PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Julio Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Henley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Henley is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Invictus. William Henley is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cortez
vs
Henley

188 cm
25
248 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

225 cm
34
260 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Julio Cortez !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Henley!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henley scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Henley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Henley digs a good body shot into Cortez 's ribs.
Henley throws a shot to the body.
Henley throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Cortez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Henley tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cortez is in Henley's guard.
Henley looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Henley lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Henley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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

Cortez is looking for a triangle but Henley pushes his legs off easily.
Cortez is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henley seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Henley scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henley pushes down on Cortez 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Henley connects with a nice short shot to Cortez 's temple.
Henley sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henley works his way into full mount!
Henley dominating with strikes here.
Henley landing strikes from the mount and Cortez is in trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Henley jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cortez is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cortez and Henley has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cortez is letting Henley control him for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Cortez 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Henley trying to control the position but Cortez is working away.
Cortez looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Henley controlling the position.
Cortez takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Henley cracks Cortez with a big right hand but Cortez just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
My spies in 11th Planet MMA inform me that Henley has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Henley staying calm.
Cortez wants to control but Henley postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Henley presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Henley controlling the position easily from mount.
Cortez is bucking up trying to escape but Henley cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cortez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cortez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Henley tries to control but Cortez wriggling away.
Henley landing shots from mount.
Henley has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Henley raining down hammerfists from mount.
Henley connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Cortez tries to lock up and control but Henley gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Henley has hold of Cortez 's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Cortez manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henley scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cortez tries to hold on but Henley postures up.
Cortez taking shots to the head.
Henley with a couple of short strikes.
Henley putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Cortez is rocked!
Cortez is in a horrible position here. Henley smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Oh Cortez is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Henley tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cortez seems to have got his legs back now.
Henley lands a heavy shot. That's hurt Cortez ! Henley sees the opportunity and turns up the heat - strike after strike land to the defenseless Cortez and the ref dives in to save him! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). William Henley!