PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sunshine Okafor (ranked 3052 p4p, 1918 weight class) and Ryan Henderson (ranked 332 p4p, 222 weight class). Okafor comes to the cage accompanied by Bliss. Ryan Henderson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Okafor
vs
Henderson

175 cm
21
156
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
165
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sunshine Okafor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Henderson !
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Henderson misses with a hook.
Okafor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson .
Henderson misses with a straight right.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Henderson .
Ryan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Henderson .
Henderson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Henderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Okafor throws out the jab.
Henderson moves away from the strike by Okafor.
Henderson with the counter takedown but Okafor avoids it easily.
Okafor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson .
Henderson with the counter takedown but Okafor avoids it easily.
Henderson slips a straight right by Okafor.
Okafor cracks Henderson with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Okafor with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Henderson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Okafor's half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Okafor keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor wants to control but Henderson is keeping busy.
Okafor is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at SYDNEY ELITE GYM that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Okafor is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Okafor is trying to control but can't.
Okafor is looking for a sweep. Henderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Henderson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Okafor avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Henderson .

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.
Henderson throwing shots but Okafor is blocking nicely.
Henderson prevents Okafor from improving his position.
Henderson is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Okafor is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Henderson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Henderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Okafor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Okafor was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Henderson .
Henderson throws a hook to the side of Okafor's head but Okafor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Okafor slips a straight right by Henderson .
Okafor is looking to counter with head kicks.
Okafor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Okafor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Henderson or perhaps it was just good defense by Okafor, which made it look bad.
Henderson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Okafor can pounce on him.
Okafor throws a leg kick which misses Henderson 's front leg but catches the back leg as Henderson tries to avoid it.
Henderson avoids the body shot from Okafor.
Henderson misses with a looping right.
Okafor moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Jab by Okafor.
Okafor uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Henderson misses with a hook. Okafor ducked under it nicely.
Okafor punishes Henderson 's body with a nice straight punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
Henderson slips a jab from Okafor.
A clash of legs there as Henderson blocks the low kick.
Henderson misses with an uppercut.
Okafor ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sunshine Okafor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A lazy left from Okafor finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Okafor gets caught napping as Henderson dives in and scores a takedown. Okafor manages to retain guard.
Henderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Okafor is trying to hold Henderson in close to prevent damage but Henderson has managed to pass into half guard.
Henderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Okafor defending well though.
Okafor avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Henderson .
Henderson is trying to control. Okafor wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Henderson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Okafor is just riding it out for now. Henderson eventually gives up the hold.
Okafor looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sunshine Okafor will probably get the nod.
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.

Okafor scores with a head kick. Henderson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Okafor throwing a counter right hand but Henderson manages to avoid it.
Okafor lands with an uppercut that bounces Henderson off the cage and back into range.
Henderson connects with a right hand. Okafor shakes it off.
Henderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okafor.
Henderson scores with a shot to the body.
Henderson jabs Okafor right on the nose. Okafor blinks but takes it well.
Henderson cracks Okafor with an open hand slap.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Okafor circles away quickly and effectively.
Okafor scores with a crisp jab that stopped Henderson in his tracks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Okafor. Henderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Okafor misses with a looping left.
Henderson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Okafor defends it well.
Henderson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Okafor. Okafor circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Henderson , as that shot connected.
Henderson throws a looping overhand right but Okafor ducks down to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
Henderson misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Henderson does it's job there.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Henderson .
Okafor on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Henderson throws a hook but Okafor blocks it.
Sunshine Okafor is winning the standup battle so far.
Henderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Okafor scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Henderson doesn't seem bothered though.
Henderson lands a nice shot that snaps Okafor's head back.
Henderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okafor.
A jab from Henderson misses.
A little feinted left hand from Okafor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Henderson .
Okafor lands with a right hand.
Henderson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Okafor scores with a shot to the body.
Okafor dips to his left and cracks Henderson with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okafor is looking to chop away at Henderson 's legs.
Okafor defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Okafor fires out a quick counter leg kick but Henderson just manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Okafor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Okafor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Okafor appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Henderson misses with a hook. Okafor ducked under it nicely.
Okafor scores with a body shot.
Henderson looks to land a right hand but Okafor moved out of range.
Henderson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Okafor.
Okafor tries a head kick but it misses.
Okafor misses with an uppercut

and Henderson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Henderson is looking to take a break and control but Okafor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Henderson passes into side control, despite Okafor's attempt to control the position.
Henderson lands a nice forearm strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor can't do much from the bottom here.
Henderson trying to control the action but Okafor is working from the bottom.
Henderson working the head and body with strikes.
Sloppy strikes there by Henderson .
Henderson landing strikes.
Henderson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Okafor sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Okafor dodges the ground and pound from Henderson .
Okafor tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Henderson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My spies in Roosters Coop inform me that Henderson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Henderson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Okafor down.
Henderson working away.
Okafor is looking for a sweep.
Okafor managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Henderson .
Henderson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Henderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Okafor keeps working.

Henderson is trying to get an arm triangle but Okafor is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Okafor's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Okafor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson loads up on a big right hand but Okafor slips the punch.
It looked like Okafor wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Henderson throws an overhand right that lands on Okafor's shoulder, as Okafor tries to avoid the shot.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Henderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jab from Okafor.
Henderson scores with a decent looking hook.
Okafor lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Henderson at a distance.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Henderson .
Henderson throws a hook but Okafor avoids it easily.
Henderson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Okafor.
Henderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Okafor takes a swing at Henderson 's ribcage but misses.
Okafor misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor looks to land a left hand but Henderson moved out of range nicely.
Okafor misses with an uppercut. Henderson saw that one coming.
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Okafor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Henderson .
Henderson misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Okafor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Henderson .
Henderson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Okafor lands a head shot.
Okafor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Henderson .
Okafor throwing a counter right hand but Henderson manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
A big right from Henderson misses.
Henderson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Okafor slips under a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Henderson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Okafor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson .
Henderson throws a right hand that misses
and Okafor counters with a left to the body.
Okafor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Henderson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Henderson throws out a powerful jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Okafor chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson .
Henderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Okafor gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Henderson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Okafor's guard.

Okafor is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Henderson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Okafor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Henderson blocks an uppercut.
Okafor working aggressively here.

Okafor breaks from the clinch.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Henderson .
Okafor throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson .
Okafor moves away from the strike by Henderson .
No luck with that takedown attempt from Henderson .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Both fighters circling a little - Okafor finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Okafor throws a shot from downtown. Henderson moves away and avoids it.
Okafor scores with the left hand. Henderson knows he should have avoided that one.
Henderson cracks Okafor with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson .
Okafor throws a leg kick which misses Henderson 's front leg but catches the back leg as Henderson tries to avoid it.
Okafor scores with a push kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henderson .
A swing and a miss from Henderson .
Henderson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Okafor defends well and Henderson ends up having to push Okafor into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sunshine Okafor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Henderson .
Henderson misses with a hook
and Okafor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Henderson walks into a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson throws a big shot that misses.
Henderson throws the left hand but Okafor avoids the punch easily.
Nice body punch from Henderson .
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but Okafor shows good takedown defense.
Henderson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Henderson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Okafor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Okafor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okafor is looking to counter punch.
A big right from Henderson misses.
Henderson throws the left hand but Okafor avoids the punch easily.
Henderson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Henderson blocks a leg kick.
Henderson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Okafor is fending him off so far but Henderson persists. Nope, Okafor circles away and we're back to standing.
Henderson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Okafor.
A slow jab from Henderson misses its intended target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sunshine Okafor showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Okafor 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sunshine Okafor!
During a confident post fight interview, Sunshine Okafor thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.