PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Christian McDermott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blaine Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

McDermott
vs
Bishop

180 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
19
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christian McDermott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Blaine Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDermott takes the fight into the clinch.
Bishop avoiding damage as McDermott throws knees to the body.
Bishop fails to pull the fight into his guard.
McDermott throws a knee to the head but misses.

McDermott pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McDermott blocks a head kick by Bishop.

McDermott shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bishop is staying active underneath McDermott, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bishop tries to roll over but McDermott keeps him under control.
Bishop tries to push off, looking to stand up, but McDermott manages to move to mount!
McDermott avoids the attempt from Bishop to control.
McDermott controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop wants to control but McDermott is having none of it.
Bishop really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
McDermott controlling from mount.
McDermott looking to control but Bishop is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McDermott looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bishop tries to hold on but McDermott postures up.
Bishop is looking to improve his position but McDermott isn't that keen on the idea.
Bishop tries to hold on but McDermott pushes him away.
Bishop is working to get back to half guard.
Bishop tries to lock up and control but McDermott gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
McDermott controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Bishop really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDermott avoids the attempt from Bishop to control.

McDermott is standing up, even though he is in mount.

McDermott clinches up with Bishop and pushes him back against the cage.
McDermott trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
McDermott is struggling to control the position.
Bishop goes for a takedown attempt but McDermott pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Bishop gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McDermott is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Bishop manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McDermott manages to get himself to full guard.
Bishop won't allow McDermott to sweep him here.
Bishop trying to control the position from guard on top but McDermott is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDermott managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian McDermott dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McDermott is looking to clinch but Bishop is avoiding it.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.

McDermott pushes Bishop up against the cage in a clinch.
McDermott trying to land knees to the body.

McDermott lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bishop is trying to maintain the position but McDermott is very close to passing his half guard.
McDermott is trying to control. Bishop wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bishop is looking to improve his position.
McDermott trying to control from half guard but Bishop is working away.
McDermott looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDermott is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bishop doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McDermott.
Bishop slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McDermott postures up.
Bishop is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bishop wants to take a breather but McDermott is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McDermott trying to control here.
It looks like Bishop is going to stand back up.
McDermott slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McDermott is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McDermott pulls Bishop in close to his closed guard and prevents Bishop from doing any damage or advancing position.
McDermott is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDermott keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.
McDermott is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bishop with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDermott keeping full guard, as Bishop tries to pass.
McDermott wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A leg kick checked by Bishop.

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.
McDermott dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bishop. That did some damage!
Bishop fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bishop is breathing heavily.
McDermott fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDermott tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bishop misses with a low kick.
Bishop tried to score with a low kick but McDermott checks it.

McDermott gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McDermott missing with knees to the body.
Bishop tries for a takedown but McDermott manages to get underhooks.
McDermott tries to work over Bishop's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bishop avoiding damage as McDermott throws knees to the body.
McDermott misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bishop.
McDermott struggles to land a body shot inside as Bishop controls his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bishop fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Christian McDermott has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blaine Bishop.
Bishop tries to pull guard but McDermott won't allow it.
McDermott blocks the elbow strike.
McDermott tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bishop avoids it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
McDermott trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian McDermott dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bishop tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDermott paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDermott doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bishop counters with a single leg into guard. McDermott didn't expect that.
Bishop's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bishop trying to control but McDermott is working from the bottom.
McDermott is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Bishop wants to pass the guard but McDermott is keeping the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bishop accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McDermott is trying to keep Bishop in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bishop takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McDermott tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bishop shoots in for a takedown but McDermott shows good takedown defense.

McDermott clinches up against the cage.
McDermott with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McDermott struggles to land a body shot inside as Bishop controls his hands.
McDermott keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bishop's efforts to push away.
Bishop blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bishop is working for takedown but McDermott is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bishop blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bishop has had enough of the clinch but McDermott keeps him there for the moment.

That's two 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.
Bishop fails to pull guard.
Christian McDermott has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blaine Bishop.

McDermott manages to pull guard.
McDermott keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McDermott is on top in guard.
McDermott sitting in guard here, content to control.
McDermott has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Bishop pulls McDermott in to control the position.
McDermott controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop trying to keep a closed guard but McDermott is proving a slippery customer.
McDermott controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bishop controlling McDermott's posture.

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.
Bishop looking to hit a scissor sweep but McDermott is one step ahead there.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing McDermott from controlling successfully.
Bishop thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
McDermott tries to free his leg and advance position but Bishop is retaining full guard.
Bishop looking to control.
McDermott trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blaine Bishop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Christian McDermott is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McDermott throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bishop's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Christian McDermott.
Well McDermott has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian McDermott!