PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jordan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kumi Ku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jordan Henderson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Henderson
vs
Ku

175 cm
24
150 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

177 cm
25
166 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jordan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kumi Ku!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Hugh Johnson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Henderson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Henderson keeps the fight on the outside.

Ku drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Henderson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ku defends well.

Henderson has his foot on Ku's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ku works his way back into a safe position though.

Henderson looking for a guillotine here but Ku defends easily.

Ku avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ku trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ku in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ku avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Ku from controlling successfully.
Henderson controls Ku momentarily but Ku frees himself.
Henderson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ku's guard.
Henderson postures up.
Henderson won't allow Ku to sweep him here.
Henderson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Henderson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Henderson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ku is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Henderson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Henderson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Henderson drops back looking for a leg! Ku is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ku manages to kick Henderson off! Henderson jumps back into Ku's guard.
Ku 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 is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Henderson won't allow Ku to sweep him here.
Henderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Ku has wrist control.
Henderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ku not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Henderson trying to control but Ku is working from the bottom.
Henderson is working Ku over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Henderson throws a big elbow that misses.
Henderson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Henderson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ku escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Henderson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Henderson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
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 is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Henderson pushing down on Ku's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ku is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Henderson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Henderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ku defending well though.
Henderson thows a huge punch but Ku dodges it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Henderson lands a nice short elbow.

Henderson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ku is not content to let Henderson control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Henderson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Henderson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Henderson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Henderson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ku looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Henderson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ku's guard.
Henderson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ku trying to control the position.
Ku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ku is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson trying to control but Ku is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ku is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henderson looking for subs off his back but Ku has passed one foot through into half guard.
Henderson is looking to control Ku's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Henderson avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ku tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Ku prevents Henderson from standing back up.

Henderson with the active half guard here but Ku passes nicely into side control.
Ku trying to control the action but Henderson is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ku creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Henderson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Henderson wants to control but Ku postures up.
Ku misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Henderson can't do much from the bottom here.
Henderson regains half guard.
Henderson desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Henderson looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson trying to control but Ku postures up.
Ku thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Henderson wants to get back to full guard.
Ku missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Henderson wants to improve his position but Ku is controlling well.

Ku is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Henderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jordan Henderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ku thows a huge punch but Henderson dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to control but can't.
Henderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Ku is trying to control. Henderson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ku wants to stand up but Henderson has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Henderson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ku prevents Henderson from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Henderson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ku passes into half guard.
Ku prevents Henderson from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Henderson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Henderson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kus jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ku looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jordan Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson tries to work over Ku's front leg with a kick but Ku checks it.
A leg kick checked by Ku.

Henderson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Henderson lands in his opponent's guard.
Henderson wants to control from the top but Ku keeps moving.
Ku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ku wants to stand and escape but Henderson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson is looking to stand up but Ku won't let him.

Henderson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Ku has taken the fight to the clinch.
Henderson is trying to force a seperation but Ku has the dominant position.
Henderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ku uses good head movement to avoid it.

Henderson manages to break the clinch.
Henderson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ku backs up against the cage.
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good exchange - Henderson coming out on top.

Ku gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ku is trying to pull guard but Henderson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ku is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson is trying to force a seperation but Ku has the dominant position.
Ku is trying to pull guard but Henderson has him pressed against the cage.
Jordan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kumi Ku.
Henderson wants to break the clinch but can't.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ku is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Henderson to keep the fight standing.
Henderson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ku working hard to break the clinch.

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

Ku looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Henderson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Henderson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ku can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ku wants to get up but he can't break Henderson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ku takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Ku from controlling successfully.
Henderson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ku manages to get himself to full guard.
Henderson looking to sit in guard and control but Ku gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Henderson is trying to keep Ku in close.
Ku trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henderson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ku gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Ku got a little sloppy there for a moment and Henderson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ku has managed to get both his arms back between Henderson's legs - danger averted.

Ku drops back, looking for a kneebar! Henderson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Henderson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Henderson!
Ku tries to buck Henderson off but Henderson is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henderson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Kumi Ku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Ku is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jordan 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 Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jordan Henderson!
Jordan Henderson really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that CEC Nutrition Q160 logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.