PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocko Rod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Henderson
vs
Rod

180 cm
24
204 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rocko Rod!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson is looking to clinch.

Henderson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rod to score an easy takedown into full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Rod from controlling successfully.
Rod working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rod controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rocko Rod wasn't active enough on the ground.
Henderson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Rod counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Henderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rod on the ground.
Rod sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Henderson defending well though.
Rod controlling the pace.

Rod is working for a kimura but Henderson is defending it quite comfortably.
Rod is trying to control the action in half guard but Henderson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rod keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rocko Rod hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rod looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
Rod shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rod throws a right hand that Henderson ducks under and follows up with a left that Henderson also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rod counters with a nice double leg into side control. Henderson won't be happy with that.
A lull in the action here.
Henderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Henderson tries to get out of the position.
Rod trying to control the position but Henderson is working away.
Henderson seems a little lost for a moment, as Rod dominates the positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rod prevents Henderson from escaping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rocko Rod was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Henderson closes the distance but Rod moves to the side

and Rod counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rod is looking for a kimura but Henderson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rod to get the leverage.
Rod is keen to just control but Henderson is a slippery customer.
Rod 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rod trying to control the action but Henderson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocko Rod 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.

Henderson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Rod drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rod jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rod won't allow Henderson to get back to his feet.

Rod gets to his feet - Henderson follows without any prompting.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rod.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rod moves into the clinch successfully.
Henderson avoiding damage as Rod throws knees to the body.
Rod's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rod is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Henderson is defending well.
Henderson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rod is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rod drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocko Rod.
Henderson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rod after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to break free.
Rod drops down looking for an ankle pick but Henderson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rod tries to close the distance and clinch up but Henderson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Henderson lands a jab.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rod circles away quickly and effectively.
Henderson wants to clinch

and Rod decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Henderson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rod forces his way into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rod content to control rather than advance.
Henderson is not content to let Rod control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Rod is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rod content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rocko Rod.
Rod misses with a takedown attempt - Henderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocko Rod showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rod is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Henderson's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rod wants to lay and pray for a moment but Henderson keeps working.
Rod missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henderson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rod scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rod performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rocko Rod wasn't active enough on the ground.
No joy there for Henderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Henderson tries to clinch up

and Rod moves into the clinch.

Rod has clasped his hands together around Henderson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Rod is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Henderson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rocko Rod has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rod is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Henderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rod is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Henderson has escaped the position, nice work there.

Rod is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Henderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Rod wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Henderson, who protects the arm well.
Rod controlling the position from side mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocko Rod comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rod winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocko Rod!