PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stipe Lovric (ranked 4707 p4p, 4721 weight class) and Luka Delija (ranked 90 p4p, 84 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.

Lovric
vs
Delija

180 cm
18
173
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
190
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stipe Lovric!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luka Delija!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Lovric.
Delija throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Delija tests Lovric's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lovric avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lovric is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Delija.
A big left from Delija misses.
Lovric rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Delija moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Delija chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lovric can pounce on him.
Delija throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lovric is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A slow jab from Delija misses its intended target.
Delija missing with a left hand there. Lovric was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Delija just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromLovric.
Lovric lands a high kick!
Delija ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lovric moves away.
Delija waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lovric.
Delija avoids the body shot from Lovric.
Delija ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lovric moves away.
Lovric slips under a jab from Delija.
Delija throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delija throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lovric shoots in for a takedown but Delija shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Delija throws the left hand but Lovric avoids the punch easily.
Lovric throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Delija sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lovric ducks under a wild hook from Delija.
Lovric is trying hard to land a takedown here. Delija sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Delija looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lovric moves out of range as Delija strikes.
No luck for Lovric with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stipe Lovric. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Delija throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lovric sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lovric tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Delija manages to circle out of the way.
Delija throws a body punch but Lovric moves out of range.
A big right from Delija misses.
Lovric wants to clinch up but Delija keeps it at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Delija.
Good exchange - Delija coming out on top.
Delija looks to score with a jab to the body but Lovric is just out of range.
Lovric is looking to counter the offense by Delija and move into the clinch.
Delija fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lovric manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lovric takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Lovric looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lovric trying to control the action but Delija is working from the bottom.
Delija wants to get back to his feet.
Lovric trying to control the action but Delija is working from the bottom.
Lovric is taking a breather. Delija says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lovric trying to pass the guard but Delija defending well.

Lovric looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lovric wants to control but Delija is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lovric misses with a low kick as Delija jumps back.
A little jabbing left from Delija on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lovric uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Delija.
Delija throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Lovric was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Delija.
Lovric shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Delija but Delija pushes him off and we're back to square one.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lovric has Delija up against the cage in a clinch.
Lovric blocks an uppercut.
Delija lands with a light punch inside.
Lovric wants to stall.
Delija lands a left hand.
Delija working aggressively here.
Delija swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lovric blocking some punches.
Delija throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Delija dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Delija pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Lovric manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Delija on his heels. He'll look to pass Delija's guard now, I'm sure.
Lovric controlling from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lovric 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.

Delija uses the cage to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lovric gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Delija.

Lovric gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Delija swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Delija is pressed up against the cage. Lovric has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Delija down to the mat. Delija avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Stipe Lovric is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovric shoots in for a takedown but Delija shows good takedown defense.
Delija thows a left - swing and a miss!

Lovric gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch on the inside from Delija fails to land.
Delija has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Delija.
Delija misses with a punch on the inside.
Delija misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stalling in the clinch from Delija.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Delija.
Delija swings wildly with an uppercut but Lovric uses good head movement to avoid it.
Delija wants to stall.
Lovric has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Delija is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stipe Lovric. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lovric tries to pull guard but Delija forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Delija misses with a body punch.

Lovric breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lovric tries to clinch but Delija is having none of it.

Lovric darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Delija manages to escape and get back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lovric moves away from the strike by Delija.
Lovric is looking to clinch.
Delija thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luka Delija seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lovric fails to land the takedown.
No luck for Lovric with that takedown attempt.
Lovric displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Delija throws out the jab.
Delija lands an overhand right.
Lovric uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Delija.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delija is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lovric.
Delija throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Delija lunges at Lovric with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lovric's hand.
Lovric avoids the body shot from Delija.
Delija scores with a jab to the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Delija misses the target.
Delija throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lovric ducks under a wild hook from Delija.

Lovric drives through and clinches with Delija against the cage.

Delija manages to break the clinch.
Delija fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lovric manages to avoid it.
Delija keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Delija thuds his right hand into Lovric's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Lovric bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Delija bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Lovric will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lovric is defended easily by Delija.
Delija looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Delija closes the distance and clinches.
Delija throws a punch but it's blocked by Lovric.
Lovric is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Delija to keep the fight standing.
Delija tries a body shot but Lovric blocks it.
Lovric is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Delija is keeping busy.
Lovric tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Delija misses with a hook from the clinch.

Lovric gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Delija regains guard.

Delija kicks Lovric off and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Delija 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!

Delija circles away from the clinch attempt.
Delija digs a good body shot into Lovric's ribs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Delija tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lovric tries to circle away but Delija has him pinned against the cage.
Lovric jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Delija walks away with a smile on his face. Lovric gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Delija throws a nice looking combination but Lovric bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Delija fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lovric tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lovric tries to keep at a distance but Delija has taken the fight into the clinch.
Delija working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Delija softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Delija pressing his opponent against the cage.
Delija misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovric tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Delija just stands there and leans against the cage.
Delija misses with the head strike.
Lovric's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Lovric blocking some punches.
Lovric can't break the clinch.
Delija throws a head punch that misses.
Lovric is looking to break free of the clinch but Delija has double underhooks.
Delija misses with a punch on the inside.

Delija's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Delija throws a big shot that misses.
Lovric moves out of range as Delija strikes.

Lovric closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lovric lands in his opponent's guard.

Delija pushes Lovric off and scrambles back to his feet.
Luka Delija is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Delija misses with an uppercut.
Lovric tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Delija swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stipe Lovric. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lovric shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Delija as he avoids it easily.
A jab from Delija misses.
Lovric is looking for a counter combo.
Delija fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lovric fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Delija misses the target.
Delija misses with a body shot.
Delija misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lovric.

Delija moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Delija fails to land.
Delija doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lovric tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Delija just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delija misses with a punch to the body.
Delija tries to work over Lovric's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Delija tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Delija working aggressively here.
Lovric is trying to break free.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Delija takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Lovric breaks from the clinch.
Delija takes a swing at Lovric's ribcage but misses.
Delija stuffs the takedown attempt from Lovric. Lovric gets slowly back to his feet.
Lovric ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Delija swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lovric moves out of range as Delija strikes.
Delija throws a predictable looking body shot
and Lovric counters with a big head kick but Delija shrugs it off.
Luka Delija seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lovric misses with a wild body shot.
Lovric defending well as Delija loads up on a big left hand.
Luka Delija is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Delija throws a right hand that misses

and Lovric counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lovric.
Lovric jumps guard but Delija turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lovric blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Delija.
Lovric is stalling here.
Delija taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Lovric breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lovric fails with a takedown attempt.
Delija thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lovric attempts a counter takedown but Delija avoids it well and moves away.
Delija throws a body shot but no joy.
Stipe Lovric has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lovric throws a nice looking combination but Delija bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luka Delija comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Delija 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luka Delija!