PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Gibiatti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henderson comes to the cage accompanied by Jay Z- Big Pimpin. On his way into the cage it seems that Mike Henderson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Mike Henderson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Henderson
vs
Gibiatti

176 cm
29
153 lbs
24 - 9 - 3

165 cm
25
155 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Zipp Zapp(w. laundry:10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Henderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Gibiatti!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson digs a good hook to Gibiatti's body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Gibiatti has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Henderson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gibiatti doesn't seem bothered though.
Henderson is looking to clinch.
Gibiatti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gibiatti gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Gibiatti connects with a crisp jab.
Henderson lands with a shot to the body.
Henderson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gibiatti's calf.
Henderson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Gibiatti to counter with a crisp jab.

Gibiatti changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Henderson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Henderson can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Henderson is pushing Gibiatti's head away, looking to escape. Gibiatti manages to hold on to the position though.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Henderson tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibiatti sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Henderson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Henderson dodges the ground and pound from Gibiatti.
Henderson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gibiatti wants to lay and pray for a moment but Henderson keeps working.
Gibiatti in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gibiatti looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gibiatti looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Henderson is avoiding damage well.
Henderson pushes Gibiatti away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gibiatti gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Gibiatti working away.
Henderson is looking to reverse the position.

Gibiatti tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Henderson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gibiatti is trying to get an arm triangle but Henderson is defending well.

Gibiatti looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Henderson can't do much from the bottom here.
Henderson tries to escape but Gibiatti is in control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson is trying to control Gibiatti's posture but Gibiatti avoids it.
Gibiatti tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Gibiatti working away.
Gibiatti trying to control the position but Henderson is working away.
Gibiatti is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is looking to regain half guard here but Gibiatti keeps moving and retains side control.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Gibiatti drags him back down.
Gibiatti trying to control the position but Henderson is working away.
Henderson is looking to reverse the position.
Gibiatti controlling the position from side mount.

Gibiatti is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Henderson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Henderson wants to control but Gibiatti postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson parries the strikes from Gibiatti easily there. Gibiatti is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Henderson to escape.

Gibiatti tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Henderson tries to bench press Gibiatti off him but Gibiatti keeps the position.
Henderson struggling a bit here.
Henderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Gibiatti tries for a kimura but Henderson is defending well.
Henderson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gibiatti is working for a submission of some sort.

Gibiatti is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Frank Gibiatti will probably get the nod.
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.

Gibiatti throws the left hand but Henderson avoids the punch easily.
Gibiatti connects with a single shot there.
Henderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gibiatti.
Henderson looks for the body kick but Gibiatti saw that one coming.
Henderson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gibiatti.
Gibiatti fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Henderson avoids it really well and circles away.
Henderson closes the distance but Gibiatti moves to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Gibiatti circles away.
Henderson throws a big shot that misses.
Henderson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Gibiatti counters with a leg kick.
A cross from Gibiatti lands.
Gibiatti takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibiatti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Henderson connects with a high kick.
Henderson throws a front kick aimed at Gibiatti's knee but Gibiatti avoids it well.
Henderson defending well as Gibiatti loads up on a big left hand.
A jab lands there for Henderson.
Henderson wants to clinch.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gibiatti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gibiatti blocks a head kick by Henderson.
Gibiatti is looking to chop away at Henderson's legs.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Gibiatti circles away.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but Gibiatti shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gibiatti lands with an uppercut that bounces Henderson off the cage and back into range.
Henderson misses with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibiatti works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Gibiatti circles away.
Gibiatti fails to land the takedown.
Henderson lands a head kick. Gibiatti smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Henderson has closed the distance and engaged Gibiatti in a clinch.
Henderson misses with a punch on the inside.
Henderson blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Gibiatti pulls Henderson into guard.
Gibiatti is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gibiatti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gibiatti swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gibiatti is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Henderson defends well.
Gibiatti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Henderson controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gibiatti manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gibiatti with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gibiatti looking to finish Henderson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Henderson!
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Henderson tries to reverse the position but Gibiatti maintains control.
Gibiatti wants to control the pace but Henderson is squirming around nicely.
Henderson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gibiatti looking to finish Henderson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Henderson!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
BOOM! Gibiatti connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Henderson wants to try and get back to his feet.
Henderson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson tries to reverse the position but Gibiatti maintains control.
Henderson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Henderson is trying to stand back up but Gibiatti is controlling him
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gibiatti thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frank Gibiatti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gibiatti misses with a head kick.
Gibiatti misses with an uppercut. Henderson saw that one coming.
Henderson misses with a wild body shot.
Gibiatti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A low kick from Henderson misses
and Gibiatti counters with a nice body shot.
Henderson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Henderson throws a body punch but Gibiatti moves out of range.
Mike Henderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Henderson fails with the takedown.
Henderson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Henderson scores with a body shot.
Gibiatti tries for a takedown but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gibiatti looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Henderson wants to clinch but Gibiatti slips to the side
and Gibiatti counters with an inside leg kick.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gibiatti.
Henderson tries a low kick but Gibiatti avoids it.
Gibiatti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gibiatti takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gibiatti rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Henderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Henderson lands a shot to the body.
Henderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Henderson misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Gibiatti.
Gibiatti misses with a punch to the body.
Henderson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gibiatti lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Henderson blocks an uppercut.
Gibiatti misses with some punches.
Henderson struggles to land a body shot inside as Gibiatti controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Henderson prevents a body shot from Gibiatti.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.
Henderson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gibiatti lands a left hand that snaps the head of Henderson backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gibiatti taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gibiatti can't find room to land a body shot as Henderson controls the action.
Gibiatti tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Gibiatti has clasped his hands together around Henderson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Henderson is trying to buck Gibiatti off.

Gibiatti looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gibiatti is trying to get an arm triangle but Henderson is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibiatti creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Henderson regains half guard.
Henderson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Gibiatti drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gibiatti jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gibiatti stops Henderson from standing up.
Gibiatti is fighting to break Henderson's control of his arms but Henderson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Gibiatti passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gibiatti wants to lay and pray for a moment but Henderson keeps working.
Henderson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Gibiatti connects with a decent elbow.
An elbow from Gibiatti crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gibiatti tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gibiatti has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson is looking to reverse the position.

Gibiatti is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Henderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gibiatti working away.
Gibiatti tries to move into full mount but can't pass Henderson's legs.
Henderson is trying to buck Gibiatti off.
Gibiatti working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson can't do much from the bottom here.
Henderson is not content to let Gibiatti control the position.
I wouldn't like to be where Henderson is right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Gibiatti really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Henderson looks to land a body kick but Gibiatti moved away.
Henderson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gibiatti.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gibiatti. Gibiatti obviously looking to wear him down.

Henderson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gibiatti lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gibiatti tries to pull guard but Henderson holds him up against the cage and eventually Gibiatti drops back down to his feet.
Henderson misses with a body punch.
Gibiatti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gibiatti jumps guard but Henderson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gibiatti has had enough of the clinch but Henderson keeps him there for the moment.
Henderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Henderson is working for takedown but Gibiatti is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibiatti is working for takedown but Henderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mike Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Gibiatti.

Gibiatti pulls Henderson into guard.

Henderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Frank Gibiatti has got the better of the ground game so far.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Gibiatti is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Henderson throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Gibiatti has wrist control.
Gibiatti wants to hit a switch here but Henderson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gibiatti there!
Gibiatti is in all sorts of trouble here.
Henderson with a couple of short strikes.
Henderson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson with shots to the head and body - Gibiatti looks very uncomfortable down there.
Henderson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gibiatti is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gibiatti tries to lock up and control but Henderson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gibiatti tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Henderson tries to control but Gibiatti wriggling away.
Henderson controlling from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gibiatti really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Mike Henderson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Henderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gibiatti was well out of range. Poor timing from Henderson.
Henderson tries to clinch but Gibiatti is having none of it.
Henderson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Gibiatti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Henderson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A jab from Henderson misses.
Henderson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gibiatti is out of range.
Gibiatti swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Henderson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gibiatti misses with an uppercut.
Mike Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson is looking to clinch but Gibiatti is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gibiatti connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gibiatti moves out of range of the strikes.
Henderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gibiatti was well out of range. Poor timing from Henderson.
Gibiatti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gibiatti keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Gibiatti misses with a head kick.
Henderson moves in looking to clinch but Gibiatti pushes him off.
Henderson fails with an attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gibiatti.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from Gibiatti.
Gibiatti is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gibiatti on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Gibiatti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Henderson lands a body shot.
Henderson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gibiatti tries for a takedown but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Henderson connects with an inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gibiatti pivots, looking for a leg kick but Henderson is out of range and Gibiatti settles back down.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gibiatti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Henderson.
Henderson throws a leg kick but Gibiatti sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Henderson lands a front kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Henderson.
Henderson avoids the head kick by Gibiatti.
Henderson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A head kick misses from Henderson.

Gibiatti scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Henderson tries to improve position but can't.
Gibiatti wants to lay and pray for a moment but Henderson keeps working.
Henderson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gibiatti asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Mike Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is not content to let Gibiatti control the position.
Henderson has one of Gibiatti's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Henderson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gibiatti asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gibiatti tries to move into full mount but can't pass Henderson's legs.
Gibiatti lands a nice forearm strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Henderson is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Gibiatti is looking to take a break and control but Henderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gibiatti has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:48
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:48
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Mike Henderson retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!