PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Odis Wheetley (ranked 4200 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reinaldo Araujo (ranked 24831 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.

Wheetley
vs
Araujo

194 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

177 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 13 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Odis Wheetley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reinaldo Araujo!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Eddie Farnsworth and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wheetley on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Araujo moves out of range of the body kick.
It seemed like Araujo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Wheetley slips a jab and a cross from Araujo.
Araujo throws a hook but Wheetley blocks it.
Wheetley feinted with a counter takedown.
Araujo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Wheetley clinches up against the cage.

Araujo breaks the clinch.
Wheetley takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Araujo tries to clinch but Wheetley moves away
and Wheetley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Araujo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Araujo goes for a takedown attempt but Wheetley pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Araujo tries to clinch up.
Wheetley tries for a takedown but Araujo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Araujo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wheetley circles away quickly and effectively.
Wheetley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Araujo feints and then cracks Wheetley's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wheetley down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wheetley looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wheetley is breathing heavily.

Araujo gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheetley scores with a shoulder strike.
Araujo is trying to drag Wheetley to the mat but Wheetley just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Araujo tries to circle away but Wheetley has him pinned against the cage.
Araujo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wheetley gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Odis Wheetley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reinaldo Araujo.
Wheetley stops a takedown attempt from Araujo.
Wheetley prevents Araujo from breaking the clinch.
Wheetley's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Araujo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Araujo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wheetley is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Araujo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Araujo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Araujo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Araujo is trying to break free.
Araujo is trying to break the clinch but Wheetley has him pressed against the cage.
Araujo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Araujo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wheetley drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Araujo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Wheetley is pressed up against the cage. Araujo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wheetley down to the mat. Wheetley avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wheetley has managed to clinch.
Wheetley lands a right hand that snaps the head of Araujo backwards.

Araujo manages to break the clinch.
Wheetley looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Reinaldo Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Araujo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wheetley moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wheetley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wheetley shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Araujo as he avoids it easily.
As Wheetley backs off Araujo throws a huge counter combo but Wheetley manages to avoid it all.
Wheetley has a takedown stuffed.

Araujo moves into range and clinches up with Wheetley.
Wheetley is trying to drag Araujo to the mat but Araujo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Araujo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wheetley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Araujo fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo tries to clinch up.

Araujo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Araujo looking for a takedown.
Araujo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wheetley pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Araujo wants to take the fight to the mat but Wheetley manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Araujo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wheetley has him pressed against the cage.
Araujo wants to break free but Wheetley has control.
Araujo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Wheetley wants to take the fight to the mat but Araujo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Araujo wants to take the fight to the mat but Wheetley manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Araujo throws an elbow but it misses.
Araujo goes for a takedown attempt but Wheetley pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Araujo misses with a kick to the body
and Wheetley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Araujo misses with a right hand
and Wheetley counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Reinaldo Araujo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Araujo tries to clinch but Wheetley moves away
and Wheetley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Wheetley drives through with a takedown into Araujo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Araujo tries to strike from the bottom.
Araujo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Araujo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Araujo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Araujo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Araujo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Araujo working over Wheetley with some ground and pound. Wheetley looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Araujo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Araujo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Wheetley knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Araujo on the ground.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Araujo lands a nice short elbow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Araujo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Araujo lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo working over Wheetley with some ground and pound. Wheetley looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Araujo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Araujo lands strikes from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Araujo lands a nice short elbow.
Araujo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Araujo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Araujo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Araujo lands a nice short elbow.
Araujo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wheetley taking some punishment here, with Araujo in his half guard.
Wheetley trying to hold on to Araujo's head to control him but Araujo postures up.
Wheetley taking some punishment here, with Araujo in his half guard.
Araujo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wheetley with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Araujo winds up and cracks Wheetley with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Araujo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Araujo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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. Araujo connects with a nice short shot to Wheetley's temple.
Araujo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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!
Araujo is nestled in close to Wheetley, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Araujo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Araujo working over Wheetley with some ground and pound. Wheetley looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Araujo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wheetley with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Araujo working the head and body with strikes.
Araujo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Araujo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheetley looks like he's trying to stand up.
Wheetley is trying to get back to full guard.
Araujo working the head and body with strikes.
Ground and pound from Araujo.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Araujo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Araujo is nestled in close to Wheetley, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Araujo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Araujo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
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. Araujo connects with a nice short shot to Wheetley's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo lands with a punch from half guard.
Wheetley has hold of Araujo's hands but Araujo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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. Araujo connects with a nice short shot to Wheetley's temple.
Araujo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wheetley is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Araujo scores with a couple of nice shots.

Wheetley is rocked!
Wheetley taking some punishment here, with Araujo in his half guard.
Oh Wheetley is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Araujo lands strikes from half guard.
Araujo lands with a punch from half guard.
Reinaldo Araujo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Araujo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Araujo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Araujo lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wheetley is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Araujo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Araujo winds up and cracks Wheetley with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Araujo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Araujo.
Wheetley has hold of Araujo's hands but Araujo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Araujo.
Araujo drops an elbow to the side of Wheetley's head.
Araujo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Araujo working over Wheetley with some ground and pound. Wheetley looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Araujo working Wheetley over with strikes.
Araujo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wheetley on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Wheetley has hold of Araujo's hands but Araujo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Araujo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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. Araujo connects with a nice short shot to Wheetley's temple.
Araujo lands with a punch from half guard.
Araujo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wheetley on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Wheetley taking some punishment here, with Araujo in his half guard.
Araujo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Araujo working the head and body with strikes.
Nice strikes from Araujo there.
Nice strikes from Araujo there.
Wheetley taking some punishment here, with Araujo in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reinaldo Araujo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Araujo tries to clinch up.

Wheetley has closed the distance and engaged Araujo in a clinch.
Araujo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wheetley gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wheetley has Araujo pressed against the cage, preventing Araujo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Araujo has a couple of punches blocked by Wheetley.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Araujo just misses with a elbow thrown towards Wheetley's brow.
Araujo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wheetley pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Araujo wants a takedown but no success here.
Odis Wheetley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reinaldo Araujo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wheetley tries to pull guard but Araujo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Araujo wants a takedown.
Wheetley is stalling here.
Araujo wants to break free but Wheetley has control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheetley taking a breather.

Wheetley pulls Araujo into guard.
Wheetley working a defensive guard here.
Araujo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wheetley controls Araujo momentarily but Araujo frees himself.
Araujo works over Wheetley with some ground and pound from guard.
Araujo stands up over Wheetley, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Araujo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Araujo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wheetley's head.
Araujo loads up on a big left hand. Wheetley felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Araujo looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Wheetley can't hide his disappointment, as Araujo celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Reinaldo Araujo!