PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tomas Marley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bishop comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Pimps Around The World kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Xavier Bishop was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Marley
vs
Bishop

170 cm
29
147 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

175 cm
30
152 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tomas Marley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marley swings for the body but Bishop moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bishop crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Marley - the referee stops the clock and Bishop gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Marley. Bishop manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Bishop uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marley.
Bishop keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marley.
A countering left hand to the body from Bishop misses.
Bishop misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Marley looks to land a right hand but Bishop moved out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Marley. That snapped Bishop's head back.
Bishop misses with a series of wild punches.
Bishop tries to land a front kick but Marley steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Marley takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Marley counters with a right hand to the body.
A big left from Bishop misses.
Marley shoots in for a double leg but Bishop sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Marley throws a body kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Bishop lands an impressive looking overhand right. Marley doesn't seem phased though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop throws a big shot that misses.
Marley walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Marley thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bishop throws a hook to the side of Marley's head but Marley sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bishop lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Marley looks to land a body kick but Bishop moved away.
Marley lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Good standup being displayed there by Marley as he connects with a hook.
Marley scores with a jab to the head.
Good work by Bishop as he checks the leg kick.
Bishop scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Marley tries to land a leg kick but Bishop saw it coming and moves away.
Nice defenses there by Marley.
Marley has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Convicted - Redemption in the buildup to the fight.
Marley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bishop moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marley swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bishop counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop lands with a slapping head kick.
Bishop lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Marley connects with a looping right hand.
Bishop missing with a left hand there. Marley was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Marley avoids the body shot from Bishop.
Bishop scores with a jab.
Bishop takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bishop now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Bishop misses with a double jab.
Bishop swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marley throws a nice outside leg kick.
Marley lands a slapping body shot.
A cross from Marley lands.
Bishop lands with a right hand.
Marley throws an overhand right that lands on Bishop's shoulder, as Bishop tries to avoid the shot.
Bishop lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little jabbing left from Bishop on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Marley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bishop.
Bishop works the jab nicely.
Marley throws a nice looking combination but Bishop bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bishop tries to bum rush Marley with a series of wild strikes but Marley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A quick step to the side and Marley tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xavier Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop lands a jab to the nose.
Marley slips a straight right by Bishop.
Bishop throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop takes a swing at Marley's ribcage but misses.
Bishop looks to score with a jab to the body but Marley is just out of range.
Marley throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Marley dips to his left and cracks Bishop with an uppercut!
Bishop throws the left hand but Marley avoids the punch easily.
Marley looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

Marley closes the distance and pushes Bishop back into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Bishop.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left hand lands to the body for Bishop.
Marley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Marley fails to land.
Bishop cracks Marley with a nice body shot.
Bishop misses with some punches.
Bishop tries to break free but Marley pushes him back against the cage.
Bishop lands a body punch.
Marley has a couple of punches blocked by Bishop.

Bishop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bishop pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marley was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bishop tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bishop uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bishop lands a nice looking body shot.
A jab lands there for Marley.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Bishop dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Marley wants to slow Bishop down by chopping away at his legs.
Bishop uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marley.
A little jabbing left from Bishop on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bishop throws a head kick that misses.
Marley swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Bishop scores with a jab.
Marley gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice sprawl there from Bishop as Marley shoots in.
Marley throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Xavier Bishop seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bishop throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Marley walks into a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bishop looks to score with a jab to the body but Marley is just out of range.
Bishop scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bishop cracks a nice hook into Marley's ribs.
Bishop lands a glancing blow to the side of Marley's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Marley has time to react.
Bishop uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Marley.
Marley throws an overhand right that lands on Bishop's shoulder, as Bishop tries to avoid the shot.
Bishop misses with a jab to the body
and Marley counters with a straight right hand.
Marley looks to land a combination but Bishop avoids it well.
Bishop misses with a left hand

and Marley counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Marley not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bishop trying to hold on to Marley's head to control him but Marley postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bishop controlling the position well.
Bishop is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Marley seems to be looking for submissions.
Marley trying to control the action but Bishop is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Marley content to control rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bishop throws a shot from downtown. Marley moves away and avoids it.
Bishop connects with the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop misses with a hook
and Marley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bishop takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marley throws a chopping leg kick but Bishop manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bishop throws a body kick that misses.
Nice cross by Bishop.
Marley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bishop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marley walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bishop.
Bishop keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd cheers as Bishop lands an impressive looking overhand right. Marley doesn't seem phased though.
Bishop looks to land a left hand but Marley moved out of range nicely.
Bishop ducks under a wild hook from Marley.
Marley misses with a hook
and Bishop cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Marley fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bishop manages to avoid it.
Marley pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Marley moves in looking to clinch but Bishop pushes him off.
Bishop appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marley misses with a wild body shot.
Bishop looks to score with a jab to the body but Marley is just out of range.
Bishop sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Marley throws a series of punches but Bishop avoids them all with ease.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Marley slips a jab and a cross from Bishop.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bishop - that will leave a mark!
Marley wants to clinch.
Bishop lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Marley fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bishop manages to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bishop! But no joy.
Marley walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bishop.
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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bishop uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marley.
Marley takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bishop avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Marley darts in and clinches Bishop up against the cage.
A short right from Marley on the inside.
Bishop blocks an uppercut.
Bishop wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marley has him pressed against the cage.
Bishop just leaning against Marley, taking a breather.

Bishop breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bishop throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop digs a good hook to Marley's body.
Bishop misses the shot to the body.
Marley tries to counter with a takedown but Bishop is quick to defend against it.
A big left from Bishop misses.
Nice sprawl there from Bishop as Marley shoots in.
An inside leg kick lands from Marley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marley lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bishop connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Marley momentarily.
Bishop throws a leg kick
and Marley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Marley misses with a hook
enabling Bishop to counter with a crisp jab.
Bishop swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Marley drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bishop sprawls and moves away.
Bishop throws a front kick aimed at Marley's knee but Marley avoids it well.
Bishop is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marley.
Bishop fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marley manages to avoid it.
Donk. Bishop catches Marley right on the button with a cross.
Bishop lands with a cross.
Bishop with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bishop throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marley connects with a nice looking jab.

Marley has closed the distance and engaged Bishop in a clinch.
Tomas Marley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is trying to push Marley away but Marley has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bishop can't break the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Marley.
Bishop wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marley has him pressed against the cage.
Bishop is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bishop lands with a short shot to the head.
Marley blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Bishop.

Bishop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bishop just misses with a punch to the body.
Bishop takes a swing at Marley's ribcage but misses.
Bishop takes one to the chin there.
Bishop sizes up Marley with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marley fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bishop looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bishop throws a looping overhand right but Marley ducks down to avoid it.
Marley misses with the body kick
and Bishop counters with a straight right hand.
Marley misses with a two punch combination.
Marley takes a swing at Bishop's ribcage but misses.
Bishop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bishop thumps Marley with a low kick.
Marley just misses with a punch to the body.
Bishop misses with a hook. Marley ducked under it nicely.
Bishop jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bishop scores with a nice strike.
Marley takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bishop has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bishop delivers a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop tries a head kick but it misses.

Marley moves into the clinch.
Marley drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bishop gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomas Marley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marley tries a body shot but Bishop blocks it.
Marley blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Marley fails to land.
Bishop softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Bishop has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Marley seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Bishop can turn it around.
Marley looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bishop misses with some punches.
Marley swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Bishop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xavier Bishop is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Marley throws a hook to the side of Bishop's head but Bishop sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Marley avoids the body shot from Bishop.
An attempted straight right counter from Marley misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Bishop comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bishop 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Bishop!
A very excited looking Xavier Bishop made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.