PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Henson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Costanzo De Luca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Luca has chosen Foals - My Number as his entrance music. 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.

Henson
vs
De Luca

170 cm
19
184 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

189 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Henson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Costanzo De Luca!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Luca throws an overhand right that lands on Henson's shoulder, as Henson tries to avoid the shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that De Luca has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
De Luca throws a lazy uppercut
and Henson counters with a left to the body.
Henson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Henson slips under a jab.
De Luca throws out a loose jab but Henson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Henson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
De Luca jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Henson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from De Luca.
Henson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. De Luca looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
De Luca swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
De Luca swings for the body but Henson moves out of range.
Henson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
De Luca rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Henson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Henson is taking a breather. De Luca 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.
Henson slips a nice elbow through De Luca's hands, connecting with De Luca's forehead.
Henson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henson is nestled in close to De Luca, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Henson 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.
De Luca is trying to stand.
Henson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

De Luca is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henson is controlling the pace.
De Luca is still in real trouble! Can Henson finish him?
Henson is pressing down on De Luca's thigh, looking to free his foot. De Luca is holding on for now.
Henson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
De Luca seems to have recovered his senses.
De Luca trying to hold on to Henson's head to control him but Henson postures up.
Henson trying to pass the guard but De Luca defending well.
Henson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
BOOM! Henson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Henson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
De Luca manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Henson wants to control but De Luca is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Henson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Henson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
De Luca is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Henson dominating with strikes here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Luca is in a horrible position here. Henson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Luca throwing hammer fists to the chest of Henson. What's that going to do exactly?
De Luca is looking to get to half guard.
Henson with good strikes from the mount here!

Henson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but De Luca is surviving well by controlling Henson's body position as best he can.
Henson controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down De Luca for as long as he can get away with.
Henson working the ground and pound effectively.
Henson controlling his opponent.
Henson landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Henson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
De Luca is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Luca in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Henson looking to control but De Luca is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Henson lands a heavy shot. That's hurt De Luca! Henson sees the opportunity and turns up the heat - strike after strike land to the defenseless De Luca and the ref dives in to save him! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). John Henson!