PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Whitaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Branislav Boledovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Whitaker comes to the ring accompanied by "Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragon Force. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Whitaker
vs
Boledovic

185 cm
23
205 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
201 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Urban Extreme Clothing

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shane Whitaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Branislav Boledovic!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker doesn't manage to clinch there - Boledovic circles away.
Whitaker takes a swing at Boledovic's ribcage but misses.
Whitaker shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A big right from Boledovic misses.
Whitaker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Boledovic swivels and escapes.
Whitaker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Whitaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boledovic throws a shot from downtown. Whitaker moves away and avoids it.
Nice takedown defense from Boledovic. No joy for Whitaker on that attempt.
Whitaker tries to clinch but Boledovic moves out of range.
Whitaker shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Boledovic finds it's way round the side to connect with Whitaker's head.
Boledovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Boledovic waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Whitaker.
Whitaker fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker defending well as Boledovic loads up on a big left hand.
Boledovic misses with an uppercut. Whitaker saw that one coming.
Whitaker throws a jab but it's blocked by Boledovic.
Boledovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Boledovic misses with an uppercut. Whitaker saw that one coming.
Boledovic moves out of range of the strikes.
Boledovic throws a hook to the side of Whitaker's head but Whitaker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Boledovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Boledovic misses with a hook.
Boledovic misses the shot to the body.
Boledovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whitaker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Boledovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.

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.
Whitaker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Boledovic as he jumps to the side.
Whitaker ducks under a wild hook from Boledovic.
Whitaker lands a nice shot that snaps Boledovic's head back.
Whitaker staying out of range there.
Boledovic with a hook.
Boledovic closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Whitaker misses with a takedown attempt - Boledovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Boledovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Boledovic tests Whitaker's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Boledovic misses its intended target.

Whitaker looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Whitaker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Boledovic is controlling Whitaker's trapped leg to prevent Whitaker from advancing to side control.
Whitaker with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Whitaker is looking for a kimura here.
Boledovic is looking to control Whitaker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Boledovic avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker trying to control from half guard but Boledovic is working away.
Whitaker is thwarting Boledovic's attempts to control the position.
Whitaker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Boledovic defending well though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Whitaker has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Boledovic misses with a looping left.
Boledovic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Branislav Boledovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Boledovic throws out the jab.
Whitaker blocks a jab.
Jab by Boledovic.
Boledovic misses with a wild combination.
Whitaker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Boledovic as he jumps to the side.
A big right from Boledovic misses.
Whitaker tries to clinch but Boledovic moves out of range.
Boledovic avoids the body shot from Whitaker.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Boledovic.
Boledovic misses with a two punch combination.
Whitaker slips under a jab.
Whitaker works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Boledovic loads up on a big right hand but Whitaker slips the punch.
Whitaker wants to clinch up but Boledovic keeps it at a distance.
A big left from Boledovic misses.
Nice straight punches there by Boledovic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Boledovic.
No joy there for Boledovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Boledovic throws a shot from downtown. Whitaker moves away and avoids it.
Boledovic throws an overhand right that lands on Whitaker's shoulder, as Whitaker tries to avoid the shot.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic misses with a looping right.
Boledovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whitaker manages to avoid it.
Boledovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Whitaker.
Boledovic misses with a looping left.
Whitaker shoots in for a takedown but Boledovic shows good takedown defense.
Whitaker fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Whitaker catches Boledovic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A nice inside leg kick there by Whitaker. That's going to slow Boledovic down.
The crowd cheers as Whitaker lands an impressive looking overhand right. Boledovic doesn't seem phased though.
Boledovic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic throws a right and a left that Whitaker avoids nicely.
Whitaker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Whitaker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Boledovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boledovic missing with a left hand there. Whitaker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Whitaker has his takedown stuffed
enabling Boledovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Whitaker with a poor takedown
and Boledovic counters with a nice body shot.
Whitaker is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Whitaker walks into a left hand.
Whitaker on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Boledovic avoids the head kick by Whitaker.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic missing with a left hand there. Whitaker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Boledovic misses with a shot to the body

and Whitaker counters with a shoot takedown. Boledovic fights it but they end up in guard.
Boledovic has his hands on Whitaker's head, controlling the position.
Whitaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Boledovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Whitaker tries to free his leg and advance position but Boledovic is retaining full guard.
Whitaker is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Whitaker slips under a jab from Boledovic.
Jab, jab by Boledovic - just one landing.
Whitaker avoids the body shot from Boledovic.
Boledovic throws the left hand but Whitaker avoids the punch easily.
Whitaker ducks under a wild hook from Boledovic.
Whitaker throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Whitaker slips a jab from Boledovic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker looks to clinch
and Boledovic counters with a left to the body.
Boledovic checks a leg kick nicely.
Boledovic keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boledovic misses with a looping right.
The fight stays on the outside here - Whitaker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boledovic misses with a straight right.
Boledovic misses with a hook. Whitaker ducked under it nicely.
Boledovic misses the shot to the body.
Boledovic lands an overhand right.
Boledovic throws a looping overhand right but Whitaker ducks down to avoid it.
Boledovic cracks Whitaker with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Whitaker moves into the clinch.

Boledovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Boledovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shane Whitaker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boledovic misses with a hook. Whitaker ducked under it nicely.
Boledovic misses with an uppercut.
Whitaker tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Boledovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Whitaker lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Boledovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Whitaker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boledovic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Whitaker misses with a takedown
enabling Boledovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Branislav Boledovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Boledovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Whitaker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Boledovic, pushing him back against the ropes.
Boledovic lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Whitaker.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Whitaker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Whitaker misses with an elbow strike.
Boledovic digs a right hand underneath Whitaker's ribcage. Whitaker let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Whitaker's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Whitaker misses with a knee strike.
Boledovic lands with a light punch inside.
Boledovic lands a shot to the body.

Boledovic manages to break the clinch.
Whitaker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Boledovic.
Whitaker fails with the takedown
enabling Boledovic to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Whitaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boledovic punishes Whitaker's body with a nice straight punch.
Whitaker ducks under a wild hook from Boledovic.
Boledovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Whitaker moves away.
Boledovic waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Whitaker.
Boledovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Whitaker is just out of range.
Boledovic tries to bum rush Whitaker with a series of wild strikes but Whitaker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Whitaker moves out of range of the strikes.
Whitaker looks to clinch
and Boledovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Whitaker staying out of range there.
Whitaker wants to clinch up but Boledovic keeps it at a distance.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Whitaker tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Boledovic counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Whitaker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boledovic counters with a left and a right that stings Whitaker.
Whitaker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Boledovic counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Whitaker!

Whitaker is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Whitaker is looking to control Boledovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Whitaker avoid being mounted?
Boledovic controlling the action here.
Boledovic's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is looking for a sweep. Boledovic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Boledovic looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Boledovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Whitaker wants to control but Boledovic is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Boledovic is pressing down on Whitaker's thigh, looking to free his foot. Whitaker is holding on for now.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic trying to control the action but Whitaker is working from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Whitaker trying to get back to full guard but Boledovic takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Whitaker is looking to improve his position but Boledovic isn't that keen on the idea.
Whitaker tries to lock up and control but Boledovic gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Whitaker keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Whitaker tries to lock up and control but Boledovic gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Boledovic controlling from the full mount.
Whitaker throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Boledovic controlling the position easily from mount.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Branislav Boledovic just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Whitaker tries to clinch but Boledovic moves away
letting Boledovic counter with a right hand.
A big left from Boledovic misses.
Boledovic looks to throw the jab but Whitaker is out of range.
Boledovic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Whitaker.
Whitaker takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Whitaker staying out of range there.
Boledovic missing with a left hand there. Whitaker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Boledovic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Branislav Boledovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Boledovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Whitaker takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Whitaker looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Boledovic misses with an uppercut. Whitaker saw that one coming.
Whitaker fails with the takedown
and Whitaker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Whitaker tries for a takedown but Boledovic circles away easily
enabling Boledovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Boledovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Whitaker blocks a jab.
Whitaker closes the distance looking to clinch
and Boledovic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boledovic thuds his right hand into Whitaker's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Whitaker doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Boledovic counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Whitaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boledovic lands with a right hand.
Whitaker ducks under a wild hook from Boledovic.
Boledovic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Boledovic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boledovic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Whitaker looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Boledovic drops Whitaker with a right and a left! Boledovic comes rushing in but Whitaker regains his composure and manages to keep Boledovic in guard.
Oh Whitaker is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Boledovic taking a breather here.
Whitaker seems to have got his legs back now.
Whitaker tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Boledovic wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Boledovic is staying tight to Whitaker's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Boledovic lands an elbow.
Whitaker seems a little lost for a moment, as Boledovic dominates the positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Boledovic 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.
Whitaker manages to work his way to half guard, despite Boledovic's best efforts.
Whitaker is trying to control but can't.

Boledovic moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Whitaker.
Boledovic controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker is looking for a sweep.
Boledovic takes a little break here. Whitaker wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Whitaker is trying to get back to half guard.
Boledovic is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Whitaker will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Branislav Boledovic just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice cross by Boledovic.
A slow jab from Boledovic misses its intended target.
Boledovic looks to throw the jab but Whitaker is out of range.
Whitaker lands with an overhand left.
Whitaker closes the distance but Boledovic moves to the side
and Boledovic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Whitaker fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boledovic moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boledovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Boledovic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boledovic throws a shot from downtown. Whitaker moves away and avoids it.
Boledovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whitaker manages to avoid it.
Whitaker tries for a takedown but Boledovic circles away easily
and Boledovic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Boledovic waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Whitaker.
Whitaker slips under a jab from Boledovic.
Boledovic connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Whitaker's hands.
Whitaker slips under a jab from Boledovic.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Whitaker there.
Whitaker slips under a jab from Boledovic.
Boledovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big left from Boledovic misses.
Whitaker moves out of range as Boledovic strikes.
Whitaker fails to land with a series of punches.
Boledovic digs a good body shot into Whitaker's ribs.
Boledovic looks to land a right hand but Whitaker moved out of range.

Whitaker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Boledovic keeping moving, preventing Whitaker from controlling successfully.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boledovic manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Boledovic controlling the position easily from mount.
Boledovic trying to control but Whitaker is having none of it.
Boledovic tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker tries to hold on but Boledovic postures up.
Boledovic trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Branislav Boledovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Whitaker tries to hold on but Boledovic pushes him away.
Whitaker keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boledovic sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Shane Whitaker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Whitaker is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Branislav Boledovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Boledovic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight for Branislav Boledovic!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Branislav Boledovic!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Branislav Boledovic!

Branislav Boledovic wins by unanimous decision!