PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zeus Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cliff Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Cliff Henderson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Gracie
vs
Henderson

175 cm
18
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
175 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zeus Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cliff Henderson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Henderson gets a clinch.
Henderson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Henderson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Henderson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Henderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gracie with a poor takedown

and Henderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson effectively controlling the action here.
Nice elbow from Henderson.
Henderson landing knees to the head.
Henderson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Knees to the body from Henderson.
Henderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Zeus Gracie has been cut.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Henderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Henderson. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Gracie takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Henderson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Henderson darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.
Gracie goes for a takedown attempt but Henderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Henderson thumps Gracie with a low kick.

Henderson gets a clinch.
Henderson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Henderson obliges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Gracie is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Henderson.
Henderson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gracie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Henderson after a bit of a struggle.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Henderson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie wants a takedown.
Henderson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Henderson with a knee to the head.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Henderson prevents it.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Henderson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Henderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt

and Henderson counters by clinching up.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Henderson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Henderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Henderson pulls his leg out and moves away.

Henderson forces Gracie back against the cage and clinches.
Henderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Henderson prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Henderson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Henderson lands an elbow inside.
Henderson landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working for takedown but Henderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Henderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Henderson.
Henderson landing knees to the head.
Henderson lands a good knee to the midsection. Gracie won't want to take too many of those.
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 leaning his opponent against the cage.
Henderson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Henderson lands a nice elbow.
Henderson landing knees to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie is working for takedown but Henderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Henderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Henderson closes the distance and pushes Gracie back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cliff Henderson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zeus Gracie'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.

Gracie blocks a head kick by Henderson.

Henderson darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.
Henderson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Henderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Henderson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gracie's face.
Nice elbow from Henderson.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Henderson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Henderson with a knee to the head.
Henderson landing knees to the head.
Henderson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Henderson lands a knee to the head.
Henderson landing knees to the head.

Gracie is rocked!
Gracie goes for a takedown attempt but Henderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Henderson tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Henderson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Henderson.
Gracie seems to have got his legs back now.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Henderson, right into the meat.

Henderson pushes Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Henderson lands an elbow just above Gracie 's eye.
Henderson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Henderson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Henderson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Henderson working Gracie over with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knees in the clinch landing for Henderson.
Henderson is struggling to control the position.
Henderson lands an elbow inside.
Henderson is struggling to control the position.
Gracie takes an elbow to the forehead.
Henderson lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Henderson landing knees to the head.
Henderson taking a breather.
Henderson prevents the takedown attempt.
Cliff Henderson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Henderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Henderson lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Henderson.
Henderson lands a nice elbow.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.
Henderson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knees in the clinch landing for Henderson.
Gracie takes a knee to the side of the body.
Henderson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Henderson just leaning against Gracie, taking a breather.
Gracie takes a knee right on the jaw!
Henderson scores with a knee to the head.
Henderson stops a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Henderson lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson connects with a knee to the head.
Henderson lands an elbow inside.
Come on Henderson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Henderson landing knees to the head.
Henderson lands a knee to the body.
Henderson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gracie's face.
Knees to the body from Henderson.
A knee to the head by Henderson.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Gracie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Henderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Henderson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Henderson delivers a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cliff Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zeus Gracie'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. This is the final round!

Gracie takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Gracie gets tackled into the cage by Henderson. Henderson maintains the clinch.
Henderson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gracie's defenses.
Henderson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Henderson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Henderson scores a nice knee to the body.
Henderson lands a knee to the head.
Henderson is struggling to control the position.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Gracie takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stalling in the clinch from Henderson.
Henderson is pressed up against the cage. Gracie 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson rushes Gracie and presses him up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Henderson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gracie in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Henderson prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Henderson prevents the takedown attempt.
Henderson scores a nice knee to the body.
Henderson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.
Henderson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Gracie has Henderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Henderson lands a nice elbow.
Henderson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gracie in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Henderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Henderson stalling in the clinch.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zeus Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Henderson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Henderson working Gracie over with knees to the body.
Gracie takes an elbow to the forehead.
Henderson lands a knee to the head.
Henderson lands an elbow inside.
Henderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Henderson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Henderson lands a damaging elbow.
Henderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Henderson connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson taking a breather.
A knee to the head by Henderson.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Henderson lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Henderson lands a nice knee to the body.
Henderson scores with a knee to the head.
Henderson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Henderson has the Thai clinch. He lands a big knee to the head that stumbles Gracie - he's in trouble! Another big knee to the head from Henderson, and another! Gracie is out on his feet - the ref jumps in to save him and ends the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Cliff Henderson!
An out of breath Cliff Henderson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.