PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ron Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Hendricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lemieux's entrance music is Sliwa. A fine choice. Hendricks is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Lets get sweattttty betty!. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lemieux
vs
Hendricks

179 cm
30
135 lbs
21 - 4 - 0

172 cm
27
148 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

VIRAL COMBAT
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ron Lemieux!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johnny Hendricks!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Hugh Johnson and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lemieux connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lemieux keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hendricks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lemieux will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lemieux.
Lemieux throws a looping overhand right but Hendricks ducks down to avoid it.
Hendricks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lemieux throws out a leg kick but Hendricks moves out of range and Lemieux only half commits.
Lemieux misses with a wild body shot.
Hendricks clobbers Lemieux with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hendricks fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hendricks looks to land a right hand but Lemieux moved out of range.
Lemieux scores with a jab. Hendricks acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lemieux throws a head kick that half lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A low kick from Hendricks misses

and Lemieux counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lemieux.
Hendricks looking for a sweep. Not yet Hendricks, not yet.
Hendricks is trying to keep Lemieux in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks keeping full guard, as Lemieux tries to pass.
Lemieux postures up in Hendricks's guard and throws a big left but Hendricks blocks it.
Hendricks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lemieux loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lemieux trying to control but Hendricks is working from the bottom.
Lemieux working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lemieux landing with the ground and pound.
Lemieux is in close to Hendricks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hendricks bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lemieux's guard.

Lemieux is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hendricks defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks postures up and lands a big shot to Lemieux's brow.
Lemieux controls Hendricks momentarily but Hendricks frees himself.

Lemieux looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hendricks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lemieux is keeping the position for now.

Lemieux has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hendricks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hendricks wants to control from the top but Lemieux keeps moving.
Hendricks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux keeping moving, preventing Hendricks from controlling successfully.
Lemieux really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hendricks looking to pass the guard.
Lemieux tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lemieux throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lemieux keeping moving, preventing Hendricks from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lemieux is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hendricks lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hendricks postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lemieux keeping full guard, as Hendricks tries to pass.
Hendricks keeps trying to improve his position.

Lemieux is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hendricks is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hendricks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lemieux has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hendricks has managed to get both his arms back between Lemieux's legs - danger averted.

Lemieux looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Lemieux looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hendricks passes into half guard.
Hendricks is trying to control the action in half guard but Lemieux is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lemieux takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lemieux is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hendricks.
Lemieux checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lemieux throws a leg kick which misses Hendricks's front leg but catches the back leg as Hendricks tries to avoid it.
Hendricks looks to score with a jab to the body but Lemieux is just out of range.
Hendricks lands with a hook. Lemieux tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hendricks throws a shot from downtown. Lemieux moves away and avoids it.
Lemieux throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lemieux checks the leg kick.
Hendricks looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lemieux throws a big shot that misses.
Johnny Hendricks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendricks slips under a jab from Lemieux.
Hendricks throws an off balance right hand

and Lemieux counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hendricks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lemieux postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lemieux throwing strikes from guard but Hendricks blocks nicely.
Hendricks has momentary wrist control but Lemieux slips an elbow through the middle.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendricks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendricks keeping full guard, as Lemieux tries to pass.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Hendricks keeps moving.
Hendricks lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Lemieux is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hendricks manages to get himself to full guard.

Lemieux lands a couple of digs.
Ron Lemieux overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hendricks has momentary wrist control but Lemieux slips an elbow through the middle.
Hendricks is trying to keep Lemieux in close.
Lemieux wants to pass the guard but Hendricks is keeping the position.
Lemieux postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux lands a couple of digs.
Hendricks looking for a sweep. Not yet Hendricks, not yet.
Lemieux stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hendricks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lemieux postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lemieux missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lemieux working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hendricks's head.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendricks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendricks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lemieux.
Lemieux trying to control but Hendricks is working from the bottom.
Lemieux working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lemieux slips a jab from Hendricks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lemieux, as that shot connected.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lemieux, as that shot connected.
Lemieux throws a hook to the side of Hendricks's head but Hendricks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hendricks has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Lemieux blocks a jab.
Hendricks tests Lemieux's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hendricks tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hendricks does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Lemieux thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hendricks cracks a nice hook into Lemieux's ribs.
A slow jab from Hendricks misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ron Lemieux dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hendricks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lemieux is out of range and Hendricks settles back down.
Lemieux slips under a jab from Hendricks.
Lemieux throws out a powerful jab.
Hendricks will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hendricks throws a shot from downtown. Lemieux moves away and avoids it.
Lemieux lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hendricks throws a lazy right hand but Lemieux sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lemieux lands with a good body shot.
Hendricks missing with a left hand there. Lemieux was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lemieux lands with a cross.
Hendricks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hendricks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lemieux can pounce on him.
Hendricks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hendricks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hendricks motions for Lemieux to come forward. Hendricks throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lemieux punishes Hendricks's body with a nice straight punch.
An inside leg kick from Lemieux misses.
Hendricks ducks under a wild hook from Lemieux.
Hendricks fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lemieux.
Lemieux is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hendricks can do to turn this around?
Hendricks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lemieux.
Hendricks throws a hook to the side of Lemieux's head but Lemieux sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hendricks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hendricks keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lemieux.
Hendricks on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lemieux connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lemieux misses the shot to the body.
Hendricks with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hendricks was well out of range. Poor timing from Lemieux.
Lemieux ducks under a wild hook from Hendricks.
Hendricks lands with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lemieux fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hendricks checks a leg kick.
Hendricks's corner calls for a 1-2. Hendricks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lemieux throws a body shot but no joy.
Lemieux moves out of range as Hendricks strikes.
Lemieux throws a right hand that misses

so Hendricks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hendricks trying to control but Lemieux is working from the bottom.

Lemieux looking for a guillotine here but Hendricks defends easily.

Lemieux working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hendricks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hendricks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hendricks connects with a couple of short punches.

Lemieux is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hendricks looking to pass the guard.

Lemieux looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lemieux is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hendricks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lemieux is keeping the position for now.

Lemieux throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Lemieux has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hendricks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hendricks trying to control but Lemieux is working from the bottom.
Lemieux working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hendricks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ron Lemieux did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lemieux chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hendricks can pounce on him.
Lemieux keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lemieux defending well as Hendricks loads up on a big left hand.
Lemieux dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hendricks misses with an uppercut

and Lemieux counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lemieux.
Lemieux keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hendricks's head.
Lemieux scoring with some ground and pound.
Lemieux throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hendricks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lemieux trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lemieux loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lemieux trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hendricks lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hendricks works over Lemieux with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks wants to control from the top but Lemieux keeps moving.
Hendricks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lemieux looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lemieux trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Hendricks working some strikes from top position.
Lemieux preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Lemieux has his foot on Hendricks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hendricks works his way back into a safe position though.
Hendricks is in close to Lemieux's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lemieux preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hendricks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lemieux is keeping the position for now.
Lemieux lands a decent shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux controls Hendricks momentarily but Hendricks frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch lands to the side of Hendricks 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hendricks jabs Lemieux right on the nose. Lemieux blinks but takes it well.
Lemieux slips under a jab.
Hendricks has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lemieux finds it's way round the side to connect with Hendricks's head.
Hendricks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lemieux looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hendricks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lemieux. That did some damage!
Hendricks scoring well with a low kick there.
Hendricks connects with a body shot that sends Lemieux's belly button to the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hendricks shoots for a takedown but Lemieux saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hendricks lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lemieux uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hendricks.
Hendricks tries to bum rush Lemieux with a series of wild strikes but Lemieux uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lemieux is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hendricks.
Hendricks throws a low kick, looking for Lemieux's leg but Lemieux calmly moves out of range.
Hendricks lands with a nice body punch.
Johnny Hendricks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lemieux stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lemieux wants it to stay on the feet.
Lemieux scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hendricks lands with an uppercut that bounces Lemieux off the cage and back into range.
Lemieux scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hendricks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lemieux chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hendricks with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lemieux gets a double leg takedown into Hendricks's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lemieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendricks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendricks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lemieux missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hendricks trying to keep a closed guard but Lemieux is proving a slippery customer.
Lemieux engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Johnny Hendricks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hendricks throws a body shot but no joy.
Lemieux blocks a jab.
Lemieux scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hendricks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lemieux.
Hendricks scores with a jab to the head.
An inside leg kick from Hendricks misses.
Lemieux looks for a takedown but Hendricks sprawls well.
Lemieux just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendricks thuds a left hand into Lemieux's body.
Hendricks walks into a jab.
Hendricks scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux throws a body punch but Hendricks moves out of range.
Lemieux misses with a straight left.
Lemieux misses the shot to the body.
Hendricks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lemieux fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hendricks manages to avoid it.
Hendricks lands a nice looking body shot.
Lemieux is looking to slow Hendricks down with leg kicks.
Lemieux with a nice cross.
Hendricks moves out of range of the leg kick from Lemieux.
Lemieux blocks a jab.
Hendricks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hendricks shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lemieux pinned against the cage. Lemieux gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hendricks misses with a looping right.
Johnny Hendricks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hendricks's head.
Hendricks shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lemieux lands a head shot.
Lemieux scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some wild striking there from Lemieux.
Lemieux moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hendricks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hendricks looks to land a left hand but Lemieux moved out of range nicely.
Lemieux uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hendricks.
A punch combination from Hendricks misses.
Hendricks attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hendricks looks to score with a jab to the body but Lemieux is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hendricks shoots in for a takedown but Lemieux shows good takedown defense.
Ron Lemieux is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ron Lemieux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Hendricks.
Hendricks is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Lemieux lands a body shot.
Hendricks avoids the body shot from Lemieux.
Hendricks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lemieux.
A punch lands to the side of Hendricks 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hendricks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lemieux moves out of range as Hendricks strikes.
Lemieux lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lemieux misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hendricks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hendricks walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks cracks the inside of Lemieux's front leg.
Hendricks throws a poor cross that misses

and Lemieux counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Lemieux trying to control the action but Hendricks is working from the bottom.
Hendricks is in trouble now - Lemieux has advanced to mount!
Hendricks is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lemieux with a couple of short strikes.
Hendricks is squirming around, avoiding Lemieux's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ron Lemieux showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lemieux has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 50:45
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 49:47
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron Lemieux!
Ron Lemieux retains his bantamweight title!
Ron Lemieux very nearly forgot to thank VIRAL COMBAT amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
In defeat, Johnny Hendricks stepped up to the mic, saying 'Yea baby I won!!...wait what? I lost? I didnt lose, I dont remeber that happening?? Fuck you, your crazy.. Im not talking to you Im talking to myself you asshole.. kiss me and leave me alone.. IM A GOD!! Dont deny me a chicken dinner with pancakes!'.