UFC on Versus 5 Play-by-Play: Jim Miller vs. Ben Henderson

Jim Miller vs. Ben Henderson (lightweight)

Round 1: Miller and Henderson come out swinging. Both land a couple solid shots before clinching and Henderson pressing Miller to the cage. They move away from the fence, still clinched, Henderson landing some solid knees to the body, but Miller securing an arm triangle and jumping to guard with it, clinging to a standing Henderson. Miller lets go and tries to move to Henderson’s back, but Henderson plants him on the mat, and starts working from half guard. Miller gets out and up, but Henderson is immediately on him, going high with a kick, and then pressing him into the cage again. Miller secures Henderson’s right arm, looking for a Kimura, and drags Henderson to the mat, hanging on to the Kimura. Henderson escapes and stands, dropping down to take Miller down, but Miller goes for a guillotine choke. It’s not secure and Henderson slips out and starts ground and pound from half guard. Henderson drops some big elbows just before the bell. MMAWeekly.com scores round one 10-9 for Henderson.

Round 2: Miller comes out pressing the action, firing a kick to the body, but Henderson locks him up and trips him to the mat, landing in Miller’s full guard. Miller attacks for a leg lock, but Henderson moves out of danger and drops a hard elbow to Miller’s head. Miller again moves around and secures a kneebar. Henderson escapes and they’re back up, Henderson driving a knee to the body. Miller’s face is bleeding from the Henderson elbow. They hit the mat again, Miller again going for the kneebar, but Henderson drops some heavy bombs forcing Miller to give it up. They scramble back to their feet, Miller going for a Kimura, dragging the fight back down, but Henderson is hammering Miller’s ribs with punches. Miller is still trying to find the Kimura, but has to give it up. Henderson continues to pummel Miller to the body and head, mixing it up with punches and elbows to the bell. MMAWeekly.com scores round two 10-9 for Henderson.

Round 3: Henderson opens the third by getting his jab going and landing a thunderous leg kick. They dance around a bit and then Henderson kicks Miller’s leg out, sending him to the mat. He’s quickly up, looking for an opening and drops Henderson with a left hook. Henderson is quickly up and driving Miller down to the mat. Henderson stands and drives down some really heavy blows, and drops down, pinning Miller to the cage, ground and pounding him. Miller gives up his back. Henderson takes it. Miller stands and drives to drive Henderson to the mat, but Henderson hangs on and locks a rear naked choke. He gives up the choke, but has full back mount, hammering punches to the sides of Miller’s head. Huge hammering punches raining down with Miller’s head pinned to the mat. Henderson is in total control, muscles Miler to the fence on the mat, and unloads more ground and pound, punishing Miller like no one before him. Miller tries to get up and Henderson locks on a guillotine choke. He can’t finish, so he drives home some knees to Miller’s body. They get up and swing for the fences to the final bell. MMAWeekly.com scores round three 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Henderson

Ben Henderson def. Jim Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-26), R3