PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Pep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pep comes into the arena with Iron Theme Song (Here Comes The Boom - Nelly) blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Kevin Bishop enters the cage!

Pep
vs
Bishop

169 cm
37
145 lbs
35 - 21 - 0

172 cm
31
149 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 21 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Pep!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kevin Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Chad Campbell and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pep fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pep tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pep fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bishop has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pep misses with a double jab

and Bishop counters with a takedown into side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bishop working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bishop in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bishop prevents Pep from escaping the position.
Bishop is looking to take a break and control but Pep is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pep is pushing Bishop's head away, looking to escape. Bishop manages to hold on to the position though.
Bishop working the ground and pound but Pep is defending the strikes.
Pep is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at MMA Warrior (1000$ / 15 Elite Coaches) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Pep bucks up and tries to throw Bishop off but instead Bishop has got his back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Bishop trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Pep doesn't escape.
Pep is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Pep to escape the position.
Bishop throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Bishop throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Pep is trying to stand back up.
Bishop trying to control.
Bishop lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Pep holding both Bishop 's hands and preventing any damage.
Bishop has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pep staying busy and making it hard for Bishop to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pep grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pep is covering up but some of the strikes from Bishop are getting through and doing damage.
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!
Pep takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Pep is trying to get back to his feet but Bishop has full control of the position and if anything, Pep has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Bishop struggling to land strikes to the head as Pep covers up.
Pep has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Bishop is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Even with his hooks in, Bishop manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Pep takes a big shot to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop punches the canvas rather than the man.
Pep trying to get back to his feet but Bishop is in full control for now.
Will Bishop go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Bishop scores with punches and elbows.
Pep holding both Bishop 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop trying to control momentarily.
Bishop connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Pep to escape the position.
Pep looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bishop scores with punches from the back.
Pep takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Pep holding both Bishop 's hands and preventing any damage.
Pep takes a big shot to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Good control from Bishop.
Bishop missing with punches from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Bishop dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pep throws a leg kick

and Bishop counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Pep is refusing to be controlled, as Bishop sits in half guard.
Pep keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bishop wants to take a breather but Pep is having none of it.
Bishop is nestled in close to Pep, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Kevin Bishop has got the better of the ground game so far.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bishop connects with a nice short shot to Pep's temple.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pep is trying to stand.
Pep taking some punishment here, with Bishop in his half guard.
Bishop missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bishop controlling the action here.
Bishop trying to mount his opponent but Pep defends it.
Bishop prevents Pep from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pep is staying active underneath Bishop, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bishop connects with a nice short shot to Pep's temple.
Bishop seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Pep pushes Bishop off looking to stand but Bishop dives back in and keeps control.
Bishop wants to take a breather but Pep is having none of it.
Bishop stops Pep from getting back to his feet.
Bishop throwing shots but Pep is blocking nicely.
Pep on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pep is trying to stand.
Bishop tries to pass to full mount but Pep defends it.
Pep tries to kick Bishop off but Bishop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pep has hold of Bishop's hands but Bishop slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bishop sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pep defending well though.
Bishop is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bishop thows a huge punch but Pep dodges it nicely.
Pep pushes Bishop off looking to stand but Bishop dives back in and keeps control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bishop connects with a nice short shot to Pep's temple.
Bishop is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bishop seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Pep is refusing to be controlled, as Bishop sits in half guard.
Pep tries to kick Bishop off but Bishop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bishop seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pep does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bishop stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pep won't allow Bishop to pass to mount.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kevin Bishop wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pep looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Frankie Pep seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pep throws a push kick but Bishop slaps the foot to one side.
Bishop goes for a double leg but Pep avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Pep continues to drive forward.
Bishop has Pep pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pep manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pep tries to throw a body punch but Bishop avoids it by throwing Pep back against the cage.

Pep breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Pep misses.
Bishop avoids the body shot from Pep.
Bishop lands a nice hook to Pep's body. Pep takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bishop slips a straight right by Pep.
Bishop takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bishop fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pep on the side of the head.
Bishop takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pep throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bishop counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Pep misses its intended target.
Pep buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Pep stalks Bishop and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bishop's face. Bishop staggers backwards, shaken.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pep looks to clinch

and Bishop counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Pep's guard now.
Pep is looking to stand up but Bishop isn't so interested in that idea.
Bishop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bishop trying to control the position from guard on top but Pep is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bishop is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bishop prevents Pep from getting back to his feet.
Bishop showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kevin Bishop.
Pep throws a leg kick
and Bishop counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Bishop 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. This is the final round!

Bishop throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Pep stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Pep tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bishop counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Pep is trying to stand.
Bishop throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pep tries to kick Bishop off but Bishop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pep blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bishop.
Bishop missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bishop takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Bishop.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pep defending well though.
Pep tries to kick Bishop off but Bishop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bishop is looking to take a break and control but Pep is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pep tries to kick Bishop off but Bishop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bishop is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Bishop trying to mount his opponent but Pep defends it.
Bishop working over Pep with some ground and pound. Pep looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bishop is trying to control the action in half guard but Pep is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pep looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bishop not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pep pushes Bishop off looking to stand but Bishop dives back in and keeps control.
Bishop thows a huge punch but Pep dodges it nicely.
Bishop content to control rather than advance.
Pep is looking to escape.
Bishop thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bishop winds up and cracks Pep with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Bishop prevents Pep from standing back up.
Bishop lands with a punch from half guard.
Frankie Pep has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bishop keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bishop is keen to just control but Pep is a slippery customer.
Pep looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bishop lands with a punch from half guard.
Bishop stops Pep from getting back to his feet.
Bishop not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pep looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pep avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bishop.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pep is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bishop scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bishop connects with a nice short shot to Pep's temple.
Bishop stops Pep from getting back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Bishop there.
Bishop sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Bishop lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bishop trying to mount his opponent but Pep defends it.
Pep wants to get back to his feet.
Bishop has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Pep is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bishop pulls his head out easily.
Bishop working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pep tries to kick Bishop off but Bishop keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bishop wants to control but Pep is keeping him busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bishop thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bishop is nestled in close to Pep, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bishop trying to control the pace.
Bishop seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bishop missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bishop not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bishop prevents Pep from standing back up.
Pep on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pep misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Bishop scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Bishop comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bishop winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Bishop!
Kevin Bishop was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.