PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Elvis Bika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Equinox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bika kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is My Decision. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bika
vs
Equinox

169 cm
38
158 lbs
29 - 14 - 1

172 cm
39
153 lbs
44 - 24 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elvis Bika!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Equinox!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bika avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bika lands a jab.
Bika listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bika turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Equinox was well out of range. Poor timing from Bika.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Bika circles away.
Equinox has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Equinox there as he acknowledges the shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bika.
Bika scores with a decent looking hook.
Equinox wants to clinch.
Nice body punch from Bika.
Bika scores with a sloppy right hand. Equinox should have avoided that one.
John Equinox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox is looking to score with low kicks.
Equinox misses with a two punch combination.
Bika throws a hook but Equinox blocks it.
Equinox steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bika.
A bone on bone clash there as Equinox blocks the leg kick.
Bika throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bika tests Equinox's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bika blocks a jab.
Bika swings for the body but Equinox moves out of range.
Bika fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Equinox is out of range.
Equinox moves in looking to clinch but Bika pushes him off.
Bika misses with a lunging right hand
and Equinox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bika cracks Equinox with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bika looks to land a left hand but Equinox moved out of range nicely.
Bika swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Equinox.
Equinox misses with a body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bika misses with a looping right.
Equinox walks into a straight right hand from Bika.
Good shot there by Bika.
Elvis Bika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bika throws a right hand that misses
and Equinox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Equinox on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Equinox loads up on a big right hand but Bika slips the punch.
Bika scores with a nice right hand.

Equinox is rocked!
A clash of legs there as Equinox blocks the low kick.
Equinox is still on wobbly legs! Can Bika finish him?
Equinox fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bika looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Equinox seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bika closes the distance and clinches up with Equinox, looking for a takedown. Bika pushes Equinox against the cage but Equinox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Equinox looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bika throws a chopping leg kick but Equinox manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Equinox clinches with his opponent.

Equinox breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bika throws a leg kick but Equinox moved away.
Bika throws a head kick that Equinox semi-blocks.
Bika misses with a wild body shot.
Bika throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bika scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Equinox displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bika throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bika attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Equinox takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Equinox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bika.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bika.
Equinox walks into a stiff left hand from Bika.
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!
Bika misses with an uppercut
and Equinox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Equinox jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bika misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Equinox.
Bika throws an off balance right hand

and Equinox holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bika can't find room to land a body shot as Equinox controls the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bika changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Equinox fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bika misses with a left hand
and Equinox counters with a right hand to the body.
Bika looks to land a left hand but Equinox moved out of range nicely.
Equinox scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elvis Bika dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bika throws a right and a left that Equinox avoids nicely.
Equinox thows a left - swing and a miss!
Equinox takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bika paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Equinox takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Bika swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bika lands with a hook. Equinox tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bika uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Equinox.
Bika throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Equinox takes one to the chin there.
Equinox slips a jab from Bika.
Equinox thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Bika.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Bika circles away.

Bika gets the takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Bika throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Equinox works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Equinox tries to roll over but Bika keeps him under control.
Bika misses with a head shot. Equinox uses the momentum to regain guard.
Equinox avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bika lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bika works over Equinox with some ground and pound from guard.
Bika trying to control but Equinox is working from the bottom.
Equinox seems keen to control Bika's posture.
Equinox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bika looking to sit in guard and control but Equinox gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bika is trying to hold Equinox in close to prevent damage but Equinox has managed to pass into half guard.
Bika tries to roll over but Equinox keeps him under control.
Bika trying to control but Equinox postures up.
Equinox seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Bika tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Equinox tries to stand and escape but Bika is controlling the position.
Bika has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Equinox is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bika is not content to let Equinox control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bika is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bika swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Equinox clinches up with Bika and pushes him back against the cage.
Equinox pushes Bika back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
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!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Equinox tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Equinox scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bika has Equinox pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Equinox manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bika tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bika is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Equinox was well out of range. Poor timing from Bika.
Bika misses the shot to the body.
Equinox lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Equinox doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Equinox wants to clinch up but Bika keeps it at a distance.
Bika throws a body kick that misses.
Decent striking displayed by Bika there.
Bika throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bika is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Equinox keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bika throws a right hand that misses
and Equinox counters with a one-two to the body.
Equinox misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bika swings for the body but Equinox moves out of range.
Bika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Equinox was well out of range. Poor timing from Bika.
A big right from Equinox misses.
John Equinox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bika misses with a hook
enabling Equinox to counter with a crisp jab.
Bika misses with a right hand

and Equinox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Equinox.
Equinox pushes Bika back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Bika breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A good leg kick by Bika.
Bika keeps the fight on the outside.
Equinox takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A clash of legs there as Equinox blocks the low kick.
Equinox misses with an uppercut. Bika saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bika swings away with a body shot that misses
and Equinox counters with a stiff right hand.

Bika is rocked!
Equinox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bika wants to land a leg kick but Equinox is out of range.
Bika misses with a combination
enabling Equinox to counter with a crisp jab.
Oh Bika is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Equinox moves away from the strike by Bika.
Bika seems to have got his legs back now.
Bika wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bika misses with a low kick.
Equinox tries to clinch but Bika is having none of it.
Equinox checks a low kick from Bika.
Bika throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Equinox on the side of the head.
Bika throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bika.
Equinox tries to clinch up but Bika circles away and keeps his distance.
Equinox moves away from the strike by Bika.
Equinox might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bika just misses with a punch to the body.
Bika throws a hook but Equinox avoids it easily.
The crowd cheers as Bika lands an impressive looking overhand right. Equinox doesn't seem phased though.
Equinox takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bika tries to work over Equinox's front leg with a kick but Equinox checks it.

Equinox closes the distance and clinches.
Equinox lands a right hand.
Equinox tries to throw a body punch but Bika avoids it by throwing Equinox back against the cage.
Equinox working aggressively here.
Bika's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bika swings wildly with an uppercut but Equinox uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Equinox.
Bika wants to break the clinch but can't.
Equinox gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bika.
Bika can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elvis Bika. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bika tries to circle away but Equinox has him pinned against the cage.
Bika tries to score a body lock takedown but Equinox shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Equinox tries a body shot but Bika blocks it.
Bika looking to stall.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Equinox scores with a nice hook to the head.
A shot in the inside from Equinox.
Bika wants to break free but Equinox has control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Equinox is working Bika over against the cage.
A short left from Equinox.
Equinox is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bika misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but John Equinox just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Equinox lands a nice shot to the body.
Bika throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Equinox counters with a straight right hand.
Equinox throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Equinox checks a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Bika throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Equinox was well out of range. Poor timing from Bika.
Bika misses with a hook to the body
letting Equinox counter with a right hand.
Equinox avoids the body shot from Bika.
Bika misses with a looping right.
Equinox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bika.
Bika attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bika throws a series of punches but Equinox avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bika throws a hook to the side of Equinox's head but Equinox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bika misses with a low kick.
Nice straight punches there by Bika. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bika.
Equinox slips under a jab from Bika.
Equinox is pawing at Bika, trying to feel the distance before throwing out a cross that crashes into Bika's nose. Bika is badly hurt! Equinox pounces, throwing wild strikes as both fighters end up on the ground! Bika tries desperately to hold on but Equinox is relentless in his assault! As Bika receives an ever increasing number of unanswered strikes the referee pulls Equinox away and this one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Equinox!
John Equinox is the new featherweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, John Equinox thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.