PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and QL Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!QL Hicks has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Henderson
vs
Hicks

177 cm
25
175 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
186 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Henderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, QL Hicks!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Henderson misses the shot to the body.
Hicks takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hicks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Henderson.
Henderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hicks.
Hicks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Hicks.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Henderson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A combination from Hicks does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henderson. Hicks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hicks scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Henderson misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hicks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson.
Henderson swings for the body but Hicks moves out of range.
Matt Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Hicks staying out of range there.
Henderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henderson throws out a loose jab but Hicks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Henderson looks to land a right hand but Hicks moved out of range.
Henderson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hicks.
Henderson scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Henderson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hicks needs to keep his hands up - Henderson had a free shot at his head there.
Hicks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Henderson doesn't manage to clinch there - Hicks circles away.
Henderson throws a right hand that Hicks ducks under and follows up with a left that Hicks also avoids with ease.
Henderson shoots in for a double leg but Hicks sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Henderson throws a shot from downtown. Hicks moves away and avoids it.
Henderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hicks moves away.
Hicks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Hicks.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Henderson sprawls well. Henderson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hicks gets slowly back to his feet.
Henderson moves in looking to clinch but Hicks pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Hicks misses its intended target.
Henderson moves away from the strike by Hicks.
Hicks slips a straight right by Henderson.
Hicks misses with a looping right.
Hicks throws a body punch but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Henderson throws the left hand but Hicks avoids the punch easily.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Henderson but Henderson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hicks throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four 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.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hicks.
Matt Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of QL Hicks.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Henderson!
Hicks swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Henderson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hicks's head backwards.
Hicks looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.
Henderson misses with a looping right.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Henderson fails with the takedown
and Henderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Henderson throws a hook but Hicks avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Henderson dominated that round.
That's time! Henderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Matt Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson tries to clinch but Hicks moves out of range.
Hicks throws a shot from downtown. Henderson moves away and avoids it.
Henderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Henderson lands a jab-cross combination.
Henderson slips under a jab.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hicks.
Henderson tries to clinch but Hicks moves out of range.
Henderson moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Henderson moves out of range as Hicks strikes.
Hicks is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Henderson slips a jab from Hicks.
Nice shot by Henderson.
Henderson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hicks lands a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Hicks checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Henderson shoots and misses
and Hicks counters with a nice body shot.
Hicks lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hicks lands with an uppercut that bounces Henderson off the cage and back into rage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hicks works the jab nicely.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches.
Hicks has Henderson pressed against the cage, preventing Henderson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hicks is trying to force a seperation but Henderson has the dominant position.
Hicks stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hicks wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Hicks breaks the clinch.
Hicks works over Henderson's head and body with a nice combination.
Henderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Henderson drops his hands momentarily and Hicks takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hicks. Henderson does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hicks moves away.
Henderson tries to clinch up.
A jab from Henderson finds it's way through Hicks's defenses.
Hicks throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson.
Nice uppercut lands for Hicks. That snapped Henderson's head back.
Henderson looks to land a left hand but Hicks moved out of range nicely.
Hicks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
A big right from Henderson misses.
Hicks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.
Hicks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henderson circles away.
No luck for Hicks with that takedown attempt.
Matt Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of QL Hicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Henderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Henderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson tries to clinch
letting Hicks counter with a right hand.
Hicks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hicks wants it to stay on the feet.
Henderson misses with a double jab
and Hicks counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Henderson thinking.

Hicks 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.
Henderson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hicks trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Matt Henderson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Henderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hicks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Henderson lands a really nice looking cross but Hicks seems unphased.
A swing and a miss from Henderson.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hicks.

Henderson has closed the distance and engaged Hicks in a clinch.
Hicks tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hicks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Henderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Henderson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hicks makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henderson looks to land a right hand but Hicks moved out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Henderson. No joy for Hicks on that attempt.
Hicks lands a right hook to the body.
Henderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Matt Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of QL Hicks.
Hicks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henderson circles away.

Hicks tries to keep at a distance but Henderson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Henderson tries to break free but Hicks pushes him back against the cage.
Hicks keeps control of Henderson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Henderson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hicks fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Henderson throws a chopping leg kick but Hicks manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Henderson digs a good body shot into Hicks's ribs.
Henderson lands with a straight right. Hicks didn't see that one coming.
Henderson tries to clinch up.
Henderson cracks Hicks with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Hicks.
Henderson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hicks is looking to score with low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Henderson misses the target.
Hicks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Henderson defends it nicely.
Hicks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Hicks misses with a shot to the body
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.
Henderson lands a head shot.
Hicks throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Henderson counters with a three punch combo that has Hicks backing up. Hicks nods at Henderson to acknowledge the strikes.
Hicks takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Henderson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hicks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Henderson misses.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Henderson throws a shot to the body.
Henderson tries to clinch but Hicks moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Henderson.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hicks throws out a leg kick but Henderson moves out of range and Hicks only half commits.
Hicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
Henderson tests Hicks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slow jab from Henderson misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Henderson clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Henderson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Henderson clinches but Hicks breaks the clinch
enabling Hicks to counter with a crisp jab.
Hicks just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hicks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hicks throws a predictable looking body shot
and Henderson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Henderson throws a shot to the body.

Henderson instigates a clinch.

Henderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Henderson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Henderson blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hicks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Hicks or perhaps it was just good defense by Henderson which made him look bad.
Matt Henderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Henderson wants to clinch up but Hicks keeps it at a distance.
Henderson lands a jab to Hicks's midsection.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Henderson scores with a punch to the head.
A big right from Henderson misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson misses with an uppercut. Hicks saw that one coming.
Hicks takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Henderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson.
Henderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hicks throws a push kick but Henderson slaps the foot to one side.
Hicks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
A telegraphed right hand from Hicks misses the target.
Hicks misses with a body punch
and Henderson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Henderson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hicks.
Henderson leaves Hicks with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson scores with a nice strike.
Hicks slips a straight right by Henderson.
Henderson throws a nice looking combination but Hicks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Henderson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hicks has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Hicks circles away.
Hicks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.
Hicks misses with a wild body shot.
Henderson throws out a powerful jab.
Henderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Henderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Matt Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of QL Hicks.
Hicks misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Hicks misses with a head kick.
Hicks takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Henderson sprawls well. Henderson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hicks gets slowly back to his feet.
Hicks is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hicks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Henderson.
Nice straight punches there by Henderson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Henderson.
Henderson misses with a looping right.
Hicks tries to land a leg kick but Henderson saw it coming and moves away.
Henderson slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Henderson had his way with QL Hicks in that round.
That's time! Henderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hicks tries to move into range but Henderson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Henderson tests Hicks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hicks lands a nice shot to the body.
Henderson tries to clinch up.
Hicks throws a jab when Henderson was well out of range.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hicks counters with a two punch combo.
Henderson throws a hook but Hicks blocks it.
Hicks throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Henderson counters by moving into the clinch.
Hicks tries for a takedown. No joy.
Henderson wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Henderson throws an overhand right that lands on Hicks's shoulder, as Hicks tries to avoid the shot.
Hicks moves away from the strike by Henderson.
Hicks misses the jab.
Henderson cracks Hicks with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hicks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Henderson wants to clinch but Hicks slips to the side
and Hicks counters with a series of strikes. Henderson will be more careful next time no doubt.
A cross from Hicks lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a jab to the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Henderson wants to clinch
and Hicks counters with a good, hard body kick but Henderson shrugs it off.
Henderson throws out a leg kick but Hicks moves out of range and Henderson only half commits.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Henderson gets caught flat footed, as Hicks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hicks won't allow Henderson to sweep him here.
Hicks scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Henderson wants to sweep here but Hicks controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.
Hicks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henderson is looking to stand up but Hicks isn't so interested in that idea.
Hicks is pushing down on Henderson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Henderson is fighting to maintain full guard but Hicks has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hicks is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Henderson kicks Hicks off and gets back to his feet.
Henderson lands a nice shot that snaps Hicks's head back.
Hicks misses with a jab to the body
and Henderson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
QL Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson missing with a left hand there. Hicks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Henderson misses with a takedown attempt
and Hicks counters with a nice uppercut.
Henderson looks to throw the jab but Hicks is out of range.
Jab, jab by Henderson - just one landing.
Hicks drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Henderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henderson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Henderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Henderson throws a hook to the side of Hicks's head but Hicks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matt Henderson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Henderson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Henderson!
Matt Henderson retains his welterweight title!