PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vern Hendricks (ranked 4724 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edward Delbrossio (ranked 5488 p4p, 0 weight class). Vern Hendricks has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hendricks
vs
Delbrossio

215 cm
21
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
189 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vern Hendricks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edward Delbrossio!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Delbrossio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Delbrossio throws a sloppy head kick and Hendricks moves out of range easily.
Hendricks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Delbrossio defends it nicely.
Hendricks checks a low kick from Delbrossio.
Delbrossio misses with a kick to the body.
Hendricks throwing a counter right hand but Delbrossio manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Delbrossio does no damage.
Hendricks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Delbrossio sprawls and moves away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Delbrossio.
Hendricks is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delbrossio tries to get to his feet but Hendricks is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Delbrossio in his guard.
Delbrossio wants to get up but he can't break Hendricks's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Delbrossio prevents Hendricks from getting back to his feet.
Delbrossio throwing strikes from guard but Hendricks blocks nicely.
Delbrossio wants to get up but he can't break Hendricks's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Delbrossio gets to his feet - Hendricks follows without any prompting.
Delbrossio throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Hendricks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Hendricks is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Delbrossio has managed to free his arm - good work.
Delbrossio pushes Hendricks off looking to stand but Hendricks dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks controlling the action here.
Hendricks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Delbrossio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hendricks in particular looking to stall.

Hendricks stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Delbrossio to get to his feet.
Delbrossio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hendricks takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Delbrossio looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks is trying to stand.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hendricks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Delbrossio wants to control from the top but Hendricks keeps moving.
Delbrossio stops Hendricks from standing up.
Hendricks keeping moving, preventing Delbrossio from controlling successfully.
Delbrossio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hendricks. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Delbrossio wanted to stand there but Hendricks had control of the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Delbrossio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hendricks is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Delbrossio.
Delbrossio looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Delbrossio pushes Hendricks up against the cage in a clinch.
Delbrossio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hendricks has him pressed against the cage.
Hendricks trying to land knees to the body.
Hendricks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hendricks missing with knees to the body.
Hendricks lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hendricks tries a body shot but Delbrossio blocks it.

Delbrossio manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hendricks gets to his feet - Delbrossio follows without any prompting.
Hendricks avoids the head kick by Delbrossio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A low kick from Delbrossio is predictable there

and Hendricks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Delbrossio pushes Hendricks off looking to stand but Hendricks dives back in and keeps control.
Hendricks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Delbrossio does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hendricks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Hendricks stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Delbrossio stuffs the takedown attempt from Hendricks. Hendricks gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Delbrossio lands a front kick.

Delbrossio gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks avoiding damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Delbrossio.

Delbrossio gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Delbrossio decides to stand up.
Delbrossio throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Hendricks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hendricks.
Hendricks with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hendricks stands up from Delbrossio's guard - Hendricks perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hendricks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Delbrossio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Delbrossio closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hendricks did well to prevent Delbrossio getting side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hendricks controlling the position well.
Hendricks is looking to control Delbrossio's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hendricks avoid being mounted?
Delbrossio seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Delbrossio content to control rather than advance.
Hendricks is trying to stand.
Delbrossio is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delbrossio trying to pass the guard but Hendricks defending well.
Hendricks is looking for a sweep. Delbrossio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hendricks manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Delbrossio keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

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

Delbrossio has closed the distance and engaged Hendricks in a clinch.
Hendricks missing with knees to the body.
Delbrossio tries to break the clinch but Hendricks is controlling the position.
Hendricks misses with an elbow over the top.
Hendricks throws a punch but it's blocked by Delbrossio.
Delbrossio has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Delbrossio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Delbrossio shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Delbrossio showed some decent athleticism there.
Delbrossio slows the pace down in half guard.
Delbrossio is looking to take a break and control but Hendricks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Delbrossio wants to stand up but Hendricks is controlling the position.
Hendricks wants to get back to full guard.
Hendricks tries to kick Delbrossio off but Delbrossio keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hendricks moves into full guard.
Hendricks wants to stand but Delbrossio is controlling the position.
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 Vern Hendricks will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hendricks avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hendricks checks the leg kick.

Delbrossio has Hendricks up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hendricks - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Delbrossio is trying to force a seperation but Hendricks has the dominant position.
Hendricks lands a left hand.

Delbrossio gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Hendricks regains guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hendricks manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Delbrossio tries to land a front kick but Hendricks steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hendricks blocks a head kick by Delbrossio.
Hendricks wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Delbrossio throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hendricks counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hendricks.
Delbrossio can't break the clinch.
Hendricks misses with a body punch.
Delbrossio dodges an elbow strike from Hendricks.
Hendricks stalling against the cage.
Hendricks has Delbrossio pressed against the cage, preventing Delbrossio from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Delbrossio blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Delbrossio is trying to break the clinch but Hendricks is controlling him.
Delbrossio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hendricks throws a punch but it's blocked by Delbrossio.
Delbrossio tries to circle away but Hendricks has him pinned against the cage.
Hendricks tries a body shot but Delbrossio blocks it.
Delbrossio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Delbrossio managing to block the knees to the body from Hendricks.
Delbrossio wants to get back to striking at distance but Hendricks won't allow it.
Delbrossio blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Delbrossios head.
Delbrossio lands an uppercut.
Hendricks throws a head punch that misses.
Delbrossio managing to block the knees to the body from Hendricks.

Delbrossio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Delbrossio throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Vern Hendricks has been cut.
Hendricks fails in his attempt to clinch.

Delbrossio closes the distance and clinches.
Hendricks misses with a short punch on the inside.
Delbrossio is looking to break free of the clinch but Hendricks has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Delbrossio avoids it.
Hendricks struggles to land a body shot inside as Delbrossio controls his hands.

Delbrossio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Delbrossio gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Delbrossio wants to stand but Hendricks has his arm trapped.

Hendricks throws Delbrossio to one side and escapes!
Delbrossio throws a head kick that misses.
Hendricks feinted with a counter takedown.
Hendricks takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Delbrossio clinches up against the cage.

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 Vern Hendricks.
I think Hendricks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Vern Hendricks!