PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Markus Kiviranta (ranked 3169 p4p, 5293 weight class) and Trei Bishop (ranked 218 p4p, 280 weight class). Bishop has chosen Mos Def - Auditorium as his entrance music. Trei Bishop told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kiviranta
vs
Bishop

170 cm
25
147
2 - 1 - 0

176 cm
19
156
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

ZERO Fightwear

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Kiviranta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Trei Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kiviranta avoids it really well and circles away.
Bishop with a nice cross.
Kiviranta throws a series of punches but Bishop moves out of range.
Kiviranta throws a nice looking combination but Bishop bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And Bishop tries to counter it with a takedown but Kiviranta pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Markus Kiviranta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Kiviranta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice uppercut lands for Bishop. That snapped Kiviranta's head back.
Bishop scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kiviranta in his tracks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bishop connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kiviranta's hands.
A telegraphed right hand from Kiviranta misses the target.
Bishop works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kiviranta comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiviranta wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Bishop tries to keep at a distance but Kiviranta has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bishop looking for a takedown.
Kiviranta is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bishop is keeping busy.
Bishop is looking for a takedown.
Markus Kiviranta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trei Bishop.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiviranta misses with the head strike.
Bishop tries for a takedown but Kiviranta manages to get underhooks.
Kiviranta prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kiviranta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kiviranta prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nice body punch from Kiviranta - that landed with a thud.
Bishop can't get the takedown.
Bishop tries for a takedown but Kiviranta manages to get underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bishop is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kiviranta pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Bishop turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bishop manages to end up in side control.
Bishop misses with the ground and pound.
Kiviranta tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kiviranta some visible discomfort.
Kiviranta is looking to regain half guard here but Bishop keeps moving and retains side control.
Bishop throws a strike aimed at the side of Kiviranta's head but Kiviranta avoids it well.
Bishop looks up at the clock and then as Kiviranta takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bishop smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kiviranta takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop lands some shots froms side control.
Bishop scores with punches from side control.
Bishop has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kiviranta working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kiviranta can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Bishop with good strikes from the mount here!
Bishop sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Bishop trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kiviranta wants to hold on but Bishop pushes him away.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Bishop is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kiviranta can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Bishop postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kiviranta looks a forlorn figure.
Kiviranta in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop lands with some strikes.
Kiviranta tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bishop is in the full mount, landing strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bishop postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kiviranta looks a forlorn figure.
Kiviranta is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kiviranta takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kiviranta is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bishop with shots to the head and body - Kiviranta looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bishop lands a big shot there that rocks Kiviranta but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kiviranta is in a horrible position here. Bishop smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kiviranta knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bishop on the ground.
Bishop pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bishop lands a lovely overhand right.
Kiviranta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bishop has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kiviranta waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bishop.
Kiviranta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bishop checks a low kick from Kiviranta.
Kiviranta swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kiviranta on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kiviranta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bishop scores with a jab to the head.
Kiviranta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice shot lands for Bishop.
Bishop scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kiviranta takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bishop has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
The fighters circling - Kiviranta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Bishop tries to counter it with a takedown but Kiviranta pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kiviranta takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bishop moves out of range of the leg kick from Kiviranta.
Bishop lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bishop lands an overhand right.
Bishop connects with a nice looking jab.
Kiviranta takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bishop scores with a jab. Kiviranta acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Trei Bishop seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kiviranta just misses with a punch to the body.
Kiviranta throws a poor cross that misses

and Bishop decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kiviranta's guard.
Bishop lands a couple of digs.
Kiviranta wants to hit a sweep here but Bishop passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kiviranta there!
Bishop connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Bishop controlling the position easily from mount.
Bishop landing strikes from the mount and Kiviranta is in trouble!
The referee warns Kiviranta that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kiviranta?
Kiviranta taking shots to the head.
Kiviranta is squirming around, avoiding Bishop's attempts to control the action.
Bishop lands a big shot there that rocks Kiviranta but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Bishop postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kiviranta looks a forlorn figure.
Kiviranta takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kiviranta is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kiviranta on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kiviranta tries to get out of the position.
Kiviranta is working hard here to advance position.
Bishop lands a heavy elbow.
Bishop in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is landing with some decent strikes but Kiviranta is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bishop raining down shots from the mount!
Bishop looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Bishop lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Bishop lands a heavy elbow.
Bishop punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bishop with good strikes from the mount here!
Bishop lands a big shot there that rocks Kiviranta but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bishop can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kiviranta is looking to escape.
Bishop sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiviranta gets back to half guard.
Kiviranta is looking to improve his position.
Bishop wants to take a breather but Kiviranta is having none of it.
Kiviranta taking some punishment here, with Bishop in his half guard.
Kiviranta tries to roll over but Bishop keeps him under control.
Bishop drops an elbow to the side of Kiviranta's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bishop looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kiviranta with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kiviranta is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kiviranta on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Trei Bishop showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Kiviranta takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bishop keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kiviranta throws an overhand right that lands on Bishop's shoulder, as Bishop tries to avoid the shot.
Bishop keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kiviranta swinging wildly here.

Kiviranta gets tackled into the ropes by Bishop. Bishop maintains the clinch.
Bishop wants a takedown.
Kiviranta wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kiviranta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kiviranta just misses with a punch to the body.

Kiviranta gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiviranta prevents the takedown attempt.
Kiviranta has had enough of the clinch but Bishop keeps him there for the moment.
Bishop has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kiviranta is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Markus Kiviranta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trei Bishop.
Kiviranta is looking to control Bishop's arms but Bishop gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kiviranta has his back to the ropes.
Bishop drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kiviranta gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bishop is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bishop wants a takedown but no success here.
Bishop is trying to drag Kiviranta to the mat but Kiviranta just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Kiviranta is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bishop takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kiviranta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kiviranta is pressed up against the ropes. Bishop has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kiviranta down to the mat. Kiviranta avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bishop gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kiviranta.
A swing and a miss from Kiviranta.
Kiviranta walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Bishop uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kiviranta.
Kiviranta throws a looping overhand right but Bishop ducks down to avoid it.
Kiviranta misses with a head kick.
Kiviranta looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bishop closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kiviranta circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bishop is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kiviranta's half guard.
Bishop throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kiviranta on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kiviranta wants to improve his position but Bishop is controlling well.
Kiviranta gets back to full guard.
Bishop won't allow Kiviranta to sweep him here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bishop's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bishop stands up over Kiviranta, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kiviranta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kiviranta keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.
Bishop working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kiviranta keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.
Bishop might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kiviranta haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bishop's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bishop is pushing down on Kiviranta's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kiviranta is fighting to maintain full guard but Bishop has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bishop lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bishop is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kiviranta tries to roll over but Bishop keeps him under control.
Bishop slows the pace down in half guard.
Markus Kiviranta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bishop takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Trei Bishop is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Trei Bishop has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bishop working the head and body with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Trei Bishop.
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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trei Bishop!
An out of breath Trei Bishop thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.