PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luke Holder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henderson has chosen Ice Ice Baby as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Holder
vs
Henderson

185 cm
23
196 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

186 cm
24
195 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Holder!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Bruno Lombardi and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson avoids the head kick by Holder.
A punch combination from Henderson misses.
Henderson scores with a nice body kick.
Henderson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Henderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holder misses with a low kick.
Holder tried to score with a low kick but Henderson checks it.
Holder keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Henderson tries to move into range but Holder moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Henderson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Holder looks for the body kick but Henderson saw that one coming.
Holder sizes up Henderson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Henderson throws a leg kick which misses Holder's front leg but catches the back leg as Holder tries to avoid it.
Holder blocks the body kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Holder throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Holder was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Henderson avoids a kick to the body.
Dan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson tried to score with a low kick but Holder checks it.
Dan Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick by Holder misses
and Henderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Henderson lands a front kick.
Henderson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Holder delivers a nice body kick.
Henderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holder was well out of range. Poor timing from Henderson.
Jab from Henderson.
Holder misses with a low kick.
Henderson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Holder misses with a body kick.
Henderson blocks the body kick.
Jab, jab by Henderson - just one landing.
Henderson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Holder counters with a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Henderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Holder is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holder keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holder swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Holder fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A thudding body kick lands there by Holder!
Holder throws a leg kick but Henderson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Holder throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Henderson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Henderson.
Holder blocks an elbow strike.
Henderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Holder is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Henderson is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder throws an elbow that misses.
Henderson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Henderson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Holder takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice right hand lands inside from Henderson.
Henderson struggles to land a body shot inside as Holder controls his hands.
Henderson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Henderson avoiding damage as Holder throws knees to the body.
Henderson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Henderson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Henderson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holder trying to stall but Henderson improves his position.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holder blocks it with crossed arms.
Henderson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Holder avoids the elbow strike from Henderson, against the cage.
Holder is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Henderson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Holder lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Dan Henderson has been cut.
Henderson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dan Henderson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dan Henderson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Henderson misses with a wild body shot.
Henderson avoids a kick to the body.
Holder ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Henderson moves away.
Holder swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson. Holder does a little dance to reset his feet.
Henderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holder throws out the jab.
Good work by Holder as he checks the leg kick.
Holder with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Henderson throws a shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Holder.
Henderson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Henderson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Holder.
Holder connects with a solid leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Holder.
Holder throws a looping overhand right but Henderson ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holder circles away from the clinch attempt.
Holder ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Holder takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Henderson misses with a body kick.
Holder throws a lazy head kick
and Henderson counters with a nice leg kick.
Holder keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Henderson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Holder rather than just go for the knockout.
Henderson throws a body kick that misses.
Henderson jabs at Holder's body.
Luke Holder is winning the standup battle so far.
Holder is looking to land body kicks.
Crunch! Henderson slams his shin into Holder's torso.
Holder takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Henderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Henderson swings widly with a right hand
and Holder counters with a good low kick that Henderson was not able to check.
Holder attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holder misses with a body kick.
Henderson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Henderson tests Holder's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Holder misses the target.
Holder chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Henderson can pounce on him.
Holder throws a big shot that misses.
Henderson is looking to clinch.
Henderson wants to clinch.
Henderson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Henderson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Holder.
Henderson blocks a jab.
A head kick misses from Holder.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder moves forwards but Henderson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Henderson misses with a low kick.
Jab from Henderson.
Holder uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Holder throws a head kick that misses.
Holder is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Henderson.
Holder lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Holder steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Henderson tries to clinch up.
Henderson scores with a three punch combo!
Both fighters circling a little - Henderson finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Holder takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
That kick from Holder tenderised Henderson's leg. Henderson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Holder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holder connects with a leg kick. Henderson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holder slips a straight right by Henderson.
Henderson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Henderson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Holder has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Henderson finds it's way round the side to connect with Holder's head.
Henderson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Henderson blocks a head kick by Holder.
Holder tried to score with a low kick but Henderson checks it.
Henderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Henderson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Holder finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Henderson blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holder with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Henderson throws a front kick that sends Holder stumbling back into the cage.
Good leg kick by Henderson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dan Henderson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Dan Henderson's cut.
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.

Holder tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Holder scores with a kick to the midsection.
Holder swings for the body but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson takes a swing at Holder's ribcage but misses.
Holder throws a wild body kick that Henderson sees coming a mile off.
Holder keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Holder.
Henderson doesn't manage to clinch there - Holder circles away.
Henderson leaves Holder with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Henderson takes a swing at Holder's ribcage but misses.
Holder shoots for a double leg takedown but Henderson sprawls well. He's pushed Holder's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Henderson throws a low kick but Holder moves out of range easily.
Holder on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson stuns Holder with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Henderson misses with an uppercut. Holder saw that one coming.
Henderson doesn't manage to clinch there - Holder circles away.

Henderson instigates a clinch.

Holder breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holder misses with a looping right.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Henderson.
Holder takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Henderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holder.
Henderson misses the jab.
Henderson lands a leg kick that knocks Holder off balance momentarily.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holder keeps the fight on the outside.
Holder tries to score with a low kick but Henderson moves his leg out of the way.
Henderson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Holder takes a step back to recover.
A head kick misses from Henderson.
A slapping body kick lands there for Holder.
Henderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Henderson checks a leg kick.
Holder keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson wants to land a leg kick but Holder is out of range.
Henderson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Holder counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson throws a lazy body kick
and Holder counters with a thumping low kick.
Henderson checks a low kick from Holder.
Henderson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Holder's head.
Henderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holder manages to avoid it.
Holder thumps Henderson with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Holder fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Henderson.
Holder throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Holder throws a head kick that half lands.
Henderson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Holder circles away from the clinch attempt.
Holder misses with a body kick.
Holder throws a half hearted mid kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holder misses with a jab, cross combination.
Henderson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Holder checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Henderson misses with a double jab.
Holder tries a head kick but it misses.
Holder scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice body kick from Holder.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Henderson.
Holder defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Henderson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Holder.
Henderson throws out a leg kick but Holder moves out of range and Henderson only half commits.
Holder looks to score with a jab to the body but Henderson is just out of range.
Some wild striking there from Henderson.
A bone on bone clash there as Holder blocks the leg kick.
Holder looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Henderson wants to clinch.
Holder swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Holder clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Dan Henderson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Holder throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Henderson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Holder throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Henderson misses with a looping right.
Holder looks for the body kick but Henderson saw that one coming.
Holder gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Henderson connects with a looping right hand.
Holder misses with an attempted mid kick.
Henderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Henderson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Holder moves out of range of the body kick.
Henderson scores with a kick to the midsection.
Henderson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Holder makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Henderson really felt that one!
Henderson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Holder.
Both fighters circling a little - Holder finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Holder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holder fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Holder connects with a solid leg kick.
Holder misses with a looping left.
Holder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Henderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Henderson blocks the body kick.
Henderson cracks Holder with a good jab.
Henderson thumps Holder with a low kick.
Henderson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Henderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holder throws a nice inside leg kick.
Henderson looks to clinch
and Holder counters with a big head kick but Henderson shrugs it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henderson checks a leg kick nicely.
Henderson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nice shot by Henderson.
Henderson thows a body shot but no joy.
Henderson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Holder takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Henderson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Holder.
Holder misses with a head kick.
Henderson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Henderson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Holder blocks a jab.
Holder circles away from the clinch attempt.
Henderson misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a shot from downtown. Holder moves away and avoids it.
Henderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Holder moves out of range as Henderson throws a body kick.
Henderson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Holder manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Henderson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Holder if he has to take too many more of those.
Henderson moves to clinch but Holder breaks away
and Holder counters with a nice body kick.
A low kick from Henderson misses
and Holder counters with a head kick.
Henderson misses with a straight left.
Henderson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Holder throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henderson's waist but Henderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holder off to one side.
Henderson misses with a hook.
Crunch! Holder slams his shin into Henderson's torso.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Holder throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson cracks the inside of Holder's front leg.
Henderson throws a leg kick but Holder moved away.
Henderson looks to clinch
and Holder counters with a good low kick that Henderson was not able to check.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holder keeps the fight on the outside.
A big right from Holder misses.
Henderson throws a low kick but Holder moves out of range easily.
A lazy body kick from Holder
and Henderson counters with a left to the body.
Holder is looking to land body kicks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holder throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson jabs Holder to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Henderson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Henderson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Holder.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Luke Holder will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dan Henderson's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Holder cracks the inside of Henderson's front leg.
Holder lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Henderson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Holder throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick.
Henderson stuns Holder with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Henderson with a nice cross.
Henderson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Holder under the eye.

Henderson rushes Holder and presses him up against the cage.
Holder looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Henderson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holder's elbow.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Holder tries to land knees in the clinch but Henderson avoids the damage to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson misses with the head strike.
Henderson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Holder misses with some punches.
Holder tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Henderson avoids it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Holder.
Holder avoids a wild elbow strike from Henderson.
Henderson lands a hook that snaps the head of Holder backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holder escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Holder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holder shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Holder gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Henderson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Holder throws a leg kick but Henderson sees it coming and moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Holder.
No joy there for Henderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Holder moves out of range as Henderson strikes.
Holder swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
A head kick misses from Holder.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Holder misses its intended target.
Holder takes one to the chin there.
An inside leg kick lands from Holder.
Henderson blocks the body kick.
Henderson swings widly with a right hand
and Holder counters with a nice body kick.
Henderson cracks Holder with an open hand slap.
Holder throws a solid leg kick but Henderson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Holder.
A jab from Henderson misses.
Holder ducks right into an uppercut from Henderson.
Nice body punch from Henderson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Holder checks a leg kick.
Henderson blocks a head kick by Holder.
Holder throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holder avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Henderson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holder lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A low kick from Henderson is predictable there
enabling Holder to counter with a crisp jab.
Holder pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Holder avoids the body shot from Henderson.
Henderson is looking to clinch.
Henderson throws out a leg kick but Holder moves out of range and Henderson only half commits.
Holder fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Henderson checks it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An inside leg kick lands from Holder.
Henderson stuns Holder with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Henderson lands a glancing blow to the side of Holder's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Luke Holder.
I think Holder 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 48:47
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 49:47
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Holder!
Luke Holder retains his middleweight title!