PBP Commentary

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

Henderson
vs
Taylor

184 cm
25
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Phil Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Taylor.

Henderson feints and as Taylor raises his hands in defense, Henderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Henderson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Henderson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Henderson wanted to stand there but Taylor had control of the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Dan Henderson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Henderson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Taylor's half guard.
Henderson wants to stand up but Taylor has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Taylor looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson trying to control the pace.
Henderson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dan Henderson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Taylor is looking to clinch but Henderson is avoiding it.
Dan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Taylor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Taylor needs to keep his hands up - Henderson had a free shot at his head there.
Henderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab from Henderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Henderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Henderson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Taylor was covering up waiting for the punch and Henderson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Taylor wants to stand and escape but Henderson is having none of it.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Henderson won't allow Taylor to get back to his feet.
Henderson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
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!
Henderson wants to stand but Taylor has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Taylor scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Taylor looks winded!
Henderson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Taylor momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
Taylor's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Henderson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Taylor scrambles back to his feet.

Taylor has managed to clinch.

Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Henderson.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Henderson tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Henderson takes a little break here. Taylor wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Henderson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Henderson tries to stand but Taylor is controlling his head.
Taylor wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henderson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Taylor's legs.
Henderson wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Henderson is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Henderson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Taylor throws a big shot that misses.
Taylor walks into a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taylor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Henderson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Henderson connects with a looping right hand.
Henderson defending well as Taylor loads up on a big left hand.

Henderson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Taylor to the ground. Henderson is now in Taylor's guard.
Taylor wants to stand but Henderson is controlling the position.

Taylor wriggles free and stands up.
Taylor is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A decent looking cross lands there for Henderson.
Danga de danga de dang - Henderson scores with a four punch combination!
A punch combination from Henderson misses.
Henderson lands a lovely overhand right.
Taylor wants to clinch up but Henderson keeps it at a distance.
Taylor tries to clinch there but Henderson circles away.
Henderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Taylor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Taylor doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taylor on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor fails with a takedown attempt.
Henderson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Taylor tries to clinch but Henderson moves out of range.

Taylor gets caught flat footed, as Henderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henderson stays in close to Taylor's body and controls the position.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henderson is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson looking to pass the guard.
Henderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taylor on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dan Henderson just wasn't active enough.

Henderson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Taylor 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 fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ground and pound from Henderson.
Taylor tries to kick Henderson off but Henderson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Henderson stalling.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Henderson is taking a breather. Taylor says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dan Henderson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Henderson throws a shot to the body.

Henderson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Taylor's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson prevents Taylor from standing back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson slows the pace down in half guard.
Taylor pushes Henderson off looking to stand but Henderson dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Henderson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Taylor misses with a takedown
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.

Henderson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Taylor was covering up waiting for the punch and Henderson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Dan Henderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson stands up over Taylor, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Taylor being controlled here, momentarily.
Henderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henderson tries to stand but Taylor is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Taylor can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Henderson controls the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Henderson wants to stand but Taylor has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Dan Henderson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Henderson cracks Taylor with a good jab.
Henderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Henderson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from Taylor.
Henderson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Taylor tries to clinch up but Henderson circles away and keeps his distance.
Taylor walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson sizes up Taylor with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense.
Henderson scores with a punch to the head.
Henderson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch but Henderson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Henderson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Taylor's head.
Henderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch but Henderson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Henderson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Taylor's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henderson lunges at Taylor with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Taylor's hand.
Taylor looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Henderson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taylor looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Henderson throws a one two combo.
Taylor moves to clinch but Henderson breaks away
enabling Henderson to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor fails with a takedown attempt.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phil Taylor.

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

Taylor kicks Henderson off and gets back to his feet.
Taylor on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Taylor is trying desperately to land a takedown but Henderson is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Taylor.
Taylor is looking to clinch but Henderson is avoiding it.
Dan Henderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Donk. Henderson catches Taylor right on the button with a cross.
Henderson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Taylor.
Henderson tries to clinch there but Taylor circles away.
Henderson lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looks to throw the jab but Henderson is out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Henderson.
Taylor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Henderson lands with a right hand.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Taylor tries to clinch but Henderson is having none of it.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taylor as he avoids it easily.
Phil Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor thumps Henderson with a low kick.
Taylor is looking to clinch.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Taylor makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Taylor takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Phil Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taylor misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Henderson!
An out of breath Dan Henderson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.