PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brett Hartlock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pernell Whitaker Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hartlock comes into the arena with Shoot To Thrill by AC/DC blaring out of the sound system. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Hartlock
vs
Whitaker Jr

187 cm
24
171 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

177 cm
26
167 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

MMA Hype Apparel

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 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brett Hartlock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pernell Whitaker Jr!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker Jr misses with a body kick.
Whitaker Jr lands with a good body shot.
A slow jab from Whitaker Jr misses its intended target.
Hartlock throws a leg kick but Whitaker Jr checks it.
Hartlock uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock takes one to the side of the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Whitaker Jr.
Pernell Whitaker Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hartlock shoots in for a takedown but Whitaker Jr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Whitaker Jr staying out of range there.
Hartlock slips a jab from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr avoids a kick to the body.
Whitaker Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hartlock throws out the jab.
Whitaker Jr drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hartlock defends it well.
Whitaker Jr has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hartlock.
A head kick misses from Hartlock.
A jab lands there for Hartlock.

It looks like Pernell Whitaker Jr has been cut.
Whitaker Jr scores with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whitaker Jr ducks under a wild hook from Hartlock.
Whitaker Jr works Hartlock's body with a nice hook.
Whitaker Jr throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartlock fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Whitaker Jr scores with a jab.
Whitaker Jr fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Whitaker Jr scores with a jab to the jaw.
Whitaker Jr stuns Hartlock with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hartlock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hartlock blocks a head kick by Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock blocks a low kick nicely.
Whitaker Jr scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
That kick from Whitaker Jr tenderised Hartlock's leg. Hartlock is trying to keep his angry face on.

Hartlock shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whitaker Jr regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hartlock.
Whitaker Jr keeping moving, preventing Hartlock from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartlock postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Whitaker Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hartlock trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hartlock trying to control the position from guard on top but Whitaker Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartlock throwing strikes but missing.
Whitaker Jr trying to keep a closed guard but Hartlock is proving a slippery customer.
Whitaker Jr has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartlock wants to control from the top but Whitaker Jr keeps moving.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hartlock with a flurry of punches that miss.
Whitaker Jr seems keen to control Hartlock's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Whitaker Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hartlock.
Hartlock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A jab lands there for Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock misses with a low kick.
Nice straight punches there by Hartlock. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hartlock.
Whitaker Jr connects with a body shot.
Hartlock misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brett Hartlock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Whitaker Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hartlock as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartlock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Whitaker Jr.

It looks like Brett Hartlock has been cut.
Hartlock misses with a series of wild punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hartlock tries to land a leg kick but Whitaker Jr saw it coming and moves away.
Whitaker Jr with the counter takedown but Hartlock avoids it easily.
Whitaker Jr misses with a combination
and Hartlock cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Whitaker Jr throws a sloppy head kick and Hartlock moves out of range easily.
Whitaker Jr throws a body kick that misses.
Hartlock on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Whitaker Jr stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hartlock.
A punch combination from Whitaker Jr misses.
Whitaker Jr staying out of range there.
Hartlock loads up on a big right hand but Whitaker Jr slips the punch.
Whitaker Jr blocks the body kick.
Whitaker Jr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell Whitaker Jr dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hartlock misses with an uppercut. Whitaker Jr saw that one coming.
Whitaker Jr lands a nice shot to the body.
Hartlock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock throws out a leg kick but Whitaker Jr moves out of range and Hartlock only half commits.
Whitaker Jr leaves Hartlock with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Whitaker Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Whitaker Jr scores with a hook to the body. Hartlock takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Hartlock misses.
Hartlock slips under a jab from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr needs to keep his hands up - Hartlock had a free shot at his head there.
Hartlock attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker Jr takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Whitaker Jr lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hartlock at a distance.
Nice straight punches there by Hartlock. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hartlock.
An inside leg kick lands from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Whitaker Jr wants to slow Hartlock down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartlock chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Whitaker Jr can pounce on him.
Whitaker Jr has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hartlock looks for the body kick but Whitaker Jr saw that one coming.
Hartlock looks to land a right hand but Whitaker Jr moved out of range.
Whitaker Jr throws a front kick aimed at Hartlock's knee but Hartlock avoids it well.
Hartlock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Whitaker Jr sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hartlock looks to score with a jab to the body but Whitaker Jr is just out of range.
Hartlock looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Whitaker Jr feints the counter takedown.
Whitaker Jr misses with a few strikes there.
Hartlock half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Whitaker Jr bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hartlock moves away from the strike by Whitaker Jr.
Jab from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Whitaker Jr shoots in and bounces Hartlock off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whitaker Jr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr wants to control from the top but Hartlock keeps moving.
Whitaker Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hartlock swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Whitaker Jr pushes down on Hartlock's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hartlock is looking for a sweep. Whitaker Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Whitaker Jr stalling away here and it's allowed Hartlock to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Whitaker Jr scoring with punches to the head and body.
Whitaker Jr trying to control but Hartlock is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr tries to free his leg and advance position but Hartlock is retaining full guard.
Hartlock is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hartlock is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

Whitaker Jr looking for a guillotine here but Hartlock defends easily.
Whitaker Jr is trying to keep Hartlock in close.
Hartlock throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartlock throws a big right hand that misses.
Whitaker Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hartlock missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hartlock missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hartlock looking to pass the guard.
Hartlock loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hartlock looking to sit in guard and control but Whitaker Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Whitaker Jr trying to control but Hartlock is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell Whitaker Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hartlock dodges the punch combination from Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock misses with a two punch combination.
Hartlock misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Whitaker Jr loads up on a big right hand but Hartlock slips the punch.
Whitaker Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hartlock's hands.
Whitaker Jr scoring well with a low kick there.
Good shot there by Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock throws a head kick but Whitaker Jr moves out of range.
Pernell Whitaker Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Whitaker Jr misses with a low kick as Hartlock jumps back.
Hartlock loads up on a big right hand but Whitaker Jr slips the punch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Whitaker Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker Jr scoring well with a low kick there.
Hartlock fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Whitaker Jr avoids it really well and circles away.
Hartlock fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Whitaker Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartlock closes the distance and clinches up with Whitaker Jr, looking for a takedown. Hartlock pushes Whitaker Jr against the cage but Whitaker Jr circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Whitaker Jr slips a jab from Hartlock.
Hartlock throws the left hand but Whitaker Jr avoids the punch easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Whitaker Jr moves away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Hartlock's shoulder, as Hartlock tries to avoid the shot.
Hartlock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Whitaker Jr looks for the body kick but Hartlock saw that one coming.
Hartlock is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Whitaker Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hartlock drops down looking for a counter takedown but Whitaker Jr sprawls and moves away.
Hartlock tries to land a front kick but Whitaker Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice uppercut there from Hartlock.
Whitaker Jr scoring well with a low kick there.
Whitaker Jr lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hartlock loads up on a big right hand but Whitaker Jr slips the punch.
Brett Hartlock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Hartlock misses its intended target.
Whitaker Jr changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hartlock takes one to the side of the head.
Whitaker Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hartlock throws out the jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whitaker Jr scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Whitaker Jr connects with a leg kick. Hartlock looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hartlock connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Whitaker Jr wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Whitaker Jr tries to work over Hartlock's front leg with a kick but Hartlock checks it.
Whitaker Jr scores with a nice head shot.
Whitaker Jr thuds a left hand into Hartlock's body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hartlock is looking to land body kicks.
Whitaker Jr misses with a hook.
Hartlock changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hartlock throws a half hearted mid kick.
Whitaker Jr throws a lazy right hand but Hartlock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hartlock drops down looking for a counter takedown but Whitaker Jr sprawls and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr scores with a hook.
Whitaker Jr lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Whitaker Jr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Whitaker Jr scores with a push kick.
Hartlock throws a looping overhand right but Whitaker Jr ducks down to avoid it.
Whitaker Jr changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hartlock shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Whitaker Jr is looking to slow Hartlock down with leg kicks.
Whitaker Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Whitaker Jr feints and then cracks Hartlock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hartlock down.
Whitaker Jr defending well as Hartlock loads up on a big left hand.
Whitaker Jr tried to score with a low kick but Hartlock checks it.
Whitaker Jr with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Hartlock forces Whitaker Jr back against the cage and clinches.
Whitaker Jr lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Whitaker Jr on the inside.
Hartlock blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Whitaker Jr.
Hartlock has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Whitaker Jr is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brett Hartlock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hartlock lands a body punch.
Whitaker Jr is trying to stall.

Hartlock breaks the clinch.
Whitaker Jr thuds a left hand into Hartlock's body.
Whitaker Jr lands with an uppercut that bounces Hartlock off the cage and back into range.
Whitaker Jr throws a right hand that misses
and Hartlock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hartlock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Whitaker Jr.

Whitaker Jr gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Whitaker Jr keeping moving, preventing Hartlock from controlling successfully.
Hartlock working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pernell Whitaker Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Whitaker Jr 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pernell Whitaker Jr!
After winning the bout, Pernell Whitaker Jr thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.