PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ryan Wheeler was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Owens
vs
Wheeler

192 cm
18
161 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Francesco Owens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryan Wheeler!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wheeler misses with a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Wheeler as Owens shoots in.

Wheeler pushes Owens up against the cage in a clinch.
Owens tries to break the clinch but Wheeler is controlling the position.
Wheeler keeps control of Owens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Owens wants to get back to striking at distance but Wheeler won't allow it.

Owens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Owens dives in for a single leg takedown but Wheeler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Wheeler clinches up with Owens and pushes him back against the cage.

Owens breaks the clinch.
Wheeler looks to land a combination but Owens avoids it well.
A counter left hand to the body from Owens misses its target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wheeler moves into the clinch.

Owens jumps into guard, dragging Wheeler to the mat.
Owens has momentary wrist control but Wheeler slips an elbow through the middle.

Wheeler thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Owens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Owens 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 wants to stand but Owens is controlling his posture from full guard.
Wheeler is in close to Owens's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Owens looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Owens working a defensive guard here.
Wheeler must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Owens is looking for a triangle but Wheeler pushes his legs off easily.
Owens keeping moving, preventing Wheeler from controlling successfully.
Wheeler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Owens is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wheeler trying to control but Owens is working from the bottom.
Owens is pulling down on Wheeler's head to control his posture.
Wheeler wants to pass the guard but Owens is keeping the position.
Owens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Owens is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Owens 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 tries to free his leg and advance position but Owens is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wheeler wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Wheeler throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Owens holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Wheeler turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Wheeler manages to end up in side control.
Owens can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Wheeler.
Owens wants to control but Wheeler postures up.
Owens is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Wheeler off and has taken his back!
Owens throwing damaging strikes from the back! Wheeler could be in trouble here!
Owens throwing wild punches that miss their target.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wheeler looks winded!
Wheeler is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Wheeler is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Owens gets his way!
Wheeler trying to control the hands but Owens breaks the grip.
Owens looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Owens lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Owens lands shots from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Owens's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Owens wants to control but Wheeler manages to buck him off and is now in Owens's guard! Nice work there by 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 looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Wheeler has picked Owens up and slammed him! Owens can't keep hold of the triangle and Wheeler manages to pass to side control!
Owens tries to improve position but can't.
Owens is not content to let Wheeler control the position.
Owens is looking to regain half guard here but Wheeler keeps moving and retains side control.
Owens manages to get back to half guard.
Owens controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Owens tries to roll over but Wheeler keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ryan Wheeler will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wheeler throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Owens tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wheeler is in Owens's guard.

Wheeler avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Owens has Wheeler pulled in close to control his posture.
Wheeler is in close to Owens's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Owens working a defensive guard here.
Owens is pulling down on Wheeler's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Owens controls Wheeler momentarily but Wheeler frees himself.
Owens is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Wheeler is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Owens looking for a sweep. Not yet Owens, not yet.
Wheeler wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.
Owens wants to sweep here but Wheeler controlling him for the moment.
Wheeler postures up.
Wheeler is working Owens over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wheeler looking to pass the guard.
Wheeler postures up in Owens's guard and throws a big left but Owens blocks it.
Owens keeping moving, preventing Wheeler from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Owens is trying to keep Wheeler in close.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Wheeler closes the distance and pushes Owens back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wheeler escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wheeler connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Owens shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wheeler defends it nicely.
Owens shoots in for a double leg but Wheeler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Wheeler moves into range and clinches up with Owens.
Owens takes a knee right on the jaw!

Wheeler turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Wheeler manages to end up in side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wheeler scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler scoring with punches and elbows.
Owens is trying to control Wheeler's posture but Wheeler avoids it.

Wheeler looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Wheeler throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Wheeler is looking to take a break and control but Owens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wheeler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Owens struggling a bit here.
Owens isn't going anywhere.
Owens is looking to regain half guard here but Wheeler keeps moving and retains side control.
Owens wants to control but Wheeler postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens is holding Wheeler down, trying to stall.
Owens can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Owens is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Wheeler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Wheeler moves into the clinch.
Owens fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Wheeler's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wheeler misses with a leg kick

and Owens counters with a nice double leg into side control. Wheeler won't be happy with that.

Wheeler throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wheeler leaves Owens with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Wheeler scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wheeler prevents Owens from improving his position.

Wheeler is looking for a kimura but Owens is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wheeler to get the leverage.
Wheeler is thwarting Owens's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wheeler stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Owens to get to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Owens dives in for a single leg takedown but Wheeler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Owens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wheeler looks to land a body kick but Owens moved away.
A jab lands there for Wheeler.

Owens tries to sprawl but Wheeler drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Owens makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Wheeler fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Owens sprawls well initially but Wheeler persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Owens has hold of Wheeler's hands but Wheeler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Owens is holding on to half guard well.
Wheeler wants to pass to mount but Owens is defending the position.
Owens manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens is controlling Wheeler's posture.
Owens has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Owens can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wheeler controls the pace.
Owens is pulling down on Wheeler's head. It's preventing any offense from Wheeler, at least for the moment.
Owens'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 lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Owens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wheeler keeps working.
Owens stalling.
Wheeler pushes Owens off looking to stand but Owens dives back in and keeps control.

Wheeler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wheeler flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Ground and pound from Owens.
Owens not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens stops Wheeler from getting back to his feet.
Wheeler taking some punishment here, with Owens in his half guard.

Owens seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Wheeler is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Francesco Owens!