PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Ledley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johny Hendricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Ledley could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johny Hendricks's chin.

Ledley
vs
Hendricks

189 cm
20
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joe Ledley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johny Hendricks!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hendricks slaps away a takedown attempt from Ledley, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Ledley has Hendricks up against the cage in a clinch.

Ledley jumps guard and drags Hendricks to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hendricks trying to control the position from guard on top but Ledley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendricks is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Ledley is looking for a triangle but Hendricks pushes his legs off easily.
Ledley being controlled here, momentarily.
Ledley is trying to control the position from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Johny Hendricks hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Hendricks drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ledley tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hendricks wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hendricks controlling from side mount.
Hendricks fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Hendricks working away.
Hendricks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ledley keeps working.
Hendricks controlling from side mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ledley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Johny Hendricks was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hendricks scores with a nice head shot.
Hendricks lands a jab.
Nice jab there from Hendricks.
Hendricks with a hook.

Hendricks shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ledley manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ledley keeping full guard, as Hendricks tries to pass.
Hendricks controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks wants to control from the top but Ledley keeps moving.
Hendricks might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ledley haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ledley is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Johny Hendricks.

Hendricks throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ledley tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hendricks is in Ledley's guard.
Hendricks looks winded!
Hendricks trying to control the position from guard on top but Ledley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendricks postures up.

Ledley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hendricks defends well.
Hendricks must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hendricks wants to control from the top but Ledley keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ledley bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hendricks's guard.
Hendricks working a defensive guard here.
Ledley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Johny Hendricks was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hendricks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ledley swivels and escapes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ledley shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hendricks napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ledley tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ledley has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johny Hendricks dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ledley shoots in for a takedown but Hendricks shows good takedown defense.
Nice sprawl there from Hendricks as Ledley shoots in.
Ledley drops his hands momentarily and Hendricks takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Johny Hendricks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hendricks stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hendricks takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hendricks lands with a hook. Ledley tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hendricks cracks Ledley with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ledley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ledley closes the distance and clinches up with Hendricks, looking for a takedown. Ledley pushes Hendricks against the cage but Hendricks circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Ledley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ledley looks for the body kick but Hendricks saw that one coming.
Ledley dives in for a single leg takedown but Hendricks sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hendricks avoids the elbow strike from Ledley, against the cage.

Hendricks gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Ledley regains guard.
Ledley wants to get back to his feet but Hendricks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks sitting in guard here, content to control.
Let's hope that Hendricks has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Ledley wants to get back to his feet but Hendricks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hendricks looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Johny Hendricks.
Ledley has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ledley there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ledley takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hendricks loads up on a big right hand but Ledley slips the punch.
Hendricks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ledley moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks throws a hook to the side of Ledley's head but Ledley sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A left and a right from Hendricks both land. Nice combination.
Ledley shoots in but Hendricks avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ledley shoots in for a takedown but Hendricks shows good takedown defense.
Hendricks might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Ledley walks into a jab.
Ledley tries to clinch there but Hendricks circles away.
Ledley tries to close the distance and clinch but Hendricks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice jab there from Hendricks.
Ledley tries to clinch but Hendricks is having none of it.

Ledley darts in and clinches Hendricks up against the cage.
Hendricks is trying to drag Ledley to the mat but Ledley just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ledley tries to score a body lock takedown but Hendricks shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hendricks tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ledley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joe Ledley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ledley throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hendricks's head.
A jab from Hendricks misses.
Ledley moves out of range as Hendricks strikes.
Hendricks tries to bum rush Ledley with a series of wild strikes but Ledley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ledley shoots in and drives through. Hendricks sprawls well.
Ledley looks to land a right hand but Hendricks moved out of range.
Hendricks sizes up Ledley with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hendricks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hendricks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ledley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks works over Ledley's head and body with a nice combination.
Hendricks scores with a nice right hand.
Hendricks throws the left hand but Ledley avoids the punch easily.
Ledley fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hendricks throws a series of punches but Ledley avoids them all with ease.
Ledley goes for a double leg but Hendricks avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hendricks continues to drive forward.
Hendricks tries to score a body lock takedown but Ledley shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hendricks is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ledley pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Ledley ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ledley no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hendricks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ledley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hendricks advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johny Hendricks 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!

Ledley throws a nice head kick!
Ledley walks into a straight right hand from Hendricks.
Hendricks tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ledley defends well and Hendricks ends up having to push Ledley into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hendricks is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ledley pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hendricks tries for a takedown but Ledley manages to get underhooks.
Joe Ledley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johny Hendricks.
Hendricks can't get the takedown.

Ledley manages to break the clinch.
Johny Hendricks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ledley looks for a takedown but Hendricks sprawls well.
A swing and a miss from Hendricks.
Ledley misses with a takedown attempt - Hendricks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ledley looks for a takedown but Hendricks sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hendricks throws a jab but it's blocked by Ledley.
Hendricks leaves Ledley with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks leaves Ledley with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ledley takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ledley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice shot by Hendricks.
Ledley stuffs the takedown.
Ledley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hendricks was well out of range. Poor timing from Ledley.
Hendricks connects with a looping right hand.
Hendricks throws a right hand that Ledley ducks under and follows up with a left that Ledley also avoids with ease.
Ledley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hendricks feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ledleys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ledley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hendricks sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledley fails with a takedown attempt.
Ledley shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hendricks sprawls well. Hendricks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ledley gets slowly back to his feet.

Hendricks closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ledley quickly recovers to half guard.
Hendricks takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ledley is trying to stand up here but Hendricks is controlling him well.
Hendricks trying to control from half guard but Ledley is working away.
Ledley tries to roll over but Hendricks keeps him under control.
Johny Hendricks has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ledley trying to hold on to Hendricks's head to control him but Hendricks postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Joe Ledley wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hendricks lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ledley stuffs the takedown.
Hendricks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hendricks throws a hook to the side of Ledley's head but Ledley sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No joy there for Hendricks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ledley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hendricks.
Ledley scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Hendricks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hendricks.
Ledley ducks under a wild hook from Hendricks.
Ledley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hendricks pinned against the cage. Hendricks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ledley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ledley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ledley ducks right into an uppercut from Hendricks.
Hendricks swats away the attempt to clinch by Ledley.
Hendricks smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ledley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A jab from Hendricks misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hendricks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ledley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Joe Ledley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johny Hendricks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ledley pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johny Hendricks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hendricks winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johny Hendricks!