PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Martin Wheeler (ranked 8277 p4p, 629 weight class) and Alan Valerdi (ranked 7602 p4p, 606 weight class). The key to victory for Martin Wheeler has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Wheeler
vs
Valerdi

195 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
160 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Martin Wheeler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alan Valerdi!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Franklyn Lucas and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wheeler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Valerdi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wheeler defends it nicely.
Wheeler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Valerdi.
Wheeler moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Valerdi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Valerdi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wheeler doesn't manage to clinch there - Valerdi circles away.
Wheeler has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA New York in the buildup to the fight.
Wheeler lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Wheeler stalks Valerdi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Valerdi's face. Valerdi staggers backwards, shaken.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valerdi throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Martin Wheeler has been cut.
No joy there for Wheeler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Wheeler. Those never looked like landing.
Valerdi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Valerdi throws a push kick but Wheeler slaps the foot to one side.

Valerdi feints and as Wheeler raises his hands in defense, Valerdi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wheeler is looking to stand up but Valerdi isn't so interested in that idea.
Wheeler is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Valerdi dives into side control.
Wheeler dodges the ground and pound from Valerdi.
The referee asks Valerdi politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Valerdi prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valerdi decides to stand up, so the ref orders Wheeler to his feet.
Wheeler misses with a series of wild punches.
Valerdi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Valerdi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wheeler tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wheeler is squirming around, avoiding Valerdi's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Valerdi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Wheeler can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Wheeler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Valerdi lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Valerdi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Valerdi with the ground and pound from mount.
Wheeler wants to try and get back to his feet.
Wheeler has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Valerdi is punishing Wheeler with some ground and pound.
Valerdi is punishing Wheeler with some ground and pound.

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 Valerdi gets his way!
Wheeler wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alan Valerdi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Martin Wheeler's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Valerdi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wheeler seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Martin Wheeler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wheeler swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Valerdi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Valerdi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valerdi shoots in for a double leg but Wheeler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
An attempted straight right counter from Wheeler misses the target.
Valerdi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wheeler.
Valerdi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wheeler displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Wheeler looks to land a combination but Valerdi avoids it well.
Wheeler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Valerdi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wheeler, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valerdi is trying to pull guard but Wheeler has him pressed against the cage.
Martin Wheeler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alan Valerdi.

Valerdi has clasped his hands together around Wheeler's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Wheeler is looking to get back to his feet here but Valerdi is keeping cool and he's managed to take Wheeler's back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valerdi has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Wheeler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wheeler is trying to get back to his feet but Valerdi has full control of the position and if anything, Wheeler has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Valerdi is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Wheeler defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Wheeler is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Alan Valerdi has got the better of the ground game so far.

Valerdi has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Wheeler has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Valerdi is punishing Wheeler with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is trying to get back to his feet but Valerdi has full control of the position and if anything, Wheeler has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Wheeler showing good submission defense here.
Valerdi tries to get the hooks in deep but Wheeler pushed the leg off.
Wheeler is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Valerdi.
Wheeler is trying to stand back up.
Wheeler looking very determined here, making life difficult for Valerdi.

Wheeler manages to escape to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler throws a body shot but no joy.
Wheeler takes a swing at Valerdi's ribcage but misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valerdi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wheeler shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Valerdi eats them both and turns towards Wheeler to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Valerdi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wheeler lands the left hand.
Valerdi shoots in but Wheeler avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Martin Wheeler will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Martin Wheeler's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wheeler closes the distance and clinches.
Valerdi tries to pull guard but Wheeler forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Wheeler tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Valerdi avoids it.

Valerdi gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wheeler tries to kick Valerdi off in order to stand up. Valerdi Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

Valerdi stands up and beckons Wheeler to his feet.
Wheeler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Valerdi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valerdi shoots in looking for a takedown but Wheeler manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Valerdi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Wheeler takes the fight into the clinch.
Wheeler stops a takedown attempt from Valerdi.
Martin Wheeler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alan Valerdi.
Valerdi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valerdi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wheeler is defending well.
Valerdi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wheeler prevents it.
Wheeler presses Valerdi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Wheeler prevents a takedown attempt there.
Valerdi tries to pull guard but Wheeler won't allow it.
Valerdi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wheeler tries to circle away but Valerdi has him pinned against the cage.
Wheeler dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Valerdi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two 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.
Wheeler tries to bum rush Valerdi with a series of wild strikes but Valerdi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And Valerdi responds with a good body kick, but Wheeler manages to step out the way in time.
Wheeler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Valerdi walks into a jab.

Valerdi clinches up with Wheeler and pushes him back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Valerdi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wheeler walks away with a smile on his face. Valerdi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Some wild striking there from Wheeler.

Wheeler darts in and clinches Valerdi up against the cage.
Valerdi is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valerdi is pressed up against the cage. Wheeler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valerdi down to the mat. Valerdi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wheeler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Valerdi throws a big counter head kick but Wheeler avoids it with no problem.
Valerdi tries to clinch there but Wheeler circles away.
Wheeler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valerdi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Despite the aggression on Valerdi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Valerdi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Wheeler counters with a stiff right hand.
Martin Wheeler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Valerdi moves into the clinch.
Valerdi wants a takedown but no success here.
Wheeler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valerdi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Wheeler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Valerdi has Wheeler pressed against the cage, preventing Wheeler from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Valerdi jumps guard but Wheeler turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valerdi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Valerdi wants to take the fight to the mat but Wheeler manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wheeler controlling the action here for a moment.
Wheeler manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Valerdi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wheeler is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valerdi has Wheeler pressed against the cage, preventing Wheeler from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Wheeler can't break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Wheeler showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wheeler has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Wheeler!