PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Duncan Shepard (ranked 3220 p4p, 3388 weight class) and Jack Hakansson (ranked 407 p4p, 417 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shepard
vs
Hakansson

170 cm
20
184
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
180
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Duncan Shepard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Hakansson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hakansson.
Shepard manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Shepard trying to control here.
Hakansson not doing much here.
Shepard pushes Hakansson off looking to stand but Hakansson dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shepard trying to control here.
Hakansson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hakansson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shepard tries to kick Hakansson off but Hakansson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shepard is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hakansson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hakansson's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hakansson wants to control his opponent's hands but Shepard gets his hands free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Hakansson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hakansson is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Hakansson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shepard is working away from the top position though.
Shepard controlling the pace.
Hakansson controlling the position for now.
Hakansson tries to get to full guard but Shepard has control of the leg.
Shepard performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hakansson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shepard pulls his head out easily.
Shepard is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Shepard tries to stand and escape but Hakansson is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hakansson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shepard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hakansson.

Shepard rushes Hakansson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hakansson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shepard after a bit of a struggle.
Hakansson looking for a takedown.
A short right from Shepard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hakansson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shepard is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Duncan Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hakansson.
Shepard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hakansson has Shepard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shepard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shepard gets through Hakansson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shepard scores with a nice hook to the head.
A shot in the inside from Shepard.
Shepard taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
I was talking to Shepard's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hakansson has Shepard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shepard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shepard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hakansson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hakansson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shepard circles away.
Shepard defending well as Hakansson loads up on a big left hand.
Shepard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hakansson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Hakansson tries to keep at a distance but Shepard has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hakansson takes a shot to the head.

Shepard breaks the clinch.

Shepard moves into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hakansson swings for the body but Shepard moves out of range.
Shepard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hakansson.
Duncan Shepard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shepard forces Hakansson back against the cage and clinches.

Hakansson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hakansson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shepard.
Hakansson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Shepard lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Hakansson defending well as Shepard loads up on a big left hand.
Hakansson closes the distance and clinches up with Shepard, looking for a takedown. Hakansson pushes Shepard against the cage but Shepard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jack Hakansson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shepard clinches.
Shepard lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shepard lands a nice uppercut.
Shepard stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shepard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shepard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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!
Hakansson wants a takedown but no success here.
Duncan Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hakansson.
Shepard lands a hook that snaps the head of Hakansson backwards.
Shepard lands a hook that snaps the head of Hakansson backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hakansson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shepard is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Duncan Shepard has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shepard is pushing Hakansson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Shepard prevents the takedown attempt.
Shepard scores with a shoulder strike.
Shepard lands a hook that snaps the head of Hakansson backwards.
Hakansson tries to pull guard but Shepard won't allow it.

Shepard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Duncan Shepard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hakansson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shepard to the mat! Shepard manages to get full guard.
Shepard controls Hakansson momentarily but Hakansson frees himself.
Shepard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hakansson can do to turn this around?
Shepard is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hakansson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepard swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shepard is adopting a defensive guard.
Hakansson postures up.
Hakansson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hakansson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hakansson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hakansson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shepard circles away.

Shepard moves into the clinch successfully.
Shepard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hakansson backwards.
Hakansson takes a shot to the head.
Shepard lands a nice uppercut.
Shepard lands a body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Shepard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hakansson.
Shepard lands a shoulder strike.
Shepard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hakansson backwards.
Shepard scores with a shoulder strike.
Shepard lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shepard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shepard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shepard stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hakansson is breathing heavily.
Shepard is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Hakansson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hakansson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hakansson needs to keep his hands up - Shepard had a free shot at his head there.
Shepard is throwing punches like he's double parked. Oh my word! Huge right hand from Shepard shuts the power down on Hakansson. Lights out, game over! Shepard is your winner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Duncan Shepard!
During a confident post fight interview, Duncan Shepard thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.