PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Grainger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Grainger
vs
Henderson

200 cm
26
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
176 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

KO Clothing

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hugh Grainger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dan Henderson !
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson misses with a series of wild punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Grainger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Henderson lands with a nice combination. Grainger backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Hugh Grainger has been cut.
Henderson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Grainger dives in for a single leg takedown but Henderson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Henderson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Henderson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grainger's elbow.
Henderson misses with some punches.
Grainger is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Henderson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Grainger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Henderson misses with some punches.
Grainger is trying to drag Henderson to the mat but Henderson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Henderson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Grainger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson swinging wildly here.
Grainger shoots in and drives through. Henderson sprawls well.
Henderson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Henderson misses with the combination.
Grainger throws a nice looking combination but Henderson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Henderson takes a swing at Grainger's ribcage but misses.
Henderson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Henderson misses with a series of wild punches.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Grainger counters with a straight right hand.
Nice takedown defense from Henderson . No joy for Grainger on that attempt.
Henderson swinging wildly here.
Dan Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grainger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Grainger closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henderson circles away.
Grainger is breathing heavily.
Grainger slips a jab and a cross from Henderson .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grainger shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Grainger ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Henderson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Grainger.
Henderson misses with a jab to the body
and Grainger counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Grainger shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Henderson is defending against the submission attempts here by Grainger.

Grainger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Grainger will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to kick Grainger off but Grainger keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Grainger seems to be looking for submissions.
We've been hearing that Grainger has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Henderson is not content to let Grainger control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Grainger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Grainger wants to take a breather but Henderson is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Grainger is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Henderson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Grainger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dan Henderson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hugh Grainger'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.

Henderson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Grainger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Henderson 's guard.
Grainger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Henderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Grainger stops Henderson from standing up.

Grainger postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Henderson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Grainger, into his guard.
My spies in Tri Star BJJ/Wresting inform me that Henderson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Henderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Grainger has wrist control.
Grainger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Henderson throws a big right hand that misses.

Grainger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Grainger has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Henderson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Henderson throwing strikes from guard but Grainger blocks nicely.
Henderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Grainger controls Henderson momentarily but Henderson frees himself.
Henderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grainger controls Henderson momentarily but Henderson frees himself.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henderson working some strikes from top position.
Grainger is adopting a defensive guard.
Grainger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Henderson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Henderson throws an elbow that misses. Grainger uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Henderson 's guard. Nice move by Grainger!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grainger wants to pass the guard but Henderson is keeping the position.
Henderson wants to stand but Grainger is controlling the position.
Grainger looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grainger won't allow Henderson to get back to his feet.
Grainger trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hugh Grainger has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Grainger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Grainger really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson fails to land with a series of punches.
Henderson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Grainger counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Henderson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Henderson throws a combination that misses
and Grainger counters with a head kick. That will keep Henderson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Henderson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grainger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hugh Grainger will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hugh Grainger's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Grainger fails with the takedown.
Grainger fails with a takedown attempt.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grainger circles away quickly and effectively.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grainger circles away quickly and effectively.
Grainger is trying hard to land a takedown here. Henderson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Grainger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson tries to bum rush Grainger with a series of wild strikes but Grainger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Grainger closes the distance and pushes Henderson back into the cage.
Henderson misses with some punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grainger blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Henderson working aggressively here.
Henderson stops a takedown attempt from Grainger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grainger.
Henderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Grainger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grainger blocks a body shot from Henderson .

Grainger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A right-left combo lands from Henderson .
Some wild striking there from Grainger.
Henderson misses with a series of wild punches.

Grainger feints and as Henderson raises his hands in defense, Grainger changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Grainger drops back looking for a leg! Henderson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Henderson manages to kick Grainger off! Grainger jumps back into Henderson 's guard.
Henderson wants to stand and escape but Grainger is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grainger wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.

Grainger drops back, looking for a kneebar! Henderson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Henderson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Henderson !

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grainger is looking for a sweep.
Grainger takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Grainger managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Henderson .
Grainger sneaks back into half guard.
Grainger trying to control from the bottom.
Henderson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Henderson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Henderson thows a huge punch but Grainger dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grainger trying to control but Henderson postures up.
Grainger is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Henderson scores with a couple of nice shots.

Henderson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Grainger blocking the ground and pound attempt from Henderson .

Grainger looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Henderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grainger is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Henderson 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Henderson 's back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Grainger is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Henderson is defending well though. Grainger let's go of the attempt for now.

Grainger is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

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 Hugh Grainger.
I think Grainger 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dan Henderson !