PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Hristov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martell Hennessey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valentin Hristov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hristov
vs
Hennessey

182 cm
24
220 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

195 cm
19
213 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Deadly Clothing
Beast Body

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Valentin Hristov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martell Hennessey!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hennessey lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hennessey.

It looks like Valentin Hristov has been cut.
Hennessey throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hristov.
Hristov blocks a head kick by Hennessey.

Hristov clinches up with Hennessey and pushes him back against the cage.
Hristov taking a breather.
Hennessey tries to pull guard but Hristov holds him up against the cage and eventually Hennessey drops back down to his feet.
Hennessey has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hristov just leaning against Hennessey, taking a breather.

Hennessey drags the fight down to the ground.
Hennessey looking for a sweep. Not yet Hennessey, not yet.
Hennessey wants to get back to his feet but Hristov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hristov trying to control but Hennessey is working from the bottom.
Hennessey seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hennessey working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hristov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hristov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hristov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hristov throws a big right hand that misses.
Hristov trying to control but Hennessey is working from the bottom.
Hennessey tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two 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.
Hristov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hennessey manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hristov manages to get himself to full guard.

Hristov is working an open guard so Hennessey takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Hennessey.
Hennessey looks to land a right hand but Hristov moved out of range.
Hristov wants to clinch up but Hennessey keeps it at a distance.
Hristov moves in looking to clinch but Hennessey pushes him off.
Hristov is looking to clinch.
Hennessey tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hristov swivels and escapes.
Hennessey throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hristov.
Martell Hennessey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hennessey tries to land a front kick but Hristov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hennessey looks gassed!
Hennessey throws a series of punches but Hristov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martell Hennessey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Valentin Hristov's cut.
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.

Hennessey bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hennessey in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Hennessey is looking to take a break and control but Hristov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Hristov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Hristov forces Hennessey back against the cage and clinches.
Hennessey tries to circle away but Hristov has him pinned against the cage.
Hristov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hennessey wants to get back to striking at distance but Hristov won't allow it.
Hennessey is breathing heavily.
Hennessey has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hristov has Hennessey pressed against the cage, preventing Hennessey from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hristov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hristov leaning against his opponent.
Hennessey wants to break free but Hristov has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hennessey fails to pull guard.
Hennessey changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hristov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Valentin Hristov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martell Hennessey.
Hristov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hennessey circles away.

Hennessey fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hristov, pushing him back against the cage.
The referee calls for Hristov to work.
Hristov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hennessey fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hristov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hristov landing knees to the body.
Hristov lands a knee to the head.
Hristov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hristov lands a knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knees to the body from Hristov.
Hristov leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hristov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hristov connects with a knee to the head.
Hristov taking a breather.
Hristov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hennessey takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hristov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hristov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hennessey lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hristov lands a knee to the head.
Hristov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hristov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hristov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hennessey tries to break the clinch but Hristov is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Hristov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Valentin Hristov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hennessey clinches but Hristov breaks the clinch

and Hristov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hennessey tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hristov smiles and moves away.
Hennessey darts in trying to clinch

and Hristov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hennessey has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hristov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hennessey jumps guard but Hristov stands there with Hennessey around his waist. Hennessey gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Valentin Hristov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martell Hennessey.
Hennessey tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hristov smiles and moves away.
Hennessey throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hristov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hristov taking a breather.
Hennessey tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hristov with a knee to the head.
Hristov keeps control of Hennessey as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hristov scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hristov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hristov stalls.
Hristov gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Hristov connects with a knee to the head.
Hristov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hennessey's face.
Hristov misses with a knee strike.
Hennessey goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hristov prevents it.
A knee to the head by Hristov.
Hristov is stalling here.
Hennessey misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hristov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hennessey in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hennessey drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hristov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hristov connects with a knee to the head.
Valentin Hristov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hristov lands a good knee to the midsection. Hennessey won't want to take too many of those.
A knee to the head by Hristov.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hristov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hennessey is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hristov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hristov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hristov keeps control of Hennessey as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hristov scores with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Hristov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hristov 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentin Hristov!