PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antwan Craig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francis Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Francis Henderson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Craig
vs
Henderson

177 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Antwan Craig!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Francis Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Craig fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Henderson, pushing him back against the cage.

Craig breaks from the clinch.
Henderson closes the distance but Craig moves to the side

and Craig counters by moving into the clinch.
Henderson is working for takedown but Craig is calmly controlling the position for now.

Craig breaks the clinch.

Craig closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Craig lands in his opponent's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Henderson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Craig slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Craig is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Craig controls the pace.

Antwan Craig has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Henderson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Craig manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Henderson throws a right and a left that Craig avoids nicely.
Henderson throws a right hand that Craig ducks under and follows up with a left that Craig also avoids with ease.
Craig is trying hard to land a takedown here. Henderson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Henderson lands a right hook to the body.

Craig changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Henderson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet here but Craig is keeping cool and he's managed to take Henderson's back.
Henderson controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig lands punches and elbows.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Craig is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Henderson with him. Henderson is trying to defend but Craig has an arm under the chin now! Henderson grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Antwan Craig!