PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Rush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dak Ishii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ishii is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Insane in the membrane by Cypress Hill. Xavier Rush has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Rush
vs
Ishii

183 cm
27
140 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

164 cm
27
142 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Xavier Rush!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dak Ishii!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Robert Douchet and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rush closes the distance and clinches up with Ishii, looking for a takedown. Rush pushes Ishii against the cage but Ishii circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rush tries for a takedown but Ishii sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rush avoids the head kick by Ishii.
Ishii avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rush stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rush wants it to stay on the feet.
Rush fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rush takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rush really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Ishii moves into range and clinches up with Rush.

Rush pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ishii closes the distance and pushes Rush back into the cage.
Rush misses with the head strike.
Ishii has Rush pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rush manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ishii looking for a takedown.
Xavier Rush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dak Ishii.
Ishii is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rush pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Rush escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rush rushes Ishii and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Ishii is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rush can't fight it off and eventually Ishii manages to take the fight to the floor. Rush looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ishii throws and elbow that misses. Rush uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ishii's guard. Nice move by Rush!
Ishii looking to control but Rush passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ishii is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rush pulls his head out easily.
Ishii gets back to full guard.
Rush will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rush showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ishii looking to control.

Ishii has his foot on Rush's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rush works his way back into a safe position though.
Ishii working a defensive guard here.
Rush won't allow Ishii to sweep him here.
Ishii looks gassed!
Ishii keeping moving, preventing Rush from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rush passes Ishii's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ishii trying to hold on to Rush's head to control him but Rush postures up.
Rush trying to control the action but Ishii is working from the bottom.

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

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ishii shoots for a double leg takedown but Rush sprawls well. He's pushed Ishii's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Ishii as Rush shoots in.
A head kick misses from Ishii.

Rush closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishii tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rush smiles and moves away.
Rush tries to close the distance and clinch but Ishii swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ishii 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.
Ishii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rush sprawls well. Rush wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ishii gets slowly back to his feet.
Rush is looking to clinch but Ishii is avoiding it.
Rush's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rush duly obliges.

Rush clinches.
Rush scores with a nice hook to the head.

Rush escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ishii fails with a takedown attempt.

Ishii clinches up against the cage.
Ishii can't get the takedown.

Rush breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rush tries to clinch up.

Rush fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ishii, pushing him back against the cage.

Rush escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rush with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rush tries to clinch up.
Some wild striking there from Ishii.
Ishii pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Rush has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rush breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rush misses with the combination.
Ishii misses with a body kick.
Dak Ishii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ishii pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ishii slips a jab and a cross from Rush.
Rush wants to clinch up but Ishii keeps it at a distance.
Ishii tries to clinch
and Rush counters with a straight right hand.
Rush fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rush looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No joy there for Rush, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rush rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ishii moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Rush drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Rush dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ishii lands a head kick. Rush smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ishii tries to clinch up

and Rush counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rush.
Ishii's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ishii tries to score a body lock takedown but Rush shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rush working hard to break the clinch.
Ishii can't get the takedown.

Rush escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rush throws a combination. Ishii tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rush tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rush tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ishii paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rush throws a series of punches but Ishii avoids them all with ease.

Rush pushes Ishii up against the cage in a clinch.
Ishii looking for a takedown.
Xavier Rush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dak Ishii.
Ishii drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rush gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rush gets through Ishii's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Rush breaks the clinch.
Ishii is breathing heavily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right from Rush.
Rush gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ishii.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishii is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rush pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ishii has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rush avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Rush breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rush throws a combination. Ishii tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ishii dodges the punch combination from Rush.

Rush closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rush lands with a light punch inside.
Rush lands with a right to the head.
Rush lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rush lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ishii goes for a takedown attempt but Rush pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Rush's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ishii shoots for a takedown but Rush saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ishii looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Rush has closed the distance and engaged Ishii in a clinch.
Ishii is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rush breaks the clinch.

Rush moves into the clinch successfully.
Rush gets through Ishii's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Rush pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rush tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ishii paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ishii tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Rush clinches with his opponent.
Rush prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rush working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rush scores with a shoulder strike.
Rush lands a nice uppercut.

Rush escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rush gets a clinch.

Rush breaks the clinch.
Rush listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Rush moves into the clinch successfully.
Ishii changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rush fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Rush darts in and clinches Ishii up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rush breaks the clinch.
Ishii avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush swinging wildly here.

Rush has closed the distance and engaged Ishii in a clinch.

Rush pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from Rush both land. Nice combination.
Ishii fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ishii displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rush.
Ishii is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rush.
Rush shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ishii as he jumps to the side.

Rush changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ishii looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Ishii's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rush misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ishii is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishii is trying to control Rush's posture but Rush avoids it.
Rush is looking to take a break and control but Ishii is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ishii tries to bench press Rush off him but Rush keeps the position.
Rush scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ishii is trying to control Rush's posture but Rush avoids it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rush misses with a series of wild punches.
Danga de danga de dang - Rush scores with a four punch combination!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Rush dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ishii wants a takedown but no success here.
Ishii is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ishii is trying to drag Rush to the mat but Rush just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Xavier Rush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dak Ishii.
Rush working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rush is pressed up against the cage. Ishii has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rush down to the mat. Rush avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Rush throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ishii was covering up waiting for the punch and Rush finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rush wants to pass the guard but Ishii is keeping the position.
Rush keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ishii's head.
Ishii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ishii keeping moving, preventing Rush from controlling successfully.
Rush throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ishii is keeping the position for now.
Rush is working hard here to advance position.

Ishii looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rush has picked Ishii up and slammed him! Ishii can't keep hold of the triangle and Rush manages to pass to side control!
Rush working the head with strikes.
Rush trying to control the action but Ishii is working from the bottom.
Ishii is looking to regain half guard here but Rush keeps moving and retains side control.
Dak Ishii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Rush is looking to take a break and control but Ishii is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ishii is trying to control Rush's posture but Rush avoids it.
Ishii is not content to let Rush control the position.
Ishii wants to control but Rush postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ishii throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rush counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ishii wants to clinch but Rush slips to the side

and Rush counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishii punching from the bottom.
Rush is trying to control the action in half guard but Ishii is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rush trying to control the pace.
Ishii wants to control but Rush is keeping busy.
Ishii throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ishii avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rush.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ishii manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Ishii is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rush cracks Ishii with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Ishii working for a triangle but Rush defends it easily.

Rush gets to his feet - Ishii follows without any prompting.

Rush rushes Ishii and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rush manages to break the clinch.
Rush shoots in and drives through. Ishii sprawls well.
Rush is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Rush fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ishii, pushing him back against the cage.

Rush manages to break the clinch.
Rush moves out of range as Ishii throws a body kick.
Rush tries to clinch up.
Ishii throws a head kick that misses.
Rush checks a low kick from Ishii.
Xavier Rush is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ishii tries to keep at a distance but Rush has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rush displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ishii up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Rush showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rush has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Rush!