PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isaiah Cooleman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cooleman has chosen Real Nigga Roll Call as his entrance music. Isaiah Cooleman looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Henderson
vs
Cooleman

185 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
181 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 Los Angeles, John Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Isaiah Cooleman!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Cooleman dodges the punch combination from Henderson.
Henderson misses with a two punch combination.
Cooleman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Henderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cooleman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cooleman misses with a two punch combination.
Cooleman throws a right hand that Henderson ducks under and follows up with a left that Henderson also avoids with ease.
Henderson throws a combination that misses

so Cooleman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Cooleman passes Henderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson pushes Cooleman off looking to stand but Cooleman dives back in and keeps control.
Cooleman moves into full mount! Henderson won't be happy about that!
You get the feeling that Henderson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Henderson is controlling an arm, preventing Cooleman from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Cooleman looks gassed!
Henderson trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooleman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Henderson is trying to stand up.

Cooleman is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cooleman misses with a few strikes there.
John Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cooleman counters with a straight right hand.
Cooleman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Henderson as he avoids it easily.
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cooleman counters with a leg kick.

Cooleman takes the fight into the clinch.

Henderson breaks the clinch.
Henderson looks to land a combination but Cooleman avoids it well.

Cooleman scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Henderson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Cooleman lands some shots froms side control.
Henderson is pushing Cooleman's head away, looking to escape. Cooleman manages to hold on to the position though.
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.

Cooleman stands up.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Henderson throws a series of punches but Cooleman avoids them all with ease.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cooleman counters with a takedown into side control.
Henderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Henderson tries to get out of the position.

Cooleman stands up and beckons Henderson to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Henderson scores with a four punch combination!
Cooleman shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cooleman counters with a shoot takedown. Henderson fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cooleman gets to his feet. Henderson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cooleman counters with a head kick. That will keep Henderson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cooleman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cooleman.
Henderson is trying to force a seperation but Cooleman has the dominant position.
Cooleman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
John Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaiah Cooleman.

Cooleman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cooleman counters with a nice double leg into side control. Henderson won't be happy with that.
Cooleman trying to control the position but Henderson is working away.

Henderson throws Cooleman to one side and escapes!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cooleman tries to clinch but Henderson is having none of it.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cooleman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaiah Cooleman dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cooleman throws a combination. Henderson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Cooleman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Cooleman is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Henderson pushes Cooleman off and gets back to his feet.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cooleman circles away quickly and effectively.
Cooleman misses with a takedown attempt - Henderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cooleman counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson misses with a two punch combination.
Cooleman looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
Henderson throws a series of punches but Cooleman moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Cooleman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Henderson pushes Cooleman off looking to stand but Cooleman dives back in and keeps control.

Henderson has one foot on Cooleman's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Cooleman throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
John Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cooleman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Henderson's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Henderson pushes Cooleman off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Henderson misses with a double jab

and Cooleman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cooleman is looking to take a break and control but Henderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cooleman seems to be working for a kimura but Henderson defends the submission attempt.
Henderson pushes Cooleman off looking to stand but Cooleman dives back in and keeps control.

Cooleman is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cooleman stops Henderson from getting back to his feet.

Cooleman stands up and beckons Henderson to join him on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooleman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henderson's waist but Henderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cooleman off to one side.
John Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaiah Cooleman.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cooleman is defended easily by Henderson.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cooleman decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Henderson's guard.
Cooleman stands up over Henderson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cooleman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cooleman prevents Henderson from getting back to his feet.
Cooleman distracts Henderson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Cooleman stands up and waves to Henderson to follow him.
Cooleman shoots for a double leg takedown but Henderson sprawls well. He's pushed Cooleman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a nice looking combination but Cooleman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cooleman misses with a takedown attempt - Henderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cooleman lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cooleman shoots in for a takedown but Henderson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cooleman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cooleman tries to clinch up.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cooleman counters with a nice low kick that buckles Henderson's knee momentarily.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cooleman counters by moving into the clinch.
Henderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cooleman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Henderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cooleman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Henderson throws a combination that misses

and Cooleman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Henderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaiah Cooleman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Henderson throws a combination that misses

so Cooleman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Cooleman tries to free his leg and advance position but Henderson is retaining full guard.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Cooleman from controlling successfully.

Henderson pushes Cooleman off and gets back to his feet.
John Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cooleman counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Henderson thinking.
Henderson misses with a combination

and Cooleman counters with a shoot takedown. Henderson fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cooleman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Henderson wants to stand but Cooleman is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cooleman is pushing down on Henderson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Henderson is fighting to maintain full guard but Cooleman has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooleman working over Henderson with some ground and pound. Henderson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Henderson kicks Cooleman off and gets back to his feet.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cooleman counters by moving into the clinch.
Henderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cooleman blocks it with crossed arms.
Cooleman misses with a short punch on the inside.
Henderson is trying to force a seperation but Cooleman has the dominant position.
Henderson pushes Cooleman back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cooleman wants a takedown but no success here.
Cooleman fails to pull guard.
Cooleman tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Henderson's elbow.
A short right from Henderson on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cooleman.
Henderson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cooleman has Henderson pressed against the cage, preventing Henderson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cooleman tries to score a body lock takedown but Henderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
John Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaiah Cooleman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cooleman can't get the takedown.

Cooleman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cooleman counters with a left and a right that stings Henderson.
Henderson stuffs the takedown.
Cooleman fails with a takedown attempt.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cooleman counters with a nice kick to the body.
Cooleman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Henderson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cooleman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Henderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cooleman is looking to work some ground and pound but Henderson has wrist control.
Cooleman trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Cooleman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooleman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cooleman looking to sit in guard and control but Henderson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cooleman is controlling Henderson's posture.
Henderson postures up and lands a big shot to Cooleman's brow.
Cooleman is trying to control the position but Henderson postures up.
Henderson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Henderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cooleman looking to control.
Cooleman is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Henderson working some strikes from top position.
Henderson forces his way into half guard.
Cooleman has hold of Henderson's hands but Henderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cooleman controlling the position well.
Cooleman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
John Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Isaiah Cooleman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Henderson cracks Cooleman with a solid left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isaiah Cooleman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cooleman 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isaiah Cooleman!