PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Henry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drago Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henry's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Unashamed. 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.

Henry
vs
Maximov

173 cm
26
223 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

182 cm
27
211 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Henry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Drago Maximov!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maximov tries to clinch but Henry is having none of it.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Henry paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Maximov forces Henry back against the cage and clinches.
Henry lands a shot to the body.
Henry working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short body shot lands from Maximov as the two fighters clinch.
Maximov misses with a punch on the inside.
Maximov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maximov swings wildly with an uppercut but Henry uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maximov lands a left hand.
A body shot lands from Henry.
Maximov looks winded!
Maximov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Henry tries to work over Maximov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henry throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Henry lands with a short shot to the head.
Henry lands with a light punch inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henry tries to work over Maximov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Henry gets through Maximov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Maximov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Henry's elbow.

Henry tightens his grip and picks Maximov up, before dumping him to the ground. Maximov manages to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry throwing strikes but missing.
Henry working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Henry's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Maximov wants to stand and escape but Henry is having none of it.
Maximov keeping moving, preventing Henry from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Henry's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Henry is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Maximov is rocked!
Henry won't allow Maximov to get back to his feet.
Henry controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Henry chips away with some ground and pound.
Henry in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maximov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henry is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry postures up in Maximov's guard and throws a big left but Maximov blocks it.
Maximov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Henry.
Henry won't allow Maximov to get back to his feet.
Henry lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Henry with a nice head shot there.
Henry throws a big elbow that misses.
Henry throws a big elbow that misses.
Maximov is looking to stand up but Henry isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henry trying to control but Maximov is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henry throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maximov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry won't allow Maximov to get back to his feet.
Maximov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Henry connects with a couple of short punches.
Henry lands a couple of digs.
Henry postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Henry prevents Maximov from getting back to his feet.
Henry trying to control the position from guard on top but Maximov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maximov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henry is controlling him.
Henry with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry is working Maximov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maximov is still in real trouble! Can Henry finish him?
Henry with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Maximov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henry is controlling him.
Henry gets to his feet and stands over Maximov, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Maximov felt that one! Henry unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Maximov from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Henry!
John Henry seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.