PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rudolph Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trevor McNeil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Wheeler
vs
McNeil

168 cm
21
161 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rudolph Wheeler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Trevor McNeil!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McNeil fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Wheeler sprawls well initially but McNeil persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Wheeler looks like he's trying to stand up.
Wheeler tries to get to full guard but McNeil has control of the leg.
McNeil stops Wheeler from getting back to his feet.
McNeil not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McNeil has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wheeler misses with some strikes from the bottom.
McNeil tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Wheeler.
Wheeler tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler tries to roll over but McNeil keeps him under control.
Wheeler is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McNeil seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McNeil seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wheeler does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McNeil uses his free foot to push down on Wheeler's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Wheeler.
McNeil throws some wild stikes that Wheeler manages to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNeil wants to control but Wheeler has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
McNeil tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
McNeil controlling the action here.
Wheeler blocking the ground and pound attempt from McNeil.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeil prevents Wheeler from improving his position.
Wheeler flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Wheeler pushes McNeil off but McNeil dives into side control.
McNeil is putting a hurting on Wheeler here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil lands a few punches from side control.
McNeil works to advance to full mount. Wheeler defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Wheeler wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by McNeil.

McNeil is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Wheeler has managed to escape the submission attempt.
McNeil looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trevor McNeil dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wheeler darts in looking for a takedown but McNeil gets double underhooks and turns Wheeler into the cage.
Wheeler jumps guard but McNeil stands there with Wheeler around his waist. Wheeler gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McNeil leaning his opponent against the cage.
Wheeler jumps guard but McNeil turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudolph Wheeler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wheeler prevents the takedown attempt.

Wheeler ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Wheeler no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Wheeler keeps moving.
McNeil slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil wanted to stand there but Wheeler had control of the position.
McNeil trying to control but Wheeler is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Trevor McNeil hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Wheeler gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

McNeil manages to break the clinch.
Wheeler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McNeil gets caught napping as Wheeler dives in and scores a takedown. McNeil manages to retain guard.
McNeil trying to keep a closed guard but Wheeler is proving a slippery customer.
McNeil wants to stand up but Wheeler is controlling him.
McNeil looking to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Wheeler throws a big right hand that misses.
McNeil trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Trevor McNeil was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Wheeler stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wheeler wants it to stay on the feet.
McNeil is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wheeler forces McNeil back against the cage and clinches.
McNeil stalling.

Wheeler has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McNeil uses from the top position.
McNeil engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Wheeler keeps moving.
Wheeler has a closed guard, preventing McNeil from standing up.

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

Trevor McNeil has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Wheeler looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McNeil has momentary wrist control but Wheeler slips an elbow through the middle.
McNeil not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wheeler wants to control from the top but McNeil keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McNeil working a defensive guard here.
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 Rudolph Wheeler will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McNeil tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wheeler defends well and McNeil ends up having to push Wheeler into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wheeler is trying to pull guard but McNeil has him pressed against the cage.

McNeil's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Wheeler closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. McNeil quickly recovers to half guard.
Wheeler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wheeler wants to get back to his feet.
Wheeler prevents McNeil from standing back up.
Wheeler content to control rather than advance.
McNeil gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McNeil wants to get back to his feet but Wheeler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McNeil takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McNeil is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Trevor McNeil has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wheeler is looking to escape.
Wheeler missing with punches from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNeil wants to stand up but Wheeler has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Wheeler is trying to get back to full guard.
Wheeler slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wheeler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler keeping moving, preventing McNeil from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Trevor McNeil.
A right-left combo lands from McNeil.

Wheeler scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
McNeil pushes Wheeler away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Wheeler gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
McNeil struggling a bit here.
McNeil is looking to regain half guard here but Wheeler keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil is trying to control Wheeler's posture but Wheeler avoids it.
Wheeler lands a few punches from side control.
McNeil is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Wheeler wants to stand but McNeil is controlling his arm.

Wheeler in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... McNeil is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rudolph Wheeler!