PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Richard Pleaser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phillip Ziskie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pleaser comes to the cage accompanied by Brainpool - We Aim to Please. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Pleaser
vs
Ziskie

168 cm
24
137 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

171 cm
20
147 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Richard Pleaser!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Phillip Ziskie!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziskie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Richard Pleaser seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pleaser pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ziskie sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Pleaser looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pleaser wants to control from the top but Ziskie keeps moving.
Pleaser looking to pass the guard.
Pleaser trying to control the position from guard on top but Ziskie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pleaser pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ziskie is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pleaser looking to pass the guard.
Pleaser is working hard here to advance position.

Ziskie uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ziskie.
Ziskie displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pleaser.
Pleaser scores with a body shot.
Pleaser lands with an overhand left.
Pleaser scores with a punch to the head.
A jab from Ziskie misses.
Pleaser throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ziskie avoids the head kick by Pleaser.
Pleaser pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Pleaser rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ziskie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Phillip Ziskie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Pleaser bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pleaser throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
An elbow from Pleaser crashes against the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pleaser is looking to take a break and control but Ziskie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pleaser 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.

Pleaser tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pleaser wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ziskie keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pleaser working the ground and pound but Ziskie is defending the strikes.
Pleaser is looking to take a break and control but Ziskie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pleaser misses with a body kick.
Pleaser misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Pleaser dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pleaser moves out of range of the strikes.
Ziskie walks into a stiff left hand from Pleaser.
Pleaser bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Pleaser shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pleaser trying to control but Ziskie is working from the bottom.

Pleaser drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ziskie looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ziskie looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ziskie!
Pleaser tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser taking punishment in the form of punches.
Pleaser is looking to reverse the position.
Ziskie in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Pleaser is trying to control Ziskie's posture but Ziskie avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pleaser tries to bench press Ziskie off him but Ziskie keeps the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pleaser thuds his shin into the meat of Ziskie's side.
Pleaser is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ziskie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Ziskie.
Ziskie scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pleaser doesn't seem bothered though.
Pleaser looks to land a right hand but Ziskie moved out of range.
Ziskie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pleaser shoots for a double leg takedown but Ziskie sprawls well. He's pushed Pleaser's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ziskie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pleaser throws a sloppy head kick and Ziskie moves out of range easily.
Ziskie misses the jab.
Ziskie avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Pleaser. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ziskie avoids the head kick by Pleaser.
Ziskie misses with a body shot.
Richard Pleaser is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pleaser fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ziskie manages to avoid it.
Pleaser tries a head kick but it misses.
Pleaser throws a leg kick which misses Ziskie's front leg but catches the back leg as Ziskie tries to avoid it.
Pleaser is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ziskie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ziskie throws a body punch but Pleaser moves out of range.
Ziskie throws a jab when Pleaser was well out of range.
Pleaser throws a sloppy head kick and Ziskie moves out of range easily.
Ziskie connects with a jab.
Pleaser loads up on a big right hand but Ziskie slips the punch.
Ziskie tries to clinch but Pleaser moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Ziskie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pleaser swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pleaser looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Ziskie gets a clinch.
Pleaser looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Pleaser ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Pleaser no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Pleaser tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phillip Ziskie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ziskie throws a hook but Pleaser avoids it easily.
Ziskie moves out of range of the body kick.
Pleaser ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
Pleaser shoots for a takedown but Ziskie saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ziskie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pleaser swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pleaser misses with a series of wild punches.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Pleaser.
Ziskie is trying to buck Pleaser off.
Pleaser trying to control the action but Ziskie is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Pleaser are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Pleaser prevents Ziskie from escaping the position.

Pleaser wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ziskie, who protects the arm well.
Pleaser just content to control the position.
Ziskie regains half guard there - taking advantage of Pleaser's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pleaser is trying to control. Ziskie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Pleaser is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pleaser with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie is trying to stand back up but Pleaser is controlling him
Ziskie regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Pleaser.

Pleaser drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ziskie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pleaser has Ziskie in his guard.
Ziskie being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pleaser working a defensive guard here.

Pleaser working for submissions but it's allowed Ziskie to get to half guard.
Pleaser tries to get to full guard but Ziskie has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Richard Pleaser did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pleaser displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ziskie throws out the jab.
Ziskie throws a hook but Pleaser avoids it easily.
Pleaser throws the kick towards the body but Ziskie avoids it.
Pleaser scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ziskie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pleaser moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ziskie slips under a jab from Pleaser.
Pleaser will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A combination from Pleaser does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot lands for Pleaser.
An inside leg kick lands from Pleaser.
Pleaser throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ziskie misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pleaser with a hook.
Pleaser cracks Ziskie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Pleaser lands with a nice body punch.
Pleaser avoids the body shot from Ziskie.
Pleaser lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Pleaser ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
Pleaser thumps Ziskie with a low kick.
Pleaser throws a series of strikes that have Ziskie backpedaling.
Ziskie tries to clinch but Pleaser is having none of it.
Pleaser throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Pleaser throws a push kick but Ziskie slaps the foot to one side.

Pleaser shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Pleaser wants to pass to mount but Ziskie is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser thows a huge punch but Ziskie dodges it nicely.
Pleaser is keen to just control but Ziskie is a slippery customer.
Pleaser throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pleaser wants to control but Ziskie is keeping him busy.
Pleaser takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ziskie pushes Pleaser off looking to stand but Pleaser dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pleaser is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ziskie is just riding it out for now. Pleaser eventually gives up the hold.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pleaser moves away from the strike by Ziskie.
Pleaser misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pleaser lands a head kick. Ziskie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ziskie missing with a left hand there. Pleaser was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pleaser fails to land with a series of punches.
Pleaser tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ziskie was well out of range. Poor timing from Pleaser.
Ziskie misses with an uppercut.

That's four 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.
Pleaser defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Ziskie misses with a looping right.
Pleaser lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Pleaser.
Ziskie tries to clinch up but Pleaser circles away and keeps his distance.
A swing and a miss from Pleaser.
Pleaser throws a body kick that misses.
Nice body punch from Pleaser.
Pleaser fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Pleaser tests Ziskie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pleaser closes the distance and clinches up with Ziskie, looking for a takedown. Pleaser pushes Ziskie against the cage but Ziskie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Pleaser. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pleaser fails to land the takedown.
Richard Pleaser is winning the standup battle so far.
Pleaser throws a sloppy head kick and Ziskie moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Pleaser had his way with Phillip Ziskie in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Pleaser stalks Ziskie and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ziskie's face. Ziskie staggers backwards, shaken.
Pleaser connects with a jab.
Ziskie might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Pleaser shoots in but Ziskie avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ziskie throws a jab when Pleaser was well out of range.
Ziskie throws a hook but Pleaser avoids it easily.
Ziskie tries to clinch there but Pleaser circles away.
Danga de danga de dang - Pleaser scores with a four punch combination!
Ziskie paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The fighters circling - Pleaser throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice sprawl there from Ziskie as Pleaser shoots in.
Ziskie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pleaser lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ziskie at a distance.
Ziskie takes a swing at Pleaser's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pleaser will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pleaser moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ziskie misses with a looping left.

Pleaser darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Pleaser moves into full mount! Ziskie won't be happy about that!

Pleaser is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ziskie is surviving well by controlling Pleaser's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser throwing strikes here but Ziskie is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Pleaser is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ziskie has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ziskie!
Pleaser is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Pleaser trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Richard Pleaser overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleaser looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ziskie is one step ahead there.
Pleaser pulls Ziskie in close to his closed guard and prevents Ziskie from doing any damage or advancing position.
Phillip Ziskie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pleaser is trying to keep Ziskie in close.
Ziskie won't allow Pleaser to sweep him here.
Richard Pleaser is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ziskie trying to control the position from guard on top but Pleaser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pleaser manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pleaser controlling the pace for now.
Ziskie prevents Pleaser from taking his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Pleaser showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pleaser has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Pleaser!
Richard Pleaser retains his bantamweight title!