PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Grove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grove comes to the cage accompanied by The Way We're Made (Made in England) - Missing Andy. Wheeler has chosen Don't Damn Me as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Grove
vs
Wheeler

195 cm
27
280 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
234 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Grove!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Wheeler!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wheeler shoots in but no luck this time.

Wheeler closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Grove quickly recovers to half guard.

Wheeler is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wheeler thows a huge punch but Grove dodges it nicely.
Wheeler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grove keeps working.

Wheeler is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Grove is just riding it out for now. Wheeler eventually gives up the hold.

Grove is defending against the submission attempts here by Wheeler.
Grove has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wheeler is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler trying to control the action but Grove is working from the bottom.
Wheeler is pressing down on Grove's thigh, looking to free his foot. Grove is holding on for now.
Wheeler trying to control from half guard but Grove is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wheeler is looking to stall here but Grove recovers full guard.
Wheeler advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Wheeler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Wheeler tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Wheeler has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Wheeler in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Grove sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Grove won't allow Wheeler to pass to mount.

Wheeler is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Grove has managed to free his arm - good work.
Wheeler wants to get back to his feet.
Wheeler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

Wheeler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Grove is trying to stand up here but Wheeler is controlling him well.

Wheeler is trying to work for a kimura but Grove is defending well.
Grove trying to hold on to Wheeler's head to control him but Wheeler postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wheeler looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Wheeler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grove defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Wheeler dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Wheeler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Grove throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Grove swats away the attempt to clinch by Wheeler.
Wheeler keeps the fight on the outside.
Wheeler swats away the attempt to clinch by Grove.

Wheeler feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Grove wants to get back to his feet but Wheeler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wheeler looking to sit in guard and control but Grove gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wheeler trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler has a closed guard, preventing Grove from standing up.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Wheeler. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wheeler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wheeler is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Grove looking to pass the guard.

Wheeler had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Grove defends it easily.

Grove got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wheeler has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Grove has managed to get both his arms back between Wheeler's legs - danger averted.
Wheeler is trying to control the position but Grove postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Wheeler is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Grove is aware though and is defending well.

Wheeler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wheeler is on top in guard.
Wheeler throws a big right hand that misses.
Wheeler advances position into side control!
Wheeler misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grove is looking to reverse the position.
Wheeler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grove keeps working.

Wheeler is trying to get an arm triangle but Grove is defending well.

Wheeler is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Grove has escaped the position, nice work there.

Wheeler is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grove is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wheeler grinds an elbow into Grove's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grove keeps working.

Wheeler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wheeler tries to advance to mount but Grove denies him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Wheeler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Wheeler scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Grove wants to control but Wheeler postures up.

Wheeler wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Grove, who protects the arm well.
Grove regains half guard.
Wheeler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wheeler tries to pass the half guard into mount. Grove knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mike Wheeler has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wheeler seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grove wants to improve his position but Wheeler is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Grove does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Wheeler works his way into full mount!
Wheeler controlling the position easily from mount.
The referee warns Grove that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Wheeler working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Wheeler can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Grove is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler working the ground and pound effectively.

Grove defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Wheeler.
Wheeler is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Grove can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The referee warns Grove that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wheeler tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Wheeler is working for a guillotine from mount but Grove frees his head quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler moves to take his opponent's back.

Wheeler is cranking Grove's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Grove! He's tightened the choke and Grove is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mike Wheeler!