PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Rush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dan Henderson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Rush's chin.

Henderson
vs
Rush

180 cm
26
214 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

181 cm
26
201 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dan Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Rush!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rush gets tackled into the cage by Henderson. Henderson maintains the clinch.

Rush has Henderson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rush pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Henderson tumbling to the mat - Rush dives into Henderson's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rush wants to control from the top but Henderson keeps moving.
Rush stops Henderson from standing up.
Henderson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Henderson wriggles free and stands up.

Henderson drives through and clinches with Rush against the cage.
Henderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rush is defending well for now.
Henderson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Henderson lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Henderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush can't get the takedown.
A short left from Henderson.
Henderson pushes off an throws an elbow but Rush leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rush is looking for a takedown.
Henderson tries to work over Rush's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Henderson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rush.
Dan Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Rush.
Henderson tries to throw a body punch but Rush avoids it by throwing Henderson back against the cage.
Henderson wants to break the clinch but can't.

Rush wants the takedown. Henderson is fighting it off but Rush persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Henderson's guard against the cage.
Rush prevents Henderson from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rush throws a big elbow that misses.
Henderson wants to stand but Rush is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rush trying to control but Henderson is working from the bottom.
Rush loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rush trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Rush.

Henderson moves into the clinch.
Henderson lands a nice shot to the body.
Henderson gets underhooks to prevent Rush's takedown attempt.
Henderson is looking to break free of the clinch but Rush has double underhooks.
Henderson is pressed up against the cage. Rush has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Henderson down to the mat. Henderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rush looks gassed!

Henderson rushes Rush and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush is looking to take this one to the mat.

Henderson manages to break the clinch.
Henderson's corner calls for a 1-2. Henderson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like John Rush has been cut.
Henderson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Oooooh!!! Henderson has knocked Rush down with a huge combo! Henderson steps away and waves a wobbly Rush back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Rush is rocked!
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!
Rush glances at the clock... BAM! Henderson nails him with a big right hand! A momentary lapse in concentration sends Rush crashing to the mat! The referee steps in and this one is over! Damn, Rush is out of it, he thinks the ref is his opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Dan Henderson!