PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Cliche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Charlie Cliche is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Henderson
vs
Cliche

180 cm
27
214 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

187 cm
20
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Charlie Cliche!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cliche fails to land the takedown.
Dan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson misses with a double jab

and Cliche counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cliche prevents Henderson from improving his position.
Cliche trying to pass the guard but Henderson defending well.
Henderson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cliche.
Cliche not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cliche is thwarting Henderson's attempts to control the position.
Cliche throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cliche missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cliche throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cliche lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson trying to hold on to Cliche's head to control him but Cliche postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson is not content to let Cliche control the position.
Cliche looks to land a strike but Henderson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Henderson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Henderson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cliche loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Henderson is working an open guard so Cliche takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Henderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Cliche, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cliche with a poor takedown
and Henderson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Cliche.
Henderson moves in looking to clinch but Cliche pushes him off.
Henderson shoots in but no luck this time.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cliche as he jumps to the side.
Henderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cliche throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Henderson clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson is working for takedown but Cliche is calmly controlling the position for now.

Cliche jumps guard and drags Henderson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Henderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Cliche is retaining full guard.
Cliche wants to sweep here but Henderson controlling him for the moment.
Cliche wants to stand but Henderson is controlling the position.

Cliche uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Henderson. Those never looked like landing.
Henderson misses with a two punch combination.

Henderson moves into range and clinches up with Cliche.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson prevents the takedown attempt.

Cliche has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Henderson regains guard immediately.
Cliche stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Henderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Henderson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cliche!
Henderson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cliche?
Cliche has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cliche is wriggling around trying to escape.
Cliche is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cliche wants to hold on but Henderson pushes him away.
Henderson lands a big shot there that rocks Cliche but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cliche is desperately trying to improve his position but Henderson has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cliche?
A nice elbow there by Henderson.
Cliche is trying to stand.
Cliche wants to control but Henderson is having none of it.
Henderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Cliche is trying desperately to improve position.
Henderson looking to control but Cliche is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cliche is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Cliche tries to hold on but Henderson pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cliche is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Henderson is staying active.
Cliche is working to get back to half guard.
Henderson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Charlie Cliche will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henderson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice sprawl there from Cliche as Henderson shoots in.
Henderson thows a body shot but no joy.
Henderson misses the jab.
Dan Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cliche shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Henderson throws a right hand that Cliche ducks under and follows up with a left that Cliche also avoids with ease.
Henderson swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Cliche counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cliche working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Henderson's head.
Cliche stands up over Henderson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson is adopting a defensive guard.
Henderson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cliche is wriggling around trying to escape.
Cliche is trying to stand.
Cliche tries to lock up and control but Henderson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cliche is desperately trying to improve his position but Henderson has a good base and remains in mount.
Henderson lands a heavy elbow.
Henderson controlling the position easily from mount.
Henderson won't let Cliche get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cliche is wriggling around trying to escape.
Henderson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson unloads with some shots from mount but Cliche bucks and avoids them well.
Henderson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Henderson looking to control but Cliche is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cliche is looking to get to half guard.
Henderson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Cliche sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Cliche wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cliche trying to hold on to Henderson's head to control him but Henderson postures up.

Cliche kicks Henderson off and gets back to his feet.
Cliche stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cliche wants it to stay on the feet.
Cliche shoots in but no luck this time.
Henderson misses with a looping right.
Henderson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cliche circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cliche shoots in and drives through. Henderson sprawls well.

Henderson looking to score a takedown here. Cliche is defending well but Henderson drives through and ends up in Cliche's guard.

Cliche pushes Henderson off and scrambles back to his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cliche.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson tries to bench press Cliche off him but Cliche keeps the position.
Charlie Cliche has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cliche tries to score with some ground and pound. Henderson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Henderson is trying to control Cliche's posture but Cliche avoids it.
Cliche creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Henderson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The strikes coming from Cliche are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Henderson is not content to let Cliche control the position.
Cliche looks up at the clock and then as Henderson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cliche smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Charlie Cliche will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Henderson misses with a head kick.
Cliche tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Henderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Henderson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cliche counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cliche's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cliche trying to stand up but can't free himself from Henderson's guard.
Cliche lands a couple of elbows.
Cliche trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Henderson tries to get out of the position.
Cliche lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Henderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cliche doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cliche manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Henderson is trying to keep Cliche in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cliche gets to his feet. Henderson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cliche leaves Henderson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Henderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Henderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cliche sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Henderson tries for a takedown but Cliche circles away easily

and Cliche counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cliche.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cliche lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cliche throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cliche working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cliche got a little sloppy there for a moment and Henderson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cliche has managed to get both his arms back between Henderson's legs - danger averted.
Cliche works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cliche landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cliche scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Henderson wants to get back to full guard.
Cliche looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cliche lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Cliche seems to be looking for submissions.
Cliche working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cliche sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Henderson defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is refusing to be controlled, as Cliche sits in half guard.
Henderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Cliche seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Henderson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Henderson trying to control but Cliche postures up.
Cliche thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Henderson's head.
Henderson trying to control here.
Cliche working Henderson over with strikes.
Cliche working the head and body with strikes.
Henderson taking some punishment here, with Cliche in his half guard.
Cliche looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Henderson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is looking to improve his position.

Cliche seems to be working for a kimura but Henderson defends the submission attempt.
Henderson is looking for a sweep. Cliche is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cliche thows a huge punch but Henderson dodges it nicely.
Cliche lands with a punch from half guard.
Cliche working the head and body with strikes.
Cliche thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Henderson's head.
Cliche seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cliche working the head and body with strikes.
Henderson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cliche scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cliche shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Henderson defends it nicely.
Cliche fails to land the takedown.
Henderson looks to land a combination but Cliche avoids it well.
Cliche fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Henderson avoids it really well and circles away.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Cliche.
Henderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cliche counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cliche.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson wants to sweep here but Cliche controlling him for the moment.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cliche throws an elbow that misses. Henderson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cliche's guard. Nice move by Henderson!
Cliche is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.
Cliche is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Henderson throws a big elbow that misses.
Cliche wants to stand but Henderson is controlling the position.
Henderson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cliche avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Henderson throws an elbow that misses. Cliche uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Henderson's guard. Nice move by Cliche!
Henderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson has momentary wrist control but Cliche slips an elbow through the middle.
Cliche is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Henderson trying to keep a closed guard but Cliche is proving a slippery customer.
Henderson wants to sweep here but Cliche controlling him for the moment.
Cliche is looking to work some ground and pound but Henderson has wrist control.
Cliche trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cliche lands a couple of decent looking shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cliche postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Henderson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cliche is looking to work some ground and pound but Henderson has wrist control.
Cliche loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cliche wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
Cliche wants to pass the guard but Henderson is keeping the position.
Cliche is in close to Henderson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cliche trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson 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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Henderson holds on and takes a little breather.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cliche trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Some wild striking there from Henderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson swinging wildly here.
Cliche fails with a takedown attempt.
Henderson swinging wildly here.

Cliche looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cliche lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Cliche dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Cliche shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cliche slaps away a takedown attempt from Henderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cliche will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Cliche looking to score a takedown here. Henderson is defending well but Cliche drives through and ends up in Henderson's guard.
Cliche landing with the ground and pound.
Henderson pulls Cliche in close to prevent any damage.
Cliche throws a big elbow that misses.
Cliche stays in close to Henderson's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cliche content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cliche throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cliche has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cliche trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Henderson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Henderson 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.
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.
Cliche seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cliche looking to pass the guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Henderson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cliche.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Cliche.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Henderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cliche makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cliche.

Cliche is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cliche has clasped his hands together around Henderson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Cliche misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Cliche throws a strike aimed at the side of Henderson's head but Henderson avoids it well.
Henderson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Henderson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Henderson tries to roll over but Cliche keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cliche stands up out of the half guard.
Henderson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cliche is trying hard to land a takedown here. Henderson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Cliche as Henderson shoots in.
Dan Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henderson misses with a takedown

and Cliche counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Henderson taking some punishment here, with Cliche in his half guard.

Cliche is looking for a kimura here.
Cliche is just content to waste time from the top position. Henderson takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cliche throws an elbow that misses. Henderson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cliche's guard. Nice move by Henderson!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Cliche has his feet on Henderson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Henderson misses with a double jab.
Henderson misses with a combination

and Cliche counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Charlie Cliche is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Henderson has hold of Cliche's hands but Cliche slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cliche slips a nice elbow through Henderson's hands, connecting with Henderson's forehead.
Henderson lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie Cliche comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cliche winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Charlie Cliche!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Charlie Cliche!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Charlie Cliche!

Charlie Cliche wins by unanimous decision! Charlie Cliche retains his light heavyweight title!