Post by The Sandmen on Mar 19, 2012 13:44:09 GMT -5
Gilbert Melendez looks very relaxed.
Benson Henderson looks very relaxed.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson touch gloves in the center to get this fight started!
Benson Henderson tries to bring the fight to the ground
Melendez won't budge, forcing Benson to pull guard.
The clock says 0:25 in the 1 round
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Melendez is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Gilbert Melendez uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Gilbert Melendez tries to take advantage...
Gilbert Melendez aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Gilbert Melendez aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Melendez gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! He's just wailing away at Benson Henderson! The referee is saying he's going to stop it if Benson Henderson doesn't defend himself!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Deep breaths from Benson Henderson who tries a hammer punch to Melendez's ribs.
Melendez blocks those punches
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Melendez is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Gilbert Melendez!
The clock says 1:20 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Benson Henderson keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Melendez tries to move on the ground and shows Benson Henderson a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Melendez uses his forearms to block the impact!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson shows no signs of slowing down. He's in great shape.
Benson Henderson throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Melendez breaks the lock showing some skills...
The clock says 1:55 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Gilbert Melendez gets his hip out and moves to full guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Melendez tries to close his guard around Benson
He is not able to do it
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Gilbert Melendez circles around Benson
Superb haymaker by Melendez
that lands on Benson's face like a cannon ball!
Benson tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Well done. Benson is clinching with Melendez.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson Henderson's corner is turning out to be his worst enemy! Melendez is throwing a flurry of punches!
Benson Henderson just can't get away!
The fighters are clinching.
Benson Henderson postures up and launches another series of punches!
Melendez pushes his opponent forward and blocks most of Benson Henderson's offensive.
Melendez is trying to counter now!
A wicked punch by Gilbert Melendez
rocks Benson!
Melendez steps backwards away from Benson Henderson. He seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
The clock says 3:15 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around his opponent.
Gilbert Melendez launches a body shot
Benson dodges and catches him with a hard cross.
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
Gilbert Melendez and Benson engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Benson Henderson is getting the best of the exchange as he lands a few blows.
Benson steps forward
Melendez feints.
Gilbert Melendez throws a combo
Benson punches back but nobody connects.
Melendez is trying to counter now!
Benson launches a kick
Melendez checks it and keeps distance.
Benson looks for angles as he throws a few jabs that are countered by Gilbert Melendez's punches
Benson measures the resilience of Melendez's chin with an uppercut while Melendez lands some great crosses.
The clock says 4:25 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson goes with a looping right hand while Gilbert Melendez jumps back and jabs
Benson only hits air and the subsequent exchange is fruitless.
Benson seems hesitant as if he would give the initiative to his opponent.
Several good body shots
land on Melendez.
Benson Henderson attempts a sweep single...
Benson Henderson catches Gilbert Melendez's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Benson.
The clock says 4:55 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Melendez
You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Gilbert Melendez can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Benson is in closed guard... Melendez tries to roll on the ground!
Benson Henderson uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Poorly executed technique. Benson Henderson looks to counter!
Benson Henderson moves to better his position on the ground...
Benson Henderson wraps his arms around his opponents' and tries to switch positions
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Benson Henderson swings...
...no good.
Melendez tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Melendez is holding Benson Henderson's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Benson Henderson loses balance and goes to the ground.
Gilbert Melendez is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Gilbert Melendez aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Gilbert Melendez is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Gilbert Melendez moves to better his position on the ground...
Gilbert Melendez viciously slams hammer blows to Benson's face!
There is a small laceration on Benson Henderson's Forehead
Gilbert Melendez is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Gilbert Melendez looks to mount Benson Henderson...
Benson Henderson takes advantage of his opponent's over commitment and traps him in full guard.
Gilbert Melendez is in open guard over Benson
Benson is taking this opportunity to rest.
Gilbert Melendez is in open guard over Benson
Melendez tries to open up Benson Henderson's defense faking a few punches.
Benson Henderson wraps his arms around Melendez's arms and counters the punches.
Gilbert Melendez gets sloppy and Benson Henderson tries to take advantage...
Benson attempts a triangle from bottom! Gilbert Melendez slips out. Benson quickly turns his hips over and switches to the armbar! He's throwing everything at him.
Gilbert Melendez slips out and backs away to avoid danger.
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Gilbert Melendez. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Benson Henderson fakes a punch and launches himself over Melendez!
Nice move by Benson who clinches and pushes Melendez against the cage
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Brutal punches to Melendez's face while in the clinch!
Melendez can't take many more shots like those!
The fighters are clinching.
Benson is launching some bone breaking punches to Melendez's ribs while in the clinch.
Melendez blocks.
Melendez tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Gilbert Melendez attempts a sweep single...
Benson Henderson was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
Melendez doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Benson Henderson embrace and tries to move away...
Benson Henderson pushes Melendez forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Gilbert Melendez is absolutely terrifying with his power in the clinch, and is violently punishing Benson with uppercuts!
Nothing that Benson must fear as he blocks nicely
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters and tells them to continue fighting.
Benson Henderson fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
Melendez blocks that. He made it look easy!
Poorly executed technique. Gilbert Melendez looks to counter!
Melendez jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Gilbert Melendez pushes his opponent against the fence in a plum position
The fighters are clinching.
Benson Henderson grapple with Gilbert Melendez and tries a Outer Leg Sweep
nice takedown Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
The clock says 2:25 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez attempts to trap Benson Henderson in his guard.
Benson Henderson keeps control and remains in side mount.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson Henderson looks to mount Gilbert Melendez...
Gilbert Melendez takes advantage of his opponent's over commitment and traps him in full guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Benson tries to move to full mount
Benson's ground game is not enough to provide him any advantage
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Gilbert Melendez to fight back!
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Benson's side.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Benson blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
The clock says 3:05 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Good looking punches from Benson Henderson on the ground
deflected by Melendez.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Benson moves on the ground...
He remains in open guard.
Poorly executed technique. Gilbert Melendez looks to counter!
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Benson's side.
The clock says 3:25 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Benson tries to jump to side mount.
Gilbert Melendez jumps and show some wrestling skills as he positions himself for continuing the fight in side control.
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Benson Henderson launches a few punches to Melendez's cheek from the guard.
Gilbert Melendez uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Gilbert Melendez to fight back!
Melendez use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) is cheering him!
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Gilbert Melendez fakes a punch and launches himself over Benson!
Benson Henderson is smart enough to avoid the clinch game by Melendez and pushes him away!
Benson seems hesitant as if he would give the initiative to his opponent.
Benson tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Melendez moves backwards and circles around Benson Henderson.
Benson misses a step and Gilbert Melendez sees an opportunity to counter him!
Gilbert Melendez leans forwards and tries to grapple with Benson
Melendez shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson Henderson tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Benson circles out and slips free of Gilbert Melendez's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
The clock says 4:20 in the 2 round
Benson pushes Gilbert Melendez and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.
The clock says 4:30 in the 2 round
Gilbert Melendez launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Benson blocks and tries to circle around his opponent looking for angles.
Tremendous strikes from Benson!
Some big punches are landing!
There is a small laceration on Gilbert Melendez's Chin
Bone shattering straight left hand from Benson Henderson!
Melendez is going to have a big headache after that blow!
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
The two exchange wildly
Both fighters are missing terribly.
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
Gilbert Melendez fakes a punch and launches himself over Benson Henderson
Benson counters with a few fake punches and then backpedals
Gilbert Melendez launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Benson blocks the jabs but the last punch hits hard on Benson Henderson's cheek! Benson stumbles and the falls to the mat!
Benson's Right cheek is beginning to swell
Melendez is standing while Benson is on the ground on his back
Melendez cartwheels towards Benson!
Benson fights back and evades the cartwheel guard pass.
The clock says 0:45 in the 3 round
Melendez is standing while Benson is on the ground on his back
Benson tries to stand up!
he is now on his feet
Benson Henderson is on his feet again.
0:59 Round 3 and Benson is still in good shape. He sure has trained hard for this fight.
Benson decides to launch some tentative punches
Benson Henderson takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Melendez's Forehead is beginning to swell
Melendez has a small cut in his Forehead
Benson Henderson fakes a move and moves laterally.
Benson is holding Gilbert Melendez's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Gilbert Melendez loses balance and goes to the ground.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson is taking this opportunity to rest.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. He is in full mount now.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez launches a few punches to Benson's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Benson tries to cover his face,
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Benson blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson fires a barrage of punches at Melendez's head!
This is bad! Benson is just pounding on Gilbert Melendez's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Benson Henderson controls the situation despite Gilbert Melendez efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson leans back...
He clobbers Gilbert Melendez's face with a huge punch! Ouch!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Gilbert Melendez can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
The clock says 2:55 in the 3 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson Henderson throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Melendez breaks the lock showing some skills...
Poorly executed technique. Gilbert Melendez looks to counter!
Gilbert Melendez tries to roll on the ground...
He makes a reversal!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
Mario Yamasaki has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The clock says 3:15 in the 3 round
Gilbert Melendez attempts to cut off Benson with punches
Benson avoids getting cornered.
Benson Henderson throws an uppercut
that lands solidly.
Gilbert Melendez leans forwards and tries to grapple with Benson
Melendez shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
The fighters are clinching.
Melendez takes a break to breathe while holding Benson Henderson.
Mario Yamasaki sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Good movement from Melendez
who is bobbing and weaving.
Benson tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Melendez launches a kick
but Benson Henderson avoids it and lands flush with a counter hook!
Gilbert Melendez throws a looping right hand...
Benson moves aside and dodges.
The clock says 4:25 in the 3 round
The two exchange wildly
Both fighters are missing terribly.
Benson decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Benson moves back and takes a deep breath.
A right hand from Gilbert Melendez
makes Benson stumble back!
Benson's Forehead is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Melendez jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Benson sees what was coming and ducks under his opponent and moves aside
Mario Yamasaki tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
That round was a toss up.
Winner is Gilbert Melendez by Split decision
Statistics: Gilbert Melendez
Punches 12/35 (34%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 3/8 (38%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 26/38 (68%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 2/3 (67%)
Time on the ground 383 s
Statistics: Benson Henderson
Punches 23/36 (64%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/13 (31%)
Takedowns 2/3 (67%)
GnP strikes 5/17 (29%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 2/3 (67%)
Time on the ground 397 s
A decent performance by Gilbert Melendez today. He read the fight well and wasn't afraid of enganging.
Benson had some absorbing moments and he contributed to the enjoyment of the people here at Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
Superb fight! Undoubtedly one of the fights of the year!
Benson Henderson looks very relaxed.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson touch gloves in the center to get this fight started!
Benson Henderson tries to bring the fight to the ground
Melendez won't budge, forcing Benson to pull guard.
The clock says 0:25 in the 1 round
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Melendez is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Gilbert Melendez uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Benson Henderson gets sloppy and Gilbert Melendez tries to take advantage...
Gilbert Melendez aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Gilbert Melendez aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Melendez gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! He's just wailing away at Benson Henderson! The referee is saying he's going to stop it if Benson Henderson doesn't defend himself!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Deep breaths from Benson Henderson who tries a hammer punch to Melendez's ribs.
Melendez blocks those punches
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Melendez is in closed guard... Benson tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Gilbert Melendez!
The clock says 1:20 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Benson Henderson keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Melendez tries to move on the ground and shows Benson Henderson a crack in his guard which he uses for a big elbow!
Melendez uses his forearms to block the impact!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson shows no signs of slowing down. He's in great shape.
Benson Henderson throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Melendez breaks the lock showing some skills...
The clock says 1:55 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez tries to roll to his side and trap Benson Henderson in his guard...
Gilbert Melendez gets his hip out and moves to full guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Melendez tries to close his guard around Benson
He is not able to do it
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Gilbert Melendez circles around Benson
Superb haymaker by Melendez
that lands on Benson's face like a cannon ball!
Benson tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Well done. Benson is clinching with Melendez.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson Henderson's corner is turning out to be his worst enemy! Melendez is throwing a flurry of punches!
Benson Henderson just can't get away!
The fighters are clinching.
Benson Henderson postures up and launches another series of punches!
Melendez pushes his opponent forward and blocks most of Benson Henderson's offensive.
Melendez is trying to counter now!
A wicked punch by Gilbert Melendez
rocks Benson!
Melendez steps backwards away from Benson Henderson. He seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
The clock says 3:15 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around his opponent.
Gilbert Melendez launches a body shot
Benson dodges and catches him with a hard cross.
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
Gilbert Melendez and Benson engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Benson Henderson is getting the best of the exchange as he lands a few blows.
Benson steps forward
Melendez feints.
Gilbert Melendez throws a combo
Benson punches back but nobody connects.
Melendez is trying to counter now!
Benson launches a kick
Melendez checks it and keeps distance.
Benson looks for angles as he throws a few jabs that are countered by Gilbert Melendez's punches
Benson measures the resilience of Melendez's chin with an uppercut while Melendez lands some great crosses.
The clock says 4:25 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson goes with a looping right hand while Gilbert Melendez jumps back and jabs
Benson only hits air and the subsequent exchange is fruitless.
Benson seems hesitant as if he would give the initiative to his opponent.
Several good body shots
land on Melendez.
Benson Henderson attempts a sweep single...
Benson Henderson catches Gilbert Melendez's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Benson.
The clock says 4:55 in the 1 round
Benson Henderson is in closed guard over Melendez
You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Gilbert Melendez can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Benson is in closed guard... Melendez tries to roll on the ground!
Benson Henderson uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Poorly executed technique. Benson Henderson looks to counter!
Benson Henderson moves to better his position on the ground...
Benson Henderson wraps his arms around his opponents' and tries to switch positions
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Benson Henderson swings...
...no good.
Melendez tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Melendez is holding Benson Henderson's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Benson Henderson loses balance and goes to the ground.
Gilbert Melendez is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Gilbert Melendez aggressively and repeatedly punches Benson.
He needs to do something soon or the referee will stop the fight!
Gilbert Melendez is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Gilbert Melendez moves to better his position on the ground...
Gilbert Melendez viciously slams hammer blows to Benson's face!
There is a small laceration on Benson Henderson's Forehead
Gilbert Melendez is in side mount over Benson Henderson
Gilbert Melendez looks to mount Benson Henderson...
Benson Henderson takes advantage of his opponent's over commitment and traps him in full guard.
Gilbert Melendez is in open guard over Benson
Benson is taking this opportunity to rest.
Gilbert Melendez is in open guard over Benson
Melendez tries to open up Benson Henderson's defense faking a few punches.
Benson Henderson wraps his arms around Melendez's arms and counters the punches.
Gilbert Melendez gets sloppy and Benson Henderson tries to take advantage...
Benson attempts a triangle from bottom! Gilbert Melendez slips out. Benson quickly turns his hips over and switches to the armbar! He's throwing everything at him.
Gilbert Melendez slips out and backs away to avoid danger.
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Gilbert Melendez. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Benson Henderson fakes a punch and launches himself over Melendez!
Nice move by Benson who clinches and pushes Melendez against the cage
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Brutal punches to Melendez's face while in the clinch!
Melendez can't take many more shots like those!
The fighters are clinching.
Benson is launching some bone breaking punches to Melendez's ribs while in the clinch.
Melendez blocks.
Melendez tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Gilbert Melendez attempts a sweep single...
Benson Henderson was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
Melendez doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Benson Henderson embrace and tries to move away...
Benson Henderson pushes Melendez forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Gilbert Melendez is absolutely terrifying with his power in the clinch, and is violently punishing Benson with uppercuts!
Nothing that Benson must fear as he blocks nicely
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters and tells them to continue fighting.
Benson Henderson fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
Melendez blocks that. He made it look easy!
Poorly executed technique. Gilbert Melendez looks to counter!
Melendez jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Gilbert Melendez pushes his opponent against the fence in a plum position
The fighters are clinching.
Benson Henderson grapple with Gilbert Melendez and tries a Outer Leg Sweep
nice takedown Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
The clock says 2:25 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez attempts to trap Benson Henderson in his guard.
Benson Henderson keeps control and remains in side mount.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson Henderson looks to mount Gilbert Melendez...
Gilbert Melendez takes advantage of his opponent's over commitment and traps him in full guard.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Benson tries to move to full mount
Benson's ground game is not enough to provide him any advantage
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Gilbert Melendez to fight back!
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Benson's side.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Benson blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
The clock says 3:05 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Good looking punches from Benson Henderson on the ground
deflected by Melendez.
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Benson moves on the ground...
He remains in open guard.
Poorly executed technique. Gilbert Melendez looks to counter!
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Benson's side.
The clock says 3:25 in the 2 round
Benson Henderson is in open guard over Melendez
Benson tries to jump to side mount.
Gilbert Melendez jumps and show some wrestling skills as he positions himself for continuing the fight in side control.
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Benson Henderson launches a few punches to Melendez's cheek from the guard.
Gilbert Melendez uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Benson clumsily fails here and it's time for Gilbert Melendez to fight back!
Melendez use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) is cheering him!
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Gilbert Melendez fakes a punch and launches himself over Benson!
Benson Henderson is smart enough to avoid the clinch game by Melendez and pushes him away!
Benson seems hesitant as if he would give the initiative to his opponent.
Benson tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Melendez moves backwards and circles around Benson Henderson.
Benson misses a step and Gilbert Melendez sees an opportunity to counter him!
Gilbert Melendez leans forwards and tries to grapple with Benson
Melendez shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Benson Henderson tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Benson circles out and slips free of Gilbert Melendez's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
The clock says 4:20 in the 2 round
Benson pushes Gilbert Melendez and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.
The clock says 4:30 in the 2 round
Gilbert Melendez launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Benson blocks and tries to circle around his opponent looking for angles.
Tremendous strikes from Benson!
Some big punches are landing!
There is a small laceration on Gilbert Melendez's Chin
Bone shattering straight left hand from Benson Henderson!
Melendez is going to have a big headache after that blow!
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
The two exchange wildly
Both fighters are missing terribly.
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
Gilbert Melendez fakes a punch and launches himself over Benson Henderson
Benson counters with a few fake punches and then backpedals
Gilbert Melendez launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Benson blocks the jabs but the last punch hits hard on Benson Henderson's cheek! Benson stumbles and the falls to the mat!
Benson's Right cheek is beginning to swell
Melendez is standing while Benson is on the ground on his back
Melendez cartwheels towards Benson!
Benson fights back and evades the cartwheel guard pass.
The clock says 0:45 in the 3 round
Melendez is standing while Benson is on the ground on his back
Benson tries to stand up!
he is now on his feet
Benson Henderson is on his feet again.
0:59 Round 3 and Benson is still in good shape. He sure has trained hard for this fight.
Benson decides to launch some tentative punches
Benson Henderson takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Melendez's Forehead is beginning to swell
Melendez has a small cut in his Forehead
Benson Henderson fakes a move and moves laterally.
Benson is holding Gilbert Melendez's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Gilbert Melendez loses balance and goes to the ground.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson is taking this opportunity to rest.
Benson Henderson is in side mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. He is in full mount now.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez launches a few punches to Benson's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Benson tries to cover his face,
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Melendez measures the resilience of Benson's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Benson blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson fires a barrage of punches at Melendez's head!
This is bad! Benson is just pounding on Gilbert Melendez's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Benson Henderson controls the situation despite Gilbert Melendez efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson leans back...
He clobbers Gilbert Melendez's face with a huge punch! Ouch!
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Gilbert Melendez can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
The clock says 2:55 in the 3 round
Benson Henderson is in full mount over Gilbert Melendez
Benson Henderson throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Melendez breaks the lock showing some skills...
Poorly executed technique. Gilbert Melendez looks to counter!
Gilbert Melendez tries to roll on the ground...
He makes a reversal!
Gilbert Melendez is in closed guard over Benson
Gilbert Melendez doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He can't do it because of Benson's moves.
Mario Yamasaki has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The clock says 3:15 in the 3 round
Gilbert Melendez attempts to cut off Benson with punches
Benson avoids getting cornered.
Benson Henderson throws an uppercut
that lands solidly.
Gilbert Melendez leans forwards and tries to grapple with Benson
Melendez shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
The fighters are clinching.
Melendez takes a break to breathe while holding Benson Henderson.
Mario Yamasaki sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Good movement from Melendez
who is bobbing and weaving.
Benson tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Melendez launches a kick
but Benson Henderson avoids it and lands flush with a counter hook!
Gilbert Melendez throws a looping right hand...
Benson moves aside and dodges.
The clock says 4:25 in the 3 round
The two exchange wildly
Both fighters are missing terribly.
Benson decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Benson moves back and takes a deep breath.
A right hand from Gilbert Melendez
makes Benson stumble back!
Benson's Forehead is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Melendez jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Benson sees what was coming and ducks under his opponent and moves aside
Mario Yamasaki tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
That round was a toss up.
Winner is Gilbert Melendez by Split decision
Statistics: Gilbert Melendez
Punches 12/35 (34%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 3/8 (38%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 26/38 (68%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 2/3 (67%)
Time on the ground 383 s
Statistics: Benson Henderson
Punches 23/36 (64%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/13 (31%)
Takedowns 2/3 (67%)
GnP strikes 5/17 (29%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 2/3 (67%)
Time on the ground 397 s
A decent performance by Gilbert Melendez today. He read the fight well and wasn't afraid of enganging.
Benson had some absorbing moments and he contributed to the enjoyment of the people here at Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
Superb fight! Undoubtedly one of the fights of the year!
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!