PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Connor Gordon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christopher Bridges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bridges has chosen Ludacris - Get Back as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gordon
vs
Bridges

175 cm
21
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

172 cm
26
142 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Connor Gordon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Christopher Bridges !
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Eddie Farnsworth and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bridges works over Gordon's head and body with a nice combination.
Gordon shoots in looking for a takedown. Bridges tries to sprawl out of it but Gordon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bridges manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gordon closes the distance and clinches up with Bridges , looking for a takedown. Gordon pushes Bridges against the cage but Bridges circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Gordon scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gordon trying to control the position but Bridges is working away.
Bridges is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gordon is controlling him well.
Bridges is looking to reverse the position.

Gordon thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bridges is trying to get back to half guard.
Bridges is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Gordon wants to stand but Bridges is controlling his arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bridges .
Bridges lands with an overhand left.
Bridges stuffs the takedown attempt from Gordon. Gordon gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor Gordon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bridges looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bridges has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bridges putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Gordon tries to hold on but Bridges postures up.
Gordon working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bridges trying to control but Gordon is having none of it.
Gordon tries to lock up and control but Bridges gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bridges scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Gordon?
Bridges has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gordon is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bridges wants to control the pace but Gordon is squirming around nicely.
Gordon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bridges scoring with strikes but Gordon is staying in there.
Gordon is desperately trying to improve his position but Bridges has a good base and remains in mount.
Gordon wants to hold on but Bridges pushes him away.
Bridges landing strikes from the mount and Gordon is in trouble!
Gordon knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bridges on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gordon tries to hold on but Bridges pushes him away.
Bridges unloading with bombs!
Gordon is in a horrible position here. Bridges smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Bridges lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gordon hang on?
Bridges looking to finish Gordon with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gordon!
Bridges scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Gordon is in all sorts of trouble here.

Bridges has control of Gordon's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Gordon regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Bridges looks gassed!
Bridges scoring with strikes but Gordon is staying in there.
Bridges prevents Gordon from getting the reversal.
Gordon sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gordon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gordon wants to control but Bridges is keeping busy.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bridges scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gordon wants to control but Bridges is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gordon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Bridges .

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

Bridges changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gordon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gordon tries to buck Bridges off but Bridges is having none of it.

Bridges goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gordon rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Bridges 's guard! Nice work there by Gordon!
Gordon has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bridges is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gordon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Bridges counters with a takedown into side control.

Bridges thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bridges connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Gordon some visible discomfort.

Bridges working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gordon managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bridges .
Bridges is breathing heavily.
Gordon is looking for a sweep.
Gordon can't do much from the bottom here.
Gordon is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordon defending against the ground and pound.
Gordon tries to buck Bridges off but Bridges is having none of it.
Christopher Bridges has got the better of the ground game so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bridges will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bridges throws a body punch but Gordon moves out of range.
Gordon misses with a takedown attempt

and Bridges counters with a single leg into guard. Gordon didn't expect that.
Bridges throwing strikes but missing.
Bridges postures up in Gordon's guard and throws a big left but Gordon blocks it.
Gordon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bridges 's guard.

Bridges is looking for a triangle but Gordon pushes his legs off easily.
Bridges keeping moving, preventing Gordon from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gordon tries to free his leg and advance position but Bridges is retaining full guard.
Gordon trying to control but Bridges is working from the bottom.
Gordon thows a big elbow that misses.
Bridges is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gordon is looking to control Bridges 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gordon avoid being mounted?
Gordon missing with punches from the bottom.
Bridges controlling the pace.
Bridges lands with a punch from half guard.
Gordon is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bridges lands a nice short elbow.

Bridges is looking for a kimura here.
Bridges is thwarting Gordon's attempts to control the position.

Bridges looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gordon trying to control here.

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.
Gordon is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bridges lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Bridges has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bridges decides to pull guard.
Gordon trying to control but Bridges is working from the bottom.
Gordon throws a big right hand that misses.
Gordon landing with the ground and pound.
Gordon looking to sit in guard and control but Bridges gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gordon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bridges gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Bridges throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bridges will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Bridges shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Bridges was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bridges avoids the attempt from Gordon to control.
Bridges scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Gordon?
Bridges lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Bridges takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gordon tries to buck Bridges off but he can't manage it.
Bridges prevents Gordon from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gordon's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Bridges wants to finish this one by submission but Gordon is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bridges .
Bridges breaks from Gordon's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Bridges scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Bridges working Gordon over with strikes here.
Gordon is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bridges is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Gordon can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Bridges can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gordon is looking to escape.
Gordon tries to hold on but Bridges postures up.
Bridges putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gordon is trying to escape the mount.
Bridges landing shots from mount.
Bridges cracks Gordon with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Bridges in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gordon is working to get back to half guard.
Bridges landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gordon bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Gordon wants to control from the top but Bridges keeps moving.
Gordon is really struggling to control Bridges but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gordon stops Bridges from standing up.
Bridges wants to sweep here but Gordon controlling him for the moment.

Bridges isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gordon stacks Bridges on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gordon!
Gordon controls the position.
Gordon fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Bridges manages to get back to half guard.
Bridges tries to roll over but Gordon keeps him under control.

Bridges looking for a kimura from the bottom but Gordon passes into side control!
Check out the look on Gordon's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Bridges 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bridges is looking to regain half guard here but Gordon keeps moving and retains side control.
Bridges is trying to escape the position but Gordon is controlling the position.
Bridges is not content to let Gordon control the position.

Gordon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bridges is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gordon off and has taken his back!
Gordon can't escape the position.
Bridges trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bridges fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gordon manages to avoid it.
Gordon misses with a takedown attempt
and Bridges counters with a left and a right that stings Gordon.
Gordon misses with a takedown attempt

and Bridges decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gordon's guard.

Bridges thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bridges throwing strikes from guard but Gordon blocks nicely.
Gordon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bridges 's guard.

Gordon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bridges is looking to stand up but Gordon isn't so interested in that idea.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bridges has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gordon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bridges tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bridges has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gordon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Gordon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bridges has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gordon has managed to get both his arms back between Bridges 's legs - danger averted.
Gordon tries to free his leg and advance position but Bridges is retaining full guard.

Bridges has his foot on Gordon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gordon works his way back into a safe position though.
Gordon trying to control the position from guard on top but Bridges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bridges is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bridges had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gordon defends it easily.
Gordon throwing strikes but missing.
Bridges keeping full guard, as Gordon tries to pass.
Bridges keeping moving, preventing Gordon from controlling successfully.
Gordon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bridges rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gordon moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gordon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bridges fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gordon manages to avoid it.
Connor Gordon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bridges .
Bridges ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Christopher Bridges seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bridges lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gordon circles away quickly and effectively.
Gordon fails with the takedown

and Bridges counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor Gordon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bridges landing some decent shots from guard.
Gordon is trying to keep Bridges in close.
Bridges is working Gordon over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gordon controls Bridges momentarily but Bridges frees himself.
Gordon 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.
Bridges is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bridges lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bridges throwing strikes but missing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gordon with a poor takedown

and Bridges counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gordon's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bridges gets to his feet - Gordon follows without any prompting.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bridges throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gordon with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bridges counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Bridges dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bridges scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Gordon is looking to reverse the position.
Gordon is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bridges has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Gordon is trying to get back to half guard.
Bridges working the body and head with strikes.
Gordon tries to buck Bridges off but Bridges is having none of it.
Gordon takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gordon takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
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 working the ground and pound.
Gordon manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bridges 's best efforts.
Gordon is looking to improve his position.
Gordon tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Bridges has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bridges with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Bridges looking to finish with strikes here!
Bridges thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Bridges landing punches.

Bridges has hold of Gordon's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Gordon manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Gordon tries to hold on but Bridges pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gordon taking shots to the head.

Bridges goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Gordon turns into him and now he's in Bridges 's guard.
Bridges keeping moving, preventing Gordon from controlling successfully.

Bridges is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bridges looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bridges working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gordon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gordon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gordon tries to stand but Bridges is controlling from the bottom.
Bridges manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gordon manages to get himself to full guard.

Gordon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bridges can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bridges stands and steps away. Gordon gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bridges shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gordon counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bridges !

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges is working to get back to half guard.
Gordon wants to control the pace but Bridges is squirming around nicely.
Bridges tries to hold on but Gordon postures up.
Gordon with a couple of short strikes.
Bridges is squirming around, avoiding Gordon's attempts to control the action.
Bridges is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Bridges comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bridges 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 44:50
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 44:50
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 44:50

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