PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between The Sailor Man (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pernell Whitaker Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Sailor Man could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Pernell Whitaker Jr's chin.

Sailor Man
vs
Whitaker Jr

171 cm
20
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
20
167 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Sailor Man!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pernell Whitaker Jr!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker Jr misses with a kick to the body.
Man throws a front kick aimed at Whitaker Jr's knee but Whitaker Jr avoids it well.
Whitaker Jr checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A clash of legs there as Whitaker Jr blocks the low kick.
Man connects with a leg kick. Whitaker Jr looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Whitaker Jr checks a low kick from Man.
Man scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Whitaker Jr misses with a hook. Man ducked under it nicely.
Man throws a push kick but Whitaker Jr slaps the foot to one side.
The Sailor Man seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Whitaker Jr throws a big shot that misses.
Whitaker Jr lands a nice looking body kick.
Man will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Whitaker Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Man is just out of range.
Man moves away from the strike by Whitaker Jr.
We've been hearing reports that Man has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Whitaker Jr blocks a head kick by Man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man moves away from the strike by Whitaker Jr.
Man thows a left - swing and a miss!
Man avoids the body shot from Whitaker Jr.
Man wants to slow Whitaker Jr down by chopping away at his legs.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Whitaker Jr has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Man throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Man walks into a straight right hand from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr throws a hook to the side of Man's head but Man sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Whitaker Jr throws a low kick but Man avoids it.
Whitaker Jr scores with the left hand. Man knows he should have avoided that one.

Man shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Whitaker Jr napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Whitaker Jr wants to control but Man postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man is looking to take a break and control but Whitaker Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Man tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Man has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Whitaker Jr is looking to regain half guard here but Man keeps moving and retains side control.

Man is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Whitaker Jr knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Man happy to just control the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Man tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Man has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Man is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Whitaker Jr is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Whitaker Jr regains half guard.
Whitaker Jr trying to control from the bottom.
Whitaker Jr might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Man haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Man seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr is not content to let Man control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Man is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Whitaker Jr defends it well.
Whitaker Jr moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Whitaker Jr is trying to control the position but Man postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Whitaker Jr is pulling down on Man's head to control his posture.
Man postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pernell Whitaker Jr will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Man throws a body kick that misses.
Whitaker Jr misses with an uppercut.
A head kick misses from Whitaker Jr.

Man drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Whitaker Jr trying to control the position here.
Man tries to free his leg and advance position but Whitaker Jr is retaining full guard.
Whitaker Jr is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Pernell Whitaker Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Whitaker Jr walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Man checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Man takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Whitaker Jr misses with a straight right.
An inside leg kick lands from Man.
Whitaker Jr throws a head kick but Man moves out of range.
Whitaker Jr throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Whitaker Jr misses with a wild combination.
Man tried to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr checks it.

Man drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Man is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Whitaker Jr is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man trying to control the position but Whitaker Jr is working away.
Whitaker Jr struggling a bit here.
Man is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Whitaker Jr's shoulder. That is not cool.
Whitaker Jr keeps Man under control for a moment.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Whitaker Jr is looking to regain half guard here but Man keeps moving and retains side control.
Whitaker Jr is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Whitaker Jr is doing well to control the position and prevent Man from advancing to side control.
Man with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Man passes the guard and advances to mount!
Man looking to control but Whitaker Jr is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Man has hold of Whitaker Jr's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Whitaker Jr manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Man working for a submission but Whitaker Jr is keeping him at bay.
Man fails to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Whitaker Jr gets back to half guard.
Man wants to control but Whitaker Jr is keeping him busy.
Whitaker Jr wants to control but Man is keeping busy.
Whitaker Jr is staying active underneath Man, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Whitaker Jr trying to control but Man postures up.
Whitaker Jr keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Man is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Whitaker Jr preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that The Sailor Man will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Man wants to land a leg kick but Whitaker Jr is out of range.
Man blocks a jab.
Man fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Whitaker Jr.
Man throws a low kick but Whitaker Jr avoids it.
Whitaker Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Man manages to avoid it.
Man slips under a jab.
Man chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Whitaker Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Man uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr looks to land a body kick but Man moved away.
Some bone on bone action there as Man checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man feints and then cracks Whitaker Jr's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Whitaker Jr down.
Man scores with a leg kick.
Nice body kick from Man.
Whitaker Jr throws a leg kick
and Man counters with an outside leg kick.
Man throws a push kick but Whitaker Jr slaps the foot to one side.
Whitaker Jr throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Man moves away from the strike by Whitaker Jr.
A chopping leg kick lands by Man.
Man shoots in for a takedown but Whitaker Jr shows good takedown defense.
Pernell Whitaker Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Whitaker Jr scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Whitaker Jr lands a slapping body shot.
Whitaker Jr throws a jab when Man was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man tried to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr checks it.
Man looks to land a body kick but Whitaker Jr moved away.
Whitaker Jr connects with a leg kick. Man looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Man tried to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr checks it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Whitaker Jr tries to land a front kick but Man steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Man throws a push kick but Whitaker Jr slaps the foot to one side.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Man.
Whitaker Jr misses with a hook. Man ducked under it nicely.
Whitaker Jr throws a body kick that misses.
Man looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Whitaker Jr throws a series of punches but Man avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Man checks a leg kick.
Whitaker Jr throws the left hand but Man avoids the punch easily.
Whitaker Jr's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Man misses with a leg kick.
Whitaker Jr looks to throw the jab but Man is out of range.
A punch combination from Whitaker Jr misses.
Whitaker Jr connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Whitaker Jr lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Whitaker Jr misses with a head kick.
Whitaker Jr looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Whitaker Jr walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Man checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Whitaker Jr blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man tries to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr moves his leg out of the way.
Pernell Whitaker Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Man checks the leg kick nicely there.
Man moves away from the strike by Whitaker Jr.
Man lands a high kick!
Man scores with a push kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Man lands a nice leg kick that just misses Whitaker Jr's sensitive parts.
Man takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Man throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Man shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Man stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Whitaker Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Whitaker Jr is trying to keep Man in close.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pernell Whitaker Jr.
I think Whitaker Jr 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Pernell Whitaker Jr!