses with a low kick.
Whitaker throws the left hand but Yusupov avoids the punch easily.
Whitaker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Whitaker.
Whitaker looks to throw the jab but Yusupov is out of range.
Yusupov tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
Whitaker throws a jab when Yusupov was well out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker lands with a hook. Yusupov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Whitaker throws a body punch but Yusupov moves out of range.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Yusupov is just out of range.
Whitaker throws a body shot but no joy.
Whitaker jabs at Yusupov's body.
Yusupov moves into the clinch.
Yusupov misses with a body punch.
Yusupov pulls guard effortlessly.
Whitaker got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yusupov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Whitaker has managed to get both his arms back between Yusupov's legs - danger averted.
Whitaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Yusupov is retaining full guard.
Whitaker got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yusupov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Whitaker has managed to get both his arms back between Yusupov's legs - danger averted.
Whitaker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Whitaker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov has his foot on Whitaker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Whitaker works his way back into a safe position though.
Yusupov is pulling down on Whitaker's head. It's preventing any offense from Whitaker, at least for the moment.
Whitaker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yusupov is keeping the position for now.
Yusupov is trying to keep Whitaker in close.
Yusupov looking for a guillotine here but Whitaker defends easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Whitaker throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eric Whitaker clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Yusupov is looking to clinch but Whitaker is avoiding it.
Whitaker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Whitaker checks a low kick from Yusupov.
Yusupov slips a jab from Whitaker.
Whitaker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yusupov.
Yusupov misses with a low kick.
Whitaker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Whitaker misses the target.
Whitaker misses with a wild body shot.
Whitaker missing with a left hand there. Yusupov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yusupov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Whitaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yusupov.
Whitaker avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Whitaker misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Whitaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Whitaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Yusupov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Whitaker is able to avoid easily.
Whitaker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Yusupov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Whitaker throwing a counter right hand but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Yusupov avoids the body shot from Whitaker.
Yusupov tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
Whitaker throws a jab when Yusupov was well out of range.
Yusupov is looking to clinch but Whitaker is avoiding it.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Yusupov throws out a loose jab but Whitaker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yusupov throws a leg kick but Whitaker sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Yusupov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Whitaker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yusupov was well out of range. Poor timing from Whitaker.
Yusupov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from Yusupov misses.
Yusupov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yusupov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Yusupov is looking to clinch.
Whitaker throwing a counter right hand but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Whitaker tests Yusupov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A punch lands to the side of Yusupov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Whitaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yusupov moves away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Yusupov misses.
Yusupov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Whitaker.
Whitaker misses with a wild body shot.
Whitaker looks to land a left hand but Yusupov moved out of range nicely.
Whitaker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yusupov.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Whitaker with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Whitaker misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yusupov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Whitaker throws a looping overhand right but Yusupov ducks down to avoid it.
Yusupov tries to clinch there but Whitaker circles away.
Yusupov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
Yusupov throws a nice looking combination but Whitaker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yusupov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Whitaker.
Whitaker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Whitaker sets himself, and Yusupov steps forward looking for the clinch! Whitaker avoids it this time.
Yusupov loads up on a big right hand but Whitaker slips the punch.
Yusupov blocks a jab.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov misses with a straight right.
Whitaker throws a big shot that misses.
Whitaker missing with a left hand there. Yusupov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Whitaker throws a hook but Yusupov avoids it easily.
Whitaker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Yusupov slips under a jab.
Yusupov moves into the clinch successfully.
Whitaker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Whitaker misses the shot to the body.
Yusupov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Whitaker is out of range.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Yusupov is just out of range.
Yusupov throws a front kick aimed at Whitaker's knee but Whitaker avoids it well.
Nice defenses there by Yusupov.
Whitaker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Whitaker checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A quick step to the side and Whitaker tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Whitaker keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yusupov.
A big left from Whitaker misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker ducks under a wild hook from Yusupov.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
Yusupov tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Yusupov staying out of range there.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
Whitaker slips under a jab.
Whitaker moves out of range of the strikes.
Whitaker checks a low kick from Yusupov.
Yusupov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker.
Yusupov takes one on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yusupov swings for the body but Whitaker moves out of range.
Yusupov looks to throw the jab but Whitaker is out of range.
Yusupov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yusupov tries to clinch but Whitaker is having none of it.
Yusupov avoids the body shot from Whitaker.
Yusupov tries to clinch up.
Whitaker throws an overhand right that lands on Yusupov's shoulder, as Yusupov tries to avoid the shot.
Yusupov defending well as Whitaker loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eric Whitaker had his way with Sultan Yusupov in that round.
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!
Yusupov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Whitaker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Whitaker misses with a body shot.
Whitaker misses with a looping left.
Yusupov misses with a double jab.
A swing and a miss from Whitaker.
Yusupov tries to counter by closing the distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Yusupov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Whitaker blocks a jab.
A big left from Yusupov misses.
Whitaker digs a good body shot into Yusupov's ribs.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Yusupov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yusupov slips under a jab from Whitaker.
Yusupov tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Whitaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yusupov moves away.
Whitaker scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Whitaker connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Yusupov's hands.
Yusupov moves in looking to clinch but Whitaker pushes him off.
Yusupov thows a left - swing and a miss!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker throws a body shot but no joy.
Yusupov slips under a jab.
Yusupov wants to counter with a clinch but Whitaker pushes him away.
Yusupov moves away from the strike by Whitaker.
Yusupov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Whitaker looks to land a right hand but Yusupov moved out of range.
Whitaker missing with a left hand there. Yusupov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yusupov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Yusupov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker.
Yusupov tries to clinch but Whitaker moves out of range.
Whitaker slips a jab from Yusupov.
Yusupov misses with a looping right.
Whitaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yusupov.
Yusupov wants to slow Whitaker down by chopping away at his legs.
Whitaker loads up on a big right hand but Yusupov slips the punch.
Yusupov is looking to clinch.
Whitaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yusupov.
Yusupov defending well as Whitaker loads up on a big left hand.
Yusupov throws a shot from downtown. Whitaker moves away and avoids it.
Sultan Yusupov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yusupov.
The fighters circling - Yusupov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Whitaker bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Yusupov is just out of range.
Yusupov rushes Whitaker and presses him up against the cage.
Yusupov fails to pull guard.
Yusupov is trying to pull guard but Whitaker has him pressed against the cage.
Yusupov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Yusupov is trying to pull guard but Whitaker turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Eric Whitaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sultan Yusupov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yusupov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Whitaker blocking some punches.
Whitaker blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yusupov tries to pull guard but Whitaker forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Whitaker manages to break the clinch.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
Yusupov misses with a body shot.
A quick step to the side and Whitaker tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Whitaker slips a straight right by Yusupov.
Yusupov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Whitaker throws a body punch but Yusupov moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Yusupov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yusupov. Whitaker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Whitaker avoids the body shot from Yusupov.
Whitaker avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Whitaker swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Whitaker throws an overhand right that lands on Yusupov's shoulder, as Yusupov tries to avoid the shot.
Yusupov misses with a wild body shot.
Whitaker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusupov manages to avoid it.
Whitaker feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yusupovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Yusupov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Whitaker connects with the punch.
Yusupov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab lands there for Whitaker.
Yusupov throws a hook but Whitaker blocks it.
Yusupov slips under a jab from Whitaker.
Whitaker moves out of range as Yusupov strikes.
Eric Whitaker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov throws a leg kick but Whitaker sees it coming and moves out of range.
Whitaker lands a glancing blow to the side of Yusupov's head.
Whitaker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
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!
Yusupov throws an overhand right that lands on Whitaker's shoulder, as Whitaker tries to avoid the shot.
Yusupov avoids the body shot from Whitaker.
Yusupov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Yusupov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Whitaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yusupov moves away.
The fighters circling - Whitaker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yusupov just misses with a punch to the body.
Whitaker misses with a looping left.
Yusupov misses with a looping right.
Yusupov defending well as Whitaker loads up on a big left hand.
Yusupov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Yusupov misses with an uppercut.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
Yusupov wants to counter with a clinch but Whitaker pushes him away.
Whitaker throws out a loose jab but Yusupov uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Whitaker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Whitaker, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Whitaker!
Eric Whitaker is the new light heavyweight champion!
Eric Whitaker seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
59% |
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