PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kekoa Kawai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kawai is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Ace of Spades. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Bishop
vs
Kawai

172 cm
30
145 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

170 cm
26
146 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Knockout power

RMC - $ 11 Shorts!
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

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 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bryan Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kekoa Kawai!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kawai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bishop.
Kawai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bishop moves out of range of the body kick.
Kawai defending well as Bishop loads up on a big left hand.
Kawai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice jab there from Kawai.
Bryan Bishop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawai throws a lazy right hand but Bishop sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kawai misses with a hook. Bishop ducked under it nicely.
An inside leg kick from Kawai misses.
Bishop on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The fighters circling - Kawai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bishop shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kawai scores with a spinning back kick!
Kawai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kawai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Bishop looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kawai manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kawai looking to finish with strikes here!
Kawai cracks Bishop with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Kawai pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kawai looking to control but Bishop is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawai throwing strikes here but Bishop is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kawai throws a wild left hand from mount and Bishop manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Bishop regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kawai.
Bishop utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kawai throwing strikes but missing.
Bishop is looking to stand up but Kawai isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bishop avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kawai is looking to work some ground and pound but Bishop has wrist control.
Kawai looking to pass the guard.
Kawai with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses. Bishop uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kawai's guard. Nice move by Bishop!
Bishop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bishop with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bishop trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kawai working a defensive guard here.
Bishop wants to control from the top but Kawai keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawai is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bishop on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bishop tries to get out of the position.
Kawai with the ground and pound but Bishop uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kawai throws a wild body kick that Bishop sees coming a mile off.
Kawai scores with a kick to the midsection.
Kawai throws a head kick that misses.
Kawai dives in and grabs Bishop's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bishop pushes down on Kawai's head and hops out.
Bishop misses with a head kick.
Kawai misses the shot to the body.
Kawai stuffs the takedown.
Bishop fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bryan Bishop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kawai thows a body kick. Bishop tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Bishop shoots for a double leg takedown but Kawai sprawls well. He's pushed Bishop's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bishop avoids the head kick by Kawai.
Bishop misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kawai looks to land a left hand but Bishop moved out of range nicely.

Kawai bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kawai has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kawai laying and praying for a moment but Bishop takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawai seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bishop does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kawai not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kawai looks to land a strike but Bishop avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kawai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kawai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kawai throws an elbow that misses. Bishop uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kawai's guard. Nice move by Bishop!
Kawai will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Bishop trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bishop has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bishop looking to pass the guard.

Kawai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kawai wants to sweep here but Bishop controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kawai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kawai looking for a sweep. Not yet Kawai, not yet.
Bishop in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bishop is fighting to break Kawai's control of his arms but Kawai is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bishop trying to control but Kawai is working from the bottom.
Kawai pulls Bishop in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bishop tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kawai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bishop somewhat.
Bishop tries to land a front kick but Kawai steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kawai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bishop moves away.

Bishop looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kawai!
Kekoa Kawai has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bishop avoids the attempt from Kawai to control.
Kawai really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawai tries to lock up and control but Bishop gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kekoa Kawai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bishop feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kawai wants to sweep here but Bishop controlling him for the moment.
Kawai pulls Bishop in to control the position.
Kawai not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kawai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bishop loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bishop throws an elbow that misses. Kawai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bishop's guard. Nice move by Kawai!
Kawai wants to pass the guard but Bishop is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop keeping moving, preventing Kawai from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kekoa Kawai.
Kawai throws a low kick but Bishop avoids it.
Bishop avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bishop shoots in looking for a takedown but Kawai manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bishop's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop shoots for a double leg takedown but Kawai sprawls well. He's pushed Bishop's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kawai throws a push kick but Bishop slaps the foot to one side.
Bishop tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kawai swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Bishop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bishop has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kawai finds it's way round the side to connect with Bishop's head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bishop looking for a takedown.
Bishop is working for takedown but Kawai is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kawai lands a body punch in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Kawai.
Kawai can't find room to land a body shot as Bishop controls the action.
Bishop is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kawai gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop has Kawai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kawai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kawai landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kawai tries a body shot but Bishop blocks it.

Kawai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kawai wants to clinch up but Bishop keeps it at a distance.
Kawai dives in and grabs Bishop's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bishop pushes down on Kawai's head and hops out.
Kawai slips under a jab.
Bishop lands a really nice looking cross but Kawai seems unphased.
Kawai throws a body kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kawai.
Nice sprawl there from Kawai as Bishop shoots in.
Kawai fakes the leg kick and cracks Bishop in the body.
Bishop dodges the punch combination from Kawai.
Bishop lands with a kick to the temple. Kawai shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kawai misses with an uppercut. Bishop saw that one coming.
Kawai throws a wild body kick that Bishop sees coming a mile off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop shoots for a double leg takedown but Kawai sprawls well. He's pushed Bishop's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kekoa Kawai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kawai catches Bishop with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kekoa Kawai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kawai. That's going to slow Bishop down.
Bishop closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kawai circles away.
Kawai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Kawai drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kawai trying to control the position from guard on top but Bishop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kekoa Kawai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kawai 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kekoa Kawai!