PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Operation Ivy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ivy
vs
Henderson

150 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Intelligent

Just Fight

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Operation Ivy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Henderson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Ivy is in all sorts of trouble here.
Henderson content just to control the position here.
Ivy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ivy wants to hold on but Henderson pushes him away.
Ivy is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivy tries to lock up and control but Henderson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ivy keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ivy might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Henderson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ivy tries to hold on but Henderson postures up.
Henderson controlling the position easily from mount.
It looks like Henderson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Ivy that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Ivy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Henderson working the ground and pound effectively.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ivy is looking to get to half guard.
Henderson wants to control the pace but Ivy is squirming around nicely.
Henderson avoids the attempt from Ivy to control.
Ivy regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ivy is not content to let Henderson control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ivy wants to control but Henderson is keeping busy.

Ivy actively working from the bottom here.

Ivy looking for submissions off his back.
Ivy is doing well to control the position and prevent Henderson from advancing to side control.
Henderson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ivy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivy is looking to get back to full guard here but Henderson has managed to pass to side control instead.
Henderson controlling the position from side mount.
Ivy is trying to control Henderson's posture but Henderson avoids it.
A lull in the action here.
Ivy sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ivy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Henderson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shane Henderson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ivy fails with a takedown attempt.
Ivy misses with a takedown

and Henderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ivy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Henderson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Still in half guard, Henderson seems content to control.
Henderson trying to control the action but Ivy is working from the bottom.

Ivy looking for submissions off his back.

Ivy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Henderson pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Henderson pulls his head out easily.

Ivy actively working from the bottom here.
Henderson controlling the pace.

Ivy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ivy wants to improve his position but Henderson is controlling well.
Henderson trying to control the pace.
Henderson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Henderson wants to control the pace but Ivy is squirming around nicely.
Ivy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Henderson controlling the pace for now.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Shane Henderson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Ivy closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Henderson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Henderson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ivy is looking to work some ground and pound but Henderson has wrist control.
Ivy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ivy throwing strikes but missing.
Henderson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ivy is one step ahead there.
Ivy trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ivy throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivy stopping the sweep attempt from Henderson.
Ivy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ivy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ivy chips away with some ground and pound.
Ivy controlling from the top position.
Ivy wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivy stands and throws Henderson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Operation Ivy will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ivy tries to clinch there but Henderson circles away.
Henderson tries for a takedown but Ivy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Ivy decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ivy trying to mount his opponent but Henderson defends it.
Shane Henderson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ivy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Ivy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ivy trying to control the action but Henderson is working from the bottom.
Ivy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ivy is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Henderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ivy is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Henderson!
Henderson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Ivy tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Poor strikes thrown by Ivy there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Henderson wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Ivy.
Henderson is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ivy throwing strikes here but Henderson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Ivy jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Henderson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Henderson and Ivy has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ivy tries to score with some ground and pound. Henderson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Ivy misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The strikes coming from Ivy are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Henderson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ivy looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Henderson trying to control but Ivy postures up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ivy prevents Henderson from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is holding on to half guard well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Henderson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Henderson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ivy.
Ivy passes Henderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ivy is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ivy throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Henderson to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson wants to sweep here but Ivy controlling him for the moment.

Henderson pushes Ivy off and gets back to his feet.
Ivy missing with a left hand there. Henderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ivy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ivy tries to clinch up but Henderson circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Henderson dives in and scores a takedown into Ivy's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson 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.
Henderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Henderson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

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 Operation Ivy.
Well Ivy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Operation Ivy!