PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sultan Yusupov (ranked 519 p4p, 75 weight class) and Eric Whitaker (ranked 925 p4p, 131 weight class). Eric Whitaker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Yusupov
vs
Whitaker

181 cm
27
208 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

185 cm
27
220 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Woodhouse's

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sultan Yusupov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eric Whitaker!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker keeps the fight on the outside.
Whitaker takes a swing at Yusupov's ribcage but misses.
Whitaker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yusupov.

Yusupov drives through and clinches with Whitaker against the cage.
Yusupov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Whitaker just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yusupov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Whitaker backwards.
Whitaker's coach down at ELITE Island Gym - 19 Elite Coaches was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Whitaker's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Yusupov jumps into guard, dragging Whitaker to the mat.
Yusupov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Whitaker.

Yusupov looking for a guillotine here but Whitaker defends easily.
Whitaker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yusupov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Whitaker is aware though and is defending well.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Yusupov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Whitaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yusupov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Whitaker has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Yusupov to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Whitaker is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Yusupov pulls down on the head and he's put Whitaker to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Sultan Yusupov!
A relieved looking Sultan Yusupov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.