PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bishop comes into the arena with 999 - Homicide blaring out of the sound system. Bobby Bishop has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bishop
vs
Mahtisaari

185 cm
23
198 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
195 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bobby Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahtisaari swats away the attempt to clinch by Bishop.
Bishop tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mahtisaari was well out of range. Poor timing from Bishop.
Bishop moves in looking to clinch but Mahtisaari pushes him off.
Good shot there by Bishop.
Mahtisaari misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters circling a little - Bishop finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Bishop jabs Mahtisaari to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mahtisaari lands a body shot.
Mahtisaari cracks a nice hook into Bishop's ribs.

Bishop gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mahtisaari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bishop lands a slapping body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mahtisaari throws a right hand that misses
and Bishop counters with a good low kick that Mahtisaari was not able to check.

Bishop clinches.
A short body shot lands from Bishop as the two fighters clinch.
Mahtisaari is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bishop keeps control of Mahtisaari as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari is struggling to control the position.
Bishop comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Mahtisaari lands a takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mahtisaari trying to control but Bishop is working from the bottom.
Mahtisaari postures up in Bishop's guard and throws a big left but Bishop blocks it.
Mahtisaari in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mahtisaari accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari tries to free his leg and advance position but Bishop is retaining full guard.
Mahtisaari engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mahtisaari postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bobby Bishop wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bishop lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Mahtisaari has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Mahtisaari and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Mahtisaari takes a swing at Bishop's ribcage but misses.
Mahtisaari shoots in looking for a takedown. Bishop tries to sprawl out of it but Mahtisaari keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bishop manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bobby Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mahtisaari slips a straight right by Bishop.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari misses with a two punch combination.
Mahtisaari is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bishop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mahtisaari wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bishop lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mahtisaari at a distance.
Mahtisaari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bishop buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mahtisaari uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bishop has time to react.
Mahtisaari scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bishop doesn't seem bothered though.
Bishop takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bishop takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bishop takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mahtisaari connects with the punch.
Mahtisaari lands a nice looking body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bishop staying out of range there.

Mahtisaari tries to keep at a distance but Bishop has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Bishop.
Mahtisaari wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bishop lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bishop softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari pressing his opponent against the cage.
Bishop blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bishop misses with the head strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Bishop is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mahtisaari is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Bishop to the mat. Bishop regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mahtisaari postures up.
Mahtisaari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bishop misses the shot to the body.
Bishop throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari shoots in for a takedown but Bishop shows good takedown defense.
Bishop tries to clinch up.
Bishop fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mahtisaari.
Bishop tries to move into range but Mahtisaari moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bishop moves out of range as Mahtisaari strikes.
Mahtisaari shoots in for a double leg but Bishop sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bishop throws a body punch but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Mahtisaari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mahtisaari just misses with a punch to the body.
Bishop connects with an inside leg kick.
Bishop takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mahtisaari works Bishop's body with a nice hook.
A shot to the liver by Mahtisaari. Beautiful body shot.
Mahtisaari connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bishop momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bishop doesn't seem bothered though.

Mahtisaari feints and as Bishop raises his hands in defense, Mahtisaari changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mahtisaari distracts Bishop with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bishop is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bishop can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mahtisaari controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing Mahtisaari from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Arttu Mahtisaari wasn't active enough on the ground.
Mahtisaari takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bishop walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bishop is looking to wear down Mahtisaari with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mahtisaari.
Bobby Bishop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arttu Mahtisaari.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop slips a jab from Mahtisaari.
Bishop ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bishop moves out of range as Mahtisaari strikes.
Bishop lands a nice looking body kick.
Bishop connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Mahtisaari avoids it well.
Mahtisaari throws a right and a left that Bishop avoids nicely.
Bishop scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mahtisaari lands a glancing blow to the side of Bishop's head.
Bishop cracks Mahtisaari with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Bishop is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mahtisaari.
Bishop misses with a wild body shot.
Bishop swings for the body but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Mahtisaari throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Good exchange - Mahtisaari coming out on top.
Mahtisaari cracks Bishop with a good jab.
Bishop scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bishop is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
That kick from Bishop tenderised Mahtisaari's leg. Mahtisaari is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bishop misses with a low kick.
Bobby Bishop is winning the standup battle so far.
Bishop moves in looking to clinch but Mahtisaari pushes him off.
Mahtisaari throws the left hand but Bishop avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bishop.
Bishop lands a nice looking body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mahtisaari checks a leg kick.
Mahtisaari throws a shot to the body.
Bishop throws a big shot that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Bishop misses the target.
Mahtisaari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bishop.
Bishop stuns Mahtisaari with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mahtisaari misses with an uppercut.
Bishop avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mahtisaari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bishop counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bishop throws out the jab.
Bishop lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bishop swings for the body but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Bishop tries to clinch there but Mahtisaari circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bobby Bishop will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mahtisaari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bishop at a distance.

Mahtisaari gets tackled into the cage by Bishop. Bishop maintains the clinch.
Bishop pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mahtisaari stalling the fight.
Mahtisaari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Bishop lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mahtisaari trying to stall but Bishop improves his position.
Bishop creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mahtisaari's defenses.
Bishop misses with some punches.
Bishop misses with a punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bishop is keeping busy.

Mahtisaari is trying to trip Bishop. He has hold of a leg but Bishop is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Mahtisaari persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Mahtisaari stands and throws Bishop's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari wants to control but Bishop is keeping him busy.
Bishop looks to move to half guard but instead Mahtisaari has passed into mount! Damn!

Mahtisaari goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bishop is on top in guard.
Arttu Mahtisaari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bishop slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop trying to control but Mahtisaari is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bobby Bishop wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mahtisaari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bishop is fending him off so far but Mahtisaari persists. Nope, Bishop circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Mahtisaari misses.
Bishop gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bishop throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. Bishop does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mahtisaari digs a good body shot into Bishop's ribs.
Mahtisaari misses with a looping left.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bishop. That's going to slow Mahtisaari down.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bishop looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mahtisaari fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mahtisaari gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A punch lands to the side of Mahtisaari 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bishop takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bishop paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mahtisaari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mahtisaari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mahtisaari lunges at Bishop with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bishop's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari drops his hands momentarily and Bishop takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mahtisaari takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Bishop moves into the clinch.
Mahtisaari is trying to push Bishop away but Bishop has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mahtisaari avoiding damage as Bishop throws knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bishop makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bishop swings wildly with an uppercut but Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mahtisaari avoiding damage as Bishop throws knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mahtisaari digs a right hand underneath Bishop's ribcage. Bishop let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bishop tries to land knees in the clinch but Mahtisaari avoids the damage to the body.
Mahtisaari wants to break the clinch but can't.

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 Bobby Bishop.
I think Bishop 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby Bishop!
A relieved looking Bobby Bishop thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.