PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ranky Scorpion (ranked 2463 p4p, 63 weight class) and Paul Henderson (ranked 19665 p4p, 253 weight class). Paul Henderson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Scorpion
vs
Henderson

213 cm
42
243 lbs
32 - 22 - 0

193 cm
27
275 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
KO power

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ranky Scorpion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Scorpion manages to avoid it.
Henderson throws a series of punches but Scorpion avoids them all with ease.
Scorpion moves out of range as Henderson strikes.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Scorpion defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.

Henderson gets the takedown into side control.

Henderson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Scorpion knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson prevents Scorpion from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scorpion regains half guard there - taking advantage of Henderson's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Henderson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Scorpion doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Henderson.

Henderson trying to work for an americana but Scorpion has managed to regain full guard.
Henderson looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Scorpion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Scorpion is keeping the position for now.
Henderson is still trying to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Henderson gets to his feet - Scorpion follows without any prompting.
Henderson throws a series of punches but Scorpion avoids them all with ease.
Scorpion feinted with a counter takedown.
Henderson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Henderson throws a looping overhand right but Scorpion ducks down to avoid it.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Scorpion appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Scorpion uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Scorpion bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Henderson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Henderson looks to throw the jab but Scorpion is out of range.
Henderson throws a lazy right hand but Scorpion sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Scorpion changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
Scorpion half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson misses with an uppercut.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Henderson connects with a right hand. Scorpion shakes it off.
A swing and a miss from Henderson.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Scorpion moves away from the strike by Henderson.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Henderson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Henderson wants to clinch up but Scorpion keeps it at a distance.
Scorpion appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Henderson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Scorpion counters with a shoot takedown. Henderson fights it but they end up in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Scorpion blocks a jab.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Henderson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Scorpion uses good head movement to avoid it.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Scorpion moves out of range as Henderson strikes.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Henderson throws a hook but Scorpion blocks it.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Scorpion moves out of range as Henderson strikes.
Scorpion slips under a jab.
Paul Henderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Scorpion.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Scorpion.
Scorpion attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson throws the left hand but Scorpion avoids the punch easily.
Scorpion tries to counter with a takedown but Henderson is quick to defend against it.
Henderson misses with an uppercut

and Scorpion counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Henderson!
Henderson is looking for a sweep.
Henderson wants to control but Scorpion postures up.
Henderson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Henderson tries to buck Scorpion off but Scorpion is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Scorpion presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Scorpion will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Scorpion is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Henderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Henderson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Scorpion decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Henderson's guard.
Henderson is wriggling around but Scorpion manages to pass to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Henderson is trying to control but can't.
Henderson wants to get back to full guard.
Henderson keeping hold of Scorpion's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion passes into side control, despite Henderson's attempt to control the position.
Henderson struggling a bit here.

Scorpion decides to stand up, so the ref orders Henderson to his feet.
Henderson throws a jab when Scorpion was well out of range.
Scorpion tries to counter with a takedown but Henderson is quick to defend against it.
Henderson misses with a lunging right hand

and Scorpion counters with a single leg into guard. Henderson didn't expect that.
Henderson is looking to stand back up but Scorpion counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Henderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Henderson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Henderson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Scorpion has picked Henderson up and slammed him! Henderson can't keep hold of the triangle and Scorpion manages to pass to side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scorpion gets to mount! Henderson was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Scorpion manages to capitalize on a mistake by Henderson to take his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ranky Scorpion dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Scorpion defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Scorpion tries to counter with a takedown but Henderson is quick to defend against it.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
Scorpion changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A big right from Henderson misses.
Henderson misses with a combination

and Scorpion counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Henderson trying to control but Scorpion postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Henderson actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson wants to get back to full guard.
Henderson wants to get back to full guard but Scorpion has mounted him!

Scorpion stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Henderson loads up on a big right hand but Scorpion slips the punch.
Henderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henderson throws a lazy uppercut

and Scorpion counters with a single leg into guard. Henderson didn't expect that.
Scorpion wants to get up but he can't break Henderson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Henderson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Scorpion is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Henderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Scorpion stands up and beckons Henderson to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson. Scorpion does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
Scorpion half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Henderson loads up on a big right hand but Scorpion slips the punch.
Scorpion appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Henderson throws a hook but Scorpion blocks it.
Scorpion feinted with a counter takedown.
Paul Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson misses with an uppercut.
Scorpion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.
Henderson is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Henderson misses with a hook

and Scorpion counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion wants to stand up but Henderson has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Scorpion moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Henderson.
Henderson tries to buck Scorpion off but Scorpion is having none of it.
Henderson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Henderson wants to sweep but Scorpion has passed to side control!
Henderson is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion working away.
Henderson tries to buck Scorpion off but Scorpion is having none of it.

Scorpion decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Henderson tries to clinch but Scorpion moves out of range.
Henderson misses with a hook. Scorpion ducked under it nicely.
Scorpion tries to counter with a takedown but Henderson is quick to defend against it.
Henderson misses with a combination

and Scorpion counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Henderson!
Henderson tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Henderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:29

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