PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Reiko Saito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reiko Saito had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Saito
vs
Henderson

178 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
18
194 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good takedowns
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 New York, Reiko Saito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, David Schapiro and Chad Campbell.

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. Saito tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Henderson is in Saito's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Saito is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Saito looking to hit a scissor sweep but Henderson is one step ahead there.
Saito controlling the position.
Henderson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saito is trying to keep Henderson in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Henderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saito trying to keep a closed guard but Henderson is proving a slippery customer.

Reiko Saito has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Saito throws a low kick but Henderson moves out of range easily.
Saito displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Henderson.

Henderson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Saito was covering up waiting for the punch and Henderson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson won't allow Saito to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Henderson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Saito could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Saito looking for a guillotine here but Henderson defends easily.
Henderson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henderson throwing strikes from guard but Saito blocks nicely.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Saito wants to sweep here but Henderson controlling him for the moment.
Henderson trying to control but Saito is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saito controls Henderson momentarily but Henderson frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henderson works over Saito with some ground and pound from guard.
Saito is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Henderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saito on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Saito tries to get out of the position.
Saito keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saito is pulling down on Henderson's head to control his posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Henderson shoots in looking for a takedown but Saito manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Henderson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Saito tries to land a front kick but Henderson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Henderson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Henderson slips a nice elbow through Saito's hands, connecting with Saito's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Saito is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Henderson jumps into side control!
Saito struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saito tries to improve position but can't.
Henderson working away.
Henderson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Saito on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Henderson landing a few strikes.
Saito wants to get back to his feet.
Saito is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson working the ground and pound from side control.
Henderson scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson tries to advance to mount but Saito denies him.
Saito tries to improve position but can't.
Henderson cracks Saito with a big elbow.
Saito tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Saito taking punishment in the form of punches.
Saito takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Henderson lands a decent elbow from side control.

Henderson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Saito, who protects the arm well.

Henderson has hold of Saito's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Saito seems comfortable defending it but Henderson has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Saito is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Saito is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Henderson couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Max Henderson!
After the fight, Max Henderson was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.