PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Henderson (ranked 3643 p4p, 308 weight class) and Alexander Gruzdev (ranked 2572 p4p, 229 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Henderson
vs
Gruzdev

193 cm
29
275 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

190 cm
28
250 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Gruzdev!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gruzdev misses with a looping left.
Henderson leaves Gruzdev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gruzdev shoots in looking for a takedown. Henderson tries to sprawl out of it but Gruzdev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Henderson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Henderson clinches up with Gruzdev and pushes him back against the cage.
Gruzdev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Henderson throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gruzdev is keeping busy.
Gruzdev tries to score a body lock takedown but Henderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Paul Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Gruzdev.
Henderson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gruzdev backwards.
Henderson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gruzdev or not.
Gruzdev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch on the inside from Henderson fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.

Gruzdev manages to break the clinch.
Gruzdev throws a hook but Henderson avoids it easily.
Henderson walks into a stiff left hand from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Henderson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gruzdev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Henderson slips under a jab.
Gruzdev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Henderson in his tracks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev tests Henderson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Henderson throws a hook but Gruzdev avoids it easily.
Gruzdev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gruzdev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
Paul Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev throws a shot from downtown. Henderson moves away and avoids it.
Gruzdev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gruzdev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gruzdev misses with a shot to the body
and Henderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Henderson swinging wildly here.
Gruzdev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Henderson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gruzdev swings for the body but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson misses the shot to the body.
Gruzdev let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Gruzdev takes a swing at Henderson's ribcage but misses.
Henderson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Gruzdev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Henderson.
Henderson staying out of range there.
Henderson throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Gruzdev to counter with a crisp jab.
Gruzdev throws the left hand but Henderson avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Henderson momentarily.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot
and Henderson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gruzdev scores with a shot to the body.
Gruzdev throws out a powerful jab.
Gruzdev lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Henderson.
Gruzdev swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Gruzdev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Henderson manages to avoid it.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gruzdev lands a nice shot to the body.
Donk. Gruzdev catches Henderson right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gruzdev shoots in and drives through. Henderson sprawls well.
Henderson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Henderson has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson working aggressively here.
Gruzdev blocks an uppercut.
Gruzdev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Henderson up against the cage.
Gruzdev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Henderson just leaning against Gruzdev, taking a breather.
Gruzdev is trying to break the clinch but Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gruzdev avoiding damage as Henderson throws knees to the body.
Gruzdev is trying to break free.
Henderson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Henderson misses with the head strike.
Gruzdev avoiding damage as Henderson throws knees to the body.
Henderson gets through Gruzdev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gruzdev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.
Henderson misses with some punches.
Henderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexander Gruzdev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gruzdev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gruzdev misses with a double jab
and Henderson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gruzdev loads up on a big right hand but Henderson slips the punch.
Gruzdev throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson.
Henderson is looking to counter punch.

Henderson darts in and clinches Gruzdev up against the cage.
Henderson controlling the action here for a moment.
A short body shot lands from Gruzdev as the two fighters clinch.
Henderson looking to slow down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev working hard to break the clinch.
Gruzdev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gruzdev is trying to force a seperation but Henderson has the dominant position.
Henderson has a couple of punches blocked by Gruzdev.
Henderson has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Gruzdev throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gruzdev is trying to break the clinch but Henderson is controlling him.
Gruzdev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gruzdev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gruzdev can't find room to land a body shot as Henderson controls the action.
Henderson misses with a punch on the inside.
Henderson misses with some punches.
Gruzdev working hard to break the clinch.
Gruzdev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Gruzdev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Henderson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gruzdev backwards.
Henderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Henderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Henderson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gruzdev backwards.
Gruzdev blocks an uppercut.
Gruzdev can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut.
An attempted straight right counter from Henderson misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev connects with a jab.
Henderson scores with a jab to the head.
Paul Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gruzdev darts in looking for a takedown but Henderson gets double underhooks and turns Gruzdev into the cage.
Henderson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henderson tries to clinch there but Gruzdev circles away.
Gruzdev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gruzdev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Henderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Henderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot.
Henderson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut
and Gruzdev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Gruzdev moves into range and clinches up with Henderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch on the inside from Henderson fails to land.
Henderson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gruzdev looking to slow down the pace here.
A hook to the body from Henderson.
Gruzdev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Henderson lands a hook that snaps the head of Gruzdev backwards.
Henderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gruzdev scores with a shoulder strike.
Henderson throws a head punch that misses.
Henderson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gruzdev's efforts to push away.
Gruzdev lands an uppercut.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gruzdev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gruzdev throws a body punch but Henderson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson works over Gruzdev's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Alexander Gruzdev has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev misses with a hook
and Henderson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Henderson lands with a shot to the body.
Henderson throws a looping overhand right but Gruzdev ducks down to avoid it.
Henderson jabs at Gruzdev's body.
Henderson throws a jab when Gruzdev was well out of range.
Gruzdev shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Henderson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Paul Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Gruzdev.
Henderson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gruzdev digs a good body shot into Henderson's ribs.
Henderson misses with a wild body shot.
Gruzdev scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Henderson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Gruzdev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gruzdev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gruzdev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Henderson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gruzdev throws a hook but Henderson blocks it.
Gruzdev fails to land with a series of punches.
Henderson throwing a counter right hand but Gruzdev manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Gruzdev misses the target.
An attempted straight right counter from Henderson misses the target.
Gruzdev with a hook.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Gruzdev.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from Gruzdev.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gruzdev. Henderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gruzdev.
Henderson throws a body punch but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Gruzdev fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev thows a left - swing and a miss!

Henderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Henderson fails to land.
Henderson misses with some punches.
Gruzdev wants to get back to striking at distance but Henderson won't allow it.
Gruzdev lands a left hand.

Gruzdev manages to break the clinch.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gruzdev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gruzdev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gruzdev throws a body punch but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson misses with the combination.
Gruzdev throws a right hand that misses
and Henderson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Henderson slips a jab from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gruzdev swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a poor cross that misses
letting Gruzdev counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson loads up on a big right hand but Gruzdev slips the punch.
Gruzdev lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gruzdev throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Henderson to counter with a crisp jab.
Henderson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gruzdev tries to clinch
and Henderson counters with a nice uppercut.
Gruzdev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gruzdev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Henderson is fending him off so far but Gruzdev persists. Nope, Henderson circles away and we're back to standing.
Henderson is looking for a counter combo.
Gruzdev throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson.
Henderson lands a jab.
Gruzdev swinging wildly here.
Henderson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson wants to clinch up but Gruzdev keeps it at a distance.
The crowd cheers as Gruzdev lands an impressive looking overhand right. Henderson doesn't seem phased though.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot.
Henderson walks into a jab.
Henderson cracks Gruzdev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot.
It looked like Henderson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hendersons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gruzdev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gruzdev shoots in and drives through. Henderson sprawls well.
Paul Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Gruzdev.
Gruzdev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gruzdev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Henderson sprawls well. Henderson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gruzdev gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev throws a series of punches but Henderson avoids them all with ease.
A jab lands there for Henderson.
Henderson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big right from Henderson misses.
Gruzdev swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Gruzdev wants to counter with a clinch but Henderson pushes him away.
Gruzdev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Henderson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gruzdev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gruzdev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gruzdev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gruzdev lands a really nice looking cross but Henderson seems unphased.
Gruzdev swings for the body but Henderson moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gruzdev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gruzdev 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gruzdev!
An out of breath and clearly excited Alexander Gruzdev thanked Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).