PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sky Bishop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fouad Barayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barayev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: MEDINE. Fouad Barayev is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bishop
vs
Barayev

188 cm
22
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
185 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sky Bishop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fouad Barayev!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jonathan Paton and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bishop swats away the attempt to clinch by Barayev.
Sky Bishop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bishop misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bishop throws a combination. Barayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Barayev wants to clinch.
Barayev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bishop swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barayev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bishop keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bishop darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bishop lands a jab-cross combination.
Barayev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bishop scores with a crisp jab that stopped Barayev in his tracks.
Bishop bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Barayev's head.
Bishop throws a combination. Barayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bishop scores with a jab.
Bishop moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bishop!

Barayev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bishop did well to prevent Barayev getting side control.
Barayev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barayev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Barayev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barayev frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barayev avoids the attempt from Bishop to control.
Barayev with shots to the head and body - Bishop looks very uncomfortable down there.
Barayev thowing shots but they're missing.
Bishop tries to lock up and control but Barayev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Barayev looking to ground and pound but Bishop is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Barayev has control of Bishop's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Bishop regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Bishop holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Barayev tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Bishop gets back to half guard.
Barayev wants to pass to mount but Bishop is defending the position.
Barayev throwing shots but Bishop is blocking nicely.
Barayev looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barayev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bishop defends it well.

Barayev is working for a submission of some sort.
Barayev is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Bishop reverses the position - he's now on top in Barayev's guard.
Barayev keeping moving, preventing Bishop from controlling successfully.

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.
Bishop showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bishop postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bishop controls from within his opponent's guard.

Barayev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bishop defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bishop moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Barayev wants to clinch.
Bishop lands a jab-cross combination.
Bishop tries to bum rush Barayev with a series of wild strikes but Barayev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barayev checks a low kick from Bishop.
Sky Bishop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bishop lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bishop.
Bishop's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Bishop duly obliges.
Bishop cracks a nice hook into Barayev's ribs.
Bishop throws a leg kick that misses.
A punch combination from Bishop misses.
A jab from Bishop does it's job there.
Barayev fails with a takedown attempt.
Bishop tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Barayev is able to avoid easily.
Barayev is breathing heavily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bishop.
Bishop misses with a head kick.
Bishop fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Bishop.
Bishop works over Barayev's head and body with a nice combination.
Bishop lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Bishop goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bishop fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A left and a right from Bishop both land. Nice combination.
Bishop wants to slow Barayev down by chopping away at his legs.
Bishop is working the combinations to good effect here.
Bishop throws a combination. Barayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bishop lands with an uppercut that bounces Barayev off the cage and back into rage.
No joy there for Bishop, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Barayev has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Barayev checks a leg kick nicely.
Bishop tests Barayev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bishop scores with a three punch combo!
Bishop throws a nice looking combination but Barayev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bishop moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Bishop misses with a few strikes there.
Bishop throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bishop scores with a jab. Barayev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bishop misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barayev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bishop throws a one two combo.
Barayev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Barayev is rocked!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Barayev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bishop.
Barayev is still on wobbly legs! Can Bishop finish him?
Bishop throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bishop.
Bishop lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barayev backs up against the cage.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Barayev avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Bishop.
Barayev seems to have recovered his senses.
Barayev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bishop finds it's way round the side to connect with Barayev's head.
Sky Bishop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bishop throws a low kick but Barayev avoids it.
Barayev walks into a jab.
Bishop looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bishop lands with a nice combination. Barayev backs away looking to recover.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bishop.
Nice shot by Bishop.
Barayev walks into a left hand.
Bishop throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bishop tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bishop tries to land a front kick but Barayev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bishop throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bishop will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bishop throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bishop misses with a low kick.
Bishop looks to land a combination. Barayev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Barayev keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bishop!
Bishop digs a good hook to Barayev's body.
Bishop lands a jab-cross combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bishop!
Bishop throws a combination. Barayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Danga de danga de dang - Bishop scores with a four punch combination!
Bishop attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bishop does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bishop is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barayev can do to turn this around?
Bishop goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bishop throws a leg kick but Barayev sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bishop moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bishop connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bishop thuds his right hand into Barayev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barayev drops his hands momentarily and Bishop takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bishop throws out a powerful jab.
Bishop lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barayev at a distance.
Bishop connects with a crisp jab.
Barayev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bishop's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Bishop duly obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bishop lunges at Barayev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barayev's hand.
Barayev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bishop misses with a double jab.
Bishop lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bishop.
Barayev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bishop.
Bishop lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barayev backs up against the cage.
Bishop misses with a low kick.
Bishop lands a really nice looking cross but Barayev seems unphased.
Bishop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bishop throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barayev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bishop.
Bishop moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bishop misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bishop looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bishop lands a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sky Bishop dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bishop sizes up Barayev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Barayev tries to clinch up but Bishop circles away and keeps his distance.
Barayev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bishop avoids it really well and circles away.
Barayev slips a jab and a cross from Bishop.
Bishop throws a right and a left that Barayev avoids nicely.
Bishop fails to land with a series of punches.
Sky Bishop is winning the standup battle so far.
Bishop scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Barayev checks a leg kick.
Bishop lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bishop throws a head kick that misses.
Bishop looks to land a combination. Barayev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Barayev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bishop to score with a decent uppercut.
Bishop moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bishop throws a series of strikes that have Barayev backpedaling.
Barayev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bishop lands with a nice body punch.
Bishop fails to land with a series of punches.
Bishop throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bishop lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Barayev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A left and a right from Bishop both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bishop lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bishop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barayev is looking to clinch.
Bishop lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bishop scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bishop tries to bum rush Barayev with a series of wild strikes but Barayev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barayev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bishop.
Barayev slips a jab and a cross from Bishop.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Barayev avoids it well.
Nice shot lands for Bishop.
Barayev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bishop throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bishop throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bishop moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Bishop connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Barayev moves forwards but Bishop connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bishop moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Bishop.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bishop looks to land a combination but Barayev avoids it well.
Barayev takes one to the side of the head.
Bishop swinging wilding here.
Bishop tries to bum rush Barayev with a series of wild strikes but Barayev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bishop throws a combination. Barayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bishop does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Barayev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bishop.
Bishop fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bishop lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bishop throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bishop rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barayev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bishop lands with a nice combination. Barayev backs away looking to recover.
Bishop closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bishop throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bishop tries to land a leg kick but Barayev saw it coming and moves away.
Bishop will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barayev slips a jab and a cross from Bishop.
Bishop works over Barayev's head and body with a nice combination.
Barayev moves out of range of the body kick from Bishop.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barayev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bishop.
Bishop misses with a two punch combination.
Sky Bishop is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bishop.
Bishop scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bishop lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bishop.
Bishop closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bishop cracks Barayev with an open hand slap.
Bishop connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barayev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bishop scores with a three punch combo!
Bishop scores with the left hand. Barayev knows he should have avoided that one.
Bishop scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice cross by Bishop.
Bishop closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bishop throws a low kick but Barayev avoids it.
Bishop throws a combination. Barayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bishop scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Barayev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Bishop.
No joy there for Bishop, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bishop lands with a nice combination. Barayev backs away looking to recover.
Barayev moves forwards but Bishop connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bishop stalks Barayev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Barayev's face. Barayev staggers backwards, shaken.
Bishop misses with a wild combination.
Bishop lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bishop.
Bishop swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bishop lands a nice shot that snaps Barayev's head back.
Bishop jabs at Barayev's body.
Bishop lands a right hook to the body.
Bishop swinging wilding here.
Bishop pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barayev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bishop.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bishop darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fouad Barayev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab from Bishop does it's job there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bishop lands with a nice combination. Barayev backs away looking to recover.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sky Bishop showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bishop, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:25
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sky Bishop!