PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Teppo Suolanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bishop is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Lose Yourself. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Suolanen
vs
Bishop

184 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Rising Sun Clothing Co.

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Teppo Suolanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Bishop!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fight stays on the outside here - Suolanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Suolanen fails with a takedown attempt.

Bishop is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Suolanen's half guard.
Well, if Bishop is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Suolanen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bishop is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Suolanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bishop is one step ahead there.
Bishop controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop trying to control but Suolanen is working from the bottom.
Bishop prevents Suolanen from getting back to his feet.

Suolanen working for submissions but it's allowed Bishop to get to half guard.
Suolanen is trying to stand back up but Bishop is controlling him
Bishop wants to lay and pray for a moment but Suolanen keeps working.
Bishop works his way into full mount!

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.
Bishop can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Suolanen is looking to escape.
Bishop is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Bishop prevents Suolanen from getting the reversal.
Bishop wants to control the pace but Suolanen is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Suolanen is looking to escape.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Suolanen is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Suolanen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bishop.
Suolanen tries to reverse the position but Bishop maintains control.

Bishop stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Steven Bishop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Suolanen is breathing heavily.

Bishop shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Suolanen tries to reverse the position but Bishop maintains control.
Bishop controlling from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Despite being in the dominant position, Steven Bishop just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Suolanen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bishop counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Bishop dominated that round.
That's time! Suolanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A nice leg kick lands there from Bishop.
Suolanen with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bishop counters by moving into the clinch.
Bishop goes for a takedown attempt but Suolanen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Bishop feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Suolanen managing to control the position.
Bishop lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bishop trying to control but Suolanen is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bishop accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bishop must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suolanen keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.
Suolanen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bishop manages to get himself to full guard.
Bishop throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Bishop trying to keep a closed guard but Suolanen is proving a slippery customer.

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.
Bishop is looking to stand up but Suolanen isn't so interested in that idea.
Bishop looking for a sweep. Not yet Bishop, not yet.
Bishop wants to get back to his feet but Suolanen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Bishop is working an open guard so Suolanen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Suolanen scores with a four punch combination!
Suolanen tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bishop counters with a shoot takedown. Suolanen fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bishop pushes down on Suolanen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bishop prevents Suolanen from improving his position.
Suolanen trying to control but Bishop postures up.
Suolanen wants to improve his position but Bishop is controlling well.
Bishop not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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.
Bishop is nestled in close to Suolanen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Suolanen wants to get back to full guard.
Bishop is looking to take a break and control but Suolanen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Suolanen wants to control but Bishop is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bishop moves into the clinch successfully.

Bishop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Suolanen moves into the clinch.
Bishop throws a knee to the head but misses.

Suolanen tightens his grip and picks Bishop up, before dumping him to the ground. Bishop manages to land in guard.
Bishop has control of Suolanen's left arm, preventing Suolanen from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Bishop showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bishop rushes Suolanen and presses him up against the cage.

Suolanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bishop scores a takedown into full mount!
Bishop lands a heavy elbow.
Bishop tries to control but Suolanen wriggling away.

Bishop goes for an armbar but Suolanen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Suolanen.
Bishop wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Suolanen is now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suolanen is controlling the pace.
Bishop is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Suolanen is looking to advance position but Bishop won't allow it.
Suolanen stalling.

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.
Bishop wants to control but Suolanen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Suolanen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Bishop reverses the position - he's now on top in Suolanen's guard.

Suolanen pushes Bishop off and scrambles back to his feet.
Bishop has his takedown stuffed

and Suolanen counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suolanen landing with the ground and pound.
Suolanen connects with a couple of short punches.
Suolanen wants to control from the top but Bishop keeps moving.

Bishop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Suolanen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bishop not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.

Bishop is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Suolanen is aware though and is defending well.
Bishop working a defensive guard here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Bishop changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Suolanen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Suolanen is not content to let Bishop control the position.

Bishop is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Suolanen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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 Teppo Suolanen.
Well Bishop has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Bishop!