PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frans Hougard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cowboy Henry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cowboy Henry has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Frans Hougard's chin.

Hougard
vs
Henry

170 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
29
185 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Frans Hougard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cowboy Henry!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick by Hougard misses
and Henry counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Henry fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hougard.
A swing and a miss from Henry.
Henry fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Henry throws a low kick but Hougard avoids it.
Hougard tries to clinch but Henry moves out of range.
Hougard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Henry swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Henry 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henry postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Henry throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henry loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henry lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hougard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Henry preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henry throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henry working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hougard's head.
Henry wants to pass the guard but Hougard is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hougard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hougard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hougard is trying to keep Henry in close.
Hougard seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hougard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Frans Hougard wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hougard takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Henry scores with a jab to the jaw.
Henry lands a body shot.
A slow jab from Henry misses its intended target.
Henry fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hougard checks it well.
Hougard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henry.
Henry looks to land a combination but Hougard avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henry throws a right and a left that both miss.
Henry throws a jab but it's blocked by Hougard.
Henry shoots for a takedown but Hougard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Hougard gets caught napping as Henry dives in and scores a takedown. Hougard manages to retain guard.
Hougard pulls Henry in close to his closed guard and prevents Henry from doing any damage or advancing position.
Henry stands up over Hougard, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Henry in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hougard is pulling down on Henry's head to control his posture.
Henry prevents Hougard from getting back to his feet.
Hougard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Henry is one step ahead there.
Henry throws a big right hand that misses.
Hougard trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Frans Hougard wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Hougard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hougard misses with a knee to the head.
Henry tries to break free but Hougard pushes him back against the cage.

Henry breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hougard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Henry avoids the head kick by Hougard.
Henry paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hougard avoids the head kick by Henry.
Hougard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Henry was well out of range. Poor timing from Hougard.
Hougard checks a leg kick nicely.
Henry jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Hougard 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Cowboy Henry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henry fails with a takedown attempt.
Henry is looking to score with low kicks.
Henry with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hougard counters with a head kick. That will keep Henry thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Frans Hougard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cowboy Henry.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hougard blocks a head kick by Henry.
A looping hook to the body misses from Henry. Hougard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Henry looks for a takedown but Hougard sprawls well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A low kick from Henry misses
and Hougard counters with a nice leg kick.
Henry looks winded!

Hougard closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hougard tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Henry misses with a hook.

Hougard clinches up with Henry and pushes him back against the cage.
Hougard landing knees to the head.
Hougard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Henry has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hougard tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henry is trying to drag Hougard to the mat but Hougard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Henry is trying to pull guard but Hougard turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Henry blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Henry breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henry listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hougard checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hougard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hougard wants it to stay on the feet.
Frans Hougard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cowboy Henry.
Henry fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Hougard 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hougard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Henry working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hougard.
Hougard working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Henry looking for a sweep. Not yet Henry, not yet.
Hougard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hougard postures up in Henry's guard and throws a big left but Henry blocks it.
Cowboy Henry has got the better of the ground game so far.
Henry utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Henry trying to control the position.
Henry manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hougard manages to get himself to full guard.
Hougard wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hougard preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hougard is trying to keep Henry in close.
Hougard is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Henry is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hougard looking for a sweep. Not yet Hougard, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Frans Hougard just wasn't active enough.
Hougard plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hougard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Henry will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hougard avoids the body shot from Henry.
Henry avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Henry avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Henry misses with the combination.
Cowboy Henry is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hougard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Henry.
Henry lands a really nice looking cross but Hougard seems unphased.
A cross from Henry lands.
Henry tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Henry has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Henry connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hougard momentarily.
Hougard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hougard takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henry misses with a straight left.
Hougard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Henry throws out a leg kick but Hougard moves out of range and Henry only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Henry, as that shot connected.
Henry is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Henry shoots for a takedown but Hougard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hougard tries to clinch up but Henry circles away and keeps his distance.
Hougard walks into a jab.
Henry circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hougard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hougard wants to clinch up but Henry keeps it at a distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hougard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Henry wants to get back to striking at distance but Hougard won't allow it.
Hougard is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Henry breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Henry shoots for a takedown but Hougard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Henry throws a hook but Hougard avoids it easily.
Henry takes a swing at Hougard's ribcage but misses.
Henry changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hougard moves out of range as Henry strikes.
Hougard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Henry manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hougard tries to clinch there but Henry circles away.
Hougard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Henry swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Henry finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
The fighters circling - Henry throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Henry looks to score with a jab to the body but Hougard is just out of range.
Henry throws a front kick aimed at Hougard's knee but Hougard avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hougard takes one on the button.
Henry throws a leg kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Hougard.
Henry takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hougard tries to clinch there but Henry circles away.
Henry misses with a looping right.
Hougard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hougard wants it to stay on the feet.
Hougard avoids the body shot from Henry.
No joy there for Henry, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Hougard darts in and clinches Henry up against the cage.
Henry is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hougard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Frans Hougard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cowboy Henry.
Hougard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Henry has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Hougard.
Henry takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henry avoiding damage as Hougard throws knees to the body.

Henry breaks the clinch.
Henry misses the jab.
Henry throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hougard.
Hougard tries to close the distance and clinch but Henry swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hougard looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Cowboy Henry is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hougard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Henry works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hougard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hougard throws a big elbow that misses.
Henry wants to stand up but Hougard is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hougard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hougard throws a big elbow that misses.
Hougard throwing strikes but missing.
Hougard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hougard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Henry's head.
Henry wants to get back to his feet but Hougard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hougard works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hougard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henry blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hougard.
Hougard lands strikes from half guard.
Hougard thows a huge punch but Henry dodges it nicely.
Henry trying to hold on to Hougard's head to control him but Hougard postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hougard working over Henry with some ground and pound. Henry looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hougard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hougard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Henry wants to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hougard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hougard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hougard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Henry does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hougard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Henry blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hougard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henry moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hougard throws an elbow that misses. Henry uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hougard's guard. Nice move by Henry!

And that's the end of the fight!
Frans Hougard showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Henry 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cowboy Henry!