PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Trager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Trager comes into the arena with Bang Bang blaring out of the sound system. Bishop has chosen Pimps Around The World as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Trager
vs
Bishop

170 cm
39
160 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

175 cm
28
160 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q)

Lion Fightwear

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 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Trager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Trager misses with a takedown attempt - Bishop sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bishop throws out a counter right but Trager avoids it with no problem.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Trager is defended easily by Bishop.
No luck for Trager with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Trager. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Trager looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bishop is fending him off so far but Trager persists. Nope, Bishop circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Trager closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bishop moves into full guard.

Trager drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bishop dives on top into guard.

Trager throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Trager looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Bishop has picked Trager up and slammed him! Trager can't keep hold of the triangle and Bishop manages to pass to side control!
Bishop takes a little break here. Trager wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Trager is looking to regain half guard here but Bishop keeps moving and retains side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Trager's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Bishop tries to advance to mount but Trager denies him.
Trager is looking for a sweep.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Trager can't do much from the bottom here.
Trager is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager struggling a bit here.
Trager is looking to regain half guard here but Bishop keeps moving and retains side control.
Trager tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Bishop easily slips into full mount!
Trager tries to hold on but Bishop pushes him away.
Bishop controlling his opponent.
Trager keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Trager is looking to escape.
Bishop wants to control the action but instead Trager gets a body lock and reverses into Bishop's guard! Nice work!
Trager working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Trager working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Trager throws a big right hand that misses.
Trager throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Trager working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trager 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 avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Trager advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trager throws a strike but Bishop avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bishop seems keen to control Trager's posture.
Trager trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bishop wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bishop avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Trager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Trager stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bishop swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Trager shoots for a takedown but Bishop saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bishop swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bishop connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Trager shoots in and gets a takedown into Bishop's guard.
Bishop working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trager.
Trager missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trager throws a strike but Bishop rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Alex Trager overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Trager looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Bishop has picked Trager up and slammed him! Trager can't keep hold of the triangle and Bishop manages to pass to side control!
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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trager can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Bishop is thwarting Trager's attempts to control the position.

Trager looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Trager actively working from the bottom here.

Trager is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bishop pulls his head out easily.
Bishop is looking to advance position but Trager won't allow it.
Trager wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Trager is trying to control but can't.
Bishop stalling.
Trager trying to hold on to Bishop's head to control him but Bishop postures up.
Bishop is pressing down on Trager's thigh, looking to free his foot. Trager is holding on for now.
Trager wants to control but Bishop is keeping busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Trager is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bishop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bishop looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Trager goes for a double leg but Bishop avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bishop continues to drive forward.
Bishop replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Trager blocks it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Trager. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Trager tries for a takedown but Bishop sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Trager backing away here, and Bishop unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager shoots in and drives through. Bishop sprawls well.
Bishop swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bishop slaps away a takedown attempt from Trager, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Trager shoots in but no luck this time.
Trager shoots for a takedown but Bishop saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bishop looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bishop slaps away a takedown attempt from Trager, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It seemed like Bishop was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Trager tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bishop swivels and escapes.
Trager shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bishop but Bishop pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trager misses with a takedown
and Bishop counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Trager looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bishop was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Bishop scores with a crisp jab that stopped Trager in his tracks.
Trager gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bishop counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Trager thinking.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trager shoots in looking for a takedown. Bishop tries to sprawl out of it but Trager 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Bishop showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Trager fails to land the takedown.
Bishop throws out a counter right but Trager avoids it with no problem.
Horrible takedown attempt by Trager or perhaps it was just good defense by Bishop, which made it look bad.
Trager shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bishop defends it nicely.
Bishop looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Trager. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Trager shoots in for a takedown but Bishop shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bishop 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.

Trager closes the distance and clinches.
Bishop tries a body shot but Trager blocks it.
Trager is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bishop to keep the fight standing.
Trager blocks a body shot from Bishop.
Bishop lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Trager backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bishop misses with a punch to the body.
Trager misses with an elbow strike.
Bishop lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Trager.
Trager tries to pull guard but Bishop holds him up against the cage and eventually Trager drops back down to his feet.
Trager has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bishop is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short right from Bishop.
Trager tries to pull guard but Bishop forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bishop lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bishop lands with a right to the head.
Bishop lands with a right to the head.
Bishop scores with a shoulder strike.

Bishop breaks from the clinch.
Trager with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bishop counters with a nice body kick.
Bishop thumps Trager with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Bishop.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Trager fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Bishop. That snapped Trager's head back.
Trager uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bishop.
Trager fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bishop doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager is looking to clinch but Bishop is avoiding it.
Bishop swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice takedown defense from Bishop. No joy for Trager on that attempt.
It seemed like Bishop was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Trager fails with the takedown
and Bishop counters with a nice uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Trager.
Trager tries to clinch up.
Bishop let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Trager.
Trager misses with a takedown

and Bishop counters with a crisp right hand that drops Trager! Bishop lets Trager back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Trager is rocked!

It looks like Alex Trager has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Trager dives in for a single leg takedown but Bishop sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bishop dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Alex Trager seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Bishop. No joy for Trager on that attempt.
As Trager backs off Bishop throws a huge counter combo but Trager manages to avoid it all.
Xavier Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bishop wants it to stay on the feet.
Bishop replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Trager blocks it well.
Trager fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bishop raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Trager shoots for a takedown but Bishop saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bishop looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Trager with a poor takedown
and Bishop counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bishop scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Trager darts in looking for a takedown but Bishop gets double underhooks and turns Trager into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Bishop comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bishop 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Bishop!
Xavier Bishop decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.