PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Illias Illiadis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bishop comes to the cage accompanied by 999 - Homicide. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bishop
vs
Illiadis

185 cm
27
200 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

178 cm
26
185 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bobby Bishop!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Illias Illiadis!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jorge Garcia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Illiadis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bishop avoids the body shot from Illiadis.
Bishop connects with the punch.
Illiadis closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bishop throws a wild body kick that Illiadis sees coming a mile off.
Bishop throws a front kick aimed at Illiadis's knee but Illiadis avoids it well.
Illiadis misses with a straight right.

Bishop moves into the clinch.
Bishop takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bishop.
Illiadis trying to stall but Bishop improves his position.
A short uppercut from Illiadis.
Bishop keeps control of Illiadis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bishop can't find room to land a body shot as Illiadis controls the action.
Illiadis is pushing Bishop up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bishop just leaning against Illiadis, taking a breather.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bishop obliges.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Illiadis dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Bishop misses with a punch on the inside.
Illiadis's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Illiadis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Illiadis drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Illiadis controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing Illiadis from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop keeping full guard, as Illiadis tries to pass.
Illiadis wants to control from the top but Bishop keeps moving.

Illiadis has gone for a leg lock! Bishop slips out almost immediately though and dives into Illiadis's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Illiadis is trying to keep Bishop in close.
Bishop tries to free his leg and advance position but Illiadis is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.

Illiadis working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Bishop has passed into half guard!

Illiadis looking for submissions off his back.
Illiadis trying to control but Bishop postures up.

Illiadis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bishop tries to stand but can't do so whilst Illiadis controls his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is thwarting Illiadis's attempts to control the position.

Illiadis looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Bishop pushes past his half guard into mount!
Bishop takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Bishop trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Illiadis is wriggling around trying to escape.
Illiadis has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illiadis is squirming around, avoiding Bishop's attempts to control the action.
Bishop prevents Illiadis from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Illias Illiadis will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Illiadis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bishop.
We've been told by Bishop's head coaches at AD Sparstars Inc. that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bishop is looking to score with low kicks.
Bishop throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Illiadis fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bishop has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bishop fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bishop connects with a body shot that sends Illiadis's belly button to the back.

Illiadis gets tackled into the cage by Bishop. Bishop maintains the clinch.
Bishop fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bishop landing knees to the body.
Bishop misses with a punch on the inside.
Illiadis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bishop gets through Illiadis's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bishop trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop lands with a light punch inside.
Bishop has a couple of punches blocked by Illiadis.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Illiadis misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Illiadis pulls guard.

Bishop avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Illiadis looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bishop passes into half guard.
Illiadis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bishop takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Illiadis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bishop pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis trying to control but Bishop postures up.
Bishop tries to stand and escape but Illiadis is controlling the position.
Illiadis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Illiadis looking for submissions off his back.
Bishop is looking to advance position but Illiadis won't allow it.
Illiadis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Illiadis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Illiadis manages to get to full guard.
Bishop trying to control but Illiadis is working from the bottom.

Bishop avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Illiadis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bishop doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bishop manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Bishop is now in half guard.
Bishop is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Illiadis trying to control here.
Illiadis is staying active underneath Bishop, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Illiadis slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illiadis is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Illiadis is trying to control the position but Bishop postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bobby Bishop will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bishop lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bishop scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Illiadis lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Illiadis punishes Bishop's body with a nice straight punch.
Bishop tries to work over Illiadis's front leg with a kick but Illiadis checks it.
Bishop tries to clinch but Illiadis is having none of it.
Illiadis takes a swing at Bishop's ribcage but misses.
Illiadis shoots in looking for a takedown but Bishop manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Illiadis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bishop uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Illiadis.
Bishop with a nice cross.
Bishop looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Illiadis swings for the body but Bishop moves out of range.
Bishop lands a nice leg kick that just misses Illiadis's sensitive parts.
Illiadis will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Illiadis tries to land a leg kick but Bishop saw it coming and moves away.
Bobby Bishop is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illiadis scores with a shot to the body.
Bishop throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Illiadis throws a leg kick
and Bishop counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Illiadis throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bishop cracks Illiadis with an open hand slap.
Bishop misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bobby Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Illiadis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bishop moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bishop tries to clinch but Illiadis is having none of it.
Bishop doesn't manage to clinch there - Illiadis circles away.
Bishop throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Bishop cracks the inside of Illiadis's front leg.
Bishop throws a body punch but Illiadis moves out of range.
Illiadis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis throws a body punch but Bishop moves out of range.
Bishop pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bishop. Illiadis does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Illiadis.
Bishop throws a leg kick which misses Illiadis's front leg but catches the back leg as Illiadis tries to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Illiadis.
Bishop lands a jab.
Illiadis will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Illiadis fails with a takedown attempt.
Illiadis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bishop misses with a hook

and Illiadis counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bishop!
Illiadis wants to control the action but instead Bishop gets a body lock and reverses into Illiadis's guard! Nice work!
Bishop trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Illiadis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bishop gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Illiadis seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Illiadis isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bishop stacks Illiadis on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bishop!

Bishop decides to take the fight back to the feet.
A leg kick checked by Illiadis.
Sloppy strikes from Illiadis. Those never looked like landing.
Bishop misses with a hook.

Illiadis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illiadis wants to control from the top but Bishop keeps moving.
Bishop wants to stand but Illiadis is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Illias Illiadis just about did enough to take it.
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.

A punch combination from Bishop misses.

Illiadis drives through with a takedown into guard.
Illiadis passes Bishop's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Illiadis is stalling here. Bishop is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Illiadis seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Bishop has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Illiadis manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Illiadis actively working from the bottom here.
Illiadis is trying to maintain the position but Bishop is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illiadis wants to get back to full guard.
Bishop trying to control from half guard but Illiadis is working away.
Illiadis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bishop is working away from the top position though.
Bishop keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bishop trying to control from half guard but Illiadis is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bobby Bishop wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Illiadis works Bishop's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis throws a sloppy body shot
and Bishop counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Illiadis swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bishop looks to land a right hand but Illiadis moved out of range.
Illiadis looks to land a body kick but Bishop moved away.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bishop. Illiadis shrugs it off though.
Illiadis misses with a takedown attempt - Bishop sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Illiadis is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bishop cracks a nice hook into Illiadis's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bishop buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bishop looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Illiadis scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bishop doesn't seem bothered though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bishop.
Illiadis stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bishop.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Bishop throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Illiadis takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Illiadis takes a swing at Bishop's ribcage but misses.
Bishop throws a body punch but Illiadis moves out of range.
Illiadis connects with a body shot that sends Bishop's belly button to the back.
Illiadis lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bishop will feel that in the morning.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bishop lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Illiadis has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Illiadis and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Illiadis throws a leg kick but Bishop moved away.
Illiadis wants to clinch.
Illiadis is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bishop rather than just go for the knockout.
Bishop tries a head kick but it misses.
Illiadis misses with a straight right.
Illiadis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bishop.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop misses with a body shot.
Bishop tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Illiadis was well out of range. Poor timing from Bishop.
A leg kick checked by Illiadis.
Bishop takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Illiadis misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Bishop misses.
Bishop with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Illiadis to score with a decent uppercut.
Illiadis tries to clinch but Bishop moves out of range.

Illiadis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Illiadis is looking to stall here but Bishop recovers full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illiadis wants to pass the guard but Bishop is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Illias Illiadis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Illiadis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bishop pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Illiadis looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bishop is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Illiadis ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Illiadis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Illiadis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Illiadis.
Bishop just misses with a punch to the body.
Illiadis stuns Bishop with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bishop.
Illiadis throws out a loose jab but Bishop uses good head movement to avoid it.
Illiadis avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop connects with a looping right hand.

Bishop closes the distance and clinches.
Illiadis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Illiadis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Illiadis trying to stall but Bishop improves his position.
Bishop will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Illiadis up against the cage.
Bishop is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Illiadis is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Illiadis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bishop misses with a straight right.
Illiadis lands with a nice body kick.
Bishop throws a hook but Illiadis avoids it easily.
Illiadis throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop moves forwards but Illiadis connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bobby Bishop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bishop misses with a straight right.
A leg kick checked by Bishop.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Illiadis closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bishop quickly recovers to half guard.

Illiadis wants to work for an arm triangle but Bishop is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bishop is not content to let Illiadis control the position.

Bishop kicks off Illiadis and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bishop is able to avoid easily.

Bishop tries to keep at a distance but Illiadis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bishop lands a right hand.
Illiadis's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bishop misses with some punches.
Bishop misses with the head strike.
Bishop has Illiadis pressed against the cage, preventing Illiadis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bishop struggles to land a body shot inside as Illiadis controls his hands.
Bishop blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Illiadis manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Illiadis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bishop gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bishop content to stall in guard here.
Illias Illiadis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Illiadis is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Illiadis trying to control the position.
Bishop throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Illiadis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bishop postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illiadis is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bishop connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

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 Bobby Bishop.
I think Illiadis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 48:48
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 47:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Bobby Bishop retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!