PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Henderson's choice of entrance music: American Bad Ass. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Speed
vs
Henderson

177 cm
24
159 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

176 cm
27
153 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Tab out

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rufus Speed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Speed pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jab from Henderson.
Rufus Speed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick from Speed misses.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick from Speed.
Henderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Henderson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Speed checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Henderson scores with a hook.
Henderson misses with a hook. Speed ducked under it nicely.
Henderson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Henderson works the jab nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Speed cracks Henderson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Speed scores with the left hand. Henderson knows he should have avoided that one.
Henderson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Speed's hands.
A slow jab from Speed misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed thows a leg kick but Henderson checks it

and Henderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Henderson wants to take a breather but Speed is having none of it.
Henderson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Henderson trying to control from half guard but Speed is working away.
Speed is trying to maintain the position but Henderson is very close to passing his half guard.
Henderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Speed does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mike Henderson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Speed misses with a hook.
Henderson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Speed sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed looks for the body kick but Henderson saw that one coming.
Henderson connects with a right hand. Speed shakes it off.

Speed is rocked!
Speed misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Henderson counters with a massive hook, right on the button! He's out cold! Damn, that was naaaaaasty! Hopefully he'll be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Mike Henderson!
An out of breath Mike Henderson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.