PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Whelan (ranked 2365 p4p, 2502 weight class) and Zark Muckerberg (ranked 320 p4p, 336 weight class). Whelan comes to the cage accompanied by The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin'. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Whelan
vs
Muckerberg

176 cm
25
175
5 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
176
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Mythical Fighter
ZERO Fightwear

Northern Zombie

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mickey Whelan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zark Muckerberg!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whelan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Whelan shoots in and bounces Muckerberg off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Whelan postures up.
Muckerberg keeping full guard, as Whelan tries to pass.
Muckerberg keeping moving, preventing Whelan from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muckerberg can't keep his opponent in guard - Whelan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Muckerberg tries to get to full guard but Whelan has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whelan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Muckerberg knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Whelan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Whelan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Whelan is working hard here to advance position.

Whelan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Muckerberg is just riding it out for now. Whelan eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Muckerberg won't allow Whelan to pass to mount.
Muckerberg felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Muckerberg moves into full guard.

Muckerberg looking for a guillotine here but Whelan defends easily.
Muckerberg looking to control.
Whelan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Muckerberg on the ground.
Muckerberg keeping full guard, as Whelan tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whelan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Whelan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Whelan trying to control the position but Muckerberg is working away.

Whelan goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Muckerberg has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Whelan but great work by Muckerberg.
Whelan manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Muckerberg is in trouble now - Whelan has advanced to mount!
Whelan wants to take Muckerberg's back but he can't do it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Whelan looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Whelan seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Muckerberg is holding on tight.
Whelan looking to control and managing it successfully.
Muckerberg keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Muckerberg is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Whelan has taken his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Whelan is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Muckerberg knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Muckerberg for a finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Whelan trying to control momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Whelan dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Muckerberg misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Muckerberg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Muckerberg gets caught napping as Whelan dives in and scores a takedown. Muckerberg manages to retain guard.
Whelan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Whelan slips nicely into half guard.
Whelan is keen to just control but Muckerberg is a slippery customer.
Whelan seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mickey Whelan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Whelan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Muckerberg won't allow Whelan to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Whelan is looking for a kimura but Muckerberg is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Whelan to get the leverage.
Whelan trying to control the pace.
Muckerberg has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Whelan is working away from the top position though.

Whelan is working for a kimura but Muckerberg is defending it quite comfortably.

Muckerberg actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Muckerberg works his way to full guard. Good work.
Muckerberg keeping moving, preventing Whelan from controlling successfully.
Whelan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Muckerberg keeping full guard, as Whelan tries to pass.
Muckerberg bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Whelan's guard.

Muckerberg trying to control but Whelan is working from the bottom.
Whelan tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Whelan has his foot on Muckerberg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Muckerberg works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whelan wants to sweep but no luck.
Whelan trying to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Whelan can't keep his opponent in guard - Muckerberg advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Whelan moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muckerberg advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muckerberg is keen to just control but Whelan is a slippery customer.
Muckerberg prevents Whelan from improving his position.
Whelan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Whelan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Muckerberg wants to control but Whelan is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Whelan is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Muckerberg sees it coming and defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Muckerberg is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Whelan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Whelan's back!

Muckerberg has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mickey Whelan will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Whelan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Whelan trying to mount his opponent but Muckerberg defends it.
Whelan is just content to waste time from the top position. Muckerberg takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Whelan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Whelan wants to pass the guard but Muckerberg is keeping the position.
Muckerberg keeping moving, preventing Whelan from controlling successfully.

Muckerberg has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Whelan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muckerberg keeping moving, preventing Whelan from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whelan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Muckerberg is keeping the position for now.
Whelan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muckerberg can do to turn this around?
Whelan pushes down on Muckerberg's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Whelan is looking for a kimura here.

Whelan is working for a submission of some sort.
Whelan wants to free his trapped foot but Muckerberg is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Muckerberg is in trouble now - Whelan has advanced to mount!
Muckerberg is squirming around, avoiding Whelan's attempts to control the action.
Whelan works his way to his opponent's back.

Whelan is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Whelan looking to break Muckerberg's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Muckerberg remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Whelan will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Whelan is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Muckerberg has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Muckerberg tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whelan is looking to work his way around to Muckerberg's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Whelan controlling the position easily from mount.
Whelan wants to take Muckerberg's back but he can't do it this time.
Whelan wants to control the pace but Muckerberg is squirming around nicely.

Whelan moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Muckerberg has worked his arm free - good work by Muckerberg!
Whelan is looking to take a break and control but Muckerberg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.
Muckerberg tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Whelan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Whelan tries to advance to mount but can't.
Whelan trying to control the action but Muckerberg is working from the bottom.
Whelan advances to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Muckerberg sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Whelan is looking to advance position but Muckerberg won't allow it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Whelan clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Muckerberg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Whelan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Muckerberg quickly recovers to half guard.
Whelan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Muckerberg knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Whelan uses his free foot to push down on Muckerberg's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Muckerberg.

Whelan goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Muckerberg is on top in guard.
Muckerberg looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Whelan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Muckerberg defends it easily.
Whelan has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Muckerberg has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muckerberg tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Muckerberg is looking to take a break and control but Whelan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sloppy strikes there by Muckerberg.
Muckerberg advances nicely into full mount.
Whelan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Whelan slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Muckerberg seems to be working for a kimura but Whelan defends the submission attempt.
Whelan is looking to control Muckerberg's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Whelan avoid being mounted?
Whelan gets full guard.
Muckerberg wants to control from the top but Whelan keeps moving.
Whelan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Whelan isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Muckerberg stacks Whelan on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Muckerberg!

Muckerberg thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Whelan manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Whelan tries to get to full guard but Muckerberg has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Whelan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Whelan throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Muckerberg escapes and throws Whelan's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Muckerberg is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Whelan has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muckerberg trying to control the position but Whelan is working away.
Whelan is looking for a sweep.

Whelan is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Muckerberg's leg. Oh but that's left an opportunity for Muckerberg! He's got an arm triangle... it looks tight! He's rotating and Whelan has tapped! This one is allllll over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Zark Muckerberg!
Our winner, Zark Muckerberg, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.