PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Whitaker (ranked 879 p4p, 140 weight class) and Phil Coleman (ranked 422 p4p, 71 weight class). Eric Whitaker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Whitaker
vs
Coleman

185 cm
26
220 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
223 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

BEAST
Woodhouse's

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 8 - 1 - 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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Phil Coleman!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, David Hoff and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coleman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Coleman gets caught flat footed, as Whitaker shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Whitaker is looking to work some ground and pound but Coleman has wrist control.
Whitaker stopping the sweep attempt from Coleman.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whitaker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Whitaker looking to pass the guard.
Coleman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Whitaker wants to control from the top but Coleman keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coleman looking for a sweep. Not yet Coleman, not yet.
Whitaker scoring with punches to the head and body.
Whitaker definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whitaker wants to control from the top but Coleman keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coleman 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 pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Coleman is keeping the position for now.
Coleman has his hands on Whitaker's head, controlling the position.
Whitaker forces his way into half guard.
Coleman is trying to maintain the position but Whitaker is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Coleman is trying to get back to full guard.
Coleman makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Coleman.
Coleman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Coleman 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 trying to control from the bottom.
Whitaker is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coleman takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Whitaker taking some punishment here, with Coleman in his half guard.
Coleman prevents Whitaker from improving his position.
Coleman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Coleman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Whitaker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Coleman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Coleman's back!
Whitaker trying to control momentarily.
Coleman just trying to survive but Whitaker is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coleman rolls, trying to escape but Whitaker keeps control of the position.
Whitaker lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Whitaker scores with strikes from the back.
Whitaker is not going to allow Coleman to sit and survive in this position.
Whitaker misses with an elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Coleman has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Whitaker.
Whitaker missing with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coleman turns into Whitaker and is now in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Whitaker dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Coleman as Whitaker shoots in.
Nice shot by Coleman.

Coleman gets caught napping as Whitaker dives in and scores a takedown. Coleman manages to retain guard.
Whitaker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Coleman can do to turn this around?
Whitaker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Whitaker looking to pass the guard.
Coleman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitaker cracks Coleman with a solid left hand.
Whitaker won't allow Coleman to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coleman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Whitaker wants to pass the guard but Coleman is keeping the position.
Whitaker throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coleman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Whitaker postures up in Coleman's guard and throws a big left but Coleman blocks it.
Whitaker wants to control from the top but Coleman keeps moving.
Whitaker postures up in Coleman's guard and throws a big left but Coleman blocks it.
Coleman being controlled here, momentarily.
Coleman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Whitaker is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Coleman tries to clinch up but Whitaker circles away and keeps his distance.
Coleman has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

Coleman has Whitaker up against the cage in a clinch.
Coleman wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker throws a punch but it's blocked by Coleman.
Coleman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Coleman.
Coleman tries for a takedown but Whitaker manages to get underhooks.

Whitaker is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Coleman can't fight it off and eventually Whitaker manages to take the fight to the floor. Coleman looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Whitaker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitaker throws a big right hand that misses.
Coleman throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Whitaker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Whitaker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Whitaker wants to pass the guard but Coleman is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker works over Coleman with some ground and pound from guard.
Whitaker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitaker has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Coleman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker postures up.
Whitaker won't allow Coleman to sweep him here.
Whitaker throws a big elbow that misses.
Coleman is trying to keep Whitaker in close.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Coleman clinches with his opponent.
Coleman prevents a takedown attempt there.
A nice right hand lands inside from Whitaker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker misses with some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Coleman.
Nice body punch from Coleman.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Whitaker gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Coleman regains guard.
Whitaker preventing the sweep.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Coleman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker postures up.
Whitaker being controlled here momentarily.
Coleman looking for a sweep. Not yet Coleman, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Whitaker scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Whitaker dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Coleman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Whitaker clinches up with Coleman and pushes him back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Coleman.
Stalling in the clinch from Coleman.
Coleman lands a right hand.
Coleman lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Coleman misses with a hook to the ribs.

Coleman lands a takedown into guard.
Eric Whitaker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Coleman scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Coleman cracks Whitaker with a solid left hand.
Coleman slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Let's hope that Coleman has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Coleman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Whitaker keeping moving, preventing Coleman from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker is trying to keep Coleman in close.
Whitaker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Whitaker is on top in guard.

Whitaker preventing the sweep.
Whitaker is in close to Coleman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Whitaker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Whitaker throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coleman trying to control the position.
Coleman lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Whitaker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Coleman is one step ahead there.
Whitaker is working hard here to advance position.
Coleman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Coleman tries to free his leg and advance position but Whitaker is retaining full guard.
Whitaker can't keep his opponent in guard - Coleman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Whitaker is trying to get back to full guard.
Coleman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Whitaker taking some punishment here, with Coleman in his half guard.
Whitaker wants to improve his position but Coleman is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is refusing to be controlled, as Coleman sits in half guard.
Coleman slows the pace down in half guard.
Whitaker makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Whitaker.
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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Whitaker lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Coleman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Coleman really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Coleman swats away the attempt to clinch by Whitaker.
A left lands for Coleman.

Whitaker gets a double leg takedown into Coleman's guard.
Whitaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Coleman is retaining full guard.
Coleman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Coleman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Whitaker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coleman is trying to control the position but Whitaker postures up.
Whitaker stopping the sweep attempt from Coleman.
Whitaker is looking to work some ground and pound but Coleman has wrist control.
Whitaker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Coleman trying to control the position.
Whitaker preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Coleman.
Whitaker tries to counter with a takedown but Coleman is quick to defend against it.

Coleman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Whitaker, pushing him back against the cage.
Coleman can't find room to land a body shot as Whitaker controls the action.
Whitaker looking for a takedown.
Coleman misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Whitaker.
Whitaker throws a head punch that misses.
Whitaker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Whitaker tries to score a body lock takedown but Coleman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Coleman scores with a hook to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Coleman scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coleman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Coleman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Coleman throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whitakers head.

Coleman lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Coleman lands strikes from half guard.
Coleman working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Coleman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Whitaker has hold of Coleman's hands but Coleman slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Whitaker tries to get to full guard but Coleman has control of the leg.
Coleman working over Whitaker with some ground and pound. Whitaker looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coleman working over Whitaker with some ground and pound. Whitaker looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Whitaker is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Coleman jumps into side control!
Whitaker is looking for a sweep.
Coleman cracks Whitaker with a big elbow.
Coleman working the ground and pound from side control.
Whitaker gets back to half guard.
Coleman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Coleman wants to take a breather but Whitaker is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coleman seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Coleman is keen to just control but Whitaker is a slippery customer.
Coleman winds up and cracks Whitaker with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Whitaker is staying active underneath Coleman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Whitaker is looking to improve his position.
Coleman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Whitaker wants to clinch

and Coleman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Coleman dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Whitaker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Whitaker wants to clinch.
Coleman goes for a double leg but Whitaker avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Whitaker continues to drive forward.
Coleman scores with a nice head shot.
Coleman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by Coleman. Beautiful body shot.
Whitaker takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Coleman stuffs the takedown attempt from Whitaker. Whitaker gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Whitaker closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Whitaker is trying to ground and pound but Coleman uses the momentary lack of control by Whitaker to regain half guard.
Whitaker wants to pass to mount but Coleman is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coleman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Whitaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Coleman is retaining full guard.
Coleman is adopting a defensive guard.
Whitaker controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Coleman pulls Whitaker in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Whitaker trying to control but Coleman is working from the bottom.
Whitaker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Coleman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Whitaker is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Coleman stuffs the takedown.

Coleman clinches with his opponent.
Coleman cracks Whitaker with a nice 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.
A right hook to the body lands for Coleman.
Coleman lands an uppercut.
Whitaker gets underhooks to prevent Coleman's takedown attempt.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Coleman.
Coleman blocks a body shot from Whitaker.
Whitaker misses with a short punch on the inside.
Coleman working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Coleman.
Whitaker's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Coleman lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Whitaker backwards.
Whitaker misses with some punches.
Whitaker has a couple of punches blocked by Coleman.
Coleman lands with a right to the head.
Whitaker blocks a body shot from Coleman.
Coleman lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Whitaker or not.
Coleman lands a body punch.
Coleman tries to score a body lock takedown but Whitaker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Eric Whitaker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phil Coleman.
Coleman lands with a short shot to the head.
Whitaker changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Coleman fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Coleman rushes Whitaker and presses him up against the cage.
Coleman blocking some punches.
Coleman dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coleman just leaning against Whitaker, taking a breather.
Coleman lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whitaker throws a head punch that misses.
Whitaker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Coleman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Whitaker up against the cage.
Whitaker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Coleman gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Coleman lands a nice uppercut.
Whitaker is looking to take this one to the mat.
Coleman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Coleman can't get the takedown.
Whitaker is looking for a takedown.
Coleman looking to stall.
Coleman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Coleman misses with a body punch.
Coleman lands a hook that snaps the head of Whitaker backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Coleman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Coleman 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 47:48
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 47:48
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Coleman! Phil Coleman retains his light heavyweight title!
Phil Coleman 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.