PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rylan Wheeler (ranked 1414 p4p, 1638 weight class) and Maxim Ward (ranked 190 p4p, 218 weight class). Ward has chosen ERA - Ameno as his entrance music. Rylan Wheeler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Wheeler
vs
Ward

178 cm
28
173
12 - 5 - 0

185 cm
37
172
22 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Conviction

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rylan Wheeler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Maxim Ward!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Aafke Stam and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wheeler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wheeler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Ward changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wheeler looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wheeler is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Cant Lose MMA, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Ward controls the position.
Wheeler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ward trying to control the position but Wheeler is working away.
Wheeler tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ward wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ward happy to just control the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wheeler is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler is pushing Ward's head away, looking to escape. Ward manages to hold on to the position though.
Ward in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Wheeler is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Ward thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wheeler on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Ward wants to control but Wheeler is keeping him busy.
Wheeler tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ward cracks Wheeler with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Ward happy to just control the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward trying to control the action but Wheeler is working from the bottom.
Wheeler takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ward staying calm.
Wheeler tries to improve position but can't.
Ward trying to control the action but Wheeler is working from the bottom.
Wheeler is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ward's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ward content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ward trying to pass the guard but Wheeler defending well.
Wheeler trying to control from the bottom.
Wheeler wants to improve his position but Ward is controlling well.
Ward seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wheeler wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Wheeler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ward manages to avoid it.
Ward throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wheeler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wheeler moves out of range as Ward strikes.
Ward will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ward uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wheeler.
Ward blocks a head kick by Wheeler.
Ward tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rylan Wheeler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ward displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wheeler throws out the jab.
A big left from Wheeler misses.
Wheeler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.
Ward displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ward misses with a takedown attempt
and Wheeler counters with a straight right hand.
Wheeler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ward manages to avoid it.
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!

Ward shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Wheeler's guard.
Ward has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Kaptajnernes Træningscenter. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Ward got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wheeler has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ward has managed to get both his arms back between Wheeler's legs - danger averted.
Ward controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward won't allow Wheeler to sweep him here.
Ward trying to control but Wheeler is working from the bottom.
Ward passes Wheeler's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ward is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Wheeler gets back to full guard.
Ward is pushing down on Wheeler's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wheeler is fighting to maintain full guard but Ward has managed to sneak the leg through.

Wheeler looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward working over Wheeler with some ground and pound. Wheeler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Maxim Ward has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wheeler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ward controlling the action here.
Ward working the head and body with strikes.
Ward 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward controlling the action here.

Wheeler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ward wants to control but Wheeler is keeping him busy.
Ward slows the pace down in half guard.
Wheeler is looking for a sweep. Ward is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ward lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wheeler moves into full guard.
Ward is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Wheeler looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Ward is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward passes Wheeler's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ward throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Wheeler on the side of the head.
Ward just misses with a punch to the body.
Ward bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ward bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wheeler's head backwards.
Ward throws a head kick that misses.
Ward lands a nice shot that snaps Wheeler's head back.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wheeler takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Wheeler fakes the leg kick and cracks Ward in the body.
Ward shoots in but no luck this time.
Ward lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ward feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Wheelers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ward connects with a body shot.
Wheeler takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
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!
Wheeler takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Maxim Ward seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ward swings away with a body shot that misses
and Wheeler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Maxim Ward has been cut.
Ward lands a head shot.
Ward looks to land a body kick but Wheeler moved away.
Wheeler slips under a jab.
Wheeler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Wheeler.
Ward throws out a counter right but Wheeler avoids it with no problem.
Maxim Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler slips a jab from Ward.
Ward misses with a straight right.
Ward jabs Wheeler right on the nose. Wheeler blinks but takes it well.
Wheeler avoids the head kick by Ward.
Ward drops his hands momentarily and Wheeler takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wheeler avoids the head kick by Ward.
Ward lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ward connects with a leg kick.
Ward has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wheeler lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Wheeler enables Ward to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Wheeler manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Wheeler is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ward is aware though and is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wheeler is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wheeler is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Wheeler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ward gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ward postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Wheeler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ward defends well.
Ward wants to control from the top but Wheeler keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward stopping the sweep attempt from Wheeler.
Ward stays in close to Wheeler's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd cheers as Wheeler lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ward doesn't seem phased though.

That's four 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 takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wheeler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ward uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wheeler as he jumps to the side.
Maxim Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ward works Wheeler's body with a nice hook.
Wheeler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rylan Wheeler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Ward.
Ward throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ward will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ward takes one to the side of the head.
Wheeler looks to land a combination but Ward avoids it well.
Wheeler throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ward on the side of the head.
Rylan Wheeler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ward throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wheeler.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ward 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Ward!
Maxim Ward decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.