PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jerry Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristaps Reinfelds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jerry Wheeler has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Wheeler
vs
Reinfelds

218 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

176 cm
21
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jerry Wheeler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kristaps Reinfelds!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reinfelds fails with an attempt to clinch.

Reinfelds shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Reinfelds showed some decent athleticism there.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Reinfelds is trying to control the action in half guard but Wheeler is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Reinfelds is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Reinfelds is thwarting Wheeler's attempts to control the position.

Reinfelds is trying to work for a kimura but Wheeler is defending well.

Reinfelds is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wheeler is just riding it out for now. Reinfelds eventually gives up the hold.
Reinfelds trying to control from half guard but Wheeler is working away.
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 pushes Reinfelds off looking to stand but Reinfelds dives back in and keeps control.

Reinfelds is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Reinfelds not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Reinfelds is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Reinfelds wants to stand and escape but instead Wheeler has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinfelds is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wheeler won't allow Reinfelds to get back to his feet.
Wheeler is looking to stand up but Reinfelds won't let him.
Reinfelds seems keen to control Wheeler's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kristaps Reinfelds was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Wheeler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinfelds tries to clinch but Wheeler moves out of range.
Reinfelds fails in his attempt to clinch.
Reinfelds misses with a few strikes there.

Reinfelds closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Wheeler's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Reinfelds trying to control the position but Wheeler is working away.
Wheeler regains half guard.
Reinfelds tries to pass the half guard into mount. Wheeler knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reinfelds thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Wheeler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Reinfelds.
Wheeler keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Reinfelds throws a strike but Wheeler avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Reinfelds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wheeler is keeping the position for now.
Wheeler controlling the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reinfelds missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wheeler trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristaps Reinfelds dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reinfelds misses with a wild combination.
Reinfelds rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wheeler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Reinfelds swinging wildly here.
Wheeler checks a low kick from Reinfelds.
Reinfelds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wheeler circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reinfelds scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wheeler tries to buck Reinfelds off but Reinfelds is having none of it.

Reinfelds goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Wheeler has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Reinfelds but great work by Wheeler.
Reinfelds is breathing heavily.
Reinfelds is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wheeler asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wheeler is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Reinfelds is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Reinfelds sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinfelds is trying to maintain the position but Wheeler is very close to passing his half guard.

Reinfelds looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Reinfelds is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wheeler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Reinfelds trying to get back to full guard but Wheeler takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Wheeler working for a submission but Reinfelds is keeping him at bay.
Reinfelds tries to hold on but Wheeler postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler won't let Reinfelds get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The referee warns Reinfelds that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Reinfelds tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristaps Reinfelds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Reinfelds misses with a combination

and Wheeler counters with a takedown into side control.
Wheeler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Reinfelds can't do much from the bottom here.

Wheeler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wheeler creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Reinfelds sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Wheeler wants to control for a moment but Reinfelds uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Reinfelds is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinfelds is still trying to improve position.

Reinfelds looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Reinfelds takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wheeler lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinfelds trying to control here.
Wheeler prevents Reinfelds from improving his position.
Wheeler is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Reinfelds has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Wheeler is on him like a limpet, forcing Reinfelds back against the cage.
Kristaps Reinfelds is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Wheeler pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wheeler tries to clinch but Reinfelds is having none of it.

Reinfelds closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Reinfelds controlling from side mount.
Jerry Wheeler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Reinfelds looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jerry Wheeler.
I think Reinfelds has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kristaps Reinfelds!
In his post fight interview, Kristaps Reinfelds started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.