PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Van Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikaika Konani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Henderson
vs
Konani

180 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

183 cm
18
191 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Poison Apparel

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Van Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ikaika Konani!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Henderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Henderson wants to stand but Konani has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Konani is trying to get back to full guard.
Konani is holding on to half guard well.
Henderson has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Konani works to full guard.
Henderson stopping the sweep attempt from Konani.
Henderson tries to stand but Konani is controlling from the bottom.

Henderson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Konani doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Henderson counters by moving into the clinch.
Henderson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Konani has him pressed against the cage.
Henderson blocks an elbow strike.
Henderson can't break the clinch.

Konani gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Henderson regains guard.

Henderson manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Konani shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Konani won't let Henderson get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konani controlling the position easily from mount.
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.
Henderson is breathing heavily.
Konani tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Konani fails to move to back control.
Henderson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Konani looking to control and managing it successfully.
Henderson is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Konani is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Henderson is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Konani has taken his back.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Henderson controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Konani slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Henderson is trying to get back to his feet but Konani has full control of the position and if anything, Henderson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Konani has good solid back control here.
Henderson controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Konani controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Konani has good solid back control here.
Henderson is trying to get back to his feet but Konani has full control of the position and if anything, Henderson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Konani has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Henderson's body.

That's four 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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Ikaika Konani just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Konani wants to clinch but Henderson slips to the side

and Henderson counters with a shoot takedown. Konani fights it but they end up in guard.
Henderson is looking to stand up but Konani won't let him.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Konani is on top in guard.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Konani is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Konani decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Konani tries to clinch up
and Henderson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Konani tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ikaika Konani will probably get the nod.
That's time! Henderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Henderson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Konani's guard.
Henderson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Konani pulls Henderson in close to prevent any damage.

Konani is working an open guard so Henderson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Konani with a lazy takedown attempt

and Henderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Konani won't be happy with that.

Henderson stands up.
Konani tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Henderson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Konani!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Konani is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Henderson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Konani is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konani working to try and regain half guard.

Henderson is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Konani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Konani looks to clinch

and Henderson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Konani's guard now.
Konani looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Henderson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Konani is proving hard to escape from.

Konani wriggles free and stands up.
Henderson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Konani tries to clinch

so Henderson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Konani pulls Henderson in close to his closed guard and prevents Henderson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Henderson tries to stand but Konani is controlling from the bottom.
Henderson being controlled here momentarily.
Konani is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.

Henderson stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Henderson has managed to clinch.

Henderson manages to break the clinch.
Konani shoots in but Henderson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Henderson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Henderson showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konani controlling the position well.
Henderson prevents Konani from standing back up.

Henderson stands up out of the half guard.
Konani closes the distance looking to clinch

and Henderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Konani won't be happy with that.
Konani manages to get back to half guard.
Van Henderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Henderson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Konani to get to his feet.
Konani gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Henderson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Van Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikaika Konani.
Konani misses with a takedown
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konani closes the distance but Henderson moves to the side

and Henderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Henderson.
Konani tries for a takedown. No joy.

Henderson manages to break the clinch.
Konani wants to clinch but Henderson slips to the side
and Henderson counters with a straight right hand.

Henderson clinches up with Konani and pushes him back against the cage.
Henderson blocks an elbow strike.
Konani keeps control of Henderson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Henderson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Henderson manages to break the clinch.

Konani drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Konani slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Konani is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Henderson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Konani 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.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Konani is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Konani slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Konani won't allow Henderson to get back to his feet.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Konani passes into half guard.
Konani controlling the action here.

Henderson pushes Konani off and gets back to his feet.
Henderson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Henderson counters with a nice uppercut.
Konani looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Henderson is fending him off so far but Konani persists. Nope, Henderson circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson swats away the attempt to clinch by Konani.

Henderson darts in and clinches Konani up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Henderson gets underhooks to prevent Konani's takedown attempt.
Konani tries to break the clinch but Henderson is controlling the position.
Henderson has had enough of the clinch but Konani keeps him there for the moment.

Henderson breaks the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Henderson.
Konani tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Henderson counters with a single leg into guard. Konani didn't expect that.
Henderson being controlled here momentarily.
Konani trying to control the position.

Henderson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Konani misses with a takedown
and Henderson counters with a right hand to the body.
Van Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikaika Konani.
Henderson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Konani shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Konani controlling the pace for now.

Konani get's back to his feet.
Henderson lands with a slapping head kick.
Konani tries to clinch but Henderson moves away
and Henderson counters with a left to the body.

Henderson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Konani to the mat! Konani manages to get full guard.
Konani pulls Henderson in close to prevent any damage.
Henderson tries to stand but Konani is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konani has Henderson pulled in close to control his posture.

Henderson gets to his feet. Konani looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Henderson looks to land a body kick but Konani moved away.
Henderson circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Henderson counter with a right hand.

Konani drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Henderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Henderson tries to escape but Konani is in control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Konani has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Konani closes the distance looking to clinch

and Henderson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Konani's guard now.
Henderson wants to get up but he can't break Konani's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Henderson wants to stand and escape but instead Konani has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henderson being controlled here, momentarily.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Konani from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Henderson has his feet on Konani's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Van Henderson.
Well Henderson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Van Henderson!