PBP Commentary

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

MacPherson
vs
Henderson

165 cm
23
145 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

175 cm
27
155 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Only MacPherson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Benson Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MacPherson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Henderson stopping the sweep attempt from MacPherson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Henderson 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 drops back, looking for a kneebar! MacPherson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. MacPherson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from MacPherson!
A lull in the action here as MacPherson stalls from top position.
MacPherson wants to stand but Henderson has his arm trapped.
Henderson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked MacPherson off and has taken his back!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacPherson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Henderson has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, MacPherson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Henderson is looking for the choke from the back position but MacPherson is controlling his hands well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Henderson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. MacPherson knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften MacPherson for a finish.

Henderson looking for the choke from the back.
MacPherson can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson doesn't have the hooks in and MacPherson manages to turn into his guard.
MacPherson trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.
MacPherson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
MacPherson is looking to stand up but Henderson won't let him.

Henderson working for a triangle but MacPherson defends it easily.

Henderson working for a triangle but MacPherson defends it easily.
MacPherson trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MacPherson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Henderson's guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacPherson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
MacPherson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Henderson's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacPherson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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

Henderson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
MacPherson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Henderson on the ground.
MacPherson wants to stand but Henderson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Henderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. MacPherson is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henderson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MacPherson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacPherson is looking to stand up but Henderson won't let him.

Henderson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead MacPherson passes into side control.
Henderson regains half guard.
Henderson looks gassed!
MacPherson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Henderson keeps working.

Henderson looking for submissions off his back.

Henderson looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
MacPherson trying to control the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Henderson dodges the punch combination from MacPherson.
MacPherson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
MacPherson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Only MacPherson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MacPherson tries to avoid it but Henderson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MacPherson to the ground. MacPherson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No luck for Henderson with that takedown attempt.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MacPherson.
MacPherson throws a series of punches but Henderson moves out of range.
MacPherson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Henderson dives in and grabs MacPherson's left leg, looking for a takedown. MacPherson pushes down on Henderson's head and hops out.
Only MacPherson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benson Henderson.
MacPherson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
MacPherson scores with a body shot.
Henderson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
MacPherson is looking to improve his position.
MacPherson is working hard here to advance position.

Henderson is looking for a kimura but MacPherson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Henderson to get the leverage.
MacPherson won't allow Henderson to pass to mount.
MacPherson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for MacPherson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is not content to let MacPherson control the position.
Henderson tries to bench press MacPherson off him but MacPherson keeps the position.

MacPherson decides to stand back up. MacPherson steps back and let's Henderson get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacPherson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
MacPherson wants to clinch up but Henderson keeps it at a distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from MacPherson.
Only MacPherson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from MacPherson.
Henderson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? MacPherson is fending him off so far but Henderson persists. Nope, MacPherson circles away and we're back to standing.
MacPherson throws a series of punches but Henderson avoids them all with ease.
MacPherson fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacPherson throws a series of punches but Henderson moves out of range.
MacPherson throws a nice looking combination but Henderson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Some wild striking there from MacPherson.
Henderson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Henderson looks for a takedown but MacPherson sprawls well.
MacPherson jabs Henderson right on the nose. Henderson blinks but takes it well.
MacPherson looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.
MacPherson lands a two punch combo.
MacPherson misses with a jab, cross combination.
MacPherson looks to land a combination. Henderson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
MacPherson lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by MacPherson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MacPherson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Henderson eats them both and turns towards MacPherson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
MacPherson stuffs the takedown.
MacPherson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A nice combination there by MacPherson.
Henderson swats away the attempt to clinch by MacPherson.
Henderson has his takedown stuffed
and MacPherson counters with a series of strikes. Henderson will be more careful next time no doubt.
A left and a right from MacPherson both land. Nice combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacPherson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacPherson misses with a two punch combination.
Henderson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Only MacPherson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Henderson dodges the punch combination from MacPherson.
MacPherson throws a one two combo.
MacPherson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Crunch! MacPherson slams his shin into Henderson's torso.
MacPherson throws a nice looking combination but Henderson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from MacPherson misses.
Henderson fails with the takedown
and MacPherson counters with a thumping low kick.
MacPherson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Only MacPherson is winning the standup battle so far.

MacPherson clinches up with Henderson and pushes him back against the cage.
MacPherson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Henderson wants to take the fight to the mat but MacPherson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Henderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

MacPherson breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacPherson slaps away a takedown attempt from Henderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Only MacPherson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benson Henderson.
Henderson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Henderson there as he acknowledges the shot.
MacPherson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
MacPherson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Henderson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
MacPherson scores with a nice head shot.

MacPherson clinches up against the cage.
MacPherson pushes Henderson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

MacPherson manages to break the clinch.
Henderson takes one to the chin there.
Henderson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
MacPherson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacPherson tries to bum rush Henderson with a series of wild strikes but Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
MacPherson throws a right and a left that Henderson avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacPherson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but MacPherson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
MacPherson scores with a three punch combo!

Henderson is rocked!
MacPherson clobbers Henderson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Henderson is still on wobbly legs! Can MacPherson finish him?
MacPherson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
MacPherson looks to land a combination. Henderson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
MacPherson fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops Henderson to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! Henderson looks to clinch but MacPherson throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! Henderson taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Only MacPherson!
Only MacPherson spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.