PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ben Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeb Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jeb Russell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Henderson
vs
Russell

172 cm
24
164 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

167 cm
25
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeb Russell!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Henderson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Russell is trying to defend but Henderson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Russell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Henderson.
Russell is looking for a sweep. Henderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Russell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Henderson.
Russell wants to get back to full 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 wants to work for an arm triangle but Russell is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Russell is not content to let Henderson control the position.

Henderson seems to be working for a kimura but Russell defends the submission attempt.
Russell wants to control but Henderson is keeping busy.
Henderson slows the pace down in half guard.
Henderson is keen to just control but Russell is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Russell defending well though.
Russell is looking for a sweep. Henderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Henderson wants to control but Russell is keeping him busy.
Henderson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Russell trying to hold on to Henderson's head to control him but Henderson postures up.
Henderson tries to pass to full mount but Russell defends it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Henderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Russell's waist but Russell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henderson off to one side.
Russell lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Russell. Henderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Russell.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Henderson is defended easily by Russell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson motions for Russell to come forward. Henderson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Russell thows a body shot but no joy.
Henderson shoots in for a double leg but Russell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell scores with a leg kick.
Russell misses the shot to the body.
Russell with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Russell.
Russell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from Russell.

Henderson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Russell was covering up waiting for the punch and Henderson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Henderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Russell is retaining full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Henderson controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throwing strikes but missing.
Henderson trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Henderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Russell is retaining full guard.
Henderson trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell has momentary wrist control but Henderson slips an elbow through the middle.
Henderson throwing strikes from guard but Russell blocks nicely.
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russell is keeping the position for now.
Henderson trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Henderson stopping the sweep attempt from Russell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.
Russell keeping full guard, as Henderson tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Henderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Russell's waist but Russell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henderson off to one side.
A chopping leg kick lands by Russell.
Russell lands a leg kick that knocks Henderson off balance momentarily.
Russell is looking to clinch but Henderson is avoiding it.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Russell.
Henderson throws a head kick but Russell moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Henderson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Russell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Russell takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Henderson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Russell scores with a kick to the midsection.
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 Ben 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.

Russell scoring well with a low kick there.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Russell. No joy for Henderson on that attempt.
Russell lands with a kick to the ribs.
Jeb Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Henderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Russell gets full guard.
Russell wants to stand up but Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell wants to sweep but no luck.
Henderson trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell trying to keep a closed guard but Henderson is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson chips away with some ground and pound.
Henderson postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Russell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ben Henderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Henderson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Russell is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Henderson, into his guard.
Russell wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
Russell is working Henderson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Russell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Russell trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.
Russell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russell tries to free his leg and advance position but Henderson is retaining full guard.

Henderson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Henderson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Henderson's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Russell from controlling successfully.
Russell throws a big right hand that misses.
Russell is looking to work some ground and pound but Henderson has wrist control.

Henderson looking for a guillotine here but Russell defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Russell postures up.
Russell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Russell working Henderson over with strikes.
Henderson tries to roll over but Russell keeps him under control.
Henderson pushes Russell off looking to stand but Russell dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Russell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Henderson is staying active underneath Russell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Russell prevents Henderson from improving his position.
Russell scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Henderson is defending well.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet.

Russell is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Henderson defends it well.
Henderson tries to get to full guard but Russell has control of the leg.

Henderson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell wants to take a breather but Henderson is having none of it.
Russell working over Henderson with some ground and pound. Henderson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Henderson is looking to escape.
Russell lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Russell lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Henderson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Russell.
Henderson is looking to escape.
Henderson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jeb Russell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Russell stuffs the takedown attempt from Henderson. Henderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Henderson takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Henderson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Russell is defending against the submission attempts here by Henderson.
Russell trying to hold on to Henderson's head to control him but Henderson postures up.
Henderson wants to pass the guard but Russell is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Russell is looking for a sweep. Henderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson wants to take a breather but Russell is having none of it.
Russell wants to control but Henderson is keeping busy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jeb Russell hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A combination from Russell does no damage.
Henderson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Russell lets loose with a powerful body kick. Henderson will feel that in the morning.
A head kick misses from Russell.
Russell stuffs the takedown attempt from Henderson. Henderson gets slowly back to his feet.
A left lands for Russell.
Henderson motions for Russell to come forward. Henderson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Russell.
Henderson shoots in but Russell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Henderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Russell dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Henderson. That did some damage!
Russell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Henderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Russell fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Henderson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Henderson throws a sloppy head kick
and Russell counters with a leg kick.
Henderson walks into a straight right hand from Russell.
Henderson closes the distance and clinches up with Russell, looking for a takedown. Henderson pushes Russell against the cage but Russell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Russell moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Henderson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Russell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russell lands a nice leg kick that just misses Henderson's sensitive parts.
Ben Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Russell connects with a leg kick. Henderson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Russell.
A nice inside leg kick there by Russell. That's going to slow Henderson down.

Henderson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Russell's guard.
Russell is trying to keep Henderson in close.
Henderson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Russell's guard.
Russell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Russell.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Russell keeps moving.
Henderson pushing down on Russell's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Henderson is looking for a kimura here.
Henderson trying to control from half guard but Russell is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to control Henderson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Russell avoid being mounted?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Henderson trying to pass the guard but Russell defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson prevents Russell from improving his position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Henderson throws a head kick but Russell moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeb Russell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Russell 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeb Russell!
A very excited looking Jeb Russell made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.