PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andre Galvao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and craig whitehead (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Galvao
vs
whitehead

170 cm
23
180 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

185 cm
24
170 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Elite Golden Nutrition

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Andre Galvao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, craig whitehead!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Galvao circles away from the clinch attempt.
No joy there for whitehead, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
whitehead fails to land with a series of punches.
Galvao walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
whitehead lands a body shot.
whitehead lands a glancing blow to the side of Galvao's head.
Galvao takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Good exchange - whitehead coming out on top.
whitehead scores with a hook to the body. Galvao takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
whitehead lands a jab to Galvao's midsection.
A head kick from whitehead lands but Galvao takes it in his stride.
whitehead looks to land a combination. Galvao sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
whitehead is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
whitehead scores with a sloppy right hand. Galvao should have avoided that one.
Galvao moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Galvao is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Galvao walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
whitehead tries to close the distance and clinch up but Galvao swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
whitehead keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by whitehead.
Galvao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Galvao circles away from the clinch attempt.
whitehead wants to clinch.
whitehead tests Galvao's chin there with a solid looking shot.
whitehead throws a nice head kick!
Galvao dodges the punch combination from whitehead.
A jab from whitehead does it's job there.
whitehead scores with a punch to the head.
whitehead has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
whitehead darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
whitehead is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Galvao had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
whitehead connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Galvao bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
whitehead has one of Galvao's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
whitehead prevents Galvao from moving into mount.
whitehead is trying to improve his position.

Galvao is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, whitehead has escaped the position, nice work there.
whitehead gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Galvao is working for a submission of some sort.

Galvao is working for a kimura but whitehead is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
whitehead controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Galvao seems to be working for a kimura but whitehead defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
whitehead slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
whitehead tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

craig whitehead dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

whitehead lands a head kick!
whitehead looks to land a combination but Galvao avoids it well.
whitehead lands a glancing blow to the side of Galvao's head.
whitehead stuffs the takedown attempt from Galvao. Galvao gets slowly back to his feet.
craig whitehead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
whitehead cracks Galvao with a good jab.
whitehead connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Galvao momentarily.
whitehead jabs at Galvao's body.

whitehead fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Galvao, pushing him back against the cage.
whitehead lands a right hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands a right hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands with a left to the head.
A short right from whitehead.
whitehead lands a left hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead unloads a knee to the mid-section.
whitehead scores with a hook to the body.
Galvao has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. whitehead avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
whitehead lands an elbow inside that Galvao shrugs off.
whitehead lands a good knee to the midsection. Galvao won't want to take too many of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from whitehead.
whitehead lands with a short shot to the head.
whitehead lands with a left to the head.
whitehead lands an uppercut.
Galvao takes an elbow to the forehead.
whitehead landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
whitehead lands an uppercut.
whitehead pushes Galvao back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
whitehead landing knees to the head.
whitehead lands a left hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands a nice uppercut.
whitehead throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, whitehead creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
whitehead creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Galvao's defenses.
A short right from whitehead.
whitehead lands a nice uppercut.
whitehead scores with a shot to the side of Galvao's head.
A body shot lands from whitehead.
whitehead working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
whitehead is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
whitehead lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
whitehead connects with a knee to the head.
whitehead working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
whitehead working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
whitehead lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
whitehead lands a hook that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
A short left from whitehead.
Still in the clinch, whitehead scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
whitehead lands a right hand.
A short uppercut from whitehead.
whitehead stops a takedown attempt from Galvao.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Galvao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
whitehead lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands an elbow that stopped Galvao in his tracks for a moment.
whitehead gets through Galvao's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
whitehead lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
whitehead lands with a right to the head.
whitehead working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from whitehead.
whitehead scores with a shot to the side of Galvao's head.
whitehead working some nice short punches in the clinch.
whitehead pushes Galvao back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
whitehead lands a right hand.
Galvao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A quick uppercut on the inside from whitehead.
whitehead pushes Galvao back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
whitehead working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. whitehead obliges.
whitehead lands a body punch.
whitehead lands with a short head shot on the inside.
whitehead lands a shoulder strike.
whitehead lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A body shot lands from whitehead.
whitehead lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
whitehead scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Still in the clinch, whitehead scores with a nice short uppercut.
whitehead lands an elbow inside that Galvao shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galvao is working for takedown but whitehead is calmly controlling the position for now.
Galvao takes an elbow to the forehead.
whitehead softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
whitehead makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
whitehead lands a left hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands on the inside with an uppercut.
whitehead working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short uppercut from whitehead.
A short right from whitehead.
whitehead lands with a short shot to the head.
Galvao goes for a takedown in the clinch but whitehead prevents it.
whitehead lands a nice elbow.
whitehead lands a left hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead digs a right hand into Galvao's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Galvao's gas tank.
whitehead makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
whitehead digs a right hand underneath Galvao's ribcage. Galvao let out a lung full of air as it connected.
whitehead scores with a shoulder strike.
whitehead lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
whitehead working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
whitehead lands a left hand that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands with a left to the head.
whitehead makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
whitehead lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
whitehead gets through Galvao's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Galvao's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
whitehead lands a hook that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands with a left to the head.
whitehead softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from whitehead.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, whitehead creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
whitehead lands a left hand.
A left hand lands to the body for whitehead.
whitehead lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Galvao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
whitehead lands a shoulder strike.
whitehead misses with a punch on the inside.
whitehead lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for whitehead.
Galvao goes for a takedown in the clinch but whitehead prevents it.
whitehead throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Galvaos head.
whitehead working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Galvao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
whitehead scores with a shot to the side of Galvao's head.
A short body shot lands from whitehead as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
whitehead lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
whitehead lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Galvao backwards.
Galvao tries to score a body lock takedown but whitehead shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
whitehead lands a left hand.
whitehead lands a body shot.
Galvao takes a shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

craig whitehead showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

whitehead tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good exchange - whitehead coming out on top.
Galvao takes one to the side of the head.
whitehead dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Galvao takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A right-left combo lands from whitehead.
whitehead throws a good cross that connects.
whitehead plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
whitehead is looking to clinch.
whitehead connects with a looping right hand.
whitehead smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Andre Galvao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
whitehead jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
whitehead cracks Galvao with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
whitehead scores with the left hand. Galvao knows he should have avoided that one.

Galvao shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Galvao showed some decent athleticism there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Galvao is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
whitehead slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
whitehead controlling the position.
Andre Galvao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Galvao drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and whitehead dives on top into guard.
Galvao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
whitehead stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Galvao swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Galvao looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
whitehead postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
whitehead lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Galvao is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
whitehead passes easily into side control. Nice work.
whitehead lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
whitehead scores with a couple of short elbows.
whitehead works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

whitehead is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Galvao has escaped the position, nice work there.
whitehead works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
whitehead scoring with punches and elbows.
whitehead connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Galvao some visible discomfort.
Galvao takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
whitehead throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

whitehead tries for a kimura but Galvao is defending well.
whitehead working away.
craig whitehead is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galvao managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by whitehead.
Galvao tries to escape but whitehead is in control.
Galvao misses with an elbow from the bottom.
whitehead lands an elbow.
whitehead cracks Galvao with a big right hand but Galvao just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Galvao is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Galvao might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
whitehead landing strikes.
whitehead connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Galvao some visible discomfort.

whitehead tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no whitehead has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Galvao sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
craig whitehead comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well whitehead has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight for craig whitehead!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for craig whitehead!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for craig whitehead!

craig whitehead wins by unanimous decision!