PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesus Trace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bishop
vs
Trace

172 cm
25
145 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

176 cm
27
145 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bryan Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jesus Trace!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Trace scores a takedown into full mount!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Trace looking to finish with strikes here!
Bishop is squirming around, avoiding Trace's attempts to control the action.
Bishop blocking the ground and pound.
Trace landing shots from mount.
Trace throwing strikes here but Bishop is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Trace misses with a head shot.

Trace working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Trace working Bishop over with strikes here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Trace goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bishop is on top in guard.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Trace keeps moving.
Trace working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bishop.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bishop accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bishop trying to control but Trace is working from the bottom.
Bishop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bishop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Trace wants to sweep here but Bishop controlling him for the moment.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Trace keeps moving.
Trace is trying to keep Bishop in close.
Bishop scoring with some ground and pound.
Bishop prevents Trace from getting back to his feet.
Bishop throws a strike but Trace rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Trace throws a strike but Bishop rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Trace is keeping the position for now.
Trace wants to sweep here but Bishop controlling him for the moment.
Bishop with a flurry of punches that miss.
Trace looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bishop is one step ahead there.
Bishop in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trace tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bishop slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Trace keeps moving.
Trace has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bishop stopping the sweep attempt from Trace.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bishop in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trace wants to get back to his feet but Bishop is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bishop stands up over Trace, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bishop postures up and lands a big shot to Trace's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bishop tries for a takedown but Trace circles away easily

and Trace decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bishop's guard.
Trace content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Trace postures up in Bishop's guard and throws a big left but Bishop blocks it.
Trace throws a strike but Bishop rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bishop has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Trace keeps moving.
Trace utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Trace wants to sweep but no luck.

Trace kicks Bishop off and gets to his feet.
Trace lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trace tests Bishop's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Trace connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Trace fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bishop misses with a takedown
letting Trace counter with a right hand.
Bishop has his takedown stuffed
and Trace counters with a thumping low kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Trace lunges at Bishop with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bishop's hand.

Bishop shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Trace is trying to defend but Bishop finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Trace is pressing down on Bishop's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bishop scoring with some ground and pound.
Trace looking for a sweep. Not yet Trace, not yet.

Trace throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bishop accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bishop won't allow Trace to get back to his feet.
Trace is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Trace is on top in guard.
Trace trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Trace throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trace in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trace pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bishop is keeping the position for now.
Trace throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bishop works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Trace throwing strikes from guard but Bishop blocks nicely.
Trace throwing strikes from guard but Bishop blocks nicely.
Bishop keeping full guard, as Trace tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Trace controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Trace missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trace trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Trace throwing strikes but missing.
Trace in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trace trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Trace drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bishop manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Trace has Bishop in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Trace showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bishop avoids the head kick by Trace.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bishop enables Trace to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bishop manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Trace is looking to work some ground and pound but Bishop has wrist control.
Trace throws a strike but Bishop rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Trace wants to sweep here but Bishop controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Trace holds on and takes a little breather.
Bishop looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop trying to control but Trace is working from the bottom.
Bishop with a flurry of punches that miss.

Trace is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Trace throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bishop blocks it with crossed arms.
Trace misses with a knee to the head.
Trace takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bishop takes a knee right on the jaw!
Trace connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bishop's face.
Bishop avoids the elbow strike from Trace, against the cage.
Trace gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bishop.
Trace with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is working for takedown but Trace is calmly controlling the position for now.
Trace with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Trace tries for a takedown but Bishop manages to get underhooks.
Trace tries a knee to the head but Bishop blocks it.
Bishop drops down looking for an ankle pick but Trace pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bishop throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Trace tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bishop is in Trace's guard.
Bishop postures up in Trace's guard and throws a big left but Trace blocks it.
Bishop is looking to work some ground and pound but Trace has wrist control.
Bishop trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bishop preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Trace is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bishop defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop stands up over Trace, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bishop throwing strikes but missing.
Bishop missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bishop content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Trace controls Bishop momentarily but Bishop frees himself.
Bishop working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Trace's head.
Bishop advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Trace is looking for a sweep. Bishop is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jesus Trace is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bishop not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bishop working over Trace with some ground and pound. Trace looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bishop missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Trace is not content to let Bishop control the position.
Trace has hold of Bishop's hands but Bishop slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are battling for position here. Trace manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Trace keeping full guard, as Bishop tries to pass.
Bishop trying to control the position from guard on top but Trace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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 Bryan Bishop.
Well Trace 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesus Trace!