PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jordan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiroyuki Okamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Okamoto has chosen Feel the Drive as his entrance music. 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.

Henderson
vs
Okamoto

175 cm
29
150 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

168 cm
35
152 lbs
25 - 19 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jordan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroyuki Okamoto!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson lands a really nice looking cross but Okamoto seems unphased.
Henderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Okamoto is just out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Henderson there.
A punch combination from Henderson misses.
And Okamoto responds with a good body kick, but Henderson manages to step out the way in time.
Some bone on bone action there as Okamoto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Okamoto missing with a left hand there. Henderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Henderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Okamoto looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Henderson takes a swing at Okamoto's ribcage but misses.
Okamoto only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Okamoto throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Okamoto goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Okamoto misses with a low kick.
Okamoto misses with a body kick.
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Okamoto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Henderson throws out the jab.
Henderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick.
Okamoto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Henderson is out of range.
Henderson misses with a looping right.
Okamoto lands a high kick!
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!
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Okamoto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Henderson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Okamoto.
Okamoto appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Okamoto.
Okamoto throws a front kick that sends Henderson stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okamoto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Henderson throws out the jab.
Okamoto shapes to counter with a head kick.
A left lands for Henderson.
Okamoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Henderson.
Okamoto scoring well with a low kick there.
Henderson looks to land a right hand but Okamoto moved out of range.
Henderson throws a low kick but Okamoto avoids it.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses
and Henderson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hiroyuki Okamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses.
Henderson feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Okamoto moves forwards but Henderson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Henderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Henderson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Henderson has been working on his balance at Lock and Roll Grappling Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Okamoto.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Henderson avoids the head kick by Okamoto.
Henderson looks to land a left hand but Okamoto moved out of range nicely.
Henderson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Okamoto.
Okamoto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hiroyuki Okamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Okamoto finds it's way round the side to connect with Henderson's head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Okamoto.
Okamoto moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Okamoto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Okamoto only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Henderson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Okamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Henderson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Okamoto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Henderson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Okamoto scores with a jab to the jaw.
Henderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Okamoto wants to slow Henderson down by chopping away at his legs.
As Okamoto looks to move away, Henderson throws a big counter combo bu Okamoto just gets out of the way.
Henderson blocks a low kick nicely.
Okamoto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Okamoto lands a nice looking body kick.
Okamoto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Henderson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Okamoto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Henderson's calf.
Okamoto ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Henderson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto looks to land a body kick but Henderson moved away.
Okamoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Henderson.
Henderson with a nice cross.
Henderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A good leg kick by Okamoto.
Henderson misses with a hook.

Henderson gets the takedown into side control.
An elbow from Henderson crashes against the mat.
Okamoto tries to bench press Henderson off him but Henderson keeps the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Okamoto keeps trying to improve his position.
Henderson working away.
Henderson throws a strike aimed at the side of Okamoto's head but Okamoto avoids it well.
Okamoto manages to work his way to half guard, despite Henderson's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Okamoto is not content to let Henderson control the position.
Okamoto regains full guard. Nicely done.
Henderson trying to control but Okamoto is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Okamoto is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Okamoto keeps moving.
Okamoto is adopting a defensive guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Okamoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Okamoto wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hiroyuki Okamoto will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Henderson throws a solid leg kick but Okamoto takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Henderson.
Okamoto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Henderson cracks Okamoto with a right hand to the side of the head.
Okamoto throws a leg kick which misses Henderson's front leg but catches the back leg as Henderson tries to avoid it.
Henderson tried to score with a low kick but Okamoto checks it.
Okamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Okamoto lands with a nice body kick.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses.
Henderson shoots for a double leg takedown but Okamoto sprawls well. He's pushed Henderson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Henderson connects with a body shot.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Henderson tries to work over Okamoto's front leg with a kick but Okamoto checks it.
Henderson throws a low kick but Okamoto moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson lands with a straight right. Okamoto didn't see that one coming.
Okamoto throws a leg kick but Henderson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Okamoto.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Okamoto wants to slow Henderson down by chopping away at his legs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good shot there by Henderson.
Nice jab there from Henderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okamoto wants to slow Henderson down by chopping away at his legs.
Henderson tried to counter with a leg kick but Okamoto avoided it.
Henderson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Okamoto, right into the meat.
Henderson stuns Okamoto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hiroyuki Okamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Okamoto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Okamoto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Okamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Henderson moves out of range easily.
Henderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Okamoto scores with a push kick.
Henderson throws out a leg kick but Okamoto moves out of range and Henderson only half commits.
Henderson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Henderson misses the jab.
Henderson moves out of range of the leg kick from Okamoto.
Henderson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Okamoto.
Henderson takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Jordan Henderson has been cut.
Okamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Henderson moves out of range easily.
Henderson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Okamoto. Okamoto circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Henderson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Okamoto - the referee stops the clock and Henderson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Okamoto. Henderson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Decent striking displayed by Okamoto there.
Okamoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Henderson is looking to counter punch.
Henderson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A head kick misses from Okamoto.
Okamoto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Okamoto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Henderson.
Okamoto throws a hook to the side of Henderson's head but Henderson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Okamoto goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from Okamoto.
Henderson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A chopping leg kick lands by Okamoto.
Henderson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Okamoto. That one must have hurt.
Henderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Henderson looks to land a right hand but Okamoto moved out of range.
Okamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Henderson manages to avoid it.
Okamoto throws out a loose jab but Henderson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okamoto lands a head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Okamoto as Henderson shoots in.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Okamoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okamoto takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Okamoto slips under a jab.
Okamoto looks for the body kick but Henderson saw that one coming.
Okamoto is looking to chop away at Henderson's legs.
Okamoto misses with a hook to the body
enabling Henderson to counter with a crisp jab.
Henderson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Okamoto doesn't seem bothered though.
Henderson misses with a series of wild punches.
Okamoto tries a head kick but it misses.
Okamoto getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Henderson misses with an uppercut. Okamoto saw that one coming.
Okamoto explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Okamoto blocks a jab.
Okamoto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Okamoto lands a nice looking body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson checks a leg kick.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick from Okamoto.
Okamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Okamoto.
Okamoto throws a leg kick but Henderson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Okamoto misses with a leg kick
and Henderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Henderson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Okamoto's half guard.
Henderson prevents Okamoto from improving his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Okamoto defending well though.
Okamoto is trying to get back to full guard.
Henderson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hiroyuki Okamoto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jordan Henderson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Okamoto.
Okamoto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Okamoto misses with a low kick.
Okamoto thumps Henderson with a low kick.
Henderson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Henderson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Okamoto defends well and Henderson ends up having to push Okamoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Henderson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Okamoto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson throws the left hand but Okamoto avoids the punch easily.
Henderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Henderson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Henderson lands a jab to Okamoto's midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Okamoto sizes up Henderson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Henderson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Okamoto.
Henderson cracks Okamoto with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Okamoto thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Henderson if he has to take too many more of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Both fighters circling a little - Okamoto finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okamoto throws a leg kick but Henderson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Henderson thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slapping leg kick lands for Okamoto.
Henderson throws a low kick, looking for Okamoto's leg but Okamoto calmly moves out of range.
Okamoto has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sloppy strikes from Okamoto. Those never looked like landing.
Henderson throws a body punch but Okamoto moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Okamoto. Beautiful body shot.
Okamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Okamoto throws a low kick but Henderson moves out of range easily.
Henderson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Okamoto has time to react.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Okamoto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okamoto is trying to counter with his kicks.
Okamoto slips a straight right by Henderson.
Okamoto was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Henderson blocks a head kick by Okamoto.
Okamoto checks a leg kick.
Henderson cracks Okamoto with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Okamoto slips under a jab from Henderson.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Okamoto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Henderson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Henderson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Okamoto misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Okamoto.
Henderson connects with a looping right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson misses with a leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Okamoto.
Okamoto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Henderson moves out of range of the leg kick from Okamoto.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henderson.
An inside leg kick from Okamoto misses.
Okamoto lands a front kick.
Henderson throws a nice looking combination but Okamoto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Okamoto throws out a leg kick but Henderson moves out of range and Okamoto only half commits.
Okamoto tries to work over Henderson's front leg with a kick but Henderson checks it.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick from Okamoto.
It looked like Henderson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but Okamoto shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jordan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okamoto gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Okamoto lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson is looking to counter punch.
Henderson lands with a cross.
Okamoto throws a push kick but Henderson slaps the foot to one side.
Okamoto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Henderson.
Okamoto throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Henderson's head.
Okamoto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Henderson is able to avoid easily.
Henderson misses with a wild combination.
An inside leg kick from Okamoto misses.
Henderson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Henderson lands a lovely overhand right.
Henderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Decent striking displayed by Okamoto there.
Okamoto misses with a kick to the body.
Jordan Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Okamoto tenderised Henderson's leg. Henderson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Okamoto blocks a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by Okamoto.
A leg kick checked by Okamoto.
Okamoto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Henderson misses with a body shot.
Hiroyuki Okamoto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Okamoto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A head kick from Okamoto lands but Henderson takes it in his stride.
Okamoto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Some bone on bone action there as Okamoto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Okamoto tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson. Okamoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Henderson is looking to chop away at Okamoto's legs.
Henderson misses with a leg kick.
Henderson scores with a hook.
Okamoto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Henderson.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hiroyuki Okamoto.
I've got Okamoto 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroyuki Okamoto!
An out of breath Hiroyuki Okamoto thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.