PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dylan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akimoto Akira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Henderson
vs
Akira

193 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
23
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Inexperienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dylan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Akimoto Akira!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Henderson both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Akimoto Akira has been cut.

Akira closes the distance and pushes Henderson back into the cage.

Henderson breaks from the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Akira. No joy for Henderson on that attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Akira fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Henderson sprawls well initially but Akira persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akira throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akira throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Akira has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Henderson looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henderson tries to lock up and control but Akira gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Akira is working for a guillotine from mount but Henderson frees his head quite easily.
Henderson manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Akira is thwarting Henderson's attempts to control the position.
Akira is keen to just control but Henderson is a slippery customer.
Akira prevents Henderson from improving his position.
Akira drops an elbow to the side of Henderson's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akira 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.

Akira is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Henderson defends it well.
Henderson won't allow Akira to pass to mount.
Henderson wants to control but Akira is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Henderson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Henderson trying to control here.
Akira missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henderson pushes Akira off looking to stand but Akira dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akira is thwarting Henderson's attempts to control the position.
Henderson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Akira is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Akira 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 is defending against the submission attempts here by Akira.
Henderson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Akira.
Akira really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Henderson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Akira stalling away here and it's allowed Henderson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Henderson striking off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henderson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Akira defends well.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Akira trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akira is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Henderson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Akira is one step ahead there.
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 Dylan Henderson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Akimoto Akira's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Akira fails with a takedown attempt.
Akira swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Henderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Henderson.
Akira has a closed guard, preventing Henderson from standing up.
Akira has control of Henderson's left arm, preventing Henderson from doing any damage.
Henderson controlling from the top position.

Henderson stands up from Akira's guard - Henderson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Dylan Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson tries to clinch but Akira moves away

and Akira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Henderson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Henderson is refusing to be controlled, as Akira sits in half guard.
Henderson manages to get to full guard.
Akira stays in close to Henderson's body and controls the position.

Akira gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Akira is breathing heavily.

Henderson has closed the distance and engaged Akira in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson effectively controlling the action here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Akira.
Henderson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Henderson drags the fight down to the ground.
Henderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Akira wants to stand but Henderson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Henderson managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akira content to stall in guard here.
Henderson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Akira!
Henderson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Henderson looking to control but Akira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Henderson controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to control but Akira wriggling away.
Henderson lands with some strikes.
Henderson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akira tries to hold on but Henderson pushes him away.
Henderson with the ground and pound from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akira is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dylan Henderson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Akimoto Akira's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Henderson shoots in for a takedown but Akira shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Akira 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 Akira off to one side.
Henderson has his takedown stuffed

and Akira counters by clinching up.
Henderson stalling the fight.

Henderson jumps guard and drags Akira to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Akira postures up.
Akira wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
Akira throws a strike but Henderson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Akira trying to keep a closed guard but Henderson is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Akira trying to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Akira wants to sweep here but Henderson controlling him for the moment.
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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Akira closes the distance and clinches up with Henderson, looking for a takedown. Akira pushes Henderson against the cage but Henderson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Akira takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Henderson.

Henderson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Akira to his feet.

Henderson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Akira did well to prevent Henderson getting side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson throwing shots but Akira is blocking nicely.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but Akira defending well.
Henderson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson decides to return to a standing position.
Nice takedown defense from Akira. No joy for Henderson on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akira shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Akira wants to clinch up but Henderson keeps it at a distance.
Akira misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson.

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

Henderson pushes Akira off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson misses with a head kick.
Henderson with a lazy takedown attempt

so Akira counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akira postures up.
Akira sitting in guard, not really doing much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dylan Henderson.
Akira looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dylan Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Henderson 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dylan Henderson!