PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Henderson (ranked 2728 p4p, 24450 weight class) and Nicky Papas (ranked 322 p4p, 638 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Henderson
vs
Papas

170 cm
21
165
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
164
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Henderson !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nicky Papas!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Henderson digs a good body shot into Papas's ribs.
Henderson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Papas at a distance.
Papas takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Papas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Henderson scores with a shot to the body.
A jab from Henderson finds it's way through Papas's defenses.
A jab from Henderson misses.
Henderson cracks Papas with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Henderson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Papas.
Nice shot by Henderson .
Papas takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot by Henderson .
A big right from Henderson misses.
Papas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Papas misses with an uppercut.
Henderson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Papas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Henderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Papas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Henderson .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papas slips under a jab from Henderson .
Papas misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Papas blocks a jab.
Papas moves away from the strike by Henderson .
Papas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Papas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Papas cracks Henderson with a good jab.
Papas misses with a series of wild punches.
Henderson lands a slapping body shot.
A big right from Henderson misses.
Henderson connects with a nice looking jab.
Henderson lands a body shot.
Papas takes one to the chin there.
No joy there for Papas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson looks to land a left hand but Papas moved out of range nicely.
Papas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Henderson .
Henderson takes one to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papas lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Papas.
We've been told by Henderson 's head coaches at Roosters Coop that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Henderson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Henderson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Papas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Henderson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Papas somewhat.
Ryan Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Papas does no damage.
Henderson scores with a punch to the head.
Papas slips a straight right by Henderson .
Papas slips a jab from Henderson .
Henderson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Papas avoids the body shot from Henderson .
Henderson lands the left hand.
Henderson misses the shot to the body.
Papas defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Henderson takes a swing at Papas's ribcage but misses.
Papas misses with a low kick.
Henderson is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Papas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papas on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Papas dives in and grabs Henderson 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Henderson pushes down on Papas's head and hops out.
Henderson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Papas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Henderson .
Papas throws a head kick that misses.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Papas moves away.
Papas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Henderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Papas.
Henderson connects with a crisp jab.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Papas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Papas drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Henderson defends it well.
Henderson looks to land a right hand but Papas moved out of range.
Papas avoids the body shot from Henderson .
Papas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Henderson with a hook.
Papas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Some wild striking there from Papas.
Henderson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circling - Henderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Papas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Papas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Papas goes for a double leg but Henderson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Henderson continues to drive forward.
Ryan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicky Papas.
Papas throws a low kick but it's checked well by Henderson .
The fighters circle momentarily. Henderson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Henderson throws a hook to the side of Papas's head but Papas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Papas has a takedown stuffed.
Henderson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Papas shoots in looking for a takedown but Henderson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Papas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Henderson is looking to counter punch.
Henderson scores with a hook.
Henderson sizes up Papas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Papas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Henderson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson . Papas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Henderson lands with a shot to the body.
Henderson throws a body punch but Papas moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Henderson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Papas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Papas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Henderson takes a swing at Papas's ribcage but misses.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Papas might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Henderson has got the better of the exchanges.
Henderson dodges the punch combination from Papas.
It looked like Henderson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Papas.
Henderson with a hook.
Ryan Henderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Papas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Henderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Papas dives in and grabs Henderson 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Henderson pushes down on Papas's head and hops out.
Henderson misses with the combination.
Nicky Papas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Papas was well out of range. Poor timing from Henderson .
Papas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Henderson as he jumps to the side.
Papas tries to bum rush Henderson with a series of wild strikes but Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Papas misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson lands a jab to Papas's midsection.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson . Papas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Henderson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Henderson misses with an uppercut
and Papas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Papas fails to land with a series of punches.
Papas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Henderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Papas shoots in but no luck this time.
Ryan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicky Papas.
Henderson misses with a few strikes there.
Papas is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Papas fails to land the takedown.
Papas throws a right hand that Henderson ducks under and follows up with a left that Henderson also avoids with ease.
Henderson throwing a counter right hand but Papas manages to avoid it.
Henderson scores with a jab to the head.
Henderson scores with a shot to the body.
Henderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Papas can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papas swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Papas throws an off balance right hand
and Papas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Papas has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Papas closes the distance and clinches up with Henderson , looking for a takedown. Papas pushes Henderson against the cage but Henderson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a jab to Papas's midsection.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from Papas.
Henderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Henderson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Papas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.
Henderson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Papas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Henderson sprawls well. Henderson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Papas gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Papas is breathing heavily.
Henderson scores with a jab.
Henderson throws a shot from downtown. Papas moves away and avoids it.
Papas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Papas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Papas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Henderson misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Papas's hands.
Papas on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Papas misses with a series of wild punches.
Papas misses with an uppercut. Henderson saw that one coming.
Papas drops his hands momentarily and Henderson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Henderson works Papas's body with a nice hook.
Henderson tests Papas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Henderson throws out a powerful jab.
Papas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.
Papas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Papas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from Henderson misses.
Papas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Papas takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Papas takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nice takedown defense from Henderson . No joy for Papas on that attempt.
Henderson throws a jab when Papas was well out of range.
Nice shot by Henderson .
Papas misses with a series of wild punches.
Henderson is looking to counter punch.
Henderson throws a one two combo.
Papas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Henderson .
Papas is trying desperately to land a takedown but Henderson is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Papas.
Henderson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice defenses there by Papas.
Papas tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Papas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Henderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Papas misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Henderson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Papas shoots for a takedown but Henderson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Henderson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Papas doesn't seem bothered though.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Papas moves away.
Henderson digs a good body shot into Papas's ribs.
Papas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Papas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from Papas.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Papas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Papas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henderson circles away.
Henderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson scores with a jab to the head.
Papas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papas slips a jab from Henderson .
Henderson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Papas is defended easily by Henderson .
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ryan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicky Papas.
Papas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Henderson lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Papas.
Henderson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Papas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Papas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Donk. Henderson catches Papas right on the button with a cross.
Henderson connects with a body shot that sends Papas's belly button to the back.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Papas.
Henderson looks to land a left hand but Papas moved out of range nicely.
Papas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Henderson circles away quickly and effectively.
Henderson throws a jab when Papas was well out of range.
Henderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Henderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Papas manages to avoid it.
Henderson lands with a nice body punch.
Papas shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henderson cracks a nice hook into Papas's ribs.
Papas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Papas. Those never looked like landing.
Papas moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice cross by Henderson .
Henderson fails to land with a series of punches.
Papas throws out a counter right but Henderson avoids it with no problem.
Henderson misses with a looping left.
Henderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Papas throws a right and a left that Henderson avoids nicely.
Henderson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Henderson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Henderson misses with a straight left.
Despite the aggression on Papas's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Papas.
Henderson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Papas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henderson .
Henderson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Henderson moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Papas fails to land with a series of punches.
Papas misses with a combination
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Papas.
Papas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice defenses there by Papas.
Papas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Papas takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The fighters circling - Henderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circling - Henderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson . Papas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Papas looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson . Papas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Papas shoots in but Henderson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Henderson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Henderson cracks Papas with a good jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Henderson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Henderson connects with a jab.
Papas ducks under a wild hook from Henderson .
Nice sprawl there from Henderson as Papas shoots in.
Henderson 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Papas under the eye.
Henderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Papas manages to avoid it.
Nicky Papas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henderson lands with an overhand left.
Papas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Henderson .
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Papas.
Papas throws a looping overhand right but Henderson ducks down to avoid it.
Henderson misses with a double jab.
Papas with the counter takedown but Henderson avoids it easily.
Papas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henderson circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Henderson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Henderson !