PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Enos Erikson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henderson has chosen American Bad Ass as his entrance music. Mike Henderson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Erikson
vs
Henderson

178 cm
30
150 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

176 cm
25
149 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Wolfpack Blood Labs Q158-Q155

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Enos Erikson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Erikson moves away.
Henderson throws a shot from downtown. Erikson moves away and avoids it.
Erikson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Henderson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Erikson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Henderson counters with a stiff right hand.
Henderson scores with a shot to the body.
Erikson fails with the takedown
and Henderson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Enos Erikson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Erikson.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Henderson.
Henderson connects with a looping right hand.
Henderson misses with a looping right.

Erikson gets caught flat footed, as Henderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Henderson trying to control but Erikson is working from the bottom.
Henderson postures up in Erikson's guard and throws a big left but Erikson blocks it.
Henderson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Erikson's guard.
Erikson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Erikson wants to get back to full guard.
Erikson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Henderson.
Henderson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Erikson is doing well to control the position and prevent Henderson from advancing to side control.
Erikson is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Erikson tries to roll over but Henderson keeps him under control.
Erikson trying to hold on to Henderson's head to control him but Henderson postures up.
Henderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henderson tries to pass to full mount but Erikson defends it.
Henderson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson prevents Erikson from improving his position.
Erikson wants to control but Henderson is keeping busy.

Erikson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Erikson tries to get to full guard but Henderson has control of the leg.
Henderson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Erikson to regain full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Erikson pulls Henderson in close to prevent any damage.
Henderson is stalling in the full guard.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Erikson keeps moving.
Erikson is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erikson keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.

Erikson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Henderson defends well.
Erikson keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Henderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Henderson wants to pass the guard but Erikson is keeping the position.

Erikson has his foot on Henderson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Henderson works his way back into a safe position though.
Henderson works over Erikson with some ground and pound from guard.
Erikson throws a couple of heel strikes.
Erikson trying to control the position.
Erikson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Henderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Erikson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Henderson wants to pass the guard but Erikson is keeping the position.
Erikson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Henderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
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!
Erikson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Erikson keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Henderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Erikson is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Henderson passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Erikson is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Henderson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Henderson scores with a leg kick.
Henderson wants to clinch.
Erikson misses with a takedown attempt
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.
Erikson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Henderson stuffs the takedown attempt from Erikson. Erikson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Enos Erikson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Erikson tries for a takedown but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Erikson misses with a takedown attempt
and Henderson counters with an inside leg kick.
Enos Erikson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Erikson with a poor takedown
and Henderson counters with a stiff right hand.
Erikson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Henderson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nice shot lands for Henderson.
Erikson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Henderson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Erikson somewhat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Erikson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Henderson counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Enos Erikson has been cut.
Henderson dips to his left and cracks Erikson with an uppercut!
Henderson scores with a sloppy right hand. Erikson should have avoided that one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson scores with a sloppy right hand. Erikson should have avoided that one.

Erikson is rocked!
Mike Henderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Erikson needs to keep his hands up - Henderson had a free shot at his head there.
Oh Erikson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Erikson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Henderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Henderson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Erikson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Erikson seems to have got his legs back now.
Henderson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Henderson misses with the head strike.
Erikson 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.
A nice left hand lands by Henderson.
Erikson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Henderson prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Henderson gets through Erikson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Erikson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Henderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Henderson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Erikson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Henderson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Henderson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson controlling the action here for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson has a couple of punches blocked by Erikson.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Erikson avoids the damage to the body.
Henderson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Henderson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Erikson.
Erikson looking for a takedown.
Henderson stops a takedown attempt from Erikson.
Erikson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Henderson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Erikson backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Erikson.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.
Henderson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Erikson's elbow.
Henderson pushes Erikson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Erikson blocks an uppercut.
Erikson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Henderson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Erikson.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Henderson tries to throw a body punch but Erikson avoids it by throwing Henderson back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Enos Erikson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for Henderson.
Henderson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Erikson misses with a takedown attempt
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.
Henderson lands with a right hand.
Erikson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Henderson throws a right hand that misses
and Erikson counters with a nice body shot.
That kick from Henderson tenderised Erikson's leg. Erikson is trying to keep his angry face on.

Henderson feints and as Erikson raises his hands in defense, Henderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Erikson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Erikson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Henderson pushing down on Erikson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson lands with a punch from half guard.
Henderson prevents Erikson from improving his position.

Erikson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Henderson working over Erikson with some ground and pound. Erikson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Erikson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Henderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Erikson's head.
Henderson is trying to control. Erikson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mike Henderson has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Erikson is refusing to be controlled, as Henderson sits in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Henderson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Erikson actively working from the bottom here.

Erikson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Henderson pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Henderson.
Henderson is looking to take a break and control but Erikson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Henderson lands strikes from half guard.

Erikson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Henderson pulls his head out easily.
Erikson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Erikson working for a triangle but Henderson defends it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Erikson is keeping the position for now.
Henderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Henderson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Erikson's head.
Henderson advances to half guard.
Erikson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Erikson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Henderson controlling the action here.
Henderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Erikson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Henderson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Erikson moves into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Henderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Erikson keeps moving.
Erikson is trying to keep Henderson in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Erikson has wrist control.
Erikson working a defensive guard here.

Erikson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Henderson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Henderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Enos Erikson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Henderson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Erikson 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Henderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Henderson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Henderson!
A relieved looking Mike Henderson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.