Mike Rhodes

Robert Whittaker vs. Mike Rhodes

Round 1
Whittaker comes out with a bevy of low kicks, uncharacteristic of his style. Rhodes works his jab while Whittaker kicks to the legs, body and surprises with his jab after the kicks. Whittaker throws another low kick and Rhodes nearly times him for a massive overhand right. Both men popping jabs now, but not locating the other man until Whittaker connects with an overhand right that snaps Rhodes' head back. Outside low kicks from both men land, then Rhodes glances with a spinning back kick.Whittaker steps through another kick with a counter hook and wobbles “Biggie.” The New Zealand-born Aussie reaches with a right that lands, prompting Rhodes to run him across the cage and into the fence. Whittaker turns off the fence, frees himself and re-establishes the jab before looking for a front kick to the face. Rhodes shows more kicks, but none of them land before the round expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Whittaker

Round 2
Rhodes uses his kicks to keep Whittaker outside before dropping for a takedown that briefly puts Whittaker on the canvas, but he can't hold him down. Whittaker retakes his feet and the pair resume their distance battle, with a tight mix of kicks and jabs. Whittaker winds up on a right-hand windmill that misses, but moments later he touches Rhodes with one. Rhodes circling now and he pops Whittaker with his lead hand a few times while the TUF champ keeps swinging. Whittaker feinting heavily now, taking away some of Rhodes' kicking offense and freezing him. Whittaker jumps in with a left hook that lands, but tries the same tactic just seconds later and misses. Whittaker jabs but “Biggie” bops him with an off-balance right. Jab-cross lands for Whittaker, then he baits Rhodes into walking straight into an uppercut. Overhand right for Whittaker lands behind the ear, but without much mustard. The Roufusport fighter winds up on a few counters but he can't land on the forward-pressing “Reaper.”

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Whittaker

Round 3
Jabbing and head movement for Whittaker remain at the forefront, but Rhodes uses his own jab to move his target right into a head kick. Rhodes is starting to press the issue more now, perhaps sensing he is behind. The Roufusport fighter begins to touch Whittaker with his kicks, then lands a right cross-left hook. Just when Rhodes gains some steam, Whittaker reintroduces his jab, then lands a salvo of standing elbows to set up a clean takedown in the middle of the Octagon halfway through the final round. Whittaker mashes away from half guard, bloodying the nose of Rhodes, who tries to use a deep-ish half guard to sweep. Whittaker controls him with a headlock, then goes right back to elbowing. More left elbows and forearms land for Whittaker as Rhodes tries for the sweep. Referee Steve Perceval pointlessly stands them up with 10 seconds to go and Rhodes can't land a fight-saving shot before time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Whittaker (30-27 Whittaker)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Whittaker (30-27 Whittaker)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Whittaker (30-27 Whittaker)

The Official Result
Robert Whittaker def. Mike Rhodes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00