PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Cena (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Handerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cena comes to the cage accompanied by thugahallics. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cena
vs
Handerson

225 cm
19
300 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

200 cm
19
285 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Cena!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rashad Handerson!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cena scores with a takedown into Handerson's guard.
Handerson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Cena throws a big right hand that misses.
Cena working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cena throwing strikes but missing.
Handerson wants to get back to his feet but Cena is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cena is looking to work some ground and pound but Handerson has wrist control.
Handerson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cena.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cena trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cena postures up in Handerson's guard and throws a big left but Handerson blocks it.
Cena throwing strikes from guard but Handerson blocks nicely.
Cena chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cena trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Handerson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cena.
Handerson is looking to stand up but Cena isn't so interested in that idea.
Cena throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cena accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cena will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cena loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Handerson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cena throwing strikes but missing.
Cena with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cena postures up in Handerson's guard and throws a big left but Handerson blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cena forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cena missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Handerson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Handerson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cena stops Handerson from getting back to his feet.
Cena working the head and body with strikes.
Cena missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cena is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Handerson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cena looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Handerson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cena thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Handerson's head.
Handerson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cena.
Handerson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cena stands up over Handerson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cena content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cena missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cena.
Handerson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cena. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cena postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cena working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Handerson's head.
Cena has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Handerson wants to stand and escape but Cena is having none of it.
Cena with a nice head shot there.
Cena scoring with some ground and pound.
Cena with a nice head shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Handerson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Handerson wants to stand and escape but Cena is having none of it.
Cena distracts Handerson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Cena dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Cena's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cena shoots in but no luck this time.
Horrible takedown by Cena or perhaps it was just good defense by Handerson which made him look bad.

Handerson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Handerson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Handerson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Handerson scores with the left hand. Cena knows he should have avoided that one.
Cena fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Cena. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cena changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Handerson tries to avoid it but Cena manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Handerson to the ground. Handerson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cena tries to score a power double leg takedown but Handerson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cena somewhat.
A cross from Handerson lands.
Cena drops his hands momentarily and Handerson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Handerson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Handerson blocking some punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cena misses with some punches.
Handerson tries to break the clinch but Cena is controlling the position.
Cena pushes Handerson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Handerson breaks the clinch.
Cena throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Handerson's waist but Handerson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cena off to one side.
Cena tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Handerson swivels and escapes.
Cena shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Handerson sprawls well. Handerson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cena gets slowly back to his feet.
Cena dives in and grabs Handerson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Handerson pushes down on Cena's head and hops out.
Handerson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Handerson leaves Cena with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cena shoots in for a takedown but Handerson shows good takedown defense.
The fighters circle momentarily. Handerson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mark Cena is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cena shoots in for a takedown but Handerson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Handerson moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson has had enough of the clinch but Cena keeps him there for the moment.
Cena swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Handerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cena shoots in but Handerson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A slow jab from Handerson misses its intended target.
Handerson lands with a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cena is defended easily by Handerson.
Horrible takedown by Cena or perhaps it was just good defense by Handerson which made him look bad.
Handerson lands a front kick.
Cena will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Handerson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Handerson rushes Cena and presses him up against the cage.
Handerson blocking some punches.
Cena swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Handerson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

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

Handerson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cena doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Handerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cena fails to land the takedown.
Cena shoots in but no luck this time.

Handerson moves into the clinch.
Cena misses with the head strike.
Cena lands a left hand.
Cena scores with a shoulder strike.
Handerson blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cena misses with a punch on the inside.
Handerson is trying to break the clinch but Cena has him pressed against the cage.
Handerson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Handerson blocks an uppercut.

Handerson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cena shoots in but no luck this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Handerson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Handerson wants it to stay on the feet.

Handerson gets caught napping as Cena dives in and scores a takedown. Handerson manages to retain guard.
Cena working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cena throwing strikes from guard but Handerson blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Handerson has his feet on Cena's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Cena gets a double leg takedown into Handerson's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rashad Handerson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mark Cena's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Cena throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Handerson's waist but Handerson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cena off to one side.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cena has a takedown stuffed.
Cena shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Handerson as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Cena. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Handerson moves into the clinch.

Handerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cena fails to land the takedown.
Handerson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cena's head backwards.

Handerson drives through and clinches with Cena against the cage.

Handerson breaks the clinch.
No luck for Cena with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Handerson misses with a straight left.
Rashad Handerson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Some wild striking there from Handerson.
Cena has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cena has a takedown stuffed.
Cena shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Handerson clinches.
Cena doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cena fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cena misses with a hook from the clinch.

Handerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cena takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Handerson misses with the combination.
Cena fails to land the takedown.
Handerson swinging wildly here.
Handerson misses with an uppercut. Cena saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cena blocks a jab.
Cena fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Handerson rushes Cena and presses him up against the cage.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Handerson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice sprawl there from Handerson as Cena shoots in.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Handerson looks to land a combination. Cena sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cena tries to score a power double leg takedown but Handerson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cena somewhat.
Handerson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cena circles away quickly and effectively.

Handerson moves into range and clinches up with Cena.
Cena throws a punch but it's blocked by Handerson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Handerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cena shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Handerson as he avoids it easily.

Handerson gets a clinch.

Handerson breaks the clinch.
Cena tries for a takedown but Handerson circles away easily
and Handerson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Handerson has Cena up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Handerson.

Handerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cena looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Handerson is fending him off so far but Cena persists. Nope, Handerson circles away and we're back to standing.
Handerson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Handerson misses with an uppercut. Cena saw that one coming.
Cena shoots in for a takedown but Handerson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Handerson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cena's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Handerson has managed to clinch.
Handerson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Handerson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Handerson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cena moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cena shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Handerson sprawls well. Handerson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cena gets slowly back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cena fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cena looks for a takedown but Handerson sprawls well.
Handerson looks to score with a jab to the body but Cena is just out of range.
Handerson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cena blocks a head kick by Handerson.
Cena shoots in looking for a takedown. Handerson tries to sprawl out of it but Cena keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Handerson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Handerson lands a head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Handerson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Handerson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Handerson!