PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Phillip Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Dela Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juan Dela Cruz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Henderson
vs
Dela Cruz

187 cm
18
140 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
136 lbs
0 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Phillip Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Juan Dela Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dela Cruz clinches.
Dela Cruz tries to pull guard but Henderson won't allow it.

Dela Cruz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dela Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dela Cruz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Henderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dela Cruz's waist but Dela Cruz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henderson off to one side.

Henderson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dela Cruz is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Henderson is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Dela Cruz is desperately trying to improve his position but Henderson has a good base and remains in mount.
Henderson tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

Henderson is working for a guillotine from mount but Dela Cruz frees his head quite easily.
Dela Cruz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dela Cruz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Henderson wants to control the pace but Dela Cruz is squirming around nicely.
Dela Cruz tries to control the position but Henderson now has his back.
Dela Cruz is trying to break free.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Henderson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Henderson. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Henderson tries to keep control of the position but Dela Cruz is staying busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Dela Cruz right now.
Henderson biding his time, looking for the opening.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Henderson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Henderson is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Dela Cruz is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Phillip Henderson!