PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hercules Fortier (ranked 1262 p4p, 526 weight class) and Keith Bishop (ranked 149 p4p, 71 weight class). Bishop comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Whatever kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Keith Bishop told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Fortier
vs
Bishop

195 cm
32
265
22 - 14 - 0

200 cm
38
250
26 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Core Combat
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hercules Fortier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keith Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fortier fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bishop lands a nice looking kick to the body. Fortier takes a step back to recover.
Fortier fails with a takedown attempt.

Bishop gets tackled into the cage by Fortier. Fortier maintains the clinch.
Fortier is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bishop gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hercules Fortier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bishop misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fortier avoids the elbow strike from Bishop, against the cage.
Bishop works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bishop prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fortier prevents a body shot from Bishop.
Fortier can't get the takedown.
Bishop misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fortier.
Fortier wants a takedown.
Fortier is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A nice left hand lands by Bishop.

It looks like Hercules Fortier has been cut.
Fortier is breathing heavily.
Fortier tries for a takedown but Bishop manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop tries a knee to the head but Fortier blocks it.
Bishop working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fortier can't get the takedown.
Bishop gets through Fortier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bishop is pressed up against the cage. Fortier has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bishop down to the mat. Bishop avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bishop looks for the body kick but Fortier saw that one coming.
Fortier on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bishop has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Bishop throws a sloppy head kick and Fortier moves out of range easily.
Fortier misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bishop lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bishop lunges at Fortier with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Fortier's hand.
Bishop stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bishop wants it to stay on the feet.
Bishop scores with a nice right hand.

Hercules Fortier's cut is getting worse.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop tries to score with a low kick but Fortier moves his leg out of the way.
Fortier tries for a takedown but Bishop sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Keith Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop connects with a body shot that sends Fortier's belly button to the back.
Fortier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bishop paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bishop swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortier avoids the head kick by Bishop.
Fortier was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bishop with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bishop feints and then cracks Fortier's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fortier down.
Fortier on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bishop throws a head kick that Fortier semi-blocks.
Bishop lands a lovely overhand right.
Fortier moves forwards but Bishop connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bishop scores with a kick to the midsection.
Bishop lands a jab to the nose.
Bishop slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fortier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bishop tries to avoid it but Fortier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bishop to the ground. Bishop escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bishop throws a body shot but no joy.
Bishop throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Fortier takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Hercules Fortier's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bishop smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bishop scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fortier shoots and misses
and Bishop counters with a straight right hand.
Bishop scores with a nice right hand.
Bishop throws a leg kick which misses Fortier's front leg but catches the back leg as Fortier tries to avoid it.
Bishop throws a right hand that Fortier ducks under and follows up with a left that Fortier also avoids with ease.
Good standup being displayed there by Bishop as he connects with a hook.

Jeez, Hercules Fortier's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Fortier blocks a leg kick.
Fortier feinted with a counter takedown.
Fortier fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bishop.
Fortier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bishop lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fortier circles away quickly and effectively.
Fortier swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fortier moves away.

Fortier shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Fortier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Fortier is working for a kimura but Bishop is defending it quite comfortably.

Fortier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Bishop dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hercules Fortier's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fortier has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bishop finds it's way round the side to connect with Fortier's head.
Fortier steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bishop. That one must have hurt.

Fortier changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bishop looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Fortier is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bishop knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Fortier is trying to get an arm triangle but Bishop is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fortier goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Bishop has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Fortier but great work by Bishop.
Fortier looks to move to half guard but instead Bishop has passed into mount! Damn!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortier regains half guard.
Bishop prevents Fortier from improving his position.
Fortier wants to control but Bishop is keeping busy.

Fortier actively working from the bottom here.
Bishop trying to mount his opponent but Fortier defends it.
Fortier has a hand on Bishop's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Bishop takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortier wants to control but Bishop is having none of it.
Fortier is looking to improve his position but Bishop isn't that keen on the idea.
Fortier reaches up to try and control the position but Bishop seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Fortier rolls and tries to escape and now Bishop has his back!
Fortier is trying to break free.
Bishop is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Fortier trying to control but not successfully.
I really don't envy Fortier right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop gets his hands free as Fortier looks to control.
Bishop is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Bishop has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fortier just trying to survive but Bishop is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Fortier is in bad spot here.
Fortier trying to control the action but Bishop just sinks the hooks in.
Fortier tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fortier is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Fortier tries to escape but Bishop has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Bishop is hanging on to Fortier's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fortier trying to control the position but Bishop manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Bishop showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hercules Fortier's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fortier takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fortier misses with a kick to the body.
Fortier shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bishop defends it nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bishop.
Fortier chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bishop can pounce on him.
Bishop misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fortier takes a kick to the side of the head.
Fortier shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bishop sprawls well. Bishop wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fortier gets slowly back to his feet.
Fortier goes for a double leg but Bishop avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bishop continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hercules Fortier. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortier takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Fortier clinches up with Bishop and pushes him back against the cage.
Fortier is working for takedown but Bishop is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bishop misses with a body punch.
Bishop gets underhooks to prevent Fortier's takedown attempt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bishop.
Bishop tries a body shot but Fortier blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Bishop.
Bishop throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Bishop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bishop lands a head shot.
Bishop catches Fortier with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bishop's corner calls for a 1-2. Bishop obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bishop thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Fortier if he has to take too many more of those.
Bishop throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bishop connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Bishop.
Bishop turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A solid body kick from Bishop.
Fortier walks into a left hand.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Hercules Fortier's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Keith Bishop!
Keith Bishop took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.