PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lance Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ravi Shankoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shankoli comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ravi Shankar - Om Shiva kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bishop
vs
Shankoli

190 cm
20
208 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
210 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Arcticus

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lance Bishop!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ravi Shankoli!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop misses the shot to the body.
Shankoli uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bishop.
Bishop misses with an uppercut
and Shankoli makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Bishop is looking to clinch.
Shankoli looks to score with a jab to the body but Bishop is just out of range.
Nice body punch from Bishop.
Shankoli throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bishop tries to clinch but Shankoli moves out of range.
Bishop takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bishop fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shankoli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop swings for the body but Shankoli moves out of range.
Shankoli throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bishop.
Shankoli uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bishop.
Bishop misses with a body shot.
A little jabbing left from Shankoli on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bishop looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bishop tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shankoli lands with a straight right. Bishop didn't see that one coming.
Ravi Shankoli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shankoli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bishop.
Bishop has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Bishop looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Shankoli.
Shankoli looks to land a right hand but Bishop moved out of range.
Bishop attempts a counter takedown but Shankoli avoids it well and moves away.
Bishop takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shankoli looks to score with a jab to the body but Bishop is just out of range.

Bishop has Shankoli up against the cage in a clinch.
Shankoli scores with a shot to the side of Bishop's head.
A frustrated look appears on Shankoli's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Shankoli blocks an elbow strike.

Bishop manages to pull guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shankoli seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bishop 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.
Bishop trying to control the position here.
Bishop wants to hit a switch here but Shankoli passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Bishop there!
Bishop can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop reaches up to try and control the position but Shankoli seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Bishop rolls and tries to escape and now Shankoli has his back!
Bishop wants to control his opponent's hands but Shankoli gets his hands free.
I really don't envy Bishop right now.
Shankoli not allowing Bishop to control his hands.
Shankoli is hanging on to Bishop's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ravi Shankoli dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bishop scores with a kick to the body.
Shankoli swinging wildly here.
Shankoli is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bishop rather than just go for the knockout.
Shankoli stuffs the takedown attempt from Bishop. Bishop gets slowly back to his feet.
Shankoli is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bishop with a body shot.
Bishop fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bishop takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Shankoli dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bishop with a poor takedown
and Shankoli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shankoli was well out of range. Poor timing from Bishop.
Shankoli follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Shankoli scores with a leg kick.
Bishop tries to land a front kick but Shankoli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Bishop moves out of range of the strikes.
Shankoli connects with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Shankoli. No joy for Bishop on that attempt.
Shankoli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bishop moves away.
Ravi Shankoli seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bishop throws a head kick but Shankoli moves out of range.
Shankoli blocks the body kick.
Shankoli scores with a jab to the body.
Bishop swings widly with a right hand
and Bishop takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli throws a series of punches but Bishop avoids them all with ease.
Bishop feinted with a counter takedown.
Shankoli throws a head kick that half lands.
Shankoli blocks the body kick.
Bishop uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shankoli.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shankoli throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bishop takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice takedown defense from Shankoli. No joy for Bishop on that attempt.
Shankoli digs a good body shot into Bishop's ribs.
Bishop avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bishop throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shankoli misses with a low kick as Bishop jumps back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli circles away from the clinch attempt
and Shankoli counters with a nice uppercut.
Shankoli throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bishop stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bishop throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Shankoli's head.
Shankoli misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bishop fails with the takedown
and Shankoli counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bishop tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shankoli defends well and Bishop ends up having to push Shankoli into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Shankoli swats away the attempt to clinch by Bishop.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop avoids the body shot from Shankoli.
Shankoli scores with a push kick.
Shankoli avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shankoli has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Shankoli checks a leg kick nicely.
Shankoli throws the kick towards the body but Bishop avoids it.
Bishop throws a jab when Shankoli was well out of range.
Shankoli let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bishop throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shankoli takes a swing at Bishop's ribcage but misses.
Bishop is looking to clinch.
Shankoli looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bishop tries to land a front kick but Shankoli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bishop shoots in for a takedown but Shankoli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ravi Shankoli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shankoli scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bishop in his tracks.
Bishop looks to score with a jab to the body but Shankoli is just out of range.
Shankoli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop throws a leg kick but Shankoli moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Shankoli misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bishop appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shankoli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shankoli lands with a good body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shankoli slaps away a takedown attempt from Bishop, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shankoli keeps the fight on the outside.
Bishop ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli misses with a straight right.
Bishop throws a low kick but Shankoli avoids it.
Bishop misses with a right hand
and Shankoli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bishop thinking.
Shankoli throws a low kick, looking for Bishop's leg but Bishop calmly moves out of range.
Shankoli throws a body punch but Bishop moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Shankoli.
Shankoli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bishop throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shankoli keeps the fight on the outside.
Bishop throws a low kick, looking for Shankoli's leg but Shankoli calmly moves out of range.
Shankoli checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Shankoli cracks the inside of Bishop's front leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shankoli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bishop.
Shankoli lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bishop misses with a body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bishop.

Bishop shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shankoli's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bishop pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shankoli is keeping the position for now.
Shankoli keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shankoli seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bishop is controlling him.
Shankoli wants to sweep but no luck.
Shankoli wants to hit a switch here but Bishop passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Shankoli there!
Shankoli is working to get back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shankoli can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bishop misses with a head shot.

Bishop looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli wants to hold on but Bishop pushes him away.
Shankoli tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Shankoli defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bishop.
Shankoli gets back to half guard.
Shankoli wants to sweep but Bishop has passed to side control!
Shankoli struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ravi Shankoli just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bishop throws a leg kick but Shankoli moved away.
Shankoli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A little jabbing left from Shankoli on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bishop takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shankoli keeps the fight on the outside.
Shankoli let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Shankoli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bishop was well out of range. Poor timing from Shankoli.
Shankoli misses the shot to the body.
Shankoli tries a head kick but it misses.
Bishop is looking to clinch but Shankoli is avoiding it.
Shankoli swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop throws a low kick, looking for Shankoli's leg but Shankoli calmly moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Shankoli misses.
Bishop closes the distance but Shankoli moves to the side
and Shankoli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bishop thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bishop checks a leg kick.
Bishop throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bishop tries to clinch but Shankoli is having none of it.
Bishop throws a body shot but no joy.
A little jabbing left from Shankoli on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bishop throws a poor cross that misses
and Shankoli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bishop uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shankoli.
Bishop feinted with a counter takedown.
Bishop lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bishop misses with a head kick.
Shankoli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bishop on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shankoli connects with the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Shankoli just misses with a punch to the body.
Bishop tries to close the distance and clinch but Shankoli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bishop shoots in looking for a takedown. Shankoli tries to sprawl out of it but Bishop keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shankoli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bishop gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Shankoli counters with a left to the body.
Shankoli throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bishop keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shankoli ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bishop clinches.
Bishop throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bishop has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shankoli after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bishop misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shankoli.
Shankoli lands with a right to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Shankoli breaks from the clinch.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bishop blocks a jab.
Bishop misses with a body kick.
Shankoli rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bishop moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big left from Shankoli misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli lands with a shot to the body.
Bishop is looking to clinch but Shankoli is avoiding it.
A jab lands there for Bishop.

Shankoli tries to sprawl but Bishop drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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!
Shankoli pushes Bishop off looking to stand but Bishop dives back in and keeps control.
Shankoli is looking to improve his position.
Shankoli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bishop.
Shankoli gets back to full guard.
Shankoli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ravi Shankoli dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Shankoli stalks Bishop and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bishop's face. Bishop staggers backwards, shaken.
Shankoli on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Shankoli swings for the body but Bishop moves out of range.
Bishop swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Bishop clinches.

Shankoli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shankoli throws a body shot but no joy.
An inside leg kick lands from Bishop.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shankoli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shankoli looks to score with a jab to the body but Bishop is just out of range.
Bishop drops down looking for a counter takedown but Shankoli sprawls and moves away.
Bishop scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop misses with a kick to the body.
Shankoli counters with a body kick.
Bishop fakes the leg kick and cracks Shankoli in the body.
Bishop swings widly with a right hand
and Shankoli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shankoli checks a leg kick nicely.
Shankoli does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bishop looks to land a body kick but Shankoli moved away.
Shankoli steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bishop.
Shankoli is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Bishop shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bishop was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bishop has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Shankoli manages to control the position for a moment.
Lance Bishop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli is trying desperately to improve position.
Shankoli manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Shankoli works his way to full guard. Good work.
Shankoli bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bishop's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shankoli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shankoli must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli controlling from the top position.
Bishop is trying to control the position but Shankoli postures up.
Bishop wants to sweep but no luck.
Shankoli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bishop swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bishop has control of Shankoli's left arm, preventing Shankoli from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

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

Bishop is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shankoli is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shankoli stopping the sweep attempt from Bishop.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bishop looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bishop throws a push kick but Shankoli slaps the foot to one side.
Despite the aggression on Shankoli's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lance Bishop showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shankoli 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ravi Shankoli!
Ravi Shankoli is the new light heavyweight champion!
Ravi Shankoli made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'His spirit was strong, but my intention was to crush him. Psychologically, as well as physically with my boxing. I knew that he would be a willing opponent, and he showed heart, but my soul wanted this more! Tonight is my night, let's keep these wins rolling! I would like some time to train aft'.