PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Bourque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Bourque will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bishop
vs
Bourque

172 cm
42
145 lbs
35 - 33 - 0

192 cm
45
156 lbs
50 - 27 - 2

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 33 - 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 50 - 27 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Bourque!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bourque with a jab.
Bourque misses with a straight right.
Bourque misses with a wild body shot.
Bourque looks to land a left hand but Bishop moved out of range nicely.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bourque throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bishop bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bourque throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bishop sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bourque scores with a decent looking hook.
Bourque is looking to clinch.
Bourque tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bishop was well out of range. Poor timing from Bourque.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bourque swinging wildly here.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bourque is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bourque slaps away a takedown attempt from Bishop, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bourque stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Paul Bourque seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourque bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bishop's head backwards.
Bourque lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bourque throws a right and a left that Bishop avoids nicely.
Bishop keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bourque.
Bourque comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bourque throws an overhand right that lands on Bishop's shoulder, as Bishop tries to avoid the shot.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bourque misses with a looping left.
Bourque thuds a left hand into Bishop's body.

Bishop gets a double leg takedown into Bourque's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Bourque keeps moving.
Bishop being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop throws a big elbow that misses.
Bishop throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bourque preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bourque utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bishop wants to pass the guard but Bourque is keeping the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bourque misses with the combination.
Bishop appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourque wants to clinch.
A jab from Bourque misses.
Bourque tests Bishop's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bishop shoots in but no luck this time.
Bourque rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bishop moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bourque lands a jab to Bishop's midsection.
A combination from Bourque does no damage.
Bourque fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bishop on the side of the head.
Bishop shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bourque looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bourque stalks Bishop and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bishop's face. Bishop staggers backwards, shaken.
Bourque misses with a right hand

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bourque blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bishop.
Bishop lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bishop not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bourque manages to get to full guard.
Bishop working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bourque throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Bishop fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bourque to the ground. Bishop is now in Bourque's guard.
Bourque has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bishop throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bishop trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bishop is working Bourque over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bishop is in close to Bourque's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop looking to sit in guard and control but Bourque gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop keeping full guard, as Bourque tries to pass.
Bishop has a closed guard, preventing Bourque from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Bryan Bishop overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bourque stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bourque ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bishop moves away.
Bishop takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bourque lands a jab-cross combination.
Bourque misses with an uppercut

and Bishop decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bourque's guard.
Bishop won't allow Bourque to sweep him here.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Bourque keeps moving.
Bishop postures up in Bourque's guard and throws a big left but Bourque blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bourque wants to sweep but no luck.
Bishop showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bishop trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paul Bourque is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop tries a head kick but it misses.
Bishop takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
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 swats away the attempt to clinch by Bourque.
Bishop drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bourque sprawls and moves away.
Bourque is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Bourque. Those never looked like landing.
Bishop tries to counter with a takedown but Bourque is quick to defend against it.
Bishop slips under a jab.
Bourque lands a jab-cross combination.
Bishop looks for a takedown but Bourque sprawls well.
Bishop has a takedown stuffed.
Bourque clobbers Bishop with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bishop takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bourque stuns Bishop with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop shoots in and drives through. Bourque sprawls well.
As Bishop backs off Bourque throws a huge counter combo but Bishop manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bourque lands a right hook to the body.
Bourque scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bourque swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bishop counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bishop.
Bishop has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bishop trying to control the position from guard on top but Bourque is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bishop trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bourque manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Bourque stands and steps away. Bishop gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bourque lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Bourque showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bishop takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A jab from Bourque does it's job there.
Bourque misses with a hook

and Bishop counters with a single leg into guard. Bourque didn't expect that.
Bourque manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bishop manages to get himself to full guard.

Bourque advances position into side control!

Bourque stands up and beckons Bishop to his feet.
Bourque lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bourque misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourque misses with a hook

and Bishop counters with a takedown into side control.
Bishop looks up at the clock and then as Bourque takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bishop smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Bourque is trying to get back to half guard.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Bourque wants to control but Bishop postures up.
Bishop trying to control the position but Bourque is working away.
Paul Bourque is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop working the head with strikes.
Bishop misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bishop working away.
Bourque is trying to get back to half guard.
Bourque struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Bishop throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Bourque is not content to let Bishop control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bishop fails to land the takedown.
Bourque misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bishop.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A punch combination from Bourque misses.
Bourque misses with a body shot.
Bishop blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourque lands with a hook. Bishop tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bourque misses with a straight right.
Bishop takes one to the chin there.
Bourque jabs at Bishop's body.
Bourque lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bishop blocks a jab.
Bourque tries to clinch up but Bishop circles away and keeps his distance.
Bourque looks to throw the jab but Bishop is out of range.
Bryan Bishop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bishop shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bourque pinned against the cage. Bourque gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bourque.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Bourque comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bourque winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Bourque!
An out of breath Paul Bourque thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.