PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Hendricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakan Juholt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hendricks
vs
Juholt

172 cm
31
148 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

167 cm
32
135 lbs
20 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Hendricks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Hakan Juholt!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Juholt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hendricks.
Hendricks fires out a quick counter leg kick but Juholt just manages to avoid it.
Juholt thows a body kick. Hendricks tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Juholt is looking to score with low kicks.
A low kick from Juholt misses
and Hendricks counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Juholt connects with a leg kick. Hendricks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Juholt misses the shot to the body.
Juholt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hendricks moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Juholt throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Juholt tries a low kick but Hendricks avoids it.
Juholt with a poor takedown
and Hendricks makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Hendricks works Juholt's body with a nice hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hendricks changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hendricks takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Juholt closes the distance and pushes Hendricks back into the cage.
Hendricks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Juholt's elbow.
Juholt has a couple of punches blocked by Hendricks.
Hendricks misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Juholt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juholt displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hendricks throws out the jab.
Hendricks throws the kick towards the body but Juholt avoids it.
Juholt avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hendricks moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Hendricks throws a leg kick which misses Juholt's front leg but catches the back leg as Juholt tries to avoid it.
Juholt throws a lazy uppercut
and Hendricks makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Hendricks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Juholt was well out of range. Poor timing from Hendricks.
Hendricks misses with a wild body shot.

Juholt clinches up with Hendricks and pushes him back against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Juholt takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Juholt misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hendricks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hendricks lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Juholt manages to break the clinch.
Hendricks scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Juholt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks misses with a jab to the body
and Juholt counters with a stiff right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Juholt has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hendricks.
Hendricks connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hendricks lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nice sprawl there from Hendricks as Juholt shoots in.

Hendricks clinches up with Juholt and pushes him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hendricks.
Hendricks lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Juholt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for Hendricks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A nice inside leg kick there by Juholt. That's going to slow Hendricks down.
The crowd cheers as Hendricks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Juholt doesn't seem phased though.
Juholt throws a series of punches but Hendricks moves out of range.
A solid body kick from Hendricks.
Juholt tries to clinch up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hendricks.
Hendricks thuds his shin into the meat of Juholt's side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks throws out a powerful jab.
Juholt's corner calls for a 1-2. Juholt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Juholt throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hendricks misses with a hook.
Juholt misses with an uppercut. Hendricks saw that one coming.
Hendricks is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Juholt 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.
Juholt cracks Hendricks with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hendricks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hendricks lands a jab to the head.
Juholt's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Juholt duly obliges.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hendricks. Juholt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hendricks throws a jab but it's blocked by Juholt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Juholt.
Nice shot lands for Hendricks.
Hendricks checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Juholt on the side of the head.
Juholt cracks Hendricks with a right hand to the side of the head.
That kick from Juholt tenderised Hendricks's leg. Hendricks is trying to keep his angry face on.
Juholt lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hendricks's sensitive parts.
Hendricks throws the kick towards the body but Juholt avoids it.
Juholt blocks the body kick.
Hendricks with a jab.
Juholt throws a shot to the body.
Juholt misses with a shot to the body
and Hendricks counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hendricks swings for the body but Juholt moves out of range.
Hendricks avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hendricks misses with a head kick.
Juholt lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hendricks blocks a head kick by Juholt.
Juholt dodges the punch combination from Hendricks.
Juholt throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Juholt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hendricks sprawls well. Hendricks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Juholt gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Hendricks dominated that round.
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.

A telegraphed right hand from Hendricks misses the target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Juholt.
Hendricks paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Juholt misses with a wild combination.
Hendricks cracks Juholt with an open hand slap.
Juholt throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hendricks.
An inside leg kick from Juholt misses.
A little feinted left hand from Hendricks on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A shot to the liver by Juholt. Beautiful body shot.
Hendricks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Juholt throws a leg kick but Hendricks moved away.
Hendricks bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Juholt misses with a low kick.
Juholt tries a head kick but it misses.
Hendricks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

A head kick lands from Juholt that sends Hendricks to the canvas. Hendricks tries to scramble back to his feet but Juholt brings him back down into side control.

It looks like Johnny Hendricks has been cut.
Juholt works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Hendricks is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks defending against the ground and pound.
Juholt landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Juholt tries to advance to mount but Hendricks denies him.
Juholt taking a break here but Hendricks is having none of it and regains half guard.
Juholt uses his free foot to push down on Hendricks's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hendricks.
Hendricks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is working hard here to advance position.
Juholt wants to control the pace but Hendricks is squirming around nicely.
Hendricks working to try and regain half guard.
Juholt lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Juholt lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Juholt landing strikes from the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks regains half guard.

Hendricks is defending against the submission attempts here by Juholt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hendricks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hendricks is pulling down on Juholt's head to control his posture.
Juholt is stalling in the full guard.
Juholt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Juholt controlling from the top position.
Hendricks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Juholt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hendricks's head.
Juholt slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hendricks trying to control the position.
Juholt throws an elbow that misses. Hendricks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Juholt's guard. Nice move by Hendricks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakan Juholt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Johnny Hendricks's cut.
That's time! Hendricks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Juholt scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Juholt. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Hendricks explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Johnny Hendricks is winning the standup battle so far.
Juholt throws a sloppy head kick
and Juholt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hendricks swats away the attempt to clinch by Juholt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hendricks letting Juholt take a breather here.
Hendricks tries to throw a body punch but Juholt avoids it by throwing Hendricks back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juholt blocking some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hendricks.
Hendricks lands a body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Hendricks.
Hendricks misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks throws a punch but it's blocked by Juholt.

Juholt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hendricks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hendricks lands with a thumping leg kick.
Juholt tries to bum rush Hendricks with a series of wild strikes but Hendricks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hendricks is looking to counter punch.
Hendricks looks to score with a jab to the body but Juholt is just out of range.
Hendricks misses with a low kick.
Hendricks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Juholt can pounce on him.

Hendricks gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Juholt to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Juholt connects with a couple of short punches.
Hendricks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Juholt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hendricks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Juholt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hendricks keeping moving, preventing Juholt from controlling successfully.
Hendricks controlling Juholt's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Juholt trying to control but Hendricks is working from the bottom.
Hendricks keeping full guard, as Juholt tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juholt throws a strike but Hendricks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Juholt looking to control but Hendricks passes into half guard.
Juholt wants to control but Hendricks is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hendricks scores with a three punch combo!
Hendricks leaves Juholt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Juholt ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hendricks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Juholt moves away.
Juholt swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A slow jab from Juholt misses its intended target.
Juholt tries to land a leg kick but Hendricks saw it coming and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Juholt takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Juholt pushes Hendricks up against the cage in a clinch.
Juholt misses with a body punch.
Juholt has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hendricks avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hendricks lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Juholt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Juholt swings wildly with an uppercut but Hendricks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hendricks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnny Hendricks has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hendricks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Juholt.

Juholt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

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 Johnny Hendricks.
I think Hendricks 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Hendricks!
A very excited looking Johnny Hendricks made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.