PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Julma Henri (ranked 3382 p4p, 362 weight class) and Dikanais Didzinieks (ranked 3479 p4p, 373 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Henri
vs
Didzinieks

188 cm
24
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Julma Henri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dikanais Didzinieks!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Didzinieks tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Henri defends well and Didzinieks ends up having to push Henri into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Didzinieks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henri.
Didzinieks looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Didzinieks fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Henri wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Henri throws a right hand that Didzinieks ducks under and follows up with a left that Didzinieks also avoids with ease.
Didzinieks goes for a double leg but Henri avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Henri continues to drive forward.
Henri tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Didzinieks manages to circle out of the way.
Julma Henri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dikanais Didzinieks.

Henri clinches up against the cage.
Didzinieks is looking to break free of the clinch but Henri has double underhooks.

Henri pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Didzinieks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Henri wants to sweep here but Didzinieks controlling him for the moment.
Henri is trying to control the position but Didzinieks postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henri is looking for a triangle but Didzinieks pushes his legs off easily.
Henri tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Henri wants to stand but Didzinieks is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Didzinieks wants to control from the top but Henri keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Henri tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Didzinieks shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Henri sprawls well. Henri wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Didzinieks gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Henri manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Didzinieks on his heels. He'll look to pass Didzinieks's guard now, I'm sure.
Henri showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Didzinieks is trying to keep Henri in close.
Henri preventing the sweep.
Henri pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Didzinieks is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henri postures up.
Henri not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Henri has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Henri with that takedown attempt.

Henri drives through and clinches with Didzinieks against the cage.
Henri drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Didzinieks gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Didzinieks wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Henri is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Henri breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Henri shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Didzinieks's guard.
Didzinieks is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Henri keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Didzinieks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julma Henri dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Didzinieks tries to keep at a distance but Henri has taken the fight into the clinch.

Henri escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Julma Henri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Didzinieks leaves Henri with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Henri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Didzinieks throws a nice head kick!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Didzinieks keeps the fight on the outside.
Didzinieks swinging wildly here.
Henri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Didzinieks is fending him off so far but Henri persists. Nope, Didzinieks circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julma Henri. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Didzinieks darts in and clinches Henri up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henri is trying to pull guard but Didzinieks has him pressed against the cage.

Henri escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Henri misses with the combination.
Didzinieks throws the kick towards the body but Henri avoids it.
Didzinieks scores with a three punch combo!
Didzinieks tries a head kick but it misses.

Henri closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Didzinieks looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Didzinieks with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Didzinieks tries to break the clinch but Henri is controlling the position.
Didzinieks tries to break the clinch but Henri is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Henri wants the takedown. Didzinieks is fighting it off but Henri persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Didzinieks's guard against the cage.
Didzinieks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Henri wants to pass the guard but Didzinieks is keeping the position.
Henri throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Didzinieks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Henri looking to pass the guard.
Henri wants to stand but Didzinieks has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Didzinieks looking for a sweep. Not yet Didzinieks, not yet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Didzinieks is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Henri fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Didzinieks, pushing him back against the cage.

Henri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dikanais Didzinieks seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Henri shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Didzinieks manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Henri pushes down on Didzinieks's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Didzinieks is looking to control Henri's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Didzinieks avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henri trying to control the action but Didzinieks is working from the bottom.
Henri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Didzinieks can do to turn this around?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Henri is working for a submission of some sort.
Henri is taking a breather. Didzinieks says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Henri is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Julma Henri will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Didzinieks tries to clinch up but Henri circles away and keeps his distance.
Henri shoots in but no luck this time.
The fight stays on the outside here - Didzinieks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Didzinieks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henri circles away.

Henri shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Didzinieks is trying to defend but Henri finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Henri takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henri controlling the action here.
Henri takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henri with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Didzinieks trying to control here.
Henri content to control rather than advance.
Didzinieks wants to control but Henri is keeping busy.
Didzinieks is not content to let Henri control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Henri stops Didzinieks from getting back to his feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Henri is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Julma Henri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Didzinieks wants to improve his position but Henri is controlling well.
Didzinieks is holding on to half guard well.
Henri seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Didzinieks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henri leaves Didzinieks with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Didzinieks tries to clinch but Henri is having none of it.
Henri shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Didzinieks defends it nicely.
Didzinieks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henri's waist but Henri gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Didzinieks off to one side.
Julma Henri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dikanais Didzinieks.

Henri closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Henri decides to pull guard.
Henri can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Didzinieks controls the pace.
Didzinieks tries to stand but Henri is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henri has his foot on Didzinieks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Didzinieks works his way back into a safe position though.
Henri keeping moving, preventing Didzinieks from controlling successfully.
Henri wants to stand and escape but Didzinieks is having none of it.
Henri keeping moving, preventing Didzinieks from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Henri has Didzinieks pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Henri misses the jab.
Didzinieks lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julma Henri clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Didzinieks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Henri is fending him off so far but Didzinieks persists. Nope, Henri circles away and we're back to standing.

Henri clinches with his opponent.
Henri gets underhooks to prevent Didzinieks's takedown attempt.
Henri goes for a takedown in the clinch but Didzinieks prevents it.
Henri jumps guard but Didzinieks turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Didzinieks wants a takedown but no success here.
Julma Henri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dikanais Didzinieks.

Henri has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Didzinieks uses from the top position.
Henri on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Henri tries to get out of the position.
Didzinieks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Henri works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henri pulls Didzinieks in to control the position.
Didzinieks wants to pass the guard but Henri is keeping the position.
Henri lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henri controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Didzinieks keeping moving, preventing Henri from controlling successfully.

Didzinieks throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Henri escapes and throws Didzinieks's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Didzinieks wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Henri takes a little break here. Didzinieks wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Henri passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Didzinieks!
Henri lands with some strikes.
Didzinieks taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henri working Didzinieks over with strikes here.
Henri avoids the attempt from Didzinieks to control.
Henri controlling the pace for now.
Didzinieks has given up his back here.
Didzinieks is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Henri scores with punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henri working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Henri trying to control.
Henri controlling well, preventing Didzinieks from escaping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Didzinieks is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Henri has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Didzinieks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julma Henri had his way with Dikanais Didzinieks in 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. This is the final round!

Didzinieks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henri misses with a takedown attempt - Didzinieks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Didzinieks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Henri holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Henri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Didzinieks sprawls well. Didzinieks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Henri gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Henri fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Didzinieks sprawls well initially but Henri persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Didzinieks kicks off Henri and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Didzinieks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henri moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Didzinieks fails with the takedown.
Didzinieks is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A low kick from Didzinieks misses

and Henri counters with a nice double leg into side control. Didzinieks won't be happy with that.
Henri wants to stand but Didzinieks is controlling his arm.
Henri is working Didzinieks over with some ground and pound from side control.
Didzinieks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee asks Henri politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Henri prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henri wants to stand but Didzinieks is controlling his arm.

Henri thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Didzinieks is not content to let Henri control the position.
Henri looks up at the clock and then as Didzinieks takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Henri smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Didzinieks is trying to improve his position.
Didzinieks on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Henri wants to lay and pray for a moment but Didzinieks keeps working.

Henri tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Henri wants to stand but Didzinieks is controlling his arm.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Henri is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Didzinieks has escaped the position, nice work there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Henri gets the takedown into side control.

Henri is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Didzinieks knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Henri wants to stand but Didzinieks has his arm trapped.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Julma Henri.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Henri, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:44
Judge William Gold scores the fight 50:44
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julma Henri!
After winning the bout, Julma Henri thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.