PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Jericho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Butch DeLoria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jericho might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Sharkslayer - Hunting Theme. 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.

Jericho
vs
DeLoria

175 cm
24
168 lbs
11 - 3 - 1

170 cm
29
165 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 159Q Recovery $79)

Legal High's [CBK]
Legal High's [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricky Jericho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Butch DeLoria!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jericho misses with a left hand
and DeLoria counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
DeLoria throws a shot from downtown. Jericho moves away and avoids it.
DeLoria slips under a jab.
DeLoria moves to clinch but Jericho breaks away
and Jericho counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jericho keeps the fight on the outside.
DeLoria scores with a hook to the body. Jericho takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jericho misses with a hook to the body
and DeLoria connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jericho swings widly with a right hand
and DeLoria counters with a nice body shot.
Jericho throws a hook to the side of DeLoria's head but DeLoria sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
DeLoria throws a series of punches but Jericho avoids them all with ease.
DeLoria connects with a looping right hand.
Jericho throws a jab but it's blocked by DeLoria.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeLoria is looking to clinch but Jericho is avoiding it.
DeLoria misses with a body punch
and Jericho connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

DeLoria scores a takedown into full mount!
Jericho is squirming around, avoiding DeLoria's attempts to control the action.
Jericho gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jericho is pressing down on DeLoria's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jericho is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jericho wants to sweep but no luck.
DeLoria seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Jericho is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

DeLoria shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jericho manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jericho keeping moving, preventing DeLoria from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Butch DeLoria dominated that 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.

DeLoria fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jericho manages to avoid it.
Jericho throws a leg kick but DeLoria moved away.
Jericho tries to clinch there but DeLoria circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jericho closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming DeLoria to the mat! DeLoria manages to get full guard.
Jericho wants to control from the top but DeLoria keeps moving.
DeLoria trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeLoria has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Jericho has passed into side control.
Jericho working away.
DeLoria tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on DeLoria's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
DeLoria holding on.
Jericho gets to mount! DeLoria was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

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.
DeLoria slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Jericho is keen to just control but DeLoria is a slippery customer.
DeLoria pushes Jericho off looking to stand but Jericho dives back in and keeps control.
Jericho is thwarting DeLoria's attempts to control the position.
Jericho is trying to control the action in half guard but DeLoria is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
DeLoria keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeLoria is looking for a sweep. Jericho is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jericho throwing shots but DeLoria is blocking nicely.
DeLoria is not content to let Jericho control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
DeLoria trying to control but Jericho postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jericho has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jericho there as he acknowledges the shot.

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.
Jericho shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with DeLoria but DeLoria pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jericho throws a lazy uppercut

and DeLoria counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jericho's guard now.
DeLoria with a flurry of punches that miss.
DeLoria with a flurry of punches that miss.
DeLoria stopping the sweep attempt from Jericho.
Jericho keeping full guard, as DeLoria tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Butch DeLoria showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

DeLoria falls off balance throwing a combination
and DeLoria takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jericho misses with a wild body shot.

DeLoria feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
DeLoria pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jericho is keeping the position for now.
Jericho bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in DeLoria's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jericho wants to control from the top but DeLoria keeps moving.
DeLoria tries to land a sweep but no joy.
DeLoria controls Jericho momentarily but Jericho frees himself.
DeLoria wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Jericho is now in half guard.
DeLoria wants to sweep but Jericho has passed to side control!
Ricky Jericho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
DeLoria manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Jericho moves nicely into side control.
DeLoria wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Jericho lands a few punches from side control.
A lull in the action here as Jericho stalls from top position.
DeLoria tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeLoria tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

DeLoria bucks up and throws Jericho to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
A big right from DeLoria misses.
Jericho misses with a looping right.
Jab, jab by Jericho - just one landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeLoria slaps away a takedown attempt from Jericho, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jericho misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from DeLoria.
Jericho misses with a shot to the body

and DeLoria counters with a shoot takedown. Jericho fights it but they end up in guard.

DeLoria is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jericho is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jericho has escaped and now he's on top!
Jericho postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ricky Jericho.
Well DeLoria has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Butch DeLoria!