PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Hendricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hendricks
vs
Gracie

185 cm
25
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

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 Hilo, Craig Hendricks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jordan Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hendricks lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Hendricks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick.
Hendricks lands a high kick!
Hendricks throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Gracie misses with a double jab.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Hendricks to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
Hendricks tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie avoids a kick to the body.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hendricks counters with a nice uppercut.
Craig Hendricks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan Gracie.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hendricks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hendricks throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Craig Hendricks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hendricks blocks the body kick.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses.
Hendricks lands a nice hook to Gracie's body. Gracie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Craig Hendricks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hendricks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hendricks wants it to stay on the feet.
Gracie looks winded!
A combination from Hendricks does no damage.
No joy there for Hendricks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hendricks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hendricks connects with an inside leg kick.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Hendricks.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hendricks.
Hendricks throws a combination that misses

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Gracie must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Hendricks is retaining full guard.
Gracie won't allow Hendricks to sweep him here.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses. Hendricks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Hendricks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Hendricks is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hendricks won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hendricks advances position into side control!

Hendricks stands up and beckons Gracie to his feet.
Hendricks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks misses with a wild combination.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Hendricks sprawls well.

Gracie forces Hendricks back against the cage and clinches.
Gracie has Hendricks pressed against the cage, preventing Hendricks from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hendricks takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hendricks misses with a leg kick.
Hendricks misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hendricks fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hendricks. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Hendricks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hendricks.
Hendricks moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromGracie.
A combination from Hendricks does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Hendricks sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hendricks bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
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!
Gracie blocks the body kick.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.

Gracie fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hendricks, pushing him back against the cage.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Hendricks can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hendricks dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A head kick from Gracie lands but Hendricks takes it in his stride.
Donk. Hendricks catches Gracie right on the button with a cross.
Hendricks slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hendricks sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hendricks buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hendricks connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hendricks misses with a double jab.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Hendricks as he connects with a hook.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Hendricks throws a wild body kick that Gracie sees coming a mile off.
Nice straight punches there by Hendricks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hendricks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hendricks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hendricks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Craig Hendricks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.

Gracie moves into the clinch.
Hendricks wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hendricks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hendricks is trying to push Gracie away but Gracie has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gracie keeps control of Hendricks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gracie scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hendricks tries to circle away but Gracie has him pinned against the cage.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Hendricks gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.
Hendricks throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Nice body punch from Gracie.
Hendricks throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hendricks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Gracie looks to land a combination but Hendricks avoids it well.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Hendricks sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hendricks throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Hendricks misses with the combination.
Gracie counters with a body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.

Gracie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hendricks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hendricks connects with a body shot that sends Gracie's belly button to the back.
Hendricks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Hendricks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A leg kick checked by Hendricks.
As Gracie backs away, Hendricks returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Hendricks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Hendricks.
Gracie wants to counter with a clinch but Hendricks pushes him away.
Hendricks stuffs the takedown.
Hendricks stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Hendricks lands with a straight right. Gracie didn't see that one coming.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hendricks letting Gracie take a breather here.
Hendricks is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendricks wants to break free but Gracie has control.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hendricks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hendricks looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Hendricks gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
Hendricks can't break the clinch.
Hendricks is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie has Hendricks pushed against the cage.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Hendricks.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Gracie rushes Hendricks and presses him up against the cage.
Hendricks wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hendricks wants to get back to striking at distance but Gracie won't allow it.
Hendricks is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hendricks dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hendricks takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Hendricks sprawls well.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
and Hendricks counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hendricks plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hendricks fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gracie checks it well.
Hendricks lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hendricks avoids it really well and circles away.
Craig Hendricks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan Gracie.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Craig Hendricks is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendricks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Gracie counters by clinching up.
Hendricks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hendricks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hendricks is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hendricks is trying to break free.
Gracie is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hendricks is defending well.
Hendricks has had enough of the clinch but Gracie keeps him there for the moment.
Hendricks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hendricks is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Hendricks is trying to break free.
Hendricks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Hendricks tries to break free but Gracie pushes him back against the cage.
Gracie has Hendricks pressed against the cage, preventing Hendricks from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two 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.
Hendricks is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hendricks's efforts to push away.
Gracie stalling against the cage.
Hendricks tries to circle away but Gracie has him pinned against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gracie.
Hendricks can't break the clinch.

Gracie pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hendricks throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hendricks scores with a decent looking hook.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses.

Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hendricks is looking to break free of the clinch but Gracie has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie stalling in the clinch.
Gracie keeps control of Hendricks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Gracie manages to break the clinch.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hendricks circles away.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Hendricks.
Hendricks throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Hendricks throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice sprawl there from Hendricks as Gracie shoots in.
Hendricks misses with a low kick as Gracie jumps back.
Gracie looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Gracie fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hendricks, pushing him back against the cage.
Gracie has Hendricks pressed against the cage, preventing Hendricks from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hendricks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Hendricks working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hendricks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hendricks looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Craig Hendricks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hendricks throws a nice head kick!
Gracie blocks a head kick by Hendricks.
Hendricks stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Hendricks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Hendricks.
Jordan Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hendricks misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Hendricks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hendricks, 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Hendricks!