PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tane Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomi Ekbom (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.

Henderson
vs
Ekbom

180 cm
22
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tane Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomi Ekbom!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson shoots in but no luck this time.
Henderson tries to clinch but Ekbom moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henderson.
Ekbom shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Henderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Henderson.

Ekbom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Henderson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Henderson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ekbom is proving hard to escape from.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Henderson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Henderson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ekbom counters with a three punch combo that has Henderson backing up. Henderson nods at Ekbom to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tane Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ekbom gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekbom is looking to break free of the clinch but Henderson has double underhooks.
Ekbom gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Henderson.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Henderson is working for takedown but Ekbom is calmly controlling the position for now.
Henderson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ekbom avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ekbom tries to score a body lock takedown but Henderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Henderson is trying to maintain a safe position but Ekbom gets an underhook and turns Henderson into the cage.

Ekbom drags the fight down to the ground.
Henderson lands a couple of digs.
Ekbom tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekbom throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Henderson won't allow Ekbom to sweep him here.

Ekbom has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Henderson should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Ekbom has tightened it up now! Henderson should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Tomi Ekbom!