PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ben Johnson (ranked 5021 p4p, 234 weight class) and Luca Deliso (ranked 9614 p4p, 357 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Clash - This Is England. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Deliso

150 cm
24
136 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

173 cm
21
138 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ben Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Luca Deliso!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deliso displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Deliso throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've been informed that Deliso has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Deliso counters with a series of strikes. Johnson will be more careful next time no doubt.
A right-left combo lands from Deliso.
Johnson throws a hook but Deliso avoids it easily.

Johnson has Deliso up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Deliso.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Despite the aggression on Deliso's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throws a body punch but Deliso moves out of range.
As Johnson backs off Deliso throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
Deliso throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
As Deliso looks to move away, Johnson throws a big counter combo but Deliso just gets out of the way.
Deliso avoids the body shot from Johnson.
As Johnson backs off Deliso throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Deliso back into the cage.
Deliso struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Johnson stalling against the cage.
Johnson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Deliso throws a shot to the body.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Deliso sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Deliso is looking for the big counter here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deliso punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.
Johnson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hard Knocks Training in the buildup to the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut
and Deliso counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Deliso with a hook.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Deliso moved out of range.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Deliso as he avoids it easily.
Deliso scores with a one two! Johnson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Deliso slips under a jab.
Deliso misses with a double jab
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Deliso slips the punch.
Deliso tries a quick counter leg kick but Johnson is wise to it.

Johnson clinches up with Deliso and pushes him back against the cage.
Deliso tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnson avoids the damage to the body.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Deliso's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Johnson throws a head kick but Deliso moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deliso lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Deliso explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Deliso keeps it at a distance.
Johnson walks into a straight right hand from Deliso.
Deliso punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch.

Deliso gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A hook to the body from Johnson.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Deliso slips a jab from Johnson.
Decent striking displayed by Deliso there.
Johnson throws out a powerful jab.
Johnson throws a head kick but Deliso moves out of range.
Deliso steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Johnson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Deliso scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deliso throws a head kick that half lands.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Deliso blocks a jab.
Deliso is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnson is looking to counter punch.
Deliso walks into a stiff left hand from Johnson.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Deliso counters with a straight right hand.
Some wild striking there from Deliso.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Deliso defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
A countering left hand to the body from Deliso misses.
Luca Deliso is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Deliso tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Deliso displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Deliso changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luca Deliso will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A head kick misses from Deliso.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ben Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Deliso feints a jab promting Johnson to slip. Deliso then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Johnson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Deliso just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Johnson darts in and clinches Deliso up against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Johnson forces Deliso back against the cage and clinches.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson throws a right hand that misses
and Deliso counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Deliso avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Deliso ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Deliso slips a jab from Johnson.
Deliso goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Johnson throws a jab but it's blocked by Deliso.
Deliso unleashes a big counter combination but Johnson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deliso paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson leaning against his opponent.
Deliso tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson working Deliso over with knees to the body.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson swings widly with a right hand
and Deliso counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Deliso feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Johnsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Some wild striking there from Deliso.
Deliso is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Deliso!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson misses with a hook.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Johnson throws a jab when Deliso was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Deliso swivels and escapes.
A countering left hand to the body from Deliso misses.
Deliso staying out of range there.
A nice combination there by Deliso.
Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Deliso.
Johnson misses with a hook. Deliso ducked under it nicely.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As Johnson backs off Deliso throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
Deliso tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Deliso manages to avoid it.
Johnson misses with a hook.
A right-left combo lands from Deliso.
Deliso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Deliso lands with a kick to the temple. Johnson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd cheers as Deliso lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Deliso's head but Deliso sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Deliso.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Deliso sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Johnson scores with a takedown into Deliso's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson works over Deliso with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Deliso for as long as he can get away with.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deliso wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Deliso preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Deliso is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Deliso is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Deliso counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Deliso defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Deliso tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luca Deliso showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Deliso goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Deliso ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Deliso has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Deliso is trying to stand.

Deliso manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Luca Deliso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Deliso sprawls well. Deliso wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deliso scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Deliso lands with a hook. Johnson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Deliso moves out of range of the strikes.
Deliso will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Deliso lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Deliso's head but Deliso sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Deliso's shoulder, as Deliso tries to avoid the shot.
Deliso uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Deliso pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Johnson back to the cage. Deliso follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Deliso unleashes a big counter combination but Johnson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Deliso blocks a jab.
Luca Deliso seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Deliso swivels and escapes.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Deliso counters with a straight right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Deliso fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Deliso tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Deliso wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ben Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Deliso tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Deliso there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Deliso is just out of range.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Deliso.
Deliso tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Deliso finds it's target.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Deliso swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Luca Deliso is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Deliso works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Deliso scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Deliso steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Deliso is working the combinations to good effect here.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Deliso moved out of range nicely.
Deliso throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Johnson.
Deliso blocks a jab.
Deliso now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Johnson forces Deliso back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Deliso is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deliso throws a head kick that half lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throws a hook but Deliso avoids it easily.
Deliso has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Deliso defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Deliso sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Deliso flicks out a counter leg kick but Johnson steps away.
Deliso drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Deliso ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Deliso's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Deliso duly obliges.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Deliso is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Johnson with a body shot.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Deliso moves away.
Johnson throws a hook but Deliso avoids it easily.
Deliso walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Luca Deliso.
I've got Deliso winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luca Deliso!
A less than humble Luca Deliso misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.