PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Robbie Lawler (ranked 4399 p4p, 4600 weight class) and Ryan Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 489 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Lawler
vs
Wheeler

175 cm
25
153
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Robbie Lawler!
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, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lawler gets caught flat footed, as Wheeler shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Lawler working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wheeler doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wheeler manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lawler on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lawler tries to get out of the position.

Lawler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wheeler defends well.
Wheeler content to stall in guard here.
Lawler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wheeler manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wheeler keeping full guard, as Lawler tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler trying to control the position.
Lawler pushing down on Wheeler's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Wheeler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lawler is working away from the top position though.
Wheeler is looking for a sweep. Lawler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawler tries to stand but can't do so whilst Wheeler controls his leg.
Wheeler controlling 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.

Lawler is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wheeler sees it coming and defends easily.
Lawler trying to control the pace.

Lawler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Wheeler is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawler.
Lawler is looking to take a break and control but Wheeler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawler is looking for a kimura but Wheeler is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lawler to get the leverage.
Lawler wants to take a breather but Wheeler is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lawler.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lawler enables Wheeler to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lawler manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Wheeler wants to control from the top but Lawler keeps moving.
Lawler has momentary wrist control but Wheeler slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawler had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wheeler defends it easily.
Lawler wants to control the position but Wheeler says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Wheeler moves into full mount! Lawler won't be happy about that!
Lawler is bucking up trying to escape but Wheeler cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Lawler really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lawler is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wheeler avoids the attempt from Lawler to control.
Wheeler prevents Lawler from getting the reversal.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ryan Wheeler will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A head kick misses from Wheeler.
Robbie Lawler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wheeler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lawler shoots in looking for a takedown but Wheeler manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wheeler is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lawler.

Wheeler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Wheeler stands up.

Wheeler clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wheeler effectively controlling the action here.

Wheeler breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wheeler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Lawler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Lawler showed some decent athleticism there.
Wheeler moves into full guard.
Lawler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lawler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wheeler swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lawler avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawler drops back looking for a leg! Wheeler is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wheeler manages to kick Lawler off! Lawler jumps back into Wheeler's guard.
Wheeler is striking from the bottom but Lawler uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Wheeler is staying active underneath Lawler, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lawler is thwarting Wheeler's attempts to control the position.

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

Lawler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wheeler is looking to control Lawler's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wheeler avoid being mounted?
Wheeler is looking to improve his position.
Robbie Lawler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wheeler trying to control from the bottom.
Lawler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lawler keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lawler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lawler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wheeler is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Wheeler shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Wheeler was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lawler is looking to reverse the position.
Wheeler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawler keeps working.
Lawler is looking to regain half guard here but Wheeler keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wheeler wants to control but Lawler is keeping him busy.
Lawler is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Wheeler is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryan Wheeler will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Lawler's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Wheeler slips under a jab.

Lawler closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wheeler takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Lawler working away.
Wheeler is trying to buck Lawler off.

Lawler goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Wheeler rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lawler's guard! Nice work there by Wheeler!

Wheeler avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lawler is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler wants to control from the top but Wheeler keeps moving.
Lawler being controlled here momentarily.
Lawler throws a big right hand that misses.
Wheeler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lawler advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lawler tries for a kimura but Wheeler is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Lawler is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wheeler knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Lawler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lawler tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Wheeler managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Lawler.
Wheeler tries to buck Lawler off but Lawler is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Wheeler wants to control the position but that's not easy when your opponent is in side control! Lawler seems to be going for some sort of submission here. Hard to say what - oh, it's a Brabo choke! He's got it! Wheeler is tapping! Wow, great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Brabo Choke). Robbie Lawler!