PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Van Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and shane Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Van Henderson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Van Henderson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Henderson
vs
Johnson

180 cm
21
190 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

183 cm
21
189 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Van Henderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, shane Johnson!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in 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.
Henderson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Henderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing Henderson from standing up.
Henderson looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Henderson is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Henderson controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Johnson stands and throws Henderson's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson throws Johnson to one side and escapes!
Johnson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Henderson.
Henderson feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
Henderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Johnson's waist but Johnson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henderson off to one side.
Johnson scores with a nice body kick.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Henderson moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.

Henderson forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson fails to pull guard.
Johnson tries to score a body lock takedown but Henderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Henderson won't allow it.
Van Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of shane Johnson.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Henderson controls the action.
Henderson wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
Henderson tries to break free but Johnson pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Henderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Henderson counters with a head kick.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters circle momentarily. Henderson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Henderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Henderson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Van Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Johnson.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.

Henderson moves into the clinch.

Henderson breaks the clinch.
Johnson throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Henderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Henderson is chipping away with strikes.
Johnson tries to escape but Henderson is in control.
Johnson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Henderson off and has taken his back!
Henderson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Henderson is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.
Henderson is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson avoids the body shot from Henderson.

Henderson takes the fight into the clinch.

Henderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Henderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Henderson.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Henderson holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Henderson has him pressed against the cage.
Henderson lands with a short shot to the head.
Johnson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Henderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Henderson throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.

Henderson clinches with his opponent.
Johnson tries to stall but Henderson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Henderson breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson connects with a crisp jab.
Johnson 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 Johnson off to one side.
Van Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of shane Johnson.
Henderson is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Henderson tries to clinch up.

Henderson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Henderson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Johnson looks to throw a body kick

and Henderson counters with a single leg into guard. Johnson didn't expect that.
Henderson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Johnson is defending against the submission attempts here by Henderson.
Henderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Henderson uses his free foot to push down on Johnson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Johnson.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson is bucking up trying to escape but Henderson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Henderson looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Johnson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Henderson with the ground and pound from mount.
Johnson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Henderson is landing with some decent strikes but Johnson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Henderson unloading with bombs!
Henderson raining down shots from the mount!

Johnson defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Henderson.
Henderson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Henderson tries to control but Johnson wriggling away.
Henderson lands a big shot there that rocks Johnson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
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 jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Johnson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Johnson and Henderson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Henderson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Henderson throws a head kick that misses.
Henderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Henderson circles away easily

and Henderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Johnson is trying to stall.

Henderson breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Henderson has managed to clinch.
Johnson trying to stall but Henderson improves his position.
Johnson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Henderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Henderson smiles and moves away.
Van Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of shane Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Van Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Henderson tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Henderson to the ground. Henderson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Henderson scores with a takedown into Johnson's guard.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Henderson defends it easily.

Johnson working for submissions but it's allowed Henderson to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson controlling the action here.
Henderson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

Henderson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Henderson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is not content to let Henderson control the position.
Van Henderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Henderson thows a huge punch but Johnson dodges it nicely.
Henderson controlling the action here.
Johnson manages to get to full guard.
Henderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson can't keep his opponent in guard - Henderson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Henderson decides to stand and escape the position.

Henderson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but Henderson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Johnson trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Henderson clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Johnson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Henderson.

Henderson moves into the clinch.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Henderson is keeping busy.
Johnson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Henderson walks away with a smile on his face. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Henderson fights it but they end up in guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Henderson misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Henderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Henderson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Johnson is pulling down on Henderson's head. It's preventing any offense from Henderson, at least for the moment.
Henderson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Henderson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Henderson wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Henderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Johnson gets to his feet - Henderson follows without any prompting.
Johnson shoots and misses
and Henderson counters with a low kick, right behind Johnson 's knee.
Van Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of shane Johnson.

Henderson drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.

Henderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Henderson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Henderson lands in his opponent's guard.

Henderson stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.
Henderson tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Johnson trying to hold on to Henderson's head to control him but Henderson postures up.
Henderson wants to stand but Johnson has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Johnson has one foot on Henderson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Henderson has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Henderson won't allow it.
Henderson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnson or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henderson is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.

Henderson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Johnson!
Johnson is looking to get to half guard.
Henderson with the ground and pound from mount.
Henderson dominating with strikes here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Johnson is looking to escape.
Henderson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Henderson had his way with shane Johnson in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Henderson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Johnson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Henderson is looking to stand back up but Johnson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Henderson.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Henderson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Henderson is looking to control Johnson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Henderson avoid being mounted?
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Henderson is not content to let Johnson control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Henderson is trying to stand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Henderson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Henderson throws out a leg kick but Johnson moves out of range and Henderson only half commits.

Henderson shoots in and bounces Johnson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Henderson stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Henderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Henderson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Henderson prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Henderson is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.
Henderson is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Henderson is controlling him well.

Henderson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnson sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Henderson fails with the takedown.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.

Henderson closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Henderson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson tries to score a body lock takedown but Henderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Henderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Johnson is pushing Henderson's head away, looking to escape. Henderson manages to hold on to the position though.

Henderson stands up and beckons Johnson to his feet.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
shane Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Henderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Van Henderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Van Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Henderson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Van Henderson!
Van Henderson retains his middleweight title!