PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dan Henderson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Henderson
vs
Drago

185 cm
25
215 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

182 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

FNF Energy - (Sale!)

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drago clinches up against the cage.
Henderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago tries a knee to the head but Henderson blocks it.
Drago dodges an elbow strike from Henderson.
Henderson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Drago drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Drago connects with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Henderson obliges.
Drago avoids a wild elbow strike from Henderson.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Drago throws an elbow but it misses.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Henderson scores a nice knee to the body.
Drago looks gassed!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Drago's face.
Henderson managing to block the knees to the body from Drago.
Henderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Drago.
Henderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Henderson.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Henderson landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Drago pulls Henderson into guard.
Henderson won't allow Drago to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

Henderson gets to his feet. Drago looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Henderson wants to clinch
and Drago counters with a solid body kick.
Henderson shoots for a takedown but Drago saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Drago misses with a two punch combination.
Henderson looks to clinch
enabling Drago to counter with a crisp jab.
Henderson tries to clinch
and Drago counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two 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.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt

and Drago counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Drago working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Henderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Drago is controlling him.
Drago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Henderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Drago is aware though and is defending well.
Drago content to stall in guard here.
Drago stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Henderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Drago accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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 is looking for a triangle but Drago pushes his legs off easily.
Henderson wants to stand but Drago is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.

Drago decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Henderson, up you get!
A punch lands to the side of Drago 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Henderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Drago tries to sprawl out of it but Henderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Drago manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Drago looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Henderson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Drago pulls his head out easily.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Drago looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Drago thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Henderson tries to kick Drago off but Drago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Drago prevents Henderson from improving his position.
Henderson won't allow Drago to pass to mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Henderson tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Henderson with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Drago counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Drago looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dan Henderson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Henderson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Drago counters with a takedown into side control.
Henderson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ivan Drago has got the better of the ground game so far.
Drago in side control lands a decent elbow.
Henderson is not content to let Drago control the position.
Drago is chipping away with strikes.
Henderson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Drago stands up.
Henderson tries to clinch up
and Drago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Henderson tries to clinch up

and Drago counters with a nice double leg into side control. Henderson won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drago working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Drago landing a few strikes.

Henderson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Henderson misses with the combination.
Drago scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Henderson wants to clinch but Drago slips to the side

and Drago counters by clinching up.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Henderson lands an elbow inside that Drago shrugs off.
Henderson crunches a lovely knee into Drago's ribcage.
Drago blocks an elbow strike from Henderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Henderson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Drago's brow.
Drago stalling in the clinch but Henderson improves position.

Drago jumps guard.

Henderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Henderson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Drago dives on top into guard.
Henderson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Drago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Drago trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Henderson looking for a guillotine here but Drago defends easily.
Drago won't allow Henderson to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Drago scoring with punches to the head and body.

Henderson has an active guard here but Drago has managed to pass into half guard.
Henderson pushes Drago off looking to stand but Drago dives back in and keeps control.
Drago not doing much here.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.

Drago stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Henderson to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Drago has managed to clinch.
Drago tries to land knees in the clinch but Henderson avoids the damage to the body.
Henderson landing knees to the body.
Henderson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Drago avoids a wild elbow strike from Henderson.
A knee to the head by Drago.
Henderson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Drago lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Drago misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Henderson.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Drago taking a breather.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dan Henderson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Henderson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Drago lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Henderson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Henderson is defending well for now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago jumps guard but Henderson stands there with Drago around his waist. Drago gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.

Drago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Drago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Henderson shoots in but no luck this time.
Henderson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Drago counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Henderson's guard now.

Drago is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Henderson wants to stand but Drago is controlling the position.
Drago controls from within his opponent's guard.
Drago throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drago loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henderson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Henderson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Henderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henderson blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson connects with a knee to the head.
Drago lands a knee to the head.
Henderson misses with an elbow strike.
Drago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Drago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Henderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Drago tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Henderson smiles and moves away.
Drago throws a nice head kick!
Henderson looks to clinch
and Drago counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Henderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drago swivels and escapes.
Drago misses with a head kick.
Drago slaps away a takedown attempt from Henderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt
and Drago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

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.
Nice shot lands for Drago.
Henderson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Drago counters by moving into the clinch.
Henderson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Henderson dodges an elbow strike from Drago.
Drago with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Henderson with a knee to the head.
Drago has Henderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Henderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Henderson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Drago's defenses.
Henderson being controlled against the cage.
Henderson connects with a knee to the head.
Henderson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Henderson misses with a knee to the head.
Henderson tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago lands a hook to the side of the head.
Drago tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson lands a knee to the head.
Drago controlling the action here for a moment.
Henderson misses with a knee strike.
Henderson looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Henderson has him pressed against the cage.
Henderson lands a knee to the head.
Henderson trying to land knees to the body.
Drago is stalling here.
Henderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Henderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Henderson is defending well for now.

Drago has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Henderson uses from the top position.

Henderson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Drago, up you get!
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Henderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Drago with a knee to the head.
Drago changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Henderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson tries to clinch

and Drago counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Henderson!
Drago is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Henderson's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
The referee warns Henderson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.
Henderson is in a horrible position here. Drago smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Henderson tries to buck Drago off but he can't manage it.
Drago unloading with bombs!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Drago comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Drago 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Drago!