PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Derrick Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Saltalamacchia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Saltalamacchia struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Saltalamacchia

187 cm
20
175 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
181 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Derrick Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Saltalamacchia!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saltalamacchia moves away.
Saltalamacchia sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Saltalamacchia takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Saltalamacchia keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Saltalamacchia misses with a body punch.
Johnson lands a nice knee to the body.
Johnson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Johnson to work.
Saltalamacchia is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Saltalamacchia into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saltalamacchia tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Saltalamacchia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Saltalamacchia on that attempt.
Saltalamacchia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Derrick Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Saltalamacchia.

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Johnson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Saltalamacchia drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saltalamacchia drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saltalamacchia on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to stand up but Saltalamacchia is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saltalamacchia trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saltalamacchia sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Saltalamacchia trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saltalamacchia trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Saltalamacchia is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Saltalamacchia looks gassed!
Johnson wants to stand but Saltalamacchia has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Saltalamacchia is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Saltalamacchia's guard.
Saltalamacchia is trying to keep Johnson in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Saltalamacchia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Johnson's waist but Johnson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saltalamacchia off to one side.
Mike Saltalamacchia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saltalamacchia throws a leg kick
and Johnson counters with a big head kick but Saltalamacchia shrugs it off.
Saltalamacchia takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Saltalamacchia tries to clinch
and Johnson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Saltalamacchia's knee momentarily.

Saltalamacchia tries to keep at a distance but Johnson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnson scores with a knee to the head.
Johnson tries to land knees in the clinch but Saltalamacchia avoids the damage to the body.
Saltalamacchia is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Saltalamacchia into the cage.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Saltalamacchia is breathing heavily.
Saltalamacchia trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
Saltalamacchia can't break the clinch.
Johnson missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saltalamacchia tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Johnson lands a nice elbow.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnson lands a knee to the body.
Johnson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Saltalamacchia tries for a takedown but Johnson manages to get underhooks.
Derrick Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Saltalamacchia.
Johnson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Saltalamacchia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Johnson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson thuds his shin into the meat of Saltalamacchia's side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Johnson.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Saltalamacchia.
Derrick Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson thows a body kick. Saltalamacchia tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Johnson lands a front kick.
Saltalamacchia throws a body kick the misses

and Johnson counters by moving into the clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
Saltalamacchia avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Johnson throws a nice outside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Johnson.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saltalamacchia lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johnson content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson landing knees to the body.
Saltalamacchia misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saltalamacchia dodges an elbow strike from Johnson.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Saltalamacchia.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saltalamacchia tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson has Saltalamacchia pressed against the cage.
Saltalamacchia drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johnson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Saltalamacchia goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

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.
Saltalamacchia falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Saltalamacchia shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.

Saltalamacchia scores a takedown into full mount!
Saltalamacchia looking to ground and pound but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Saltalamacchia thowing shots but they're missing.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Saltalamacchia controlling the pace for now.

Saltalamacchia is standing up, even though he is in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Johnson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Saltalamacchia shoots and misses
and Johnson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Saltalamacchia fails to land the takedown.
Johnson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johnson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Saltalamacchia is out of range.
Saltalamacchia has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Johnson.

Johnson forces Saltalamacchia back against the cage and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Saltalamacchia fails to land.
Saltalamacchia has had enough of the clinch but Johnson keeps him there for the moment.
Knees to the body from Johnson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to land knees in the clinch but Saltalamacchia avoids the damage to the body.
Johnson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Johnson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Derrick Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Saltalamacchia.
Saltalamacchia takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saltalamacchia tries for a takedown. No joy.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saltalamacchia.
The is referee keeping an eye on Johnson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saltalamacchia lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johnson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Saltalamacchia tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.
Saltalamacchia shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Saltalamacchia's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Saltalamacchia misses with a takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a solid body kick.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Saltalamacchia.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Saltalamacchia takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Saltalamacchia gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mike Saltalamacchia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Saltalamacchia moved away.
Johnson tries to clinch up but Saltalamacchia circles away and keeps his distance.
Saltalamacchia shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Saltalamacchia's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Johnson looks for the body kick but Saltalamacchia saw that one coming.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saltalamacchia blocks the body kick.
Saltalamacchia tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Saltalamacchia misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saltalamacchia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saltalamacchia swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a big head kick but Saltalamacchia shrugs it off.
Saltalamacchia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Saltalamacchia. Saltalamacchia gets slowly back to his feet.
Saltalamacchia with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a solid body kick.

Johnson clinches up with Saltalamacchia and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson has Saltalamacchia pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saltalamacchia jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Saltalamacchia around his waist. Saltalamacchia gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johnson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saltalamacchia.
Saltalamacchia has Johnson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Johnson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saltalamacchia lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Saltalamacchia can't get the takedown.
Saltalamacchia misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derrick Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derrick Johnson!