PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nicolai Vladimier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Vladimier
vs
Bishop

190 cm
19
185 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

177 cm
24
182 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nicolai Vladimier!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Bishop!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop shoots for a takedown but Vladimier saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bishop misses with a two punch combination.
Vladimier throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bishop's waist but Bishop gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vladimier off to one side.
Vladimier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vladimier keeps the fight on the outside.
Steven Bishop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vladimier will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A punch combination from Bishop misses.
Bishop scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Vladimier closes the distance and clinches up with Bishop, looking for a takedown. Vladimier pushes Bishop against the cage but Bishop circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicolai Vladimier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vladimier shoots in but no luck this time.
Bishop throws a sloppy head kick and Vladimier moves out of range easily.
Vladimier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bishop shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vladimier counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Vladimier decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop throws a hook to the side of Vladimier's head but Vladimier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vladimier dodges the punch combination from Bishop.
Bishop throws a series of punches but Vladimier moves out of range.
Bishop shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Vladimier counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Vladimier pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bishop has his takedown stuffed

and Vladimier counters with a single leg into guard. Bishop didn't expect that.

Bishop working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vladimier doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vladimier manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bishop looks gassed!
Vladimier stays in close to Bishop's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop can't keep his opponent in guard - Vladimier advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Vladimier will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Bishop looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bishop tries to roll over but Vladimier keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is looking to get back to is feet but Vladimier passes into side control.
Bishop is looking for a sweep.
Vladimier blocks the strikes from Bishop.

Vladimier decides to stand back up.
Vladimier tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bishop swivels and escapes.
Bishop wants to clinch

and Vladimier decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bishop's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bishop throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Vladimier escapes and throws Bishop's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Bishop is looking for a sweep.
Bishop is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vladimier moves into full mount!
Bishop tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bishop wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolai Vladimier dominated that round.
That's time! Vladimier's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bishop misses with a takedown

and Vladimier counters with a takedown into side control.

Vladimier decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Bishop fails with the takedown

and Vladimier counters with a takedown into side control.
Bishop tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vladimier wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Vladimier controls the position.
Bishop is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vladimier working away.
Bishop is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Vladimier is staying active.

Bishop throws Vladimier to one side and escapes!
Bishop fails with the takedown

and Vladimier counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vladimier.
Nicolai Vladimier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Bishop.
Bishop is breathing heavily.

Bishop has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vladimier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bishop throws his legs up looking for a submission but Vladimier uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vladimier takes a little break here. Bishop wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Vladimier seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bishop for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vladimier prevents Bishop from escaping the position.

Vladimier decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bishop to his feet.
Vladimier with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bishop cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bishop clinches but Vladimier breaks the clinch

and Vladimier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Bishop actively working from the bottom here.
Bishop wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vladimier decides to return to a standing position.

Vladimier feints and as Bishop raises his hands in defense, Vladimier changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bishop wants to sweep but no luck.
Vladimier not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Bishop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vladimier gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bishop is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolai Vladimier dominated that second round.
That's time! Vladimier's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vladimier shoots in and bounces Bishop off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Bishop is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vladimier postures up.
Bishop wants to stand up but Vladimier is controlling him.
Nicolai Vladimier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bishop takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bishop is looking for a triangle but Vladimier pushes his legs off easily.

Vladimier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bishop looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Vladimier stands up from Bishop's guard - Vladimier perhaps looking for a knockout.

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.
Bishop misses with a low kick.

Bishop scores with a takedown into Vladimier's guard.
Bishop throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Bishop drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vladimier dives on top into guard.

Bishop looking for subs off his back but Vladimier has passed one foot through into half guard.
Vladimier trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bishop looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vladimier decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Vladimier decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Vladimier is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Bishop still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Bishop has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Bishop advances nicely into full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bishop misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Vladimier has given up his back here. Will Bishop look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Bishop looking to break Vladimier's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Vladimier remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Bishop will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolai Vladimier clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vladimier fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bishop tries to bum rush Vladimier with a series of wild strikes but Vladimier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bishop gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Vladimier decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bishop's guard.
Vladimier postures up.

Vladimier decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bishop, up you get!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vladimier drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Vladimier is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bishop is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vladimier is controlling him.
Vladimier's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bishop has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Vladimier has passed into side control.

Vladimier stands up and beckons Bishop to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vladimier counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Vladimier ducks under a wild hook from Bishop.
Vladimier shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bishop shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vladimier counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bishop's guard now.
Bishop wants to sweep but no luck.
Vladimier slips nicely into half guard.

Vladimier stands up and beckons Bishop to join him on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop tries to clinch but Vladimier moves away

and Vladimier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bishop tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Vladimier has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Vladimier controlling his opponent.
Bishop tries to lock up and control but Vladimier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bishop sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Bishop is trying to get back to full guard.

Bishop looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vladimier passes into side control, despite Bishop's attempt to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vladimier working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolai Vladimier had his way with Steven Bishop in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bishop changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vladimier tries to avoid it but Bishop manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vladimier to the ground. Vladimier escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bishop throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bishop stuffs the takedown attempt from Vladimier. Vladimier gets slowly back to his feet.
Bishop misses with a takedown attempt

and Vladimier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bishop is looking for a sweep. Vladimier is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Well, if Vladimier is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bishop is looking to get back to full guard here but Vladimier has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vladimier get's back to his feet.
Bishop throws a left and a right that both miss

and Vladimier counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bishop's guard now.
Bishop looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vladimier is one step ahead there.

Vladimier stands and steps away. Bishop gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bishop clinches but Vladimier breaks the clinch

and Vladimier counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bishop's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop is striking but Vladimier is not phased and passes to half guard.
Bishop is trying to control but can't.
Bishop wants to sweep but Vladimier has passed to side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bishop tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bishop is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop struggling a bit here.
Bishop manages to get back to half guard.

Bishop looking for subs from the bottom but Vladimier mounts him!
Bishop looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Bishop is in bad spot here.

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.

Vladimier is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Bishop has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Vladimier controls the action.
You can see the frustration on Bishop's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Bishop looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicolai Vladimier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vladimier, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicolai Vladimier!
Nicolai Vladimier retains his middleweight title!