PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Lamphard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chael Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chael Henderson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Lamphard
vs
Henderson

187 cm
26
200 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Lamphard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chael Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lamphard fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Henderson on the side of the head.
Lamphard misses with a few strikes there.
Henderson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lamphard looks to land a left hand but Henderson moved out of range nicely.
Henderson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Jab from Lamphard.
Lamphard misses the body punch

and Henderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Henderson.
Lamphard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Lamphard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson throwing strikes from guard but Lamphard blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Henderson throwing strikes but missing.
Lamphard keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Henderson moves out of range as Lamphard strikes.
Lamphard lands with a shot to the body.
Lamphard throws a hook but Henderson avoids it easily.
Henderson throws out a counter right but Lamphard avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lamphard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Henderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lamphard misses with a left hand

and Henderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Henderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lamphard's head.
Lamphard wants to improve his position but Henderson is controlling well.
Lamphard looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Henderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lamphard defending well though.
Henderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lamphard defending well though.
Henderson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Henderson lands a nice short elbow.
Henderson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Henderson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lamphard with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Henderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Henderson content to control rather than advance.
Henderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Henderson throwing shots but Lamphard is blocking nicely.
Henderson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lamphard on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lamphard tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Henderson throwing shots but Lamphard is blocking nicely.
Henderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lamphard keeps working.
Lamphard taking some punishment here, with Henderson in his half guard.
Henderson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Henderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Henderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henderson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Henderson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Henderson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lamphard on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Henderson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Henderson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lamphard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Henderson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Some wild striking there from Lamphard.
Henderson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lamphard misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Henderson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Henderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Chael Henderson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Henderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lamphard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Henderson trying to control but Lamphard is working from the bottom.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Lamphard has wrist control.
Lamphard has control of Henderson's left arm, preventing Henderson from doing any damage.
Lamphard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Henderson lands a couple of elbows.
Henderson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Henderson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Henderson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lamphard keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lamphard misses with a hook

and Henderson counters with a takedown into side control.
Lamphard wants to get back to his feet but Henderson is dominant here and he's now got Lamphard's back!
Henderson scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

Lamphard defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Henderson's arms.
Henderson avoiding Lamphard 's attempts to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a shot to the head.

Henderson looking for the RNC.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Lamphard knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Henderson on the ground.
Lamphard is taking damage to the body and head.
Lamphard covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson missing with strikes from the back.
Henderson missing with strikes from the back.
Henderson scores with punches from the back.
Henderson really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Lamphard.
Lamphard looking very determined here, making life difficult for Henderson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lamphard is covering up but some of the strikes from Henderson are getting through and doing damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Henderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lamphard lands a right hook to the body.
Lamphard loads up on a big right hand but Henderson slips the punch.
Henderson throws a counter combo.
Lamphard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lamphard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lamphard looks to land a right hand but Henderson moved out of range.
A little jabbing left from Henderson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Frank Lamphard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lamphard throws a body shot but no joy.
Lamphard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Henderson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Henderson throwing shots but Lamphard is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lamphard on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Henderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Lamphard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Henderson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lamphard has hold of Henderson's hands but Henderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lamphard taking some punishment here, with Henderson in his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Henderson lands strikes from half guard.
Henderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henderson is controlling the pace.
Henderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lamphard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lamphard on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Henderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Lamphard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Henderson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Henderson lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson with shots to the head and body - Lamphard looks very uncomfortable down there.
Henderson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Henderson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Henderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Henderson looking to control but Lamphard is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Henderson lands a nice shot to the head.
Henderson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lamphard hang on?
Lamphard holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Henderson tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Henderson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lamphard hang on?
Henderson landing strikes from the mount.
Henderson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Lamphard looks a forlorn figure.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henderson raining down hammerfists from mount.

Lamphard is rocked!
Lamphard is in a horrible position here. Henderson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Oh Lamphard is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Henderson controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Henderson really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lamphard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Lamphard seems to have got his legs back now.
Lamphard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lamphard misses with a hook. Henderson ducked under it nicely.
Lamphard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lamphard looks to land a right hand but Henderson moved out of range.
Henderson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lamphard looks to land a left hand but Henderson moved out of range nicely.
Henderson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lamphard.
Henderson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lamphard connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Henderson scrambles back to his feet.
Lamphard bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lamphard missing with a left hand there. Henderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lamphard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lamphard throws an overhand right that lands on Henderson's shoulder, as Henderson tries to avoid the shot.
Henderson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Frank Lamphard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lamphard looks to land a right hand but Henderson moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lamphard lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Henderson slips under a jab from Lamphard.
Lamphard throws a looping overhand right but Henderson ducks down to avoid it.
Henderson is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Lamphard throws out a powerful jab.
Lamphard throws a lazy right hand but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice side step and Henderson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Lamphard throws a body shot but no joy.
Henderson walks into a straight right hand from Lamphard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lamphard tries to bum rush Henderson with a series of wild strikes but Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lamphard cracks Henderson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lamphard. Henderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lamphard swings widly with a right hand

and Henderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lamphard won't be happy with that.
Henderson tries to score with some ground and pound. Lamphard controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Henderson working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Lamphard is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lamphard parries the strikes from Henderson easily there. Henderson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lamphard to escape.
Henderson cracks Lamphard with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Henderson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Henderson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lamphard on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
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!
Lamphard is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Henderson tries to score with some ground and pound. Lamphard controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Henderson is working Lamphard over with some ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Lamphard had his way with Chael Henderson in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lamphard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Henderson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lamphard's guard.
Lamphard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Lamphard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson landing with the ground and pound.
Henderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Lamphard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson is working Lamphard over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lamphard being controlled here, momentarily.
Henderson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Henderson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Henderson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Henderson passes Lamphard's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Henderson trying to control from half guard but Lamphard is working away.
Frank Lamphard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Henderson moves nicely into side control.
Henderson grinds an elbow into Lamphard's temple.
Henderson in side control lands a decent elbow.

Henderson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lamphard knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Henderson just content to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Henderson.
Check out the look on Henderson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Chael Henderson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
An elbow from Henderson crashes against the mat.
Sloppy strikes there by Henderson.
An elbow from Henderson crashes against the mat.
Henderson wants to control but Lamphard is keeping him busy.
Henderson is putting a hurting on Lamphard here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lamphard is not content to let Henderson control the position.
Henderson working the ground and pound from side control.
Henderson wants to control but Lamphard is keeping him busy.
Lamphard takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Henderson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Henderson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lamphard to see if he's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chael Henderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Henderson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 45:49
Judge William Gold scores the fight 45:49
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chael Henderson!
Chael Henderson is the new middleweight champion!