PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michal Materla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Materla
vs
Henderson

183 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

199 cm
20
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michal Materla !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frankie Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Henderson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Materla tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Henderson is in Materla 's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Materla is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Materla slips a nice elbow through Henderson's hands, connecting with Henderson's forehead.
Henderson pushes Materla off looking to stand but Materla dives back in and keeps control.
Henderson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Materla content to control rather than advance.
Materla thows a huge punch but Henderson dodges it nicely.
Materla is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materla lands strikes from half guard.
Materla looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Materla is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Henderson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Materla . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Materla decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Materla .

Materla moves into range and clinches up with Henderson.

Henderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Henderson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Materla counters with a takedown into side control.

Materla is trying to get an arm triangle but Henderson is defending well.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Materla has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Materla thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Henderson is trying to escape the position but Materla is controlling the position.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.

Materla is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Henderson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Materla stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Henderson looks gassed!

Materla darts in and clinches Henderson up against the cage.

Materla has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Henderson uses from the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Materla is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Henderson is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Materla dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Materla moves into the clinch.
Henderson is trying to force a seperation but Materla has the dominant position.
Materla working Henderson over with knees to the body.

Materla has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Henderson is trying to keep an underhook but Materla manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Materla is taking a breather. Henderson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Materla stands up and beckons Henderson to join him on the feet.
Henderson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Materla counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Materla is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Henderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Henderson's face as Materla controls the position.
Henderson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Materla decides to stand back up. Materla steps back and let's Henderson get back to his feet.
Michal Materla is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Materla moves away.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick from Materla .
Materla tries to land a front kick but Henderson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Henderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Materla throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Henderson forces Materla back against the cage and clinches.

Henderson jumps into guard, dragging Materla to the mat.
Michal Materla overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Materla is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Materla looking to pass the guard.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Materla is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Materla stands and throws Henderson's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Materla decides to stand back up. Materla steps back and let's Henderson get back to his feet.
Henderson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Materla shoots in and bounces Henderson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Materla works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Materla in particular looking to stall.
Materla is pressing down on Henderson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Henderson is holding on for now.
Henderson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Materla looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Materla dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Materla tries to keep at a distance but Henderson has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Henderson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Materla tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Materla manages to pull guard.
Materla looking to hit a scissor sweep but Henderson is one step ahead there.
Materla has his hands on Henderson's head, controlling the position.

Materla is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Henderson is aware though and is defending well.
Henderson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Henderson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materla is trying to control Henderson's posture but Henderson avoids it.
Materla manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Materla slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Materla working a defensive guard here.
Henderson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Materla is on top in guard.
Materla is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Materla prevents Henderson from getting back to his feet.
Materla wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
Materla sitting in guard here, content to control.
Materla throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Michal Materla just wasn't active enough.
Materla fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Henderson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Materla regains half guard.
Materla keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Henderson trying to control from half guard but Materla is working away.
Materla makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Materla .
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Materla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Materla uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henderson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Materla to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Materla is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Materla from controlling successfully.
Frankie Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michal Materla is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Materla got a little sloppy there for a moment and Henderson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Materla has managed to get both his arms back between Henderson's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Materla showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Materla , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Materla !