PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zahir Nolam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henderson comes to the cage accompanied by Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe. Nolam has chosen Mo Money mo Problems as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Henderson
vs
Nolam

180 cm
19
206 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zahir Nolam!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nolam sprawls well. Nolam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Henderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Henderson dives in and grabs Nolam's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nolam pushes down on Henderson's head and hops out.

Nolam has Henderson up against the cage in a clinch.
Nolam prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nolam breaks from the clinch.
Nolam tries to clinch but Henderson moves out of range.

Nolam moves into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nolam creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nolam lands a nice knee to the body.

Nolam breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nolam slaps away a takedown attempt from Henderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Henderson gets a clinch.
Henderson can't get the takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Nolam landing knees to the head.
Nolam connects with a nasty looking knee right to Henderson's face.
Henderson takes a knee right on the jaw!

Nolam manages to break the clinch.

Nolam fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Henderson to the ground. Nolam is now in Henderson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nolam makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nolam scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nolam passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nolam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nolam wants to pass the guard but Henderson is defending well.
Nolam seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nolam looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nolam is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Henderson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nolam is looking to take a break and control but Henderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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!

Nolam looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Nolam scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nolam connects with a nice short shot to Henderson's temple.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Henderson is trying to stand back up but Nolam is controlling him
Nolam lands strikes from half guard.
Henderson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Henderson won't allow Nolam to pass to mount.
Henderson is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nolam lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nolam is pressing down on Henderson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Henderson is holding on for now.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nolam 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 has hold of Nolam's hands but Nolam slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nolam prevents Henderson from standing back up.

Nolam seems to be working for a kimura but Henderson defends the submission attempt.
Nolam looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nolam stops Henderson from getting back to his feet.
Nolam drops an elbow to the side of Henderson's head.
Nolam lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Henderson taking some punishment here, with Nolam in his half guard.
Henderson is trying to stand back up but Nolam is controlling him
Nolam takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nolam connects with a nice short shot to Henderson's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nolam 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 cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nolam scores with a couple of nice shots.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Nolam drops an elbow to the side of Henderson's head.
Nice strikes from Nolam there.

Nolam is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Henderson tries to kick Nolam off in order to stand up. Nolam Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Henderson tries to escape but Nolam is in control.
Nolam landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Henderson explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Nolam feints and as Henderson raises his hands in defense, Nolam changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nolam connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nolam lands a couple of elbows.

Henderson has his foot on Nolam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nolam works his way back into a safe position though.
Nolam scoring with some ground and pound.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Nolam is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nolam feints and as Henderson raises his hands in defense, Nolam changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Nolam is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nolam scoring with some ground and pound.
Nolam tries to free his leg and advance position but Henderson is retaining full guard.
Henderson wants to stand and escape but Nolam is having none of it.
Nolam content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Henderson is looking for a triangle here but Nolam uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Nolam working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Nolam looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nolam lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nolam scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Henderson to see if he's OK.
Henderson tries to escape but Nolam is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nolam is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Henderson has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nolam tries for a kimura but Henderson is defending well.
Nolam scoring with punches and elbows.
Henderson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nolam works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Henderson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nolam is controlling him well.
Henderson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nolam connects with a decent elbow.
Nolam in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Nolam landing strikes.
Nolam cracks Henderson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Henderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
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!
Nolam landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nolam scoring with punches and elbows.
Henderson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Henderson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Henderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Nolam lands a nice forearm strike.
Nolam cracks Henderson with a big elbow.
Henderson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nolam is controlling him well.
Nolam cracks Henderson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nolam working the ground and pound.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nolam. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Henderson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Nolam asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Nolam is looking to take a break and control but Henderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zahir Nolam has got the better of the ground game so far.
Check out the look on Nolam's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nolam tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Henderson is trying to buck Nolam off.
Nolam lands some shots froms side control.
Henderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Nolam working the head and body with strikes.

Nolam wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Henderson, who protects the arm well.
Henderson is pushing Nolam's head away, looking to escape. Nolam manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to get back to half guard.
Henderson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Nolam working the ground and pound.
Henderson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nolam lands an elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nolam scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Henderson to see if he's OK.
Nolam scores with a couple of short elbows.
Henderson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Nolam cracks Henderson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nolam working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nolam is putting a hurting on Henderson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nolam cracks Henderson with a big elbow.
Nolam cracks Henderson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nolam in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zahir Nolam showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Henderson misses with a takedown attempt

and Nolam counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Henderson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nolam gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Henderson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nolam pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nolam gets a clinch.
Henderson goes for a takedown attempt but Nolam pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Nolam shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nolam was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Henderson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Nolam working Henderson over with strikes here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nolam scoring with strikes but Henderson is staying in there.
Nolam has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nolam landing strikes, looking to finish!
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Nolam landing strikes from the mount and Henderson is in trouble!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Nolam postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Henderson looks a forlorn figure.

Nolam has control of Henderson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Henderson regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Nolam scoring with strikes but Henderson is staying in there.
Nolam lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Henderson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Nolam putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nolam with a couple of short strikes.

Henderson is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nolam has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Henderson's face.
Oh Henderson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nolam unloading with bombs!
Nolam lands with some strikes.
Henderson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Nolam postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Henderson bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Nolam and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zahir Nolam!
Post fight, Zahir Nolam stared into the camera and said 'You ever look up and say Mr. Sky how you doing. I did and found out I love what I do. CHeck me out doing my thing love you guys peace.'.