PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Diablo Rage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Bisbing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rage
vs
Bisbing

185 cm
23
188 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

189 cm
20
198 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Diablo Rage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Bisbing!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rage fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rage will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rage dives in and grabs Bisbing's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bisbing pushes down on Rage's head and hops out.
Bisbing fails with the takedown

so Rage counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rage trying to control but Bisbing is working from the bottom.
Rage is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bisbing is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage wanted to stand there but Bisbing had control of the position.
Rage is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rage trying to control the position from guard on top but Bisbing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rage controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bisbing keeping moving, preventing Rage from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bisbing throws a series of punches but Rage avoids them all with ease.
Bisbing moves away from the strike by Rage.
Bisbing throws a lazy head kick

and Rage counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bisbing is refusing to be controlled, as Rage sits in half guard.
Bisbing blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rage.
Rage passes to side control.

Rage stands up and beckons Bisbing to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rage is defended easily by Bisbing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diablo Rage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Rage feints and as Bisbing raises his hands in defense, Rage changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Bisbing has his feet on Rage's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Bisbing connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rage looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bisbing is fending him off so far but Rage persists. Nope, Bisbing circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Bisbing misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diablo Rage dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Rage looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A telegraphed right hand from Bisbing misses the target.
Rage fails with a takedown attempt.
Bisbing is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rage sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bisbing walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rage avoids the head kick by Bisbing.
Rage fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rage wants to clinch.
Bisbing takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage misses with a looping right.
Rage stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bisbing.
Rage looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Diablo Rage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rage with a poor takedown

and Bisbing counters with a shoot takedown. Rage fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diablo Rage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bisbing throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rage is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rage is looking to take a break and control but Bisbing is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rage decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Rage throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bisbing's waist but Bisbing gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rage off to one side.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bisbing darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rage has closed the distance and engaged Bisbing in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rage jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bisbing walks away with a smile on his face. Rage gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rage tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rage misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rage closes the distance but Bisbing moves to the side

and Bisbing counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bisbing won't allow Rage to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bisbing accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bisbing postures up in Rage's guard and throws a big left but Rage blocks it.
Rage working a defensive guard here.
Bisbing postures up in Rage's guard and throws a big left but Rage blocks it.
Bisbing postures up in Rage's guard and throws a big left but Rage blocks it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rage trying to keep a closed guard but Bisbing is proving a slippery customer.
Rage wants to stand and escape but Bisbing is having none of it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rage tries to clinch up.
Rage throws a combination that misses
enabling Bisbing to counter with a crisp jab.
Rage scores with a leg kick.
Bisbing is breathing heavily.
Bisbing shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rage as he jumps to the side.
Rage has his takedown stuffed
and Bisbing counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rage tries to clinch up but Bisbing circles away and keeps his distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Bisbing showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bisbing throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rage.
Rage tries to clinch but Bisbing is having none of it.
Rage looks to score with a jab to the body but Bisbing is just out of range.
Rage darts in trying to clinch
and Bisbing counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bisbing shoots and misses
and Rage counters with a head kick.
Bisbing swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rage counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bisbing's guard now.
Rage trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bisbing takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rage wants to pass the guard but Bisbing is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rage wants to stand and escape but instead Bisbing has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rage not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bisbing is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rage is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rage has escaped and now he's on top!
Bisbing being controlled here, momentarily.

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.
Rage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rage accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rage sitting in guard here, content to control.
Bisbing avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Rage stands and steps away. Bisbing gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rage just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four 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.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rage. That's going to slow Bisbing down.
Rage scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rage doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bisbing counters with a left and a right that stings Rage.
Rage shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rage closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bisbing circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diablo Rage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rage tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bisbing swivels and escapes.
Rage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Bisbing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diablo Rage showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rage 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight for Diablo Rage!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Diablo Rage!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Diablo Rage!

Diablo Rage wins by unanimous decision!