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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Finn Balor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balor comes to the cage accompanied by Monster. Henderson has chosen Jay Z- Big Pimpin as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Finn Balor has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Finn Balor seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?
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| 172 cm
33
152 lbs
19 - 8 - 1 |
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176 cm
35
153 lbs
33 - 17 - 5 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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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
19 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Finn Balor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
33 - 17 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Paul Gruel.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Balor is defended easily by Henderson.
Balor misses with a straight left.
Henderson wants to slow Balor down by chopping away at his legs.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Henderson. Balor shrugs it off though.
Balor lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Balor looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.
Henderson feints the counter takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Balor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Balor pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor goes for a double leg but Henderson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Henderson continues to drive forward.
Henderson moves out of range as Balor strikes.
Balor lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Henderson throws a head kick but Balor moves out of range.
Balor defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Balor with a lazy takedown attempt
and Henderson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Finn Balor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson scores with a punch to the head.
Henderson misses with a body kick.
Balor is looking to counter punch.
Balor swings widly with a right hand
and Henderson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Henderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Balor throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Balor.
Balor definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Balor, right into the meat.
Henderson thumps Balor with a low kick.
Balor throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Henderson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Balor takes a swing at Henderson's ribcage but misses.
Balor checks the leg kick nicely there.
Balor connects with a high kick.
Henderson throws a looping overhand right but Balor ducks down to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balor on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Henderson. Henderson obviously looking to wear him down.
Balor is looking to chop away at Henderson's legs.
Henderson is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Henderson throws a chopping leg kick but Balor manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Balor attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Balor attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Balor.
Balor lands a front kick.
Henderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balor manages to avoid it.
Balor appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Henderson has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Some bone on bone action there as Henderson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Balor ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Balor thinks about countering with a head kick.
Balor throws a combination. Henderson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A decent looking cross lands there for Henderson.
That kick from Balor tenderised Henderson's leg. Henderson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Balor looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Balor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Henderson.
Henderson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Henderson flicks out a counter leg kick but Balor steps away.
Balor moves away from the strike by Henderson.
Balor fires out a quick counter leg kick but Henderson just manages to avoid it.
Balor shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Balor shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Henderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Balor works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Balor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A leg kick checked by Henderson.
Balor scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Balor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Balor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Henderson, right into the meat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Henderson throws a jab when Balor was well out of range.
Henderson throws a leg kick but Balor checks it.
Henderson throws a leg kick but Balor moved away.
Balor throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Balor to the ground. Henderson is now in Balor'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.
Balor has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Henderson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Balor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Henderson is one step ahead there.
Balor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Henderson manages to get himself to full guard.
Balor wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Finn Balor will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Henderson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Balor closes the distance but Henderson moves to the side
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.
Balor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Henderson tries to move into range but Balor moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Henderson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Balor plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Balor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Henderson checks a low kick from Balor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Balor's calf.
Balor throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Balor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Henderson defends it nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson misses with an uppercut. Balor saw that one coming.
Balor changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Balor connects with a leg kick. Henderson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Balor lands a jab-cross combination.
Henderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balor has closed the distance and engaged Henderson in a clinch.
Balor lands a body punch.
Balor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Henderson backwards.
Balor misses with a punch on the inside.
Balor managing to block the knees to the body from Henderson.
Henderson misses with a knee strike.
A head punch on the inside from Balor fails to land.
Henderson blocking some punches.
Henderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henderson lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Henderson lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Henderson.
Henderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Balor avoids the damage to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balor turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Balor manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The strikes coming from Balor are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sloppy strikes there by Balor.
Balor working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The strikes coming from Balor are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Balor 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.
Balor throws an elbow but Henderson slips to the side and avoids it well.
The strikes coming from Balor are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Henderson tries to escape but Balor is in control.
Balor goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Henderson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Balor but great work by Henderson.
Balor is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Henderson working the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson cracks Balor with a big right hand but Balor just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Balor is trying to improve his position.
Henderson trying to control the position but Balor is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balor on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Balor wants to control but Henderson postures up.
Balor is trying to get back to half guard.
Henderson trying to control the position but Balor is working away.
Henderson working the body and head with strikes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balor wants to get back to his feet.
Balor is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Henderson off and has taken his back!
Balor looking for the choke but no joy.
Balor punches the canvas rather than the man.
Balor throwing damaging strikes from the back! Henderson could be in trouble here!
Henderson breaks Balor's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Balor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Finn Balor will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Balor misses with a body shot.
A big right from Balor misses.
Henderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Balor looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.
Henderson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Balor is out of range and Henderson settles back down.
Finn Balor is winning the standup battle so far.
Balor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Henderson manages to avoid it.
Balor throws a leg kick
and Henderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Henderson.
Henderson scores with a jab.
Balor scores with a hook to the body. Henderson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor lands a jab to the nose.
Henderson misses with a wild body shot.
Balor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Balor throws a looping overhand right but Henderson ducks down to avoid it.
Henderson misses with a leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Balor scores with a jab. Henderson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Balor slips under a jab.
Henderson cracks the inside of Balor's front leg.
Balor blocks a jab.
Balor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Henderson moves forwards but Balor connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Henderson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Balor.
Jab by Balor.
Henderson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balor.
Balor shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
As Balor backs off Henderson throws a huge counter combo but Balor manages to avoid it all.
Henderson moves out of range of the body kick.
Henderson blocks a low kick nicely.
Balor looks to land a body kick but Henderson moved away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a body punch but Balor moves out of range.
Balor tries to clinch up but Henderson circles away and keeps his distance.
Henderson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Balor tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balor.
Balor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balor lands with a straight right. Henderson didn't see that one coming.
Balor misses with a straight left.
Henderson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Balor attempts a counter takedown but Henderson avoids it well and moves away.
Henderson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Balor has a takedown stuffed.
Henderson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor connects with a jab.
Balor is looking to slow Henderson down with leg kicks.
Balor throws a sloppy head kick and Henderson moves out of range easily.
Henderson tries a low kick but Balor avoids it.
Henderson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Balor.
Henderson scoring well with a low kick there.
Henderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balor.
Finn Balor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Henderson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Henderson connects with a leg kick. Balor looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Henderson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Balor.
Henderson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Henderson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Balor looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Henderson scores with a jab to the jaw.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson is looking to score with low kicks.
Balor moves in looking to clinch but Henderson pushes him off.
Balor throws a sloppy head kick and Henderson moves out of range easily.
Balor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Henderson moves away.
Henderson lands the left hand.
Henderson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balor. Balor obviously looking to wear him down.
Henderson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Henderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Balor slips under a jab from Henderson.
Balor scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mike Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A shot to the liver by Balor. Beautiful body shot.
Henderson tried to score with a low kick but Balor checks it.
Balor lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that's the end of the fight!
Finn Balor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Balor, 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finn Balor!
A relieved looking Finn Balor thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
63% |
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