PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ben Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Korobkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Korobkov's choice of entrance music: Hush - Fired Up. Ben Henderson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Henderson
vs
Korobkov

172 cm
25
164 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

178 cm
23
167 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergei Korobkov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Korobkov blocks a head kick by Henderson.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.

Korobkov drags the fight down to the ground.
Henderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Korobkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Korobkov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Henderson tries to reverse the position but Korobkov maintains control.
Henderson tries to lock up and control but Korobkov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Henderson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Korobkov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Henderson doesn't escape.
Henderson rolls, trying to escape but Korobkov keeps control of the position.
Henderson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Korobkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korobkov keeps control of the position as Henderson tries to break free.
Henderson turns into Korobkov and is now in his guard.
Henderson trying to move into half guard but instead Korobkov has managed to sweep!

Henderson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Korobkov defends well.
Henderson working a defensive guard here.
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!

Henderson looking for subs off his back but Korobkov has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Henderson is looking to improve his position.

Henderson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Henderson wants to improve his position but Korobkov is controlling well.

Henderson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to clinch but Korobkov moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Henderson.
Korobkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Henderson tries to clinch but Korobkov is having none of it.
Henderson is looking to clinch but Korobkov is avoiding it.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Korobkov but Korobkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A big right from Henderson misses.

Korobkov rushes Henderson and presses him up against the cage.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Henderson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Korobkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson prevents a takedown attempt there.

Korobkov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Henderson uses from the top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson wants to pass the guard but Korobkov is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Henderson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Korobkov rushes Henderson and presses him up against the cage.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.

Korobkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Korobkov misses with an uppercut. Henderson saw that one coming.
Henderson loads up on a big right hand but Korobkov slips the punch.

Korobkov has closed the distance and engaged Henderson in a clinch.
Korobkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Korobkov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Korobkov avoiding damage as Henderson throws knees to the body.
Henderson tries to work over Korobkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Korobkov blocks it.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Korobkov blocks it.
Henderson tries to throw a body punch but Korobkov avoids it by throwing Henderson back against the cage.
Henderson pushes Korobkov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Korobkov blocks with his arms.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Korobkov.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Korobkov blocks with his arms.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Korobkov blocks it.
Korobkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Henderson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ben Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Korobkov.
Korobkov avoiding damage as Henderson throws knees to the body.
Henderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Korobkov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Korobkov keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Korobkov keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Korobkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Korobkov is retaining full guard.
Henderson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Korobkov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Henderson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Korobkov is controlling him.
Korobkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Henderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Henderson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Korobkov escapes and throws Henderson's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korobkov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Korobkov decides to stand back up.
Korobkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Henderson.

Henderson clinches up with Korobkov and pushes him back against the cage.
Korobkov looking for a takedown.
Korobkov prevents the takedown attempt.
Henderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Korobkov is defending well for now.
Henderson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Korobkov blocks it with crossed arms.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Henderson.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Korobkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Korobkov blocks it with crossed arms.

Korobkov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Korobkov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Korobkov is keeping the position for now.
Korobkov keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Korobkov is keeping the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Korobkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Henderson's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Henderson working for a triangle but Korobkov defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Henderson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Henderson gets tackled into the cage by Korobkov. Korobkov maintains the clinch.
Henderson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Korobkov tries to break free but Henderson pushes him back against the cage.
Korobkov blocks a body shot from Henderson.
Korobkov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Henderson is defending well.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Korobkov blocks with his arms.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Korobkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Korobkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Korobkov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Henderson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Henderson can't find room to land a body shot as Korobkov controls the action.
Korobkov can't get the takedown.
Ben Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Korobkov.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Korobkov blocks it with crossed arms.
Henderson is pressed up against the cage. Korobkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Henderson down to the mat. Henderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Korobkov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Henderson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Korobkov defends it easily.
Korobkov sitting in guard here, content to control.

Korobkov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Korobkov digs a good hook to Henderson's body.
Korobkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Henderson throws a head kick but Korobkov moves out of range.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Korobkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Korobkov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Henderson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sergei Korobkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korobkov in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is looking for a sweep.
Korobkov trying to control the position but Henderson is working away.
Henderson tries to buck Korobkov off but Korobkov is having none of it.
Henderson tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Korobkov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Henderson trying desperately to get to his feet.
Henderson wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Henderson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Henderson looking for submissions off his back.

Korobkov stands up out of the half guard.
Korobkov lands a body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Henderson as Korobkov shoots in.

Henderson moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korobkov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Korobkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Korobkov blocks it with crossed arms.
Korobkov tries to circle away but Henderson has him pinned against the cage.
Henderson stops a takedown attempt from Korobkov.
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!
Henderson looking to throw knees to the head but Korobkov is blocking nicely.
Henderson gets underhooks to prevent Korobkov's takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Korobkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Korobkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Henderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Korobkov goes for a takedown attempt but Henderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sergei Korobkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Henderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Henderson moves to clinch but Korobkov breaks away
and Korobkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Korobkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Henderson 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Henderson!
A relieved looking Ben Henderson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.