PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Zhirkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bryan Bishop has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bishop
vs
Zhirkov

172 cm
28
145 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

180 cm
33
141 lbs
20 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

Milwaukee's Best 160
- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

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 14 - 9 - 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 20 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Zhirkov!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zhirkov checks it well.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Bryan Bishop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bishop gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zhirkov counters with a good low kick that Bishop was not able to check.
Bishop looks to land a left hand but Zhirkov moved out of range nicely.
Bishop throws a nice looking combination but Zhirkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice uppercut lands for Zhirkov. That snapped Bishop's head back.
Danga de danga de dang - Zhirkov scores with a four punch combination!
Bishop takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bishop finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zhirkov jabs Bishop right on the nose. Bishop blinks but takes it well.
Bishop keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bishop throws a series of punches but Zhirkov avoids them all with ease.
That kick from Zhirkov tenderised Bishop's leg. Bishop is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot.
Zhirkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zhirkov misses with a straight right.
Zhirkov lunges at Bishop with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bishop's hand.
Zhirkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bishop's head.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bishop shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zhirkov but Zhirkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bishop slips a straight right by Zhirkov.
A lazy left from Zhirkov finds it's target.
Bishop misses with a body shot.
Bishop throws a sloppy head kick and Zhirkov moves out of range easily.

Bishop closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
You can see the frustration on Zhirkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zhirkov is looking to reverse the position.
Zhirkov struggling a bit here.
Bishop knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zhirkov on the ground.
Bishop wants to control but Zhirkov is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov gets back to half guard.
Bishop not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zhirkov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop throwing strikes from guard but Zhirkov blocks nicely.
Zhirkov working a defensive guard here.
Bishop throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bishop with a nice head shot there.
Zhirkov controls Bishop momentarily but Bishop frees himself.
Zhirkov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bishop has passed into side control.
Zhirkov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bishop keeps working.
Zhirkov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Zhirkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zhirkov stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Robert Zhirkov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A punch lands to the side of Bishop 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bishop keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhirkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bishop.
Bishop gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bishop throws a series of punches but Zhirkov moves out of range.
Bishop swinging wildly here.
Zhirkov connects with the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhirkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zhirkov lands an overhand right.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Zhirkov enables Bishop to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Zhirkov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhirkov looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A head kick misses from Bishop.
Bishop will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zhirkov lands with a shot to the body.
Zhirkov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zhirkov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bishop.
Zhirkov cracks Bishop with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Zhirkov scores with a three punch combo!
A punch combination from Bishop misses.
Horrible takedown by Bishop or perhaps it was just good defense by Zhirkov which made him look bad.
Bishop pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhirkov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bishop drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bishop fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An inside leg kick from Bishop misses.
Bishop shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zhirkov sprawls well. Zhirkov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bishop gets slowly back to his feet.
Bishop showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zhirkov.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bishop throws a lazy head kick
and Zhirkov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bishop misses with a takedown attempt
and Zhirkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Bishop tries for a takedown but Zhirkov circles away easily
and Bishop takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zhirkov tests Bishop's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bishop throws a sloppy head kick and Zhirkov moves out of range easily.
Zhirkov tries to bum rush Bishop with a series of wild strikes but Bishop uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bishop will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zhirkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zhirkov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zhirkov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bishop if he has to take too many more of those.
Bishop closes the distance and clinches up with Zhirkov, looking for a takedown. Bishop pushes Zhirkov against the cage but Zhirkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Zhirkov as he connects with a hook.
Bishop tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zhirkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Robert Zhirkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov takes a swing at Bishop's ribcage but misses.
Zhirkov lands a glancing blow to the side of Bishop's head.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Bishop walks into a jab.
Bishop tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zhirkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bishop somewhat.
Bishop looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bishop misses the shot to the body.
Bishop stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zhirkov.
Bryan Bishop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zhirkov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zhirkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A big left from Zhirkov misses.
Bishop moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Robert Zhirkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop looks for the body kick but Zhirkov saw that one coming.
Bishop throws a push kick but Zhirkov slaps the foot to one side.
Bishop throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zhirkov's waist but Zhirkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bishop off to one side.
Bishop takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bishop misses with a takedown
and Bishop takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bishop drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bishop gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zhirkov fakes the leg kick and cracks Bishop in the body.
Zhirkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bishop at a distance.
Bishop takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from Bishop.
Zhirkov thumps Bishop with a low kick.
Bishop on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bishop keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Bishop tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Zhirkov catches Bishop with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zhirkov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhirkov works over Bishop's head and body with a nice combination.
Bishop steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zhirkov. That one must have hurt.
Bishop shoots and misses
and Zhirkov counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bishop.
Bishop on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Bishop walks into a straight right hand from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bishop was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhirkov.
Bishop misses with a kick to the body
letting Zhirkov counter with a right hand.
Nice uppercut there from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zhirkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bishop.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bishop.
Bishop on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhirkov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zhirkov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bishop's head backwards.
Zhirkov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Bishop is rocked!
Zhirkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bishop on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Oh Bishop is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zhirkov swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Zhirkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Bishop's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bishop shoots and misses
and Zhirkov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Bishop seems to have got his legs back now.
A thudding body kick lands there by Zhirkov!
Bishop has his takedown stuffed
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zhirkov. Bishop shrugs it off though.
Bishop closes the distance and clinches up with Zhirkov, looking for a takedown. Bishop pushes Zhirkov against the cage but Zhirkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhirkov lands a really nice looking cross but Bishop seems unphased.
Zhirkov connects with a looping right hand.
Bishop takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bishop will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
No luck for Bishop with that takedown attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bishop sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bishop takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zhirkov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhirkov scores with a jab. Bishop acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Bishop.
Bishop is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zhirkov pushes Bishop away with a front kick.
Zhirkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zhirkov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bishop's sensitive parts.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bishop.
Bishop has his takedown stuffed
and Zhirkov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zhirkov scores with a jab to the body.
Zhirkov lands a head shot.
A cross from Zhirkov lands.
Bishop takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zhirkov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zhirkov digs a good body shot into Bishop's ribs.
Zhirkov looks to throw the jab but Bishop is out of range.
Bishop has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zhirkov.
Zhirkov thows a body kick. Bishop tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhirkov thumps Bishop with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov lands with a hook. Bishop tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zhirkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bishop.
Bishop drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice cross by Zhirkov.
Zhirkov connects with a single shot there.
Zhirkov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zhirkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zhirkov blocks the body kick.
Zhirkov connects with a body shot that sends Bishop's belly button to the back.
Zhirkov misses the jab.
Bishop looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bishop throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zhirkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zhirkov lands a nice looking body kick.
Zhirkov is looking to slow Bishop down with leg kicks.
Zhirkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhirkov throws a body kick that misses.
Bishop moves out of range as Zhirkov throws a body kick.

Bishop shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zhirkov is trying to defend but Bishop finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bishop is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhirkov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bishop thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zhirkov's head.
Bishop is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhirkov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bishop not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zhirkov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bishop's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bishop's back!
Zhirkov lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Zhirkov is looking to control Bishop but Bishop is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhirkov is riding his opponent, not letting Bishop buck him off.
Robert Zhirkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zhirkov punishes Bishop with strikes from the back mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zhirkov missing with strikes from the back.
Well, with Zhirkov on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Bishop is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Zhirkov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Bishop is defending well though. Zhirkov let's go of the attempt for now.
Zhirkov controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Zhirkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zhirkov 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 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Zhirkov!
Robert Zhirkov very nearly forgot to thank - - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - - amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.