PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gustafsson
vs
Henderson

188 cm
24
205 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
28
207 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dan Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
A nice elbow there by Gustafsson.

It looks like Dan Henderson has been cut.
Henderson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Henderson throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Henderson tries to hold on but Gustafsson pushes him away.
Henderson blocking the ground and pound.
Gustafsson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Henderson tries to reverse the position but Gustafsson maintains control.

Gustafsson 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson tries to hold on but Gustafsson postures up.
Henderson is working to get back to half guard.
Henderson tries to hold on but Gustafsson postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson scoring with strikes but Henderson is staying in there.
Henderson is trying desperately to improve position.
Henderson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Henderson tries to hold on but Gustafsson pushes him away.
Henderson is trying to reverse the position but instead Gustafsson has taken his back - oops!

Gustafsson working for the choke.

Gustafsson looking for the choke from the back.
Henderson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Gustafsson decides to stand and escape the position.

Henderson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gustafsson on his heels. He'll look to pass Gustafsson's guard now, I'm sure.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Gustafsson keeps moving.
Gustafsson wants to stand up but Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson trying to control but Gustafsson is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gustafsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson wants to stand and escape but instead Gustafsson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Henderson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gustafsson throws a big elbow that misses.
Henderson is pulling down on Gustafsson's head to control his posture.
Henderson controls Gustafsson momentarily but Gustafsson frees himself.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Henderson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gustafsson kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dan Henderson.

Henderson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson taking a breather here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Henderson trying to control the action but Gustafsson is working from the bottom.

Henderson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gustafsson has escaped the position, nice work there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustafsson is trying to control Henderson's posture but Henderson avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Gustafsson 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 closes the distance and clinches.
Henderson working aggressively here.
Gustafsson is trying to pull guard but Henderson has him pressed against the ropes.

Henderson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gustafsson regains guard immediately.
Henderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gustafsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Henderson stops Gustafsson from standing up.
Gustafsson wants to sweep but no luck.
Henderson wants to stand but Gustafsson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Dan Henderson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson is striking off his back. Henderson thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Henderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gustafsson is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Gustafsson is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson landing shots from mount.
Henderson controlling from mount.
Henderson with shots to the head and body - Gustafsson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Henderson content just to control the position here.
Gustafsson is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gustafsson is not content to let Henderson control the position.
Henderson blocks the strikes from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Gustafsson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Henderson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gustafsson looks a forlorn figure.
Henderson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Gustafsson wants to control but Henderson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is squirming around, avoiding Henderson's attempts to control the action.
Henderson controlling from mount.
Gustafsson tries to lock up and control but Henderson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Henderson has hold of Gustafsson's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Gustafsson manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Henderson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dan Henderson's cut.
That's time! Gustafsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Henderson shoots in for a double leg but Gustafsson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gustafsson dodges the punch combination from Henderson.
Gustafsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Gustafsson.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Henderson is defended easily by Gustafsson.

Gustafsson clinches with his opponent.

Gustafsson 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.

Gustafsson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Henderson has picked Gustafsson up and slammed him! Gustafsson can't keep hold of the triangle and Henderson manages to pass to side control!
Henderson wants to control for a moment but Gustafsson uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Henderson trying to control the action but Gustafsson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson thows a huge punch but Gustafsson dodges it nicely.
Gustafsson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Henderson thows a huge punch but Gustafsson dodges it nicely.

Gustafsson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Henderson is working for a kimura but Gustafsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Gustafsson is refusing to be controlled, as Henderson sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson controlling the action here.
Henderson trying to control from half guard but Gustafsson is working away.
Gustafsson tries to roll over but Henderson keeps him under control.
Gustafsson is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Henderson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Gustafsson to get to his feet.

Gustafsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Henderson's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Henderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gustafsson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Henderson is tightening it up a little... Gustafsson has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Gustafsson reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Gustafsson taps out! Nice BJJ there by Henderson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Dan Henderson!