PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Otto Kaikkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kaikkonen's choice of entrance music: Duran Duran - WIld Boys. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Henderson
vs
Kaikkonen

185 cm
24
210 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

187 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Otto Kaikkonen!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaikkonen throws a right hand that Henderson ducks under and follows up with a left that Henderson also avoids with ease.
Henderson scores with a nice right hand.
Kaikkonen shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kaikkonen misses with a body shot.
Kaikkonen shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense.
Kaikkonen shoots in but no luck this time.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Otto Kaikkonen.
Kaikkonen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kaikkonen is looking to clinch but Henderson is avoiding it.
A punch combination from Henderson misses.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch up but Henderson circles away and keeps his distance.

Henderson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henderson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson wants to pass the guard but Kaikkonen is keeping the position.
Henderson trying to control but Kaikkonen is working from the bottom.
Kaikkonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Kaikkonen keeps moving.
Kaikkonen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Henderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson pushing down on Kaikkonen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kaikkonen pushes Henderson off looking to stand but Henderson dives back in and keeps control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Henderson feints and as Kaikkonen raises his hands in defense, Henderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Henderson 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.
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kaikkonen is keeping the position for now.
Henderson landing some decent shots from guard.
Henderson works over Kaikkonen with some ground and pound from guard.
Henderson stands up over Kaikkonen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henderson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henderson works over Kaikkonen with some ground and pound from guard.
Henderson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Henderson with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kaikkonen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kaikkonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Henderson sprawls well. He's pushed Kaikkonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Henderson keeps the fight on the outside.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch up but Henderson circles away and keeps his distance.
Henderson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Henderson tries to score with a low kick but Kaikkonen moves his leg out of the way.
Henderson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Henderson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Henderson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Henderson showed some decent athleticism there.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Henderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Henderson thows a huge punch but Kaikkonen dodges it nicely.
Kaikkonen is staying active underneath Henderson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Henderson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kaikkonen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Henderson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kaikkonen is trying to stand up here but Henderson is controlling him well.
Henderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kaikkonen's head.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Henderson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Henderson.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch up.
Henderson's corner calls for a 1-2. Henderson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Henderson scores a takedown into full mount!
Henderson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kaikkonen?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Henderson lands a nice shot to the head.
Henderson with shots to the head and body - Kaikkonen looks very uncomfortable down there.
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!
Kaikkonen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
A nice elbow there by Henderson.
Henderson with shots to the head and body - Kaikkonen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Henderson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kaikkonen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Henderson controlling from the full mount.
Henderson is landing with some decent strikes but Kaikkonen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Henderson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kaikkonen because Henderson loaded up on that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Henderson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Henderson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kaikkonen checks it well.

Henderson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Kaikkonen has wrist control.
Kaikkonen wants to stand up but Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Henderson throwing strikes but missing.
Kaikkonen keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson prevents Kaikkonen from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Henderson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Henderson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kaikkonen!
Henderson landing punches.
Henderson dominating with strikes here.
BOOM! Henderson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Henderson breaks from Kaikkonen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
A nice elbow there by Henderson.
Kaikkonen is working to get back to half guard.
Henderson working the ground and pound effectively.
Henderson tries to control but Kaikkonen wriggling away.
Kaikkonen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Kaikkonen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Henderson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Henderson lands a heavy elbow.
Henderson lands a nice shot to the head.
Henderson wants to control but instead Kaikkonen manages to regain half guard.
Kaikkonen pushes Henderson off looking to stand but Henderson dives back in and keeps control.
Henderson wants to free his trapped foot but Kaikkonen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Henderson wants to control but Kaikkonen is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Henderson trying to advance position but Kaikkonen counters by regaining guard.
Henderson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kaikkonen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kaikkonen is looking to stand up but Henderson isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kaikkonen wants to clinch up but Henderson keeps it at a distance.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch but Henderson is having none of it.

Henderson feints and as Kaikkonen raises his hands in defense, Henderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dan Henderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Henderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Henderson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kaikkonen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kaikkonen keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Kaikkonen has wrist control.
Kaikkonen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Henderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Henderson trying to control but Kaikkonen is working from the bottom.
Henderson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Henderson throws a series of punches but Kaikkonen moves out of range.
Kaikkonen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch up.
Henderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Kaikkonen, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kaikkonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Henderson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Henderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kaikkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Henderson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Henderson misses with a takedown attempt
and Kaikkonen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Henderson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Henderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Henderson prevents Kaikkonen from getting back to his feet.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kaikkonen keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Kaikkonen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kaikkonen stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Henderson to get to his feet.
Kaikkonen wants to clinch up but Henderson keeps it at a distance.
Henderson looks for a takedown but Kaikkonen sprawls well.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaikkonen shoots in looking for a takedown. Henderson tries to sprawl out of it but Kaikkonen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Henderson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kaikkonen walks into a straight right hand from Henderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Poor strikes thrown by Henderson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Henderson trying to control but Kaikkonen is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Kaikkonen really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Henderson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kaikkonen looks a forlorn figure.
Henderson scoring with strikes but Kaikkonen is staying in there.
Henderson looking to control but Kaikkonen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kaikkonen 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Kaikkonen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Henderson.
Poor strikes thrown by Henderson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kaikkonen is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Henderson lands with some strikes.
Kaikkonen is looking to improve his position but Henderson isn't that keen on the idea.
Henderson is landing with some decent strikes but Kaikkonen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Henderson with good strikes from the mount here!
Kaikkonen wants to hold on but Henderson pushes him away.
Henderson with a couple of short strikes.
Kaikkonen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Henderson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Henderson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kaikkonen hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kaikkonen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Henderson lands a nice shot to the head.
A nice elbow there by Henderson.
Kaikkonen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Henderson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Henderson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Henderson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Henderson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Henderson working Kaikkonen over with strikes here.
Henderson with the ground and pound from mount.
Henderson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Henderson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Henderson lands a big shot there that rocks Kaikkonen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Henderson landing strikes from the mount.
Henderson lands a big shot there that rocks Kaikkonen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Henderson.
Henderson won't let Kaikkonen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Henderson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Otto Kaikkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaikkonen throwing hammer fists to the chest of Henderson. What's that going to do exactly?
Henderson is landing with some decent strikes but Kaikkonen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kaikkonen is trying desperately to improve position.
Henderson with a couple of short strikes.
Henderson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kaikkonen is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Henderson!