PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vance Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey ONeil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Vance Henderson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Henderson
vs
ONeil

178 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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, Vance Henderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mickey ONeil!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Columbo Gatti and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

ONeil gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Henderson is looking to break free of the clinch but ONeil has double underhooks.
ONeil manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Henderson prevents the takedown attempt.
Henderson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Henderson prevents ONeil from breaking the clinch.
ONeil wants to break the clinch but can't.

ONeil breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henderson lands the left hand.
ONeil throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henderson.
ONeil misses with a jab, cross combination.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss
and ONeil counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Henderson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
ONeil throws a shot from downtown. Henderson moves away and avoids it.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination
letting ONeil counter with a right hand.
Henderson lands with a cross.

It looks like Mickey ONeil has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Henderson throws a combination. ONeil tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.

ONeil fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Henderson, pushing him back against the cage.
Henderson wants to get back to striking at distance but ONeil won't allow it.
ONeil pressing his opponent against the cage.
Henderson wants to break the clinch but can't.
ONeil has had enough of the clinch but Henderson keeps him there for the moment.

ONeil escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Henderson misses with a wild combination.
Henderson throws a combination that misses
and ONeil counters with a stiff right hand.
Henderson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Vance Henderson has been cut.
ONeil lands with a nice combination. Henderson backs away looking to recover.
ONeil drops his hands momentarily and Henderson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henderson throws a right hand that ONeil ducks under and follows up with a left that ONeil also avoids with ease.
ONeil shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Henderson but Henderson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
ONeil shoots in but Henderson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vance Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey ONeil.
ONeil looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ONeil takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Henderson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

ONeil is rocked!

That has opened up Mickey ONeil's cut even more.
Henderson lands a right hook to the body.
Henderson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
ONeil lands a nice looking body shot.
Henderson connects with the punch.
ONeil takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Henderson falls off balance throwing a combination
letting ONeil counter with a right hand.
ONeil connects with a jab.
Nice cross by ONeil.
Henderson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from ONeil finds it's way round the side to connect with Henderson's head.
ONeil lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson scores with a three punch combo!
ONeil fails to land with a series of punches.
ONeil throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson.
Henderson misses with a two punch combination.
ONeil scores with a shot to the body.
ONeil lands with a cross.
ONeil uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Henderson has time to react.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by ONeil.
Henderson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Henderson stuffs the takedown attempt from ONeil. ONeil gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Henderson.
ONeil misses with an attempted mid kick.
ONeil misses with a takedown attempt - Henderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Henderson lands.
ONeil is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Henderson had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
ONeil throws a combination that misses
and Henderson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
ONeil misses with a straight right.
Vance Henderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A right-left combo lands from Henderson.
ONeil thuds his right hand into Henderson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Henderson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
ONeil just misses with a punch to the body.
Henderson dodges the punch combination from ONeil.
Henderson slips under a jab from ONeil.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
ONeil looks for a takedown but Henderson sprawls well.
Nice cross by Henderson.
Henderson misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vance Henderson will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

ONeil shoots in and drives through. Henderson sprawls well.
ONeil looks to score with a jab to the body but Henderson is just out of range.
Nice cross by Henderson.
ONeil misses with a double jab
and Henderson counters with a stiff right hand.
ONeil throws a lazy right hand but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
ONeil throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice shot by Henderson.

ONeil clinches with his opponent.

ONeil breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from ONeil.
Henderson lands a slapping body shot.
Henderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Henderson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

ONeil darts in and clinches Henderson up against the cage.
Henderson wants to break free but ONeil has control.

ONeil breaks from the clinch.
Henderson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Vance Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
ONeil swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from ONeil.
ONeil looks to land a left hand but Henderson moved out of range nicely.
Vance Henderson is winning the standup battle so far.
ONeil uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Henderson fails to land with a series of punches.
Henderson throws a left and a right that both miss
and ONeil counters with a two punch combo.
Henderson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vance Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Henderson connects with a good right hand that stumbles ONeil. ONeil circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Henderson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Henderson tries to bum rush ONeil with a series of wild strikes but ONeil uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
ONeil swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Henderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
ONeil scores with a three punch combo!
Henderson fails to land with a series of punches.
ONeil throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson.
Henderson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
ONeil shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
ONeil throws and low kick but Henderson moves out of range easily.
ONeil drops his hands momentarily and Henderson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Henderson tests ONeil's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Henderson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Henderson misses with the combination.
ONeil slips a jab from Henderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ONeil will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Good standup being displayed there by ONeil as he connects with a hook.
ONeil jabbing away but nothing is landing.

ONeil scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but ONeil drags him back down.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
ONeil fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Henderson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of ONeil.
ONeil has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Henderson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, ONeil asserts his dominance and retains side control.
ONeil wants to control but Henderson is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ONeil throws a strike aimed at the side of Henderson's head but Henderson avoids it well.
ONeil trying to control the action but Henderson is working from the bottom.
ONeil in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
ONeil lands with a cross.
Henderson digs a good hook to ONeil's body.
ONeil takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fighters circle momentarily. ONeil darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
ONeil has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
ONeil throws a combination that misses
and Henderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Henderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by ONeil.
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 Vance Henderson will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Henderson misses with a combination
and Henderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A punch combination from Henderson misses.
ONeil tries to bum rush Henderson with a series of wild strikes but Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
ONeil keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
ONeil moves into range and connects with a jab.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from ONeil.
ONeil misses with a few strikes there.
ONeil loads up on a big right hand but Henderson slips the punch.
ONeil walks into a stiff left hand from Henderson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson swinging wilding here.
Henderson misses with a series of wild punches.
Henderson dodges the punch combination from ONeil.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ONeil swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Henderson.
A combination from ONeil does no damage.
Henderson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Henderson swings for the body but ONeil moves out of range.
ONeil misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson.
Henderson fails to land with a series of punches.
Henderson looks to land a left hand but ONeil moved out of range nicely.
ONeil fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Henderson blocks a jab.
Henderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Henderson stuffs the takedown attempt from ONeil. ONeil gets slowly back to his feet.
Henderson's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Henderson duly obliges.

That's two 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.
Henderson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Henderson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
ONeil fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vance Henderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey ONeil.
Henderson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of ONeil's head.
ONeil will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from ONeil.
ONeil looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Henderson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and ONeil counters with a nice body shot.
ONeil shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Henderson scores with a sloppy right hand. ONeil should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ONeil fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Henderson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
ONeil looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
ONeil takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A punch combination from ONeil misses.
A swing and a miss from ONeil.
Henderson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice body punch from Henderson.
Henderson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Henderson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from ONeil.
ONeil misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henderson.
Mickey ONeil has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
ONeil doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
ONeil throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.
Jab from Henderson.
ONeil misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Henderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Henderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Henderson scores with a three punch combo!
ONeil closes the distance and clinches up with Henderson, looking for a takedown. ONeil pushes Henderson against the cage but Henderson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Henderson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by ONeil.
ONeil rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
ONeil uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Henderson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Henderson moves away from the strike by ONeil.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from ONeil.
Vance Henderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A decent looking cross lands there for Henderson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vance Henderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Henderson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Vance Henderson!