Completed MMA Bout
Ryan Martinez vs. Mike Wessel
Bellator 73: 2012 Summer Series 3 | 2012.08.24 | Tunica, Mississippi Discussion
Main Card | Heavyweight · 265 lbs | MMA
Mike Wessel defeats Ryan Martinez via 3 Round Decision
-
-
-
Wessel
Decision
Round 3
"The Juggernaut"
| 11-4-0 | Pro Record At Fight | 7-1-0 | ||
| Climbed to 12-4 | Record After Fight | Fell to 7-2 | ||
| +320 (Moderate Underdog) | Betting Odds | -390 (Moderate Favorite) | ||
United States
|
Nationality |
United States
|
||
| Jonesboro, Arkansas | Fighting out of | Greeley, Colorado | ||
| 34 years, 8 months, 3 weeks, 1 day | Age at Fight | 30 years, 2 weeks, 1 day | ||
| 262.4 lbs (119.0 kgs) | Weigh-In Result | 264.0 lbs (119.7 kgs) | ||
| 6'0" (183cm) | Height | 5'11" (181cm) | ||
| 71.0" (180cm) | Reach | 71.5" (182cm) | ||
| Westside Fight Team | Gym | Infinite MMA |
- Bout Information
- Event: Bellator 73: 2012 Summer Series 3
- Date: Friday 08.24.2012 at 08:00 PM ET
- Referee: Kelly Leo
- Venue: Harrah's Tunica Hotel and Casino
- Enclosure: Cage
- Location: Tunica, Mississippi, United States
- Bout Billing: Main Card (fight 5 of 10)
- Pro/Am: Professional
- Weight: 265 lbs (120.2 kg)
- TV Commentary: Sean Wheelock, Jimmy Smith
- Broadcast: Aired Live on Main Card
- Post-Fight Interviewer: Jimmy Smith
- Martinez Total Disclosed Pay: None Disclosed
- Wessel Total Disclosed Pay: None Disclosed
-
Event Links:
Martinez vs. Wessel Wiki Update Wiki
The fifth bout of Bellator 73 saw Ryan Martinez take on Mike Wessel in the heavyweight division.
Wessel pushed forward behind punches early and both men landed before clinching up. Back in the center Wessel charged in for another combo but both men missed. Martinez began to connect on some of his own shots as Wessel's pace slowed, and the heavyweights traded leg kicks. Martinez nearly had a takedown but the fence kept Wessel up. A partial slip on a Martinez counter found Wessel on his back with Martinez taking side control. Martinez kept control on top to the bell.
Wessel landed a few punches early in the second and stayed on his feet during a Martinez takedown attempt. After a struggle in the clinch Martinez tripped Wessel to the mat and again passed to side control, but Wessel rolled to his knees and got back to his feet. The heavyweights probed their strikes in the center of the cage and Wessel got the better of the action then caught a head kick to get an easy takedown, landing in side control then firing off punches to the sides of the head when Martinez turtled up. Martinez stood and the fighters reset. Wessel landed some decent punches in the final minute but found himself on his back as Martinez secured a final takedown.
Wessel landed a big right cross early in the third but Martinez stayed on his feet. Martinez tried to get some combos off but Wessel was backing him off in every exchange. Martinez landed a nice left cross from the Southpaw stance and Wessel pushed him into the fence, looking to be the fresher fighter midway through the final round. Wessel landed some big knees to the body from the clinch and kept Martinez pressed against the fence. Martinez reversed the position and broke away, Wessel coming forward and sporting a big mouse under his right eye. Wessel again charged with punches, landing a series of straights that had Martinez clinching up again. The heavyweights separated and both turned up the heat, landing heavy punches with Wessel landing knees to the body.
The judges scored the bout 29-28 Wessel, 30-27 Martinez, and 29-28 Wessel, giving him the Split Decision victory.
Speaking with Jimmy Smith following the win, Wessel said, "That was one of my toughest fights. He did the right things, I did the right things, so I hope the fans enjoyed it."
