PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ash Campbell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elvis Bika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Campbell's entrance music is Sun Poison and Skin Cancer. A fine choice. Bika is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: My Decision. Elvis Bika 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!

Campbell
vs
Bika

173 cm
34
156 lbs
26 - 14 - 1

169 cm
37
158 lbs
28 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ash Campbell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elvis Bika!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bika lands a nice shot that snaps Campbell's head back.
Bika throws a leg kick which misses Campbell's front leg but catches the back leg as Campbell tries to avoid it.
Campbell takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bika misses with a hook.
Bika lands a nice hook to Campbell's body. Campbell takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bika listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bika connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bika scores with a jab to the jaw.
A big right from Bika misses.
Bika lands with a right hand.
Bika lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Campbell looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Campbell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Campbell trying to control the position from guard on top but Bika is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Campbell passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bika avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Campbell.
Campbell not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Campbell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bika controlling the position well.
Bika is looking to improve his position.
Campbell winds up and cracks Bika with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bika avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Campbell.
Bika is looking for a sweep. Campbell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Campbell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bika defending well though.
Campbell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Campbell is working for a kimura but Bika is defending it quite comfortably.
Bika wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell trying to mount his opponent but Bika defends it.
Bika is trying to get back to full guard.
Campbell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bika defending well though.

Campbell seems to be working for a kimura but Bika defends the submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bika gets back to full guard.
Bika lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Campbell!
Campbell is squirming around, avoiding Bika's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campbell gets back to half guard.
Bika is trying to control the action in half guard but Campbell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Campbell holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Bika trying to control the action but Campbell is working from the bottom.

Campbell looking for submissions off his back.
Campbell taking some punishment here, with Bika in his half guard.
Bika missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Campbell wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bika lands a nice short elbow.
Bika missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bika sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Bika trying to control from half guard but Campbell is working away.
Bika missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bika missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bika working Campbell over with strikes.
Campbell has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bika not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bika lands strikes from half guard.
Campbell wants to control but Bika is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elvis Bika dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bika swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bika throws a shot from downtown. Campbell moves away and avoids it.
Bika throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Campbell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bika ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Good leg kick by Bika there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bika.
Elvis Bika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Campbell throws an overhand right that lands on Bika's shoulder, as Bika tries to avoid the shot.
Bika lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bika uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Campbell.
Campbell lands a jab to the nose.
Bika scores with a jab. Campbell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bika scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Campbell keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bika scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bika lands a nice leg kick that just misses Campbell's sensitive parts.
Campbell takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Campbell ducks right into an uppercut from Bika.
A jab from Bika does it's job there.
Campbell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Campbell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bika throws out the jab.
Campbell moves out of range as Bika throws a body kick.
Bika throws a jab when Campbell was well out of range.
Bika moves out of range of the strikes.
Campbell changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Campbell misses with a leg kick.
Campbell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bika tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Campbell was well out of range. Poor timing from Bika.
Bika waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Campbell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell shoots in for a double leg but Bika sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
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!
Bika cracks Campbell with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bika lands a jab to the nose.
Bika throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Campbell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bika lands a right hook to the body.
Campbell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Bika misses the target.
Campbell misses with an uppercut. Bika saw that one coming.
Bika waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Campbell.
Nice straight punches there by Bika. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bika.
Bika throws a lazy right hand but Campbell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Campbell smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bika moves out of range of the strikes.
Campbell moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Good exchange - Bika coming out on top.
Campbell avoids the head kick by Bika.
Bika takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bika uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Campbell.
Bika throws an off balance right hand
and Campbell counters with a nice uppercut.
Bika misses with a hook. Campbell ducked under it nicely.
Bika fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Elvis Bika seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bika looks to score with a jab to the body but Campbell is just out of range.
Bika misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Campbell.
Good work by Campbell as he checks the leg kick.
Campbell sizes up Bika with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Campbell fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bika takes one to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bika looks to land a right hand but Campbell moved out of range.

Campbell fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bika sprawls well initially but Campbell persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bika gets back to full guard.
Campbell with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bika is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bika 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bika thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bika content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Campbell wants to control but Bika is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elvis Bika 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!

Campbell tries for a takedown but Bika circles away easily
and Bika counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Campbell takes one to the chin there.
Bika will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Campbell scores with a nice head shot.
Bika fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A big right from Campbell misses.
Bika misses the shot to the body.
Campbell cracks Bika with a good jab.
Campbell on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Campbell scores with a hook to the body. Bika takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Campbell throws a hook but Bika avoids it easily.
Campbell tries for a takedown but Bika sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bika lands a jab to the nose.
Bika ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bika lands with a nice combination. Campbell backs away looking to recover.
Campbell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bika misses with a low kick.
Bika displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Campbell throws out the jab.
Bika lands with a cross.
Campbell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Campbell is rocked!
Campbell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bika rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Campbell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Good standup being displayed there by Campbell as he connects with a hook.
Bika misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Campbell.
Bika takes one to the chin there.
Campbell looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bika counters with a left to the body.
Bika lands a body shot.
Campbell takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A shot to the liver by Bika. Beautiful body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Campbell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Campbell tries to move into range but Bika moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Campbell.
Bika lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Oh Campbell is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

It looks like Ash Campbell has been cut.
Bika throws a nice looking combination but Campbell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bika throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Campbell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Campbell seems to have got his legs back now.
Campbell misses with a few strikes there.
Bika cracks Campbell with an open hand slap.
Campbell shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Bika counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ash Campbell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campbell shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bika loads up on a big right hand but Campbell slips the punch.
Bika throws a body kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Bika. No joy for Campbell on that attempt.
Bika jabs at Campbell's body.
Bika scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bika misses with an uppercut.
Bika lands a slapping body shot.
Bika swinging wildly here.
Campbell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bika shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Campbell sprawls well. Campbell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bika gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bika ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bika shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bika misses with a telegraphed body shot

so Campbell counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Campbell throws a big elbow that misses.
Bika is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Campbell lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bika wants to sweep here but Campbell controlling him for the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bika controlling the position.
Bika can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Campbell controls the pace.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bika wants to sweep here but Campbell controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elvis Bika really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ash Campbell's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Campbell listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Campbell swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Campbell closes the distance and clinches up with Bika, looking for a takedown. Campbell pushes Bika against the cage but Bika circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bika throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bika uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Campbell.
Bika scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Campbell throws a looping overhand right but Bika ducks down to avoid it.
Bika turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Campbell 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Bika fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Campbell to the ground. Bika is now in Campbell's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bika looking to sit in guard and control but Campbell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bika is looking to stand up but Campbell isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bika is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Campbell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bika working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Campbell.
Campbell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Campbell is fighting to break Bika's control of his arms but Bika is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Campbell stops Bika from standing up.
Bika is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Campbell looking to pass the guard.

Elvis Bika has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Campbell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bika lands with an overhand left.
Campbell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bika sprawls well. Bika wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Campbell gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ash Campbell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bika throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bika connects with a leg kick. Campbell looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bika swings widly with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bika thows a leg kick but Campbell checks it
letting Campbell counter with a right hand.
Campbell is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Campbell closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bika did well to prevent Campbell getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bika wants to control but Campbell is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Campbell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bika doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Campbell.
Campbell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bika tries to get to full guard but Campbell has control of the leg.

Campbell wants to work for an arm triangle but Bika is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Campbell thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bika's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bika trying to hold on to Campbell's head to control him but Campbell postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Campbell thows a huge punch but Bika dodges it nicely.

Campbell is looking for a kimura here.
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. Campbell connects with a nice short shot to Bika's temple.
Campbell trying to pass the guard but Bika defending well.
Campbell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Campbell prevents Bika from improving his position.
Campbell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Elvis Bika will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ash Campbell's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bika throws a jab when Campbell was well out of range.
Good shot there by Bika.
Campbell cracks Bika with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bika throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Campbell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bika throws a predictable looking body shot

and Campbell decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bika's guard.
Bika is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Campbell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bika has hold of Campbell's hands but Campbell slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ash Campbell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Campbell trying to mount his opponent but Bika defends it.
Bika tries to get to full guard but Campbell has control of the leg.
Bika is trying to stand up here but Campbell is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Campbell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Campbell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bika defending well though.

Campbell is looking for a kimura here.

Campbell is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Campbell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Campbell stalling away here and it's allowed Bika to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Campbell throws a big right hand that misses.
Campbell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Campbell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell stopping the sweep attempt from Bika.
Bika is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bika throwing shots but Campbell is blocking nicely.
Campbell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bika throwing shots but Campbell is blocking nicely.
Campbell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bika.
Bika lands strikes from half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Campbell is trying to stand back up but Bika is controlling him
Bika trying to control from half guard but Campbell is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bika wants to pass to mount but Campbell is defending the position.
Campbell wants to get back to full guard.
Campbell regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bika looking to pass the guard.
Campbell is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Bika lands a couple of digs.
Campbell keeping moving, preventing Bika from controlling successfully.
Campbell trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bika controlling from the top position.
Ash Campbell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bika misses with a two punch combination.

Campbell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bika's guard.
Campbell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bika avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bika seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bika is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bika is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ash Campbell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bika has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 47:48
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elvis Bika!
Elvis Bika is the new featherweight champion!
After the fight, Elvis Bika was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.