PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Fioravanti (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, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Christopher Bridges is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Fioravanti
vs
Bridges

175 cm
23
146 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

172 cm
23
142 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joseph Fioravanti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christopher Bridges !
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Franklyn Lucas and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fioravanti has closed the distance and engaged Bridges in a clinch.

Bridges wants the takedown. Fioravanti is fighting it off but Bridges persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Fioravanti's guard against the cage.
Bridges stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fioravanti swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges can't escape the position.
Fioravanti wants to control the pace but Bridges is squirming around nicely.
Fioravanti prevents Bridges from getting the reversal.
Bridges regains half guard.
Bridges is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bridges has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fioravanti is working away from the top position though.
Bridges is staying active underneath Fioravanti, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two 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.

Fioravanti stands up and beckons Bridges to join him on the feet.
Joseph Fioravanti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fioravanti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fioravanti throws a leg kick which misses Bridges 's front leg but catches the back leg as Bridges tries to avoid it.
Fioravanti fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fioravanti looks to score with a jab to the body but Bridges is just out of range.
Joseph Fioravanti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bridges gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Fioravanti regains guard.

Bridges is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fioravanti is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fioravanti has escaped and now he's on top!
Fioravanti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fioravanti seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges keeping moving, preventing Fioravanti from controlling successfully.

Bridges is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bridges not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fioravanti trying to control but Bridges is working from the bottom.

Bridges had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Fioravanti is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Bridges Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Fioravanti's back instead.
Bridges looks gassed!

Bridges is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's four 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.
Fioravanti trying to control the hands but Bridges breaks the grip.

Bridges tightening his grip on Fioravanti, looking for the choke.
Will Bridges go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Bridges has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Fioravanti has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fioravanti tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bridges holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short uppercut from Fioravanti.
Fioravanti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bridges has him pressed against the cage.

Bridges pulls Fioravanti into guard.
Fioravanti looking to pass the guard.
Bridges is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fioravanti is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bridges working a defensive guard here.

Fioravanti avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges keeping moving, preventing Fioravanti from controlling successfully.
Fioravanti wants to stand but Bridges has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Bridges not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fioravanti throws a solid leg kick but Bridges takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fioravanti.
Fioravanti tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Bridges counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Fioravanti!
Bridges is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Fioravanti can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Bridges has control of Fioravanti's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Fioravanti regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Bridges is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fioravanti defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bridges .
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bridges throwing strikes here but Fioravanti is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Fioravanti takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fioravanti wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bridges .
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bridges scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fioravanti is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fioravanti has given up his back here. Will Bridges look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Bridges lands a shot to the body.
Fioravanti holding both Bridges 's hands and preventing any damage.

Bridges working for a choke but Fioravanti is defending well.

Fioravanti showing good submission defense here.
Bridges is trying to stick to Fioravanti's back but Fioravanti is turning into Bridges . He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Bridges 's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Fioravanti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bridges is looking for a triangle but Fioravanti pushes his legs off easily.
Bridges striking off his back but it's not causing Fioravanti any problems.
Fioravanti trying to control the position from guard on top but Bridges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fioravanti controlling from the top position.
Bridges controls Fioravanti momentarily but Fioravanti frees himself.
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. This is the final round!

Fioravanti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fioravanti throws a hook but Bridges blocks it.
A good leg kick by Fioravanti.
A nice leg kick lands there from Fioravanti.
Joseph Fioravanti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bridges scores with a takedown into Fioravanti's guard.
Bridges trying to control the position from guard on top but Fioravanti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fioravanti seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Bridges drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fioravanti dives on top into guard.
Bridges takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bridges looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Fioravanti passes into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fioravanti has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Bridges takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Fioravanti wants to clinch but Bridges slips to the side

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

Bridges wants to finish this one by submission but Fioravanti is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bridges .
Fioravanti avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bridges .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fioravanti is trying to escape the mount.

Bridges looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Fioravanti keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Bridges is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Fioravanti is surviving well by controlling Bridges 's body position as best he can.
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!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bridges swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Fioravanti is now in Bridges 's guard. A big mistake from Bridges there, giving up the dominant position!
Bridges keeping moving, preventing Fioravanti from controlling successfully.
Bridges working a defensive guard but Fioravanti manages to pass into side control anyway.
Bridges is looking for a sweep.
Bridges wants to get back to his feet.
Fioravanti controlling the position from side mount.

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.

Fioravanti stands up.
Fioravanti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fioravanti lands a really nice looking cross but Bridges seems unphased.
Bridges circles away from the clinch attempt

and Bridges counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Bridges drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fioravanti looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fioravanti looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fioravanti!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Christopher Bridges .
I've got Bridges 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 David Schapiro scores the fight for Christopher Bridges !
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Christopher Bridges !
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight for Christopher Bridges !

Christopher Bridges wins by unanimous decision!