PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zachariah Roy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dexter Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Roy
vs
Henderson

204 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Zachariah Roy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dexter Henderson!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Roy.

Henderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Henderson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Henderson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Roy to keep the fight standing.

Roy manages to break the clinch.

Roy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Roy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson wants to break free but Roy has control.
Henderson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Roy unloads a knee to the mid-section. Henderson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Henderson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Roy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Roy pulls guard successfully.
Henderson preventing the sweep.

Roy is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Henderson is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henderson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Henderson is one step ahead there.
Henderson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dexter Henderson was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Roy moves into range and clinches up with Henderson.
Roy jumps guard but Henderson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to pull guard but Roy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zachariah Roy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Henderson.
Henderson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Henderson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Roy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Roy fails to pull guard.
Henderson wants a takedown.
Roy gets underhooks to prevent Henderson's takedown attempt.

Roy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Henderson moves into the clinch.
Roy has Henderson pressed against the cage, preventing Henderson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Roy manages to break the clinch.
Henderson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Roy avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Roy shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Roy throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Roy keeps the fight on the outside.
Roy lands with a thumping leg kick.
Roy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Henderson as he jumps to the side.
Roy wants to clinch up but Henderson keeps it at a distance.
Henderson shoots in and drives through. Roy sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Roy does no damage.
Nice sprawl there from Roy as Henderson shoots in.
Henderson looks winded!
Henderson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Henderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Roy's waist but Roy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henderson off to one side.
Roy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Henderson is fending him off so far but Roy persists. Nope, Henderson circles away and we're back to standing.
Horrible takedown by Roy or perhaps it was just good defense by Henderson which made him look bad.
Henderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Roy throws a nice looking combination but Henderson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Roy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Roy has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roy tries to pull guard but Henderson holds him up against the cage and eventually Roy drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zachariah Roy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henderson.

Roy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Roy jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Henderson walks away with a smile on his face. Roy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Henderson shoots in but Roy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zachariah Roy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roy misses with a wild combination.
Roy tries to clinch there but Henderson circles away.
Roy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henderson's waist but Henderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Roy off to one side.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Zachariah Roy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Henderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Henderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Roy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Some wild striking there from Henderson.
Roy looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
Roy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
Henderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Roy defends it nicely.
Henderson goes for a double leg but Roy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Roy continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roy can't get the takedown.
Henderson misses with an elbow over the top.

Roy jumps guard and drags Henderson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Roy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roy swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dexter Henderson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Henderson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Roy throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Henderson.

Roy moves into the clinch.
Roy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Henderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Roy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Henderson after a bit of a struggle.
Roy is pressed up against the cage. Henderson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Roy down to the mat. Roy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roy shoots in but Henderson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Roy takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Henderson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Roy, pushing him back against the cage.
Roy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Henderson has had enough of the clinch but Roy keeps him there for the moment.

Henderson decides to pull guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Roy wants to pass the guard but Henderson is keeping the position.
Roy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dexter Henderson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Henderson throws a sloppy head kick
and Roy counters with a three punch combo that has Henderson backing up. Henderson nods at Roy to acknowledge the strikes.
Roy throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Henderson's head.
Henderson fails with the takedown.
Roy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Roy.
Henderson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Roy momentarily.
Henderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Roy defends it nicely.
Roy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Roy swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Henderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Henderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Roy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zachariah Roy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Henderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson keeps the fight on the outside.
Roy throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Henderson. Those never looked like landing.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Roy - that will leave a mark!
Roy misses with the combination.
Roy is looking to clinch but Henderson is avoiding it.
Henderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Henderson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Roy back to the cage. Henderson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Roy tries to clinch there but Henderson circles away.
Roy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Roy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson thows a body shot but no joy.
Roy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Roy on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zachariah Roy is winning the standup battle so far.
Roy shoots in but Henderson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Henderson throws a combination. Roy tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Henderson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Henderson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Roy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Henderson prevents it.
Roy wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roy tries to throw a body punch but Henderson avoids it by throwing Roy back against the cage.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Roy avoids the damage to the body.
Henderson wants to get back to striking at distance but Roy won't allow it.
Roy is looking to control Henderson's arms but Henderson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Roy has his back to the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Henderson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Henderson is trying to pull guard but Roy has him pressed against the cage.
Henderson is trying to break free.
Stalling in the clinch from Roy.
Henderson is pressed up against the cage. Roy 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 four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Roy as he avoids it easily.
Henderson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Roy is fending him off so far but Henderson persists. Nope, Roy circles away and we're back to standing.
Roy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Henderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Roy clinches up against the cage.

Roy jumps guard.
Henderson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Roy won't allow Henderson to pass to mount.
Henderson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roy is looking for a sweep. Henderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zachariah Roy.
I think Roy has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Zachariah Roy!