PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Whitaker (ranked 406 p4p, 61 weight class) and Anton Shibaev (ranked 3296 p4p, 399 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Whitaker
vs
Shibaev

185 cm
26
220 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eric Whitaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anton Shibaev!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shibaev defending well as Whitaker loads up on a big left hand.
Whitaker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shibaev.
A big right from Shibaev misses.
Shibaev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shibaev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Whitaker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shibaev moves away.
Eric Whitaker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shibaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Whitaker.
Shibaev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shibaev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice jab there from Whitaker.

It looks like Anton Shibaev has been cut.
Shibaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Whitaker moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And Shibaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Whitaker pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Whitaker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shibaev.
Shibaev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
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 is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shibaev.
Shibaev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Whitaker defends it well.
Shibaev takes one to the chin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shibaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whitaker manages to avoid it.
Shibaev has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Shibaev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Whitaker misses with a hook. Shibaev ducked under it nicely.
Whitaker throws a body shot but no joy.
Whitaker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Whitaker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shibaev.
Whitaker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shibaev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shibaev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Whitaker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shibaev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker. Shibaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shibaev cracks Whitaker with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Whitaker scores with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibaev ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker.
Whitaker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shibaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And Shibaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Whitaker pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whitaker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Shibaev.
Shibaev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Whitaker throws a lazy uppercut

so Shibaev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Whitaker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Shibaev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shibaev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shibaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Whitaker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Whitaker pulls Shibaev in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Whitaker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Whitaker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitaker tries to strike from the bottom.
Shibaev throwing strikes from guard but Whitaker blocks nicely.
Whitaker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shibaev's guard.

Shibaev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Whitaker's guard.

Shibaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Whitaker wants to improve his position but instead Shibaev has moved into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whitaker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shibaev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shibaev's back!
Shibaev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shibaev is trapped and Whitaker is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Shibaev tries to break free.
Whitaker is trying to stick to Shibaev's back but Shibaev is turning into Whitaker. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Whitaker's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Shibaev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shibaev wants to control from the top but Whitaker keeps moving.
Shibaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitaker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shibaev is one step ahead there.
Whitaker trying to keep a closed guard but Shibaev is proving a slippery customer.
Shibaev won't allow Whitaker to sweep him here.
Whitaker keeping moving, preventing Shibaev from controlling successfully.
Shibaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Whitaker working for a triangle but Shibaev defends it easily.
Whitaker can't keep his opponent in guard - Shibaev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Whitaker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anton Shibaev's cut.
That's time! Whitaker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Whitaker misses with an uppercut.
Shibaev moves away from the strike by Whitaker.
Whitaker scores with a nice head shot.
Whitaker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shibaev can do to turn this around?
Shibaev throws a hook to the side of Whitaker's head but Whitaker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Whitaker slips under a jab from Shibaev.
Whitaker misses the jab.
Shibaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Whitaker defending well as Shibaev loads up on a big left hand.
Whitaker takes a swing at Shibaev's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shibaev takes a swing at Whitaker's ribcage but misses.
Shibaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Shibaev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Whitaker on his heels. He'll look to pass Whitaker's guard now, I'm sure.
Shibaev preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker keeping moving, preventing Shibaev from controlling successfully.
Whitaker is trying to control the position but Shibaev postures up.
Shibaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shibaev trying to control but Whitaker is working from the bottom.
Whitaker manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shibaev manages to get himself to full guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whitaker preventing the sweep.
Whitaker postures up and lands a big shot to Shibaev's brow.
Whitaker is working Shibaev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Shibaev is looking for a triangle but Whitaker pushes his legs off easily.

Whitaker got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shibaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Whitaker has managed to get both his arms back between Shibaev's legs - danger averted.
Whitaker cracks Shibaev with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shibaev is keeping the position for now.
Whitaker with a nice head shot there.
Shibaev has momentary wrist control but Whitaker slips an elbow through the middle.

Shibaev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Whitaker is aware though and is defending well.
Whitaker postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Anton Shibaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Whitaker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Shibaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shibaev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Whitaker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Whitaker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shibaev is trying to keep Whitaker in close.
Whitaker cracks Shibaev with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Whitaker's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Whitaker keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shibaev's head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shibaev is on top in guard.

Whitaker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Whitaker is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Whitaker slips a nice elbow through Shibaev's hands, connecting with Shibaev's forehead.

Shibaev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shibaev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Whitaker is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is pressing down on Shibaev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shibaev is holding on for now.

Shibaev looking for submissions off his back.
Shibaev is staying active underneath Whitaker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Whitaker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Whitaker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Shibaev manages to get to full guard.

Shibaev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Whitaker defends it easily.
Whitaker landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Whitaker dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anton Shibaev's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Shibaev cracks Whitaker with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shibaev moves away from the strike by Whitaker.
A little jabbing left from Shibaev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shibaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Whitaker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shibaev.
Whitaker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shibaev.
Eric Whitaker is winning the standup battle so far.
Whitaker throws a body punch but Shibaev moves out of range.
Whitaker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shibaev.
Shibaev moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker throws a hook but Shibaev avoids it easily.
Whitaker throws a lazy right hand but Shibaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shibaev feints the counter takedown.
Whitaker misses with a left hand

and Shibaev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shibaev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker wants to sweep but no luck.
Whitaker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Whitaker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shibaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shibaev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Whitaker is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Whitaker keeping moving, preventing Shibaev from controlling successfully.
Whitaker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Whitaker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shibaev is one step ahead there.
Shibaev throws an elbow that misses. Whitaker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shibaev's guard. Nice move by Whitaker!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker chips away with some ground and pound.

Shibaev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Whitaker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Whitaker working some strikes from top position.
Whitaker wants to pass the guard but Shibaev is keeping the position.
Whitaker lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shibaev keeping moving, preventing Whitaker from controlling successfully.
Whitaker connects with a couple of short punches.
Shibaev has momentary wrist control but Whitaker slips an elbow through the middle.
Anton Shibaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker trying to control but Shibaev is working from the bottom.
Whitaker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Whitaker scoring with some ground and pound.

Shibaev is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Whitaker has his hands clasped together but Shibaev extends and breaks Whitaker's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Shibaev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anton Shibaev!
Anton Shibaev decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.