PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bishop
vs
Shinichi

163 cm
28
150 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

155 cm
39
145 lbs
26 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Héritage!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arthur Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akiyama Shinichi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bishop - that will leave a mark!
Bishop throws a big shot that misses.
Shinichi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shinichi's coach down at Heart Cave was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shinichi's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Bishop throws a body shot but no joy.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A left and a right from Bishop both land. Nice combination.
Bishop scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bishop jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bishop is looking to chop away at Shinichi's legs.
Shinichi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Bishop tries a head kick but it misses.
Shinichi shoots in looking for a takedown. Bishop tries to sprawl out of it but Shinichi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bishop manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shinichi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Shinichi is looking to clinch but Bishop is avoiding it.
Shinichi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bishop.
Shinichi with the counter takedown but Bishop avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop connects with an inside leg kick.
Shinichi shoots in but no luck this time.
Shinichi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Shinichi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Shinichi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bishop slaps away a takedown attempt from Shinichi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arthur Bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.
A jab lands there for Bishop.
Bishop feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shinichis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Arthur Bishop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shinichi clinches up against the cage.
Bishop has a couple of punches blocked by Shinichi.
Bishop is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bishop doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Bishop.
Bishop misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi is trying to maintain a safe position but Bishop gets an underhook and turns Shinichi into the cage.
Shinichi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
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 misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shinichi stalls.

Shinichi jumps guard and drags Bishop to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Shinichi has momentary wrist control but Bishop slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop pushing down on Shinichi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've been hearing that Bishop has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Shinichi gets back to full guard.
Bishop chips away with some ground and pound.
Bishop landing with the ground and pound.
Bishop lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi is trying to control the position but Bishop postures up.
Shinichi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shinichi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bishop's guard.
Shinichi trying to control but Bishop is working from the bottom.
Shinichi stopping the sweep attempt from Bishop.
Shinichi trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bishop controlling Shinichi's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shinichi won't allow Bishop to sweep him here.
Bishop has his hands on Shinichi's head, controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bishop scores with a hook to the body. Shinichi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bishop lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bishop slaps away a takedown attempt from Shinichi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bishop lands a jab to the nose.
Bishop fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shinichi shoots for a takedown but Bishop saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bishop lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shinichi backs up against the cage.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Shinichi avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Bishop dominated that round.
That's time! Bishop's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bishop throws a shot from downtown. Shinichi moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shinichi is defended easily by Bishop.
Bishop throws a big counter combination but Shinichi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bishop clobbers Shinichi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bishop, right into the meat.
A telegraphed right hand from Bishop misses the target.
Bishop lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shinichi tries for a takedown but Bishop sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A jab from Bishop finds it's way through Shinichi's defenses.
Shinichi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bishop.
Nice sprawl there from Bishop as Shinichi shoots in.
Arthur Bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop throws a jab but it's blocked by Shinichi.
Bishop dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shinichi. That did some damage!
Shinichi ducks under a wild hook from Bishop.
Bishop tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shinichi was well out of range. Poor timing from Bishop.
Bishop stuns Shinichi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bishop changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shinichi doesn't manage to clinch there - Bishop circles away.
Bishop misses with a looping left.
Shinichi feints the counter takedown.

Shinichi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Shinichi tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Shinichi wants to control but Bishop is keeping him busy.
Bishop manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shinichi's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop wants to get back to full guard.
Bishop trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Shinichi manages to pass to mount!
Shinichi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bishop holds on to Shinichi around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Shinichi trying to control but Bishop is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi avoids the attempt from Bishop to control.
Bishop is squirming around, avoiding Shinichi's attempts to control the action.

Shinichi working for a guillotine from mount but Bishop is in no mood to give up.
Shinichi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bishop is looking to escape.
Bishop bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bishop lands with a shot to the body.

Shinichi gets a takedown into half guard.
Bishop is controlling Shinichi's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Bishop wants to improve his position but Shinichi is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shinichi trying to control the action but Bishop is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Bishop dominated that second 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.

Shinichi slips a jab and a cross from Bishop.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bishop.
Some wild striking there from Bishop.
Shinichi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Bishop takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Shinichi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bishop is fending him off so far but Shinichi persists. Nope, Bishop circles away and we're back to standing.
Bishop cracks the inside of Shinichi's front leg.
Bishop is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shinichi.
Bishop misses with a series of wild punches.
Bishop is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shinichi can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop misses with a few strikes there.
Bishop checks a leg kick nicely.
Shinichi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bishop attempts a counter takedown but Shinichi avoids it well and moves away.
Shinichi misses with a low kick as Bishop jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinichi is looking to clinch.
Shinichi tries to clinch but Bishop moves out of range.
Bishop lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bishop misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bishop keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bishop throws the left hand but Shinichi avoids the punch easily.
Arthur Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Shinichi shoots in for a takedown but Bishop shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Arthur Bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.
Bishop works the jab nicely.
Shinichi shoots in but Bishop avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bishop throws a body punch but Shinichi moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bishop enables Shinichi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bishop manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bishop tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shinichi wants to control from the top but Bishop keeps moving.
Bishop controls Shinichi momentarily but Shinichi frees himself.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing Shinichi from controlling successfully.
Bishop wants to sweep but no luck.
Bishop controlling Shinichi's posture.
Shinichi passes into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shinichi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Arthur Bishop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bishop will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bishop scores with a spinning back kick!
Nice shot by Bishop.
Shinichi moves out of range as Bishop throws a body kick.
Shinichi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bishop darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Shinichi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bishop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bishop will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bishop scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bishop, right into the meat.
Bishop swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shinichi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bishop pinned against the cage. Bishop gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bishop fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shinichi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Arthur Bishop is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left lands for Bishop.
Bishop ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shinichi moves away.
Shinichi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bishop.
Bishop throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bishop keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Bishop clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bishop misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shinichi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little feinted left hand from Bishop on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bishop lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shinichi at a distance.
Bishop swats away the attempt to clinch by Shinichi.
Bishop connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bishop throws a big shot that misses.
Bishop displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Shinichi clinches up with Bishop and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Bishop lands a nice uppercut.
Bishop misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bishop lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bishop throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bishop lands with a right to the head.
Bishop scores with a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Bishop as the two fighters clinch.
Bishop is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Shinichi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bishop avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bishop lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shinichi backwards.
Bishop lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shinichi backwards.
Bishop tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bishop is pressed up against the cage. Shinichi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bishop down to the mat. Bishop avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shinichi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shinichi.
Arthur Bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.
Shinichi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Shinichi avoids it well.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bishop - that will leave a mark!
Shinichi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinichi gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shinichi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bishop has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bishop is staying active underneath Shinichi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bishop trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bishop tries to roll over but Shinichi keeps him under control.
Shinichi is looking to stall here but Bishop recovers full guard.
Bishop seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shinichi manages to get himself to full guard.
Bishop slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bishop misses with a double jab.
Bishop works over Shinichi's head and body with a nice combination.
Bishop looks to land a combination. Shinichi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Shinichi avoids it well.

Shinichi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bishop, pushing him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bishop.
Bishop lands with a right to the head.
Shinichi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shinichi backwards.

Shinichi has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Bishop is trying to keep an underhook but Shinichi manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shinichi wants to free his trapped foot but Bishop is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bishop desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Shinichi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bishop trying to control from the bottom.
Shinichi trying to control from half guard but Bishop is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Bishop had his way with Akiyama Shinichi in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice cross by Bishop.
Shinichi moves out of range of the strikes.
Shinichi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bishop defends it well.
Bishop connects with a body shot that sends Shinichi's belly button to the back.
Shinichi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bishop throwing a counter right hand but Shinichi manages to avoid it.
Bishop throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shinichi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bishop swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shinichi with the counter takedown but Bishop avoids it easily.
Bishop keeps Shinichi at a distance using the push kick.
Bishop scores with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop throws a series of punches but Shinichi avoids them all with ease.
Shinichi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shinichi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bishop counters with a left to the body.
Bishop throws a hook to the side of Shinichi's head but Shinichi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from Bishop.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Bishop. Those never looked like landing.
Shinichi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bishop.
Bishop throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shinichi.
Shinichi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Arthur Bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.
Bishop moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shinichi dives in and grabs Bishop's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bishop pushes down on Shinichi's head and hops out.
It looked like Bishop wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shinichi tries to move into range but Bishop moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bishop misses with the combination.
Bishop stuffs the takedown attempt from Shinichi. Shinichi gets slowly back to his feet.
Arthur Bishop is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi moves away from the strike by Bishop.
Bishop throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bishop punishes Shinichi's body with a nice straight punch.
Both fighters circling a little - Bishop finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Shinichi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bishop paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bishop throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shinichi on the side of the head.

Shinichi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bishop swings wildly with an uppercut but Shinichi uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bishop.
Shinichi blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Bishop fails to land.
Still in the clinch, Bishop scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Shinichi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bishop clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Shinichi has the hooks in. Bishop is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Bishop trying to control the position but Shinichi manages to sink in the hooks.
Shinichi tries to keep control of the position but Bishop is staying busy.

Shinichi looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Bishop taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Akiyama Shinichi!
Akiyama Shinichi bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.