PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hendrik Hendriksson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michaels comes to the cage accompanied by Metallica - Enter Sandman. Hendrik Hendriksson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Michaels
vs
Hendriksson

215 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
189 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shawn Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hendrik Hendriksson!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Michaels.
Hendriksson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Michaels closes the distance and pushes Hendriksson back into the cage.

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

Michaels rushes Hendriksson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hendriksson has had enough of the clinch but Michaels keeps him there for the moment.

Michaels turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Michaels manages to end up in side control.
Hendriksson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Michaels stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Michaels moves into the clinch successfully.
Hendriksson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Michaels just stands there and leans against the cage.

Michaels jumps guard.
Michaels will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Michaels is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hendriksson won't allow Michaels to sweep him here.
Michaels is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Michaels is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendriksson wants to get up but he can't break Michaels's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Michaels looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Michaels keeping moving, preventing Hendriksson from controlling successfully.

Michaels has his feet on Hendriksson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Michaels throws a head kick that half lands.

Michaels throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hendriksson was covering up waiting for the punch and Michaels finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hendriksson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendriksson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Michaels wants to get up but he can't break Hendriksson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Michaels really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Michaels stands up over Hendriksson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Michaels trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Michaels decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hendriksson, up you get!
Hendrik Hendriksson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Michaels scores with a takedown into Hendriksson's guard.
Hendriksson is trying to keep Michaels in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hendriksson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Michaels defends well.
Hendriksson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hendriksson wants to stand up but Michaels is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hendriksson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Michaels.
Michaels has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hendriksson is proving hard to escape from.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Michaels stands up from Hendriksson's guard - Michaels perhaps looking for a knockout.

Michaels darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Michaels tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Michaels dominated that round.
That's time! Michaels's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hendriksson throws a sloppy head kick and Michaels moves out of range easily.
Michaels plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Michaels feints and then cracks Hendriksson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hendriksson down.
Hendriksson tries to clinch

and Michaels counters with a shoot takedown. Hendriksson fights it but they end up in guard.
Michaels loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hendriksson wants to stand but Michaels is controlling the position.

Michaels gets to his feet. Hendriksson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Michaels shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hendriksson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Michaels gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michaels moves into the clinch successfully.

Michaels ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Michaels no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Michaels wants to stand but Hendriksson is controlling the position.
Hendriksson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Michaels wants to stand up but Hendriksson is controlling him.

Hendriksson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hendriksson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hendriksson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Michaels is proving hard to escape from.
Shawn Michaels overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hendriksson trying to control the position from guard on top but Michaels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Michaels has a closed guard, preventing Hendriksson from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hendriksson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hendriksson shoots in but no luck this time.

Michaels closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hendriksson to the mat! Hendriksson manages to get full guard.
Hendriksson wants to sweep but no luck.

Michaels decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Michaels rushes Hendriksson and presses him up against the cage.
Hendriksson takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendriksson throws an elbow but it misses.
Michaels is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Michaels tries to pull guard but Hendriksson won't allow it.

Hendriksson jumps guard.

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

Michaels gets to his feet. Hendriksson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hendriksson tries to clinch but Michaels is having none of it.
Hendriksson misses with a takedown

and Michaels counters by clinching up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Michaels - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Michaels prevents Hendriksson from breaking the clinch.
Michaels tries to land knees in the clinch but Hendriksson avoids the damage to the body.
Hendriksson is trying to drag Michaels to the mat but Michaels just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Shawn Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hendrik Hendriksson.
Michaels gets underhooks to prevent Hendriksson's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendriksson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hendriksson throws an elbow but misses.
Michaels with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Michaels pulls guard successfully.
Michaels seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Michaels looking for a guillotine here but Hendriksson defends easily.
Michaels trying to control the position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Michaels looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Michaels dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hendriksson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Michaels counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hendriksson keeping moving, preventing Michaels from controlling successfully.

Michaels avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Michaels has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hendriksson is proving hard to escape from.
Michaels tries to free his leg and advance position but Hendriksson is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Michaels throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michaels decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Michaels shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Michaels is looking to advance position but Hendriksson won't allow it.

Michaels gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Michaels moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michaels escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Michaels scores a takedown into full mount!
Michaels looking to land elbow strikes but Hendriksson uses the position to regain half guard.
Michaels lands with a punch from half guard.
Hendriksson tries to get to full guard but Michaels has control of the leg.
Michaels tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hendriksson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hendriksson tries to get to full guard but Michaels has control of the leg.
Michaels not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Michaels is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hendriksson sees it coming and defends easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Michaels. No joy for Hendriksson on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hendriksson has a takedown stuffed.

Michaels takes the fight into the clinch.
Hendriksson tries to pull guard but Michaels won't allow it.
Shawn Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hendrik Hendriksson.

Michaels manages to break the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Michaels.
Hendriksson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Michaels sprawls well. Michaels wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hendriksson gets slowly back to his feet.
Michaels circles away from the clinch attempt

and Michaels moves into the clinch.

Michaels breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hendriksson moves in looking to clinch but Michaels pushes him off.

Michaels gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Michaels as Hendriksson tries to tie him up.
Hendriksson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Michaels gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hendrik Hendriksson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shawn Michaels is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Michaels's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shawn Michaels showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Michaels 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn Michaels!