PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ulysses Hensley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manu Ntoh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manu Ntoh is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hensley
vs
Ntoh

222 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ulysses Hensley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manu Ntoh!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ntoh connects with a leg kick. Hensley looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ntoh defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hensley.
Hensley throws a lazy body kick
and Ntoh counters with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hensley is defended easily by Ntoh.

Ntoh gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ntoh gets underhooks to prevent Hensley's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ulysses Hensley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ntoh looking for a takedown.
Ntoh is pushing Hensley up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Ntoh pulls Hensley into guard.
Hensley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ntoh controlling the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hensley controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hensley trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ntoh's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hensley stays in close to Ntoh's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ulysses Hensley just wasn't active enough.

Ntoh gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ntoh has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hensley is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hensley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hensley takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ntoh is trying to pull guard but Hensley has him pressed against the cage.
Ntoh missing with knees to the body.
Hensley is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ntoh is keeping busy.
Ntoh has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Ntoh tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hensley has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ntoh after a bit of a struggle.
Hensley is trying to pull guard but Ntoh has him pressed against the cage.
Hensley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ntoh avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Hensley pulls guard effortlessly.
Ntoh should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Hensley is breathing heavily.

Ntoh gets to his feet. Hensley looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ntoh is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ntoh moves into range and clinches up with Hensley.
Ntoh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hensley as Ntoh tries to tie him up.

Ntoh pulls guard successfully.
Ntoh working a defensive guard here.

Hensley drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ntoh looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ntoh looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ntoh!
Ntoh sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hensley is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ntoh is looking to take a break and control but Hensley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ntoh is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hensley is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ntoh trying to control the position but Hensley is working away.
Hensley is looking to regain half guard here but Ntoh keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ntoh stands up.
Hensley fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Ntoh dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ntoh.
Ntoh misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hensley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hensley throws a lazy body kick
and Ntoh counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hensley throws a head kick that misses.
Ntoh throws a head kick but Hensley moves out of range.
Ntoh throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hensley's waist but Hensley gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ntoh off to one side.
Manu Ntoh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ntoh is looking to clinch.
Ntoh's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ntoh duly obliges.

It looks like Ulysses Hensley has been cut.
Ntoh tries to clinch but Hensley is having none of it.
Ntoh connects with a body shot.
Ntoh misses with a few strikes there.
Ntoh tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hensley defends well and Ntoh ends up having to push Hensley into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ulysses Hensley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manu Ntoh.
Ntoh is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hensley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ntoh fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hensley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ntoh tries to bum rush Hensley with a series of wild strikes but Hensley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Hensley closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ntoh is trying to escape back to his feet but Hensley uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Hensley landing a few strikes.
Hensley wants to stand but Ntoh has his arm trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ntoh tries to improve position but can't.
Ntoh sneaks back into half guard.
Ntoh is trying to stand back up but Hensley is controlling him

Hensley is working for a kimura but Ntoh is defending it quite comfortably.
Ntoh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hensley is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hensley wants to control but Ntoh is keeping him busy.
Ntoh missing with punches from the bottom.
Ntoh tries to roll over but Hensley keeps him under control.
Ntoh trying to control here.
Hensley is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Hensley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hensley is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ntoh won't allow Hensley to pass to mount.
Hensley prevents Ntoh from standing back up.
Ntoh holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hensley trying to control the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hensley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Manu Ntoh will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ulysses Hensley's cut.
That's time! Hensley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ntoh clinches with his opponent.
Knees to the body from Ntoh.
Ntoh using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hensley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ntoh lands a shoulder strike.
Hensley misses with a body punch.
Hensley tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ntoh utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Ntoh tries a knee to the head but Hensley blocks it.
Ntoh lands a nice knee to the body.
Ntoh has Hensley pressed against the cage, preventing Hensley from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hensley wants a takedown but no success here.
Hensley looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ulysses Hensley. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Ntoh.

Ntoh pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ntoh swinging wildly here.
Hensley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ntoh closes the distance and clinches up with Hensley, looking for a takedown. Ntoh pushes Hensley against the cage but Hensley circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ulysses Hensley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ntoh closes the distance and clinches.
Ntoh goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hensley prevents it.
Ntoh has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hensley is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hensley is trying to break the clinch but Ntoh has him pressed against the cage.
Hensley tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ntoh tries to land a knee to the head but Hensley blocks with his arms.
Hensley drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ntoh landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ntoh stalls.
Ntoh lands a nice knee to the body.
Hensley takes a knee to the side of the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knees in the clinch landing for Ntoh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ntoh breaks from the clinch.
Ntoh shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hensley as he jumps to the side.
Ntoh tries to clinch but Hensley moves out of range.
Ntoh throws a series of punches but Hensley avoids them all with ease.
Ntoh shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hensley as he jumps to the side.

Hensley closes the distance and pushes Ntoh back into the cage.
Hensley tries to break the clinch but Ntoh is controlling the position.
Ntoh trying to stall but Hensley improves his position.

Hensley manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hensley is looking to stand up but Ntoh isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ntoh postures up in Hensley's guard and throws a big left but Hensley blocks it.
Ntoh sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hensley is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Manu Ntoh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ntoh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Manu Ntoh.

Ntoh clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manu Ntoh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ntoh 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manu Ntoh!