PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arnaldo Carvalho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Henry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carvalho comes into the arena with Led Zeppelin - Kashmir blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Carvalho
vs
Henry

184 cm
19
178 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
191 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arnaldo Carvalho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Harry Henry!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henry keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Carvalho stuffs the takedown.
Henry tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Carvalho paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Henry throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Arnaldo Carvalho has been cut.
Henry doesn't manage to clinch there - Carvalho circles away.
Henry tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Carvalho swivels and escapes.
Henry stuffs the takedown attempt from Carvalho. Carvalho gets slowly back to his feet.
Henry is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Carvalho shoots for a double leg takedown but Henry sprawls well. He's pushed Carvalho's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Henry is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arnaldo Carvalho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Carvalho is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Carvalho has managed to clinch.
Henry gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Carvalho.
Henry tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henry escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick from Henry lands but Carvalho takes it in his stride.
Henry dives in and grabs Carvalho's left leg, looking for a takedown. Carvalho pushes down on Henry's head and hops out.
Henry is trying hard to land a takedown here. Carvalho sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Carvalho throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Henry's waist but Henry gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Carvalho off to one side.
Henry swings for the body but Carvalho moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Henry checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Henry fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Carvalho avoids it really well and circles away.
Carvalho definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Henry looks for a takedown but Carvalho sprawls well.
Henry slaps away a takedown attempt from Carvalho, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry shoots in looking for a takedown. Carvalho tries to sprawl out of it but Henry keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Carvalho manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Henry keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Henry fails with an attempt to clinch.
Henry throws a body punch but Carvalho moves out of range.
Carvalho throws a head kick that misses.
Carvalho throws a head kick but Henry moves out of range.
Henry looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Carvalho on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Carvalho on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henry looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carvalho fails with the takedown
and Henry counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Carvalho thinking.
Henry fails with a takedown attempt.
Carvalho appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Henry tries to clinch up.
Henry shoots in but Carvalho avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Henry changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Carvalho tries to avoid it but Henry manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Carvalho to the ground. Carvalho escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Carvalho seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Henry closes the distance and clinches up with Carvalho, looking for a takedown. Henry pushes Carvalho against the cage but Carvalho circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Arnaldo Carvalho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carvalho throws a big shot that misses.
Henry wants to counter the offense by Carvalho and move into the clinch position.
Henry with a lazy takedown attempt
and Henry takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Carvalho staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry misses with a takedown
and Carvalho counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Henry shoots in for a takedown but Carvalho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Carvalho throws a series of punches but Henry avoids them all with ease.
Carvalho sets himself, and Henry steps forward looking for the clinch! Carvalho avoids it this time.
Henry wants to clinch.
Henry goes for a double leg but Carvalho avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Carvalho continues to drive forward.
Carvalho lands with a nice combination. Henry backs away looking to recover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fight stays on the outside here - Henry looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Carvalho tries for a takedown but Henry circles away easily
and Henry counters with an outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Carvalho misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Henry.
Henry slips a jab and a cross from Carvalho.
Henry tries to counter by closing the distance.
Carvalho throws the left hand but Henry avoids the punch easily.
Henry throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Henry looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Carvalho is fending him off so far but Henry persists. Nope, Carvalho circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henry.
A counter left hand to the body from Carvalho misses its target.
Carvalho keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Arnaldo Carvalho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harry Henry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henry tries to close the distance and clinch up but Carvalho swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Carvalho throws the kick towards the body but Henry avoids it.
Henry throws a series of punches but Carvalho moves out of range.
Henry bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Henry! But no joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry moves in looking to clinch but Carvalho pushes him off.
Arnaldo Carvalho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Carvalho tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Henry swivels and escapes.
Henry tries to close the distance and clinch but Carvalho swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Carvalho fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Henry tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henry connects with a high kick.
Henry scores with a kick to the midsection.
Carvalho leaves Henry with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Henry shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Carvalho but Carvalho pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Carvalho throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henry.
And Henry tries to counter it with a takedown but Carvalho pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry fails with a takedown attempt.
Henry dives in and grabs Carvalho's left leg, looking for a takedown. Carvalho pushes down on Henry's head and hops out.

Carvalho moves into range and clinches up with Henry.

Carvalho pulls guard effortlessly.
Carvalho looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Henry drops back looking for a leg! Carvalho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Carvalho manages to kick Henry off! Henry jumps back into Carvalho's guard.
Carvalho trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carvalho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Carvalho is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Henry tries to free his leg and advance position but Carvalho is retaining full guard.
Carvalho looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Henry is trying hard to land a takedown here. Carvalho sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Henry moves out of range as Carvalho strikes.
Henry lands a head kick!
Carvalho misses with a series of wild punches.
Carvalho avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Henry tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Carvalho manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Henry tries to score a power double leg takedown but Carvalho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Henry somewhat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carvalho shoots in but no luck this time.
Henry shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Carvalho sprawls well. Carvalho wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Henry gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Carvalho wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arnaldo Carvalho dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Arnaldo Carvalho's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Henry misses with the combination.
Carvalho swats away the attempt to clinch by Henry.
Carvalho stuffs the takedown.
Carvalho fails to land with a series of punches.
Henry throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Carvalho is trying hard to land a takedown here. Henry sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Carvalho lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Henry circles away quickly and effectively.
As Carvalho backs off Henry throws a huge counter combo but Carvalho manages to avoid it all.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carvalho takes a head kick and keeps coming.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Carvalho here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Henry scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henry looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Henry.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Henry closes the distance and clinches up with Carvalho, looking for a takedown. Henry pushes Carvalho against the cage but Carvalho circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Henry throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Carvalho's waist but Carvalho gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Henry off to one side.
Carvalho half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Arnaldo Carvalho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harry Henry.
Henry rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Carvalho moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henry looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Carvalho instigates a clinch.

Carvalho pulls Henry into guard.

Carvalho pushes Henry off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry avoids a punch combination nicely.
Henry looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Carvalho is fending him off so far but Henry persists. Nope, Carvalho circles away and we're back to standing.
Henry shoots for a double leg takedown but Carvalho sprawls well. He's pushed Henry's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Henry has a takedown stuffed.
Henry takes a jab right on the kisser.
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!
Carvalho closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henry circles away.
Carvalho blocks a jab.
Henry closes this distance looking for a takedown but Carvalho circles away.
Carvalho avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Carvalho was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry shoots in but no luck this time.
Carvalho misses with a head kick.
Carvalho with a lazy takedown attempt
and Henry counters with a good, hard body kick but Carvalho shrugs it off.
Henry wants to clinch.
Henry shoots in looking for a takedown but Carvalho manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Henry's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Carvalho tries to score a power double leg takedown but Henry sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Carvalho somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henry.
Arnaldo Carvalho is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Carvalho sprawls well. Carvalho wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Henry gets slowly back to his feet.
Carvalho tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice takedown defense from Carvalho. No joy for Henry on that attempt.
It looked like Carvalho wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice takedown defense from Carvalho. No joy for Henry on that attempt.
It looked like Carvalho was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Carvalho looks to land a body kick but Henry moved away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Carvalho drives through and clinches with Henry against the cage.
Henry is working for takedown but Carvalho is calmly controlling the position for now.
Harry Henry has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Carvalho manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arnaldo Carvalho showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Carvalho has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arnaldo Carvalho!
Arnaldo Carvalho thanked the fans post fight for their support.