PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rock Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wheeler has chosen If you want blood(You got it) by AC/DC as his entrance music. 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.

Johnson
vs
Wheeler

196 cm
33
273 lbs
24 - 13 - 0

220 cm
29
269 lbs
27 - 16 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rock Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Axel Wheeler!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Wheeler sends Johnson crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Wheeler is motioning to the referee to let Johnson up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
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!
Wheeler misses with a double jab

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wheeler is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnson prevents Wheeler from getting back to his feet.
Johnson content to stall in guard here.

We're going to have a standup here because Rock Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Wheeler throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wheeler is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Wheeler sprawls well.
Wheeler throws a combination that misses

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.
Wheeler is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Johnson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Johnson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wheeler, who protects the arm well.
Wheeler is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Wheeler is letting Johnson control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson misses with the ground and pound.
Wheeler is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Johnson is controlling him well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wheeler keeps working.
Johnson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Johnson landing strikes.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Johnson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Wheeler sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Wheeler seems a little lost for a moment, as Johnson dominates the positioning.

Johnson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wheeler knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Wheeler is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Johnson is controlling him well.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Wheeler controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Johnson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wheeler knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson controls the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wheeler can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wheeler keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is letting Johnson control him for a moment.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.
Johnson trying to control the action but Wheeler is working from the bottom.
Wheeler is pushing Johnson's head away, looking to escape. Johnson manages to hold on to the position though.
Johnson moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Wheeler sneaks out the side door and pushes Johnson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wheeler looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Wheeler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Johnson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Wheeler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Wheeler misses with a two punch combination.
Wheeler checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Wheeler misses with a double jab

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.
Wheeler pushes Johnson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Johnson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Wheeler stops Johnson from passing to mount.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Wheeler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson advances nicely into full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wheeler is looking to escape.
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Wheeler is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wheeler is looking to escape.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.

We're going to have a standup here because Rock Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wheeler defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler throws a left and a right that both miss
and Johnson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Wheeler's knee momentarily.
Wheeler rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Danga de danga de dang - Wheeler scores with a four punch combination!
No joy there for Wheeler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wheeler throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Wheeler sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Wheeler knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Johnson content to control rather than advance.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Wheeler for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Wheeler pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rock Johnson.
Wheeler throws a right and a left that both miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wheeler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rock Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wheeler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rock Johnson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.

Wheeler drops Johnson with a beautiful combination! Johnson stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Wheeler is looking for the KO!

It looks like Rock Johnson has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wheeler connects with a body shot.
Axel Wheeler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wheeler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson gets caught by a big overhand right and goes down! Wheeler gets on top of him and starts throwing some serious punches until the ref intervenes and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Axel Wheeler!
Axel Wheeler seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.