PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sammy Depolito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sammy Depolito could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Paul Henderson's chin.

Depolito
vs
Henderson

178 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

198 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sammy Depolito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Paul Henderson!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Henderson misses.
Henderson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Depolito lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Depolito misses with a looping right.
Depolito closes the distance looking to clinch

and Henderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Henderson.
Depolito wants to break the clinch but can't.
Henderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Depolito.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Depolito blocks it with crossed arms.
Henderson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Depolito could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Depolito breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Depolito circles away.
Henderson clinches but Depolito breaks the clinch

and Depolito counters with a shoot takedown. Henderson fights it but they end up in guard.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Depolito is controlling him.
Depolito might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Henderson has his feet on Depolito's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Depolito scores with a jab to the jaw.
Henderson looks gassed!
Depolito checks the leg kick nicely there.
Depolito with a hook.
Depolito jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Depolito is just out of range.
Henderson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Depolito counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Henderson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Depolito manages to break the clinch.

Henderson pushes Depolito up against the cage in a clinch.
Depolito is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Depolito managing to block the knees to the body from Henderson.
Depolito is trying to break the clinch but Henderson has him pressed against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson blocks an elbow strike.
Henderson misses with a knee strike.
Henderson keeps control of Depolito as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Depolito dodges an elbow strike from Henderson.
Depolito on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Depolito decides to pull guard.
Depolito wants to get back to his feet but Henderson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Henderson stands up and waves to Depolito to follow him.
Depolito cracks Henderson with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Depolito tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Henderson counters with a good low kick that Depolito was not able to check.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches.

Depolito manages to break the clinch.
Depolito darts in trying to clinch
and Henderson counters with a left to the body.

Henderson has closed the distance and engaged Depolito in a clinch.
Depolito has Henderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Depolito using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Henderson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Henderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Depolito blocks with his arms.
Depolito has Henderson pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Henderson.
Depolito is trying to break free.
Henderson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Depolito lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Depolito is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Henderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Depolito is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Depolito takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Depolito lands a left hand that snaps the head of Henderson backwards.
A knee to the head by Henderson.
Henderson keeps control of Depolito as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Depolito blocks an elbow strike from Henderson.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Depolito avoids the damage to the body.
Henderson lands a nice knee to the body.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.
Henderson misses with a knee strike.

Depolito breaks the clinch.
Henderson stuffs the takedown attempt from Depolito. Depolito gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sammy Depolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson throws a head kick but Depolito moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Depolito scores with a jab.
Henderson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Depolito swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Henderson moves into the clinch.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Depolito dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Depolito keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Depolito counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Henderson drives through and clinches with Depolito against the cage.
Depolito on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Depolito here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Henderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Depolito.
Depolito looking for a takedown.
Depolito drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Depolito misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Henderson.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Depolito avoids the damage to the body.
Depolito blocks an elbow strike.
Henderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Depolito.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Depolito.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Depolito avoids the damage to the body.
Depolito tries to land knees in the clinch but Henderson avoids the damage to the body.
Henderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Depolito.
Depolito is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Depolito wants to break the clinch but can't.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Depolito has had enough of the clinch but Henderson keeps him there for the moment.
Henderson misses with an elbow over the top.
Henderson keeps control of Depolito as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Depolito breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paul Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Depolito clinches but Henderson breaks the clinch

and Henderson counters by moving into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Depolito.
Henderson connects with a knee to the head.
Henderson misses with a knee strike.
Depolito connects with a nasty looking knee right to Henderson's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Henderson stops a takedown attempt from Depolito.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sammy Depolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson avoids the elbow strike from Depolito, against the cage.
Henderson misses with an elbow over the top.
Knees in the clinch landing for Henderson.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Depolito 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 lands a nice shot to the body.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Depolito blocks it with crossed arms.
Henderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Depolito drops down looking for an ankle pick but Henderson pulls his leg out and moves away.

Depolito closes the distance and clinches.

Depolito jumps guard and drags Henderson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Henderson stands and steps away. Depolito gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Depolito goes for a takedown attempt but Henderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Henderson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Depolito.
Depolito keeps the fight on the outside.
Depolito chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Henderson can pounce on him.
Nice takedown defense from Henderson. No joy for Depolito on that attempt.
Sammy Depolito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Depolito closes the distance but Henderson moves to the side

and Henderson moves into the clinch.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Depolito has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Henderson misses with a knee strike.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Depolito wants to get back to striking at distance but Henderson won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Depolito scores with a shot to the side of Henderson's head.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Depolito can't break the clinch.
Depolito slows down the pace here.
Depolito wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Depolito is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.
Henderson throws an elbow but it misses.
Depolito throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hendersons head.
Depolito wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Henderson has him pressed against the cage.
Henderson lands a nice elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Depolito lands a knee to the body.
Depolito managing to block the knees to the body from Henderson.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson throws an elbow but it misses.
Depolito looking to throw knees to the head but Henderson is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Depolito's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Henderson doesn't manage to clinch there - Depolito circles away.
Depolito closes the distance but Henderson moves to the side

and Henderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Depolito managing to block the knees to the body from Henderson.
Henderson looking to throw knees to the head but Depolito is blocking nicely.
A knee to the head by Depolito.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Depolito avoids the damage to the body.
Depolito creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Henderson's defenses.
Depolito avoiding damage as Henderson throws knees to the body.

Depolito gets control of Henderson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Depolito will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Henderson stands up from Depolito's guard - Henderson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Henderson, right into the meat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Depolito blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Depolito throws a knee to the head but misses.
Depolito wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Depolito lands with a light punch inside.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Depolito blocks with his arms.
Depolito missing with knees to the body.
Depolito wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Depolito has had enough of the clinch but Henderson keeps him there for the moment.
Depolito has Henderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Depolito stalling in the clinch but Henderson improves position.
Depolito can't break the clinch.
Henderson blocks the elbow strike.
Depolito wants to break free but Henderson has control.
Henderson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Depolito blocks it with crossed arms.
Depolito tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Depolito blocks it with crossed arms.
Depolito jumps guard but Henderson stands there with Depolito around his waist. Depolito gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Henderson pushes off an throws an elbow but Depolito leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Henderson tries a body shot but Depolito blocks it.
Henderson lands a body punch.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Depolito blocks it.
Henderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Depolito breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Depolito avoids the head kick by Henderson.
Henderson tries to clinch but Depolito is having none of it.
Henderson wants to clinch.
Depolito tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Henderson counters by clinching up.
Henderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Depolito managing to block the knees to the body from Henderson.
Henderson lands an elbow that stopped Depolito in his tracks for a moment.
Depolito wants to break the clinch but can't.
Depolito on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Depolito blocks it.
Depolito avoiding damage as Henderson throws knees to the body.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Henderson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson lands a damaging elbow.
Depolito 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sammy Depolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson misses with an elbow strike.
Henderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Depolito.
Depolito wants to get back to striking at distance but Henderson won't allow it.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.
Henderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Depolito blocks it.
Depolito can't break the clinch.

Depolito pulls guard effortlessly.

Henderson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Depolito tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Henderson moves into the clinch.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Depolito tries to land knees in the clinch but Henderson avoids the damage to the body.
Henderson missing with knees to the body.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Depolito has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Depolito is working for takedown but Henderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Depolito is trying to break free.
Depolito can't break the clinch.
Depolito on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Henderson lands a knee to the head.
Henderson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Depolito lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Henderson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Depolito's defenses.
Henderson looking to throw knees to the head but Depolito is blocking nicely.

Depolito breaks from the clinch.
Henderson scores with a jab. Depolito acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Depolito tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Depolito takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Henderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Depolito fails with the takedown
and Henderson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Depolito is lucky that one didn't land flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Henderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Henderson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Henderson!