PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sophia Bishop (ranked 4336 p4p, 4510 weight class) and Paul Webber (ranked 0 p4p, 215 weight class). Sophia Bishop could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Paul Webber's chin.

Bishop
vs
Webber

180 cm
23
150
1 - 0 - 0

159 cm
22
135
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sophia Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Paul Webber!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Webber rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bishop moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Webber is defended easily by Bishop.
Webber tries to close the distance and clinch but Bishop swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bishop changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Webber gets caught napping as Bishop dives in and scores a takedown. Webber manages to retain guard.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Webber keeps moving.
Bishop working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Webber works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bishop tries to free his leg and advance position but Webber is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop content to stall in guard here.
Webber lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Webber trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Webber postures up in Bishop's guard and throws a big left but Bishop blocks it.
Bishop preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bishop is trying to keep Webber in close.
Bishop is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Webber is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Webber accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bishop tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Webber passes Bishop's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bishop misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Webber there.
Webber sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bishop defending well though.
Bishop avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Webber.
Bishop is trying to stand back up but Webber is controlling him
Webber wants to take a breather but Bishop is having none of it.
Webber sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bishop defending well though.
Bishop is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Webber wants to control but Bishop is keeping him busy.

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

Webber gets caught flat footed, as Bishop shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Webber uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bishop looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Webber!

Webber throws Bishop to one side and escapes!
Bishop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Webber forces Bishop back against the cage and clinches.

Bishop gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Bishop is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Webber is pulling down on Bishop's head to control his posture.

Webber manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bishop clinches up against the cage.

Bishop pulls Webber into guard.
Bishop preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bishop avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Webber is fighting to break Bishop's control of his arms but Bishop is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bishop continues to stall.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing Webber from controlling successfully.
Webber wants to pass the guard but Bishop is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Webber dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bishop moves into the clinch.
Bishop stalling the fight.
Webber trying to land knees to the body.
Bishop stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Bishop jumps into guard, dragging Webber to the mat.
Webber trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bishop wants to sweep here but Webber controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bishop keeping full guard, as Webber tries to pass.
Bishop trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Webber trying to control but Bishop is working from the bottom.
Webber might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bishop haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bishop is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Webber landing some decent shots from guard.
Bishop will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Webber loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bishop pulls Webber in close to his closed guard and prevents Webber from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.

Webber bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bishop tries to bench press Webber off him but Webber keeps the position.
Webber is looking to take a break and control but Bishop is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
A lull in the action here.
Bishop trying his best to control but Webber has mounted him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Webber wants to control the pace but Bishop is squirming around nicely.
Bishop tries to hold on but Webber pushes him away.
Bishop avoids a series of strikes thrown by Webber.
Webber trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Webber is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Webber is breathing heavily.
Webber thowing shots but they're missing.
Bishop throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is looking to improve his position but Webber isn't that keen on the idea.
Bishop regains half guard.
Bishop pushes Webber off looking to stand but Webber dives back in and keeps control.
Bishop is staying active underneath Webber, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Webber trying to pass the guard but Bishop defending well.
Bishop wants to improve his position but Webber is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bishop gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paul Webber will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bishop drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bishop is looking to take a break and control but Webber is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Paul Webber has got the better of the ground game so far.
Webber sneaks back into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Webber throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bishop looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bishop wants to free his trapped foot but Webber is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop slows the pace down in half guard.
Bishop is looking to pass Webber's guard but actually Webber recovers to full guard.
Webber keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.

That's two 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.
Webber wants to sweep but no luck.
Bishop is looking to work some ground and pound but Webber has wrist control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Webber throws a body shot but no joy.

Bishop looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Webber pushes Bishop off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Webber shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Bishop pushes Webber off and gets back to his feet.
Webber takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bishop has managed to clinch.

Bishop pulls guard successfully.
Webber has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Webber wants to control from the top but Bishop keeps moving.
Bishop is looking to sweep but instead, Webber has passed into half guard.
Webber thows a huge punch but Bishop dodges it nicely.
Bishop is staying active underneath Webber, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Webber takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bishop on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop has his hands clasped together around Webber's back. He's all about the action.
Webber throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bishop is looking for a sweep. Webber is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bishop is trying to control but can't.
Webber is pressing down on Bishop's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bishop is holding on for now.
Webber missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bishop preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Sophia Bishop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paul Webber is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bishop kicks off Webber and gets to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sophia Bishop.
I think Webber 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight for Paul Webber!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Paul Webber!
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Paul Webber!

Paul Webber wins by unanimous decision!