PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rickson GURGEL (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

GURGEL
vs
Henderson

193 cm
20
202 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rickson GURGEL!
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, Dan Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson shoots in and drives through. GURGEL sprawls well.
GURGEL takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Henderson tries to clinch up.
GURGEL throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henderson's waist but Henderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing GURGEL off to one side.
A head kick misses from Henderson.
GURGEL tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
GURGEL shoots for a takedown but Henderson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
GURGEL looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Henderson is fending him off so far but GURGEL persists. Nope, Henderson circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson GURGEL. That's going to take a lot out of him.
GURGEL moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
GURGEL shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
GURGEL will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

GURGEL tries to keep at a distance but Henderson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Henderson landing knees to the head.

It looks like Rickson GURGEL has been cut.
Knees in the clinch landing for Henderson.
GURGEL is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson displaying some good clinch control by pressing GURGEL up against the cage.

Henderson manages to pull guard.

Henderson is looking for a triangle but GURGEL pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson tries to strike from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Henderson is on top in guard.
Henderson stopping the sweep attempt from GURGEL.

Henderson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Henderson trying to control but GURGEL is working from the bottom.
GURGEL is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.
Henderson trying to control but GURGEL is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Henderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but GURGEL is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
GURGEL takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Henderson drives through and clinches with GURGEL against the cage.
Henderson crunches a lovely knee into GURGEL's ribcage.
Henderson landing knees to the body.

Henderson decides to pull guard.
GURGEL trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.
Henderson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
GURGEL wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Henderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. GURGEL looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Henderson! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Dan Henderson!