PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Bridges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dak Ishii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bridges comes to the cage accompanied by Ludacris - Get Back. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ishii's choice of entrance music: Insane in the membrane by Cypress Hill. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bridges
vs
Ishii

172 cm
26
142 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

164 cm
26
137 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

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 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Christopher Bridges !
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dak Ishii!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, David Schapiro and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ishii tries to clinch up but Bridges circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid body kick from Ishii.
Ishii tries to clinch but Bridges moves out of range.
Ishii tries to clinch up.
Ishii tries to clinch up but Bridges circles away and keeps his distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ishii.
Bridges swings for the body but Ishii moves out of range.
Ishii looks to score with a jab to the body but Bridges is just out of range.
Ishii tries to clinch up but Bridges circles away and keeps his distance.
Bridges looks to throw the jab but Ishii is out of range.
Ishii moves in looking to clinch but Bridges pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishii throws a head kick that misses.

Ishii has managed to clinch.
Ishii creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bridges 's defenses.

It looks like Christopher Bridges has been cut.

Bridges escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bridges scores with a nice right hand.

Ishii moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bridges lands a right hand.
A frustrated look appears on Bridges 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bridges working hard to break the clinch.
Bridges blocks an elbow strike from Ishii.
Bridges can't break the clinch.
Ishii missing with knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bridges .
Ishii throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bridges is trying to force a seperation but Ishii has the dominant position.
A right handed body shot lands from Bridges .
Ishii's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bridges is trying to break free.
Bridges wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ishii stalling against the cage.

Bridges escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ishii tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ishii wants to clinch.
Bridges lands a nice shot that snaps Ishii's head back.
Ishii is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Bridges - just one landing.
Bridges misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Bridges drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ishii can't do much from the bottom here.
Bridges tries to score with some ground and pound. Ishii controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Bridges in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Bridges working the head with strikes.
Ishii can't do much from the bottom here.
Bridges prevents Ishii from escaping the position.
Bridges lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Ishii takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishii takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Bridges 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.
Bridges working the ground and pound but Ishii is defending the strikes.
Ishii managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bridges .
Bridges wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ishii keeps working.
Ishii tries to escape but Bridges is in control.
Ishii managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bridges .
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bridges cracks Ishii with a big elbow.
Bridges cracks Ishii with a big elbow.
Bridges is looking to take a break and control but Ishii is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishii wants to get back to his feet.
Bridges misses with the ground and pound.
Ishii tries to bench press Bridges off him but Bridges keeps the position.
Bridges working the head and body with strikes.

Bridges thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bridges in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bridges throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ishii stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ishii fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bridges bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Christopher Bridges 's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ishii is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ishii drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bridges fails with a takedown attempt.
Ishii looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bridges is fending him off so far but Ishii persists. Nope, Bridges circles away and we're back to standing.
Ishii tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bridges paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bridges throws a series of punches but Ishii moves out of range.
Ishii wants to clinch up but Bridges keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bridges lands a really nice looking cross but Ishii seems unphased.
Nice shot by Bridges .

Ishii is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bridges 's half guard.
Bridges is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bridges is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ishii pulls his head out easily.
Bridges is looking to control Ishii's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bridges avoid being mounted?
Bridges is looking for a sweep. Ishii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ishii passes to side control.
Bridges looks to move to half guard but instead Ishii has passed into mount! Damn!
Ishii is stalling here but it's allowed Bridges to get half guard.
Bridges trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bridges works his way to full guard. Good work.

Bridges has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ishii can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bridges controls Ishii momentarily but Ishii frees himself.
Ishii trying to control but Bridges is working from the bottom.

Bridges looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Bridges is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ishii defends well.
Ishii passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges is trying to get back to half guard.
Bridges is working hard here to advance position.
Bridges is not content to let Ishii control the position.
Bridges gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ishii is looking to take a break and control but Bridges is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bridges moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ishii trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ishii avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ishii stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ishii tries to close the distance and clinch but Bridges swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bridges swings for the body but Ishii moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Bridges . No joy for Ishii on that attempt.
Bridges swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Bridges gets a clinch.
Knees to the body from Ishii.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dak Ishii will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Christopher Bridges 's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ishii closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bridges counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ishii!
Ishii is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Bridges trying to control but Ishii is having none of it.
Ishii wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bridges .
Ishii is desperately trying to improve his position but Bridges has a good base and remains in mount.
Bridges landing strikes, looking to finish!
Bridges punching from mount but Ishii doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Ishii tries to reverse the position but Bridges maintains control.
Ishii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ishii is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ishii looks a forlorn figure.
Christopher Bridges overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bridges working the ground and pound effectively.
Bridges looking to finish Ishii with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ishii!
Ishii in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Bridges working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Bridges landing punches.
Bridges avoids the attempt from Ishii to control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bridges cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ishii tries to hold on but Bridges postures up.
Ishii avoids a strike by Bridges and manages to complete a very nice reversal in the process, to end up in Bridges 's guard! Fantastic escape!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ishii avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bridges has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ishii off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Bridges gets the takedown into side control.
Ishii defending against the ground and pound.
Bridges throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ishii works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Ishii works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ishii is trying to keep Bridges in close.
Ishii preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bridges loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bridges is fighting to break Ishii's control of his arms but Ishii is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bridges postures up in Ishii's guard and throws a big left but Ishii blocks it.
Bridges tries to free his leg and advance position but Ishii is retaining full guard.
Ishii looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ishii clinches but Bridges breaks the clinch
and Bridges counters with a straight right hand.

That's four 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.
Bridges throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ishii closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bridges counters with a three punch combo that has Ishii backing up. Ishii nods at Bridges to acknowledge the strikes.

Bridges looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ishii tries to roll over but Bridges keeps him under control.
Bridges thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ishii's head.
Bridges wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Christopher Bridges 's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ishii tries to clinch but Bridges moves out of range.
Bridges dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bridges circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bridges counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Ishii closes the distance and pushes Bridges back into the cage.
Bridges is looking to break free of the clinch but Ishii has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishii tries a body shot but Bridges blocks it.
Ishii tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Bridges escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bridges looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ishii keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishii taking some punishment here, with Bridges in his half guard.
Bridges thows a huge punch but Ishii dodges it nicely.

Bridges stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Ishii to get to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ishii tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bridges counters with a straight right hand.

Ishii fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bridges sprawls well initially but Ishii persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Bridges looking for submissions off his back.
Bridges tries to roll over but Ishii keeps him under control.
Bridges wants to get back to full guard but Ishii has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishii tries to control but Bridges wriggling away.
Ishii controlling the pace for now.
Bridges is looking to get to half guard.

Ishii stands up from mount. Strange move.
Bridges lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishii tries to clinch up
and Bridges counters with a right hand to the body.
Ishii closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bridges counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bridges not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Bridges stands up and beckons Ishii to join him on the feet.
Bridges misses with the combination.
Bridges avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ishii scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Bridges fails to land.
Ishii misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bridges .
Bridges on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Bridges manages to break the clinch.

Ishii rushes Bridges and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ishii throws an elbow but misses.
Bridges wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bridges is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bridges tries to circle away but Ishii has him pinned against the cage.
Bridges lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Bridges 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ishii misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bridges .

Bridges breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ishii tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bridges counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ishii closes the distance but Bridges moves to the side
and Bridges counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges had his way with Dak Ishii in that round.
The cut man is working on Christopher Bridges 's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A thudding body kick lands there by Ishii!
Christopher Bridges is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ishii closes the distance but Bridges moves to the side
and Bridges cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ishii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bridges sprawls well. Bridges wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ishii gets slowly back to his feet.

Bridges shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ishii's guard.
Ishii is trying to keep Bridges in close.

Bridges decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
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.
Bridges throws a body punch but Ishii moves out of range.
Bridges stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bridges .
Bridges throws out a loose jab but Ishii uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ishii closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bridges circles away.

Ishii closes the distance and clinches.
Bridges working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bridges tries to score a body lock takedown but Ishii shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bridges wants to get back to striking at distance but Ishii won't allow it.
Ishii scores a nice knee to the body.
Ishii missing with knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ishii is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bridges is defending well for now.
Bridges prevents a takedown attempt there.
Christopher Bridges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dak Ishii.

Bridges pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ishii closes the distance but Bridges moves to the side
and Bridges counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dak Ishii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bridges lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ishii tries to clinch
and Bridges counters with a series of strikes. Ishii will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ishii darts in trying to clinch
and Bridges counters with a nice body shot.
Ishii closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bridges counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ishii thinking.
Bridges throws a nice looking combination but Ishii bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Bridges scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ishii throws Bridges to one side and escapes!
Ishii looks to clinch
and Bridges counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges swinging wildly here.
Ishii tries to clinch but Bridges moves away

and Bridges counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bridges missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Bridges drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bridges jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ishii is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ishii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bridges tries to free his leg and advance position but Ishii is retaining full guard.
Bridges trying to control but Ishii is working from the bottom.
Bridges lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges is in close to Ishii's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ishii wants to clinch but Bridges slips to the side

and Bridges counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ishii!
Bridges punishing his opponent with strikes.

Bridges looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ishii tries to hold on but Bridges postures up.
A nice elbow there by Bridges .
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bridges sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bridges cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Christopher Bridges is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bridges raining down shots from the mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Bridges showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bridges 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 49:46
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Bridges !
Christopher Bridges retains his bantamweight title!