PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Levor Towe (ranked 5179 p4p, 5200 weight class) and Royce Henduson (ranked 280 p4p, 281 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Towe
vs
Henduson

170 cm
24
143
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
143
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Levor Towe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Royce Henduson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Towe.
The strikes coming from Towe are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
An elbow from Towe crashes against the mat.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Henduson can do anything to dispel that myth.

Towe is trying to get an arm triangle but Henduson is defending well.
Henduson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Towe. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Henduson wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Towe misses with the ground and pound.

Henduson sneaks out the side door and pushes Towe away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Henduson gets caught napping as Towe dives in and scores a takedown. Henduson manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Towe wants to control from the top but Henduson keeps moving.
Towe is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Henduson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Henduson wants to stand up but Towe is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Towe trying to control the position from guard on top but Henduson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Henduson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Towe was covering up waiting for the punch and Henduson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Henduson postures up and lands a big shot to Towe's brow.
Henduson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Henduson postures up in Towe's guard and throws a big left but Towe blocks it.
Henduson stands up over Towe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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.
Towe is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Henduson throwing strikes but missing.
Henduson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Towe is trying to control the position but Henduson postures up.
Henduson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Henduson lands a couple of digs.
Towe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Henduson scoring with some ground and pound.
Henduson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Towe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Henduson defends it easily.
Henduson preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henduson is working Towe over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Henduson lands a couple of digs.
Henduson working some strikes from top position.
Henduson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Henduson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Henduson works over Towe with some ground and pound from guard.
Henduson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henduson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Towe's head.
Towe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Henduson.
Henduson with a nice head shot there.
Henduson working some strikes from top position.
Towe has momentary wrist control but Henduson slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Towe has momentary wrist control but Henduson slips an elbow through the middle.
Henduson working some strikes from top position.
Henduson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Henduson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Henduson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Towe shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Henduson is trying to defend but Towe finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Henduson wants to stand back up but Towe manages to pass into side control.
Towe prevents Henduson from escaping the position.
Towe tries to score with some ground and pound. Henduson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Towe wants to take a breather but Henduson manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Towe.
Henduson is looking to stand up but Towe isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henduson keeping moving, preventing Towe from controlling successfully.
Towe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Towe gets to his feet. Henduson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Henduson has a takedown stuffed.
Henduson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Towe is looking to clinch but Henduson is avoiding it.
Henduson throws a fast counter high kick but Towe manages to duck under it in time.

Towe scores with a takedown into Henduson's guard.
Towe throwing strikes from guard but Henduson blocks nicely.
Henduson keeping moving, preventing Towe from controlling successfully.

Towe stands up and waves to Henduson to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Towe looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Henduson pushes Towe off and gets back to his feet.
Towe wants to clinch but Henduson slips to the side

and Henduson counters with a shoot takedown. Towe fights it but they end up in guard.
Henduson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henduson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Henduson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Henduson cracks Towe with a solid left hand.
Henduson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henduson distracts Towe with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henduson lands a couple of digs.
Henduson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Henduson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Henduson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Towe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Henduson stopping the sweep attempt from Towe.
Henduson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Henduson working some strikes from top position.
Henduson cracks Towe with a solid left hand.
Henduson cracks Towe with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Towe wants to sweep but no luck.
Henduson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Henduson is in close to Towe's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Royce Henduson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Henduson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Towe did well to prevent Henduson getting side control.
Towe tries to roll over but Henduson keeps him under control.
Henduson working the head and body with strikes.
Henduson working Towe over with strikes.
Ground and pound from Henduson.

Towe is rocked!
Henduson working over Towe with some ground and pound. Towe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Oh Towe is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Henduson working the head and body with strikes.
Henduson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Henduson working over Towe with some ground and pound. Towe looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Towe makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Towe.
Henduson with a nice head shot there.
Henduson postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henduson scoring with some ground and pound.
Henduson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Henduson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Henduson lands a couple of elbows.
Henduson throws an elbow that misses. Towe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Henduson's guard. Nice move by Towe!

Towe wants to control from the top but Henduson keeps moving.
Towe tries to free his leg and advance position but Henduson is retaining full guard.
Towe seems to have got his legs back now.

Henduson wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henduson fails with the takedown
and Towe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Henduson takes one on the button.
Henduson dives in and grabs Towe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Towe pushes down on Henduson's head and hops out.
A lazy body kick from Towe

and Henduson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Towe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Henduson's guard.

Henduson keeping full guard, as Towe tries to pass.
Towe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Henduson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henduson wants to stand but Towe is controlling the position.
Towe wants to control from the top but Henduson keeps moving.

Towe is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Henduson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Henduson has escaped and now he's on top!

Royce Henduson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Henduson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Henduson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Henduson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Henduson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Henduson lands a couple of digs.
Towe wants to sweep but no luck.
Henduson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Henduson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Towe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Royce Henduson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Henduson wants to pass the guard but Towe is keeping the position.
Henduson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Towe's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Towe has his foot on Henduson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Henduson works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Towe being controlled here, momentarily.
Henduson landing some decent shots from guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Henduson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Henduson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royce Henduson!