PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Owens has chosen Street Fighting Years by Simple Minds as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Wheeler
vs
Owens

208 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

185 cm
25
211 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ralph Wheeler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Owens!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Kavanagh and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wheeler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Owens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Owens circles away from the clinch attempt

and Owens counters by moving into the clinch.
Owens is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wheeler is defending well for now.
Wheeler avoiding damage as Owens throws knees to the body.
Wheeler wants a takedown but no success here.
Owens dodges an elbow strike from Wheeler.
Wheeler is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Owens to keep the fight standing.

Owens is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Wheeler can't fight it off and eventually Owens manages to take the fight to the floor. Wheeler looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Owens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wheeler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wheeler looking for a sweep. Not yet Wheeler, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens 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.
Owens pushing down on Wheeler's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Owens looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Owens is taking a breather. Wheeler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Wheeler tries to get to full guard but Owens has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Owens perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wheeler is looking to get back to is feet but Owens passes into side control.
Owens taking a breather here.
Wheeler is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Owens asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Wheeler is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens tries to advance to mount but can't.
Owens controlling the position.
Wheeler pushes Owens away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Owens gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Owens tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
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.
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!
It looks like Owens might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Michael Owens has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Owens stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Owens wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralph Wheeler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Owens decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wheeler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wheeler is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens is controlling the pace.
Owens's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Owens stops Wheeler from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Michael Owens has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Owens decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Owens trying to pass the guard but Wheeler defending well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Owens in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens is nestled in close to Wheeler, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Owens controlling the action here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Owens connects with a nice short shot to Wheeler's temple.
Well, if Owens is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Owens passes the guard and advances to mount!
Owens pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Owens sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Owens dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wheeler moves to clinch but Owens breaks away

and Owens counters with a nice double leg into side control. Wheeler won't be happy with that.
Owens takes a little break here. Wheeler wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Wheeler gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Wheeler's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Owens looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Owens controlling his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wheeler is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Owens was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Wheeler closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Owens's guard.
Owens has control of Wheeler's left arm, preventing Wheeler from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Wheeler!
You get the feeling that Wheeler really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Owens controlling from the full mount.
Wheeler working to try and regain half guard.
Owens controlling from the full mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wheeler swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens controlling the pace for now.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Owens landing strikes from the mount and Wheeler is in trouble!
You get the feeling that Wheeler really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Wheeler tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Owens takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Michael Owens has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Owens looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Wheeler!
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!

Owens decides to stand back up. Owens steps back and let's Wheeler get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wheeler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Owens pinned against the cage. Owens gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wheeler just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Owens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Owens closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Owens has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Wheeler uses from the top position.

Owens wriggles free and stands up.
Wheeler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Owens rushes Wheeler and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Owens misses with a body punch.

Owens has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Wheeler clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Owens biding his time, controlling Wheeler.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Owens working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Wheeler is trying to break free.
Michael Owens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Good control from Owens.
Owens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wheeler tries to break free.
What can Wheeler do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Owens is hanging on to Wheeler's back as he tries to escape.
Owens biding his time, controlling Wheeler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler wants to escape the position.
Owens controls the action.
Wheeler is really stuck here.
Owens is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Let's hope that Owens has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Owens was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Wheeler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Owens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Owens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Owens shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Owens is taking a breather. Wheeler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Owens wants to pass to mount but Wheeler is defending the position.
Owens prevents Wheeler from standing back up.
Wheeler flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Wheeler throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Owens in particular looking to stall.
Owens has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is wriggling around trying to escape.
Owens controlling from the full mount.
Owens scoring with strikes but Wheeler is staying in there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Owens takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Owens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Owens has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Owens!