PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Constantinos Philippou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Constantinos Philippou has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Philippou
vs
Henderson

182 cm
24
190 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

182 cm
26
199 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Constantinos Philippou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, David Henderson!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, John Roberts and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Philippou defends it nicely.
Philippou misses with an uppercut. Henderson saw that one coming.
Philippou throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Philippou throws a series of strikes that have Henderson backpedaling.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but Philippou shows good takedown defense.
Philippou connects with a good right hand that stumbles Henderson. Henderson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Henderson throws a series of strikes that have Philippou backpedaling.

It looks like Constantinos Philippou has been cut.
Nice shot by Philippou.
Philippou misses with a wild combination.
Philippou leaves Henderson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Constantinos Philippou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Henderson.
Philippou looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Henderson is fending him off so far but Philippou persists. Nope, Henderson circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Henderson is defended easily by Philippou.
Philippou looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Philippou tries to bum rush Henderson with a series of wild strikes but Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Philippou displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Henderson.
Philippou misses with a jab, cross combination.
Philippou throws a hook but Henderson blocks it.
Jab from Philippou.
Philippou throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henderson's waist but Henderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Philippou off to one side.
Philippou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henderson.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Henderson tries to clinch up but Philippou circles away and keeps his distance.
Henderson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Philippou is fending him off so far but Henderson persists. Nope, Philippou circles away and we're back to standing.
Philippou shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.

Henderson rushes Philippou and presses him up against the cage.

Henderson successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Philippou drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Philippou jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Philippou is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Henderson trying to control the position here.
Philippou looking to pass the guard.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Philippou from controlling successfully.
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 wants to stand up but Philippou is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson keeping full guard, as Philippou tries to pass.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Philippou is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Philippou tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Henderson swivels and escapes.
A head kick misses from Henderson.
Horrible takedown by Philippou or perhaps it was just good defense by Henderson which made him look bad.

Henderson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Philippou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Henderson misses with a few strikes there.
Henderson wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
David Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson fails to land the takedown.
Henderson stuffs the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henderson.
Henderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Philippou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henderson.
Philippou misses with a combination
and Henderson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Philippou shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Henderson sprawls well. Henderson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Philippou gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but David Henderson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Constantinos Philippou's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Henderson gets a double leg takedown into Philippou's guard.
Philippou trying to keep a closed guard but Henderson is proving a slippery customer.
Henderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Henderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Henderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Philippou had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Henderson defends it easily.

Philippou is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Henderson is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Philippou throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Philippou has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Henderson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Philippou is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Henderson defends well.

Henderson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Philippou throws a right and a left that Henderson avoids nicely.
Henderson shoots in but no luck this time.

Henderson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Philippou's half guard.
Henderson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Philippou works his way to full guard. Good work.
Henderson postures up in Philippou's guard and throws a big left but Philippou blocks it.

Philippou is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Henderson defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Henderson trying to control but Philippou is working from the bottom.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Philippou has wrist control.
Philippou is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Philippou looking for a sweep. Not yet Philippou, not yet.
Henderson throwing strikes from guard but Philippou blocks nicely.

Henderson stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Philippou has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Henderson manages to get his head free but now Philippou has transitioned to an armbar! Henderson grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Philippou! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Constantinos Philippou!
A victorious Constantinos Philippou thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.