PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Henderson
vs
Shields

182 cm
24
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

167 cm
25
130 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jason Shields!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shields sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Henderson somewhat.

Shields fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Henderson, pushing him back against the cage.
Shields dodges an elbow strike from Henderson.
Shields has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Henderson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Henderson lands a hook that snaps the head of Shields backwards.
Henderson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Henderson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shields.
Henderson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Henderson can't find room to land a body shot as Shields controls the action.
A right hand to the body from Henderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson can't find room to land a body shot as Shields controls the action.
Stalling in the clinch from Henderson.
A short uppercut from Henderson.
Henderson can't find room to land a body shot as Shields controls the action.
Henderson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Henderson is pressed up against the cage. Shields 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.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Shields.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shields napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shields can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Henderson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shields is trying to control Henderson's posture but Henderson avoids it.

Henderson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shields to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shields but Shields pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shields shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Henderson has one foot on Shields's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Jason Shields seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Henderson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Shields quickly recovers to half guard.

Shields is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Henderson pulls his head out easily.
Shields looks gassed!

Henderson decides to stand up.
Henderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Shields shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shields in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shields is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Shields prevents Henderson from getting back to his feet.

Henderson wriggles free and stands up.
Henderson shoots in for a double leg but Shields sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Shields has Henderson up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Henderson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shields misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shields stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shields wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Henderson.

Shields clinches up against the cage.
Henderson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Henderson misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shields avoids it.

Shields wants the takedown. Henderson is fighting it off but Shields persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Henderson's guard against the cage.
Shields working some strikes from top position.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shields is controlling him.

Henderson wriggles free and stands up.
Shields looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
Henderson tries for a takedown but Shields circles away easily

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shields prevents Henderson from standing back up.
Henderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Henderson tries to get out of the position.

Shields wants to work for an arm triangle but Henderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Shields is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Henderson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shields.

Shields stands up from half guard.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Henderson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shields tries to avoid it but Henderson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shields to the ground. Shields escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shields decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Shields throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Henderson kicks Shields off and gets back to his feet.
Shields misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Shields gets a clinch.
Shields has Henderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shields as Henderson tries to tie him up.
Shields wants a takedown.
Henderson tries to work over Shields's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields goes for a takedown in the clinch but Henderson prevents it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Henderson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shields wants a takedown but no success here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Henderson scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Henderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Henderson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Henderson controlling the action here for a moment.
Henderson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Shields or not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Shields showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Henderson misses with a takedown

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Shields has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Henderson tries to kick Shields off but Shields keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Henderson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Henderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shields's waist but Shields gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henderson off to one side.

Shields gets caught napping as Henderson dives in and scores a takedown. Shields manages to retain guard.
Shields not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shields looking for a guillotine here but Henderson defends easily.
Henderson tries to stand but Shields is controlling from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shields looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Shields working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Henderson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Henderson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shields is working an open guard so Henderson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shields napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Henderson stands up and beckons Shields to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson stuffs the takedown attempt from Shields. Shields gets slowly back to his feet.

Henderson feints and as Shields raises his hands in defense, Henderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shields working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Henderson has passed into half guard!

Henderson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Shields has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields is looking for a takedown.
Shields is working for takedown but Henderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Shields.
Henderson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Shields blocks a body shot from Henderson.
Henderson misses with a body punch.
Shields wants to take the fight to the mat but Henderson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Henderson is leaning against Shields and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Henderson.
Shields has Henderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Henderson scores with a hook to the body.
Henderson stalling.
Henderson misses with a punch to the body.
Shields is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Henderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson tries to work over Shields's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Henderson lands a body punch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Henderson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

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