PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Estefan Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Foo Fighters- My Hero. Dan Henderson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Henderson
vs
Sanchez

179 cm
31
203 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

195 cm
30
218 lbs
8 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dan Henderson !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Estefan Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanchez swivels and escapes.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sanchez!
Sanchez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Henderson fails with the takedown
and Sanchez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Henderson avoids the head kick by Sanchez.

Henderson clinches up against the cage.
Sanchez wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Sanchez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Henderson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sanchez wants to break free but Henderson has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Henderson gets control of Sanchez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Henderson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Henderson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Henderson is adopting a defensive guard.
Sanchez slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to stand but can't do so whilst Henderson controls his leg.
Sanchez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Henderson trying to control here.
Henderson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Henderson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sanchez wants to stand but Henderson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
Henderson is pulling down on Sanchez's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sanchez wanted to stand there but Henderson had control of the position.
Henderson seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Henderson .
Henderson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanchez misses with a double jab.
Henderson misses with a head kick.
Henderson misses with a looping left.
Sanchez is looking to slow Henderson down with leg kicks.
Sanchez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Henderson doesn't seem bothered though.
A combination from Sanchez does no damage.
Henderson misses with a head kick.
Sanchez throws a right and a left that both miss.
It looked like Henderson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sanchez.

Henderson clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sanchez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sanchez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A hook to the body from Sanchez.
Sanchez is trying to break the clinch but Henderson is controlling him.

Henderson manages to pull guard.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez throws an elbow that misses. Henderson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sanchez's guard. Nice move by Henderson !

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Henderson won't allow Sanchez to get back to his feet.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Henderson controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sanchez controls Henderson momentarily but Henderson frees himself.
Sanchez wants to stand and escape but Henderson is having none of it.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Henderson is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Henderson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Estefan Sanchez will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Henderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sanchez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sanchez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sanchez throws a series of punches but Henderson avoids them all with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Sanchez.
Henderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanchez swivels and escapes.
Sanchez is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Estefan Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sanchez misses with a wild combination.
Sanchez misses with a wild combination.
Sanchez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanchez wants to clinch.
Henderson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Henderson takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanchez.
Henderson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanchez scoring well with a low kick there.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Henderson ducks under and follows up with a left that Henderson also avoids with ease.
Henderson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sanchez throws a low kick, looking for Henderson 's leg but Henderson calmly moves out of range.

Henderson feints and as Sanchez raises his hands in defense, Henderson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sanchez is looking to stand back up but Henderson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Sanchez.

Henderson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Henderson pushes Sanchez up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson has Sanchez pressed against the cage.

Henderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sloppy strikes from Sanchez. Those never looked like landing.
Henderson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sanchez is fending him off so far but Henderson persists. Nope, Sanchez circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson . That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sanchez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Estefan Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez swinging wildly here.
Henderson avoids the head kick by Sanchez.
Sanchez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sanchez moves out of range of the body kick.
Some wild striking there from Sanchez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez looks to land a combination. Henderson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Henderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sanchez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Estefan Sanchez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Henderson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sanchez tries to avoid it but Henderson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sanchez to the ground. Sanchez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sanchez misses with a jab, cross combination.

Henderson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Henderson lands in his opponent's guard.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet but Henderson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sanchez working a defensive guard but Henderson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Henderson just content to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez can't do much from the bottom here.
Sanchez tries to buck Henderson off but Henderson is having none of it.
Sanchez is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Henderson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sanchez wants to control but Henderson postures up.
Sanchez is trying to improve his position.

Henderson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Estefan Sanchez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Henderson fails with the takedown.
Sanchez has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Henderson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Sanchez stuffs the takedown attempt from Henderson . Henderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez throws an overhand right that lands on Henderson 's shoulder, as Henderson tries to avoid the shot.
Sanchez tests Henderson 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sanchez throws a sloppy head kick and Henderson moves out of range easily.

Henderson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sanchez is trying to pull guard but Henderson has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez tries to throw a body punch but Henderson avoids it by throwing Sanchez back against the cage.
Sanchez has had enough of the clinch but Henderson keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson jumps guard but Sanchez stands there with Henderson around his waist. Henderson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Henderson . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henderson is trying to pull guard but Sanchez turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Henderson successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a strike but Henderson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sanchez is looking to sweep but instead, Henderson has passed into half guard.
Sanchez is trying to maintain the position but Henderson is very close to passing his half guard.
Henderson tries to pass to full mount but Sanchez defends it.
Sanchez tries to kick Henderson off in order to stand up. Henderson Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Sanchez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Henderson slows the pace down.
Sanchez is pushing Henderson 's head away, looking to escape. Henderson manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.
Henderson staying calm.
Sanchez struggling a bit here.
Sanchez is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The referee asks Henderson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Henderson prefers to stall for the moment though.
Henderson wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.

Henderson stands up and beckons Sanchez to his feet.
Henderson lands a head kick. Sanchez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Henderson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Henderson misses with a takedown attempt - Sanchez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dan Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanchez fails to land with a series of punches.
As Sanchez tries to get set, Henderson tries to push him back and clinch up but Sanchez manages to avoid the attempt.
Sanchez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henderson .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Sanchez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Henderson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Henderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanchez throws out the jab.
Henderson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sanchez tries to avoid it but Henderson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sanchez to the ground. Sanchez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sanchez throws a combination that misses

and Henderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Henderson successfully pulls guard.
Henderson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sanchez looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanchez has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Henderson has passed into side control.

Henderson decides to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sanchez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Estefan Sanchez!
After the fight, Estefan Sanchez was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.