PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Hendricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Query (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hendricks
vs
Query

190 cm
34
171 lbs
12 - 12 - 2

180 cm
35
175 lbs
25 - 13 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 12 - 12 - 2, fighting out of New York, Tony Hendricks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nate Query!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Eddie Farnsworth and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Query throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hendricks.

Hendricks rushes Query and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hendricks goes for a takedown attempt but Query pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Query throws out a leg kick but Hendricks moves out of range and Query only half commits.

Hendricks clinches up against the cage.
Hendricks creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hendricks is trying to pull guard but Query has him pressed against the cage.
Query is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Query can't break the clinch.

Hendricks manages to pull guard.

Hendricks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Query would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
My spies in Kick In The Nutz Gym (14 Elite Coaches, Low Cap) inform me that Query has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Hendricks seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Query is now in half guard.
Hendricks is positioning himself well to prevent Query advancing to mount.

Hendricks actively working from the bottom here.
Hendricks wants to get back to full guard.
Query slows the pace down in half guard.
Hendricks is refusing to be controlled, as Query sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks trying to control here.
Hendricks is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Hendricks is trying to get back to full guard.
Hendricks is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks wants to get back to full guard but Query has passed into side control.

Query working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hendricks is looking for a sweep.
Hendricks is trying to control Query's posture but Query avoids it.

Query decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hendricks to his feet.
Hendricks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Query tries to avoid it but Hendricks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Query to the ground. Query escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Hendricks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hendricks gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hendricks stalling in the clinch but Query improves position.
Hendricks is pressed up against the cage. Query has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hendricks down to the mat. Hendricks avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Query throws the left hand but Hendricks avoids the punch easily.
Query swings for the body but Hendricks moves out of range.
Query throws a front kick aimed at Hendricks's knee but Hendricks avoids it well.
Query moves out of range as Hendricks strikes.
No luck for Hendricks with that takedown attempt.
Query misses with a series of wild punches.
Query ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hendricks moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Query fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Query moves into the clinch successfully.
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 Tony Hendricks will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hendricks throws a leg kick but Query checks it.
Query will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hendricks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Query is fending him off so far but Hendricks persists. Nope, Query circles away and we're back to standing.
Tony Hendricks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Query scores with a decent looking hook.

Hendricks has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right from Query on the inside.
Query is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hendricks keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Query's efforts to push away.
Nice elbow from Hendricks.
Query is trying to maintain a safe position but Hendricks gets an underhook and turns Query into the cage.
Hendricks changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Query fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A combination from Query does no damage.
Query looks to land a combination but Hendricks avoids it well.

Query gets tackled into the cage by Hendricks. Hendricks maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Query's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Query on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Query throws a series of punches but Hendricks avoids them all with ease.

Query moves into the clinch successfully.
Hendricks misses with an elbow over the top.
Query is trying to break free.
Query gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hendricks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Hendricks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Query working hard to break the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hendricks just misses with a elbow thrown towards Query's brow.
Query is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hendricks is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Query is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hendricks lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hendricks creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hendricks wants a takedown but no success here.
Query lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Query blocks an elbow strike.
Hendricks keeps control of Query as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hendricks jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Query walks away with a smile on his face. Hendricks gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Query throws a series of punches but Hendricks avoids them all with ease.

Hendricks gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Query wants the takedown. Hendricks is fighting it off but Query persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hendricks's guard against the cage.
Hendricks throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Hendricks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hendricks lands a good elbow from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hendricks looking for a sweep. Not yet Hendricks, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hendricks looking for a guillotine here but Query defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Query won't allow Hendricks to sweep him here.

Hendricks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Query can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hendricks keeping moving, preventing Query from controlling successfully.
Query won't allow Hendricks to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Hendricks is looking for a triangle but Query pushes his legs off easily.
Hendricks working a defensive guard here.
Query stays in close to Hendricks's body and controls the position.

Hendricks is looking for a triangle but Query pushes his legs off easily.

Hendricks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Query passes into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Query prevents Hendricks from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Hendricks dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Query swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Query looks to land a combination but Hendricks avoids it well.
Query lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hendricks circles away quickly and effectively.

Hendricks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Query, pushing him back against the cage.
Query is pressed up against the cage. Hendricks has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Query down to the mat. Query avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hendricks is defended easily by Query.
Query walks into a stiff left hand from Hendricks.

Hendricks has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hendricks throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hendricks prevents Query from breaking the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Query as Hendricks tries to tie him up.
Query tries to break free but Hendricks pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Query tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hendricks just stands there and leans against the cage.

Query lands a takedown into guard.
Hendricks looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Query puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Query looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hendricks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tony Hendricks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Query trying to control the action but Hendricks is working from the bottom.

Hendricks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hendricks actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks tries to roll over but Query keeps him under control.
It looks like Query is going to stand back up.
Hendricks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hendricks is looking to improve his position.
Hendricks wants to get back to full guard but Query has mounted him!
Hendricks really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hendricks tries to hold on but Query postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Query trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hendricks tries to lock up and control but Query gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hendricks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tony Hendricks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Query is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Query tries to bum rush Hendricks with a series of wild strikes but Hendricks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Query thows a left - swing and a miss!
Query closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hendricks circles away.
Hendricks lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Query rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hendricks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Query takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Query with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hendricks to score with a decent uppercut.
Nate Query has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Query misses with a two punch combination.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Query rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hendricks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hendricks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Query.
Hendricks looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Query lands with an overhand left.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A punch combination from Hendricks misses.
Hendricks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Query throws a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nate Query.
I think Hendricks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Hendricks!
A relieved looking Tony Hendricks thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.