PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Runnin Rookie (ranked 5346 p4p, 3574 weight class) and Jack Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Runnin Rookie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rookie
vs
Shepard

175 cm
18
150
1 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
152
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Runnin Rookie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jack Shepard!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepard has a takedown stuffed.
Rookie defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shepard.
A little feinted left hand from Rookie on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Rookie has taken the fight to the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shepard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Runnin Rookie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Shepard.
Rookie lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Rookie.
Rookie is pressed up against the cage. Shepard has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rookie down to the mat. Rookie avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rookie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Shepard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Rookie manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shepard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shepard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rookie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Rookie closes the distance and pushes Shepard back into the cage.
Shepard fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Rookie breaks from the clinch.

Shepard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rookie is trying to defend but Shepard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shepard is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shepard stops Rookie from getting back to his feet.
Ground and pound from Shepard.
Shepard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rookie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shepard landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Shepard is looking to take a break and control but Rookie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rookie manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Shepard keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Shepard jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rookie walks away with a smile on his face. Shepard gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Rookie darts in and clinches Shepard up against the cage.
Shepard has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rookie after a bit of a struggle.
A nice left hand lands by Rookie.

Rookie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rookie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shepard pinned against the cage. Shepard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shepard.
Rookie scores with a jab. Shepard acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Shepard slaps away a takedown attempt from Rookie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rookie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shepard is fending him off so far but Rookie persists. Nope, Shepard circles away and we're back to standing.

Rookie gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shepard is trying to pull guard but Rookie has him pressed against the cage.
Rookie scores with a shot to the side of Shepard's head.
Shepard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rookie lands a shoulder strike.
Shepard is trying to pull guard but Rookie turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Shepard tries to score a body lock takedown but Rookie shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rookie lands a left hand.
Shepard can't get the takedown.
Shepard fails to pull guard.
Rookie definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rookie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shepard tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rookie smiles and moves away.
Rookie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shepard defends it nicely.
Shepard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rookie is fending him off so far but Shepard persists. Nope, Rookie circles away and we're back to standing.
Shepard tries for a takedown but Rookie sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Rookie misses the target.
Shepard looks winded!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rookie enables Shepard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rookie manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rookie is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Rookie scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rookie moves into range and clinches up with Shepard.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rookie.
Rookie lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rookie creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shepard tries to pull guard but Rookie won't allow it.
Shepard tries to pull guard but Rookie won't allow it.
Rookie gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shepard.
Rookie lands a nice uppercut.
Rookie pushes Shepard back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Rookie.
Rookie lands an uppercut.
Rookie lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shepard backwards.
Rookie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shepard.
Shepard jumps guard but Rookie stands there with Shepard around his waist. Shepard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rookie is struggling to control the position.
Shepard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rookie is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rookie will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Shepard up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rookie tries to stall but Shepard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short uppercut from Rookie.
Shepard drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rookie lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shepard backwards.
Shepard goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rookie prevents it.
Come on Rookie - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Shepard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rookie fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shepard closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rookie circles away.
Rookie connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rookie closes the distance and clinches.

Shepard pulls guard.
Rookie has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Shepard is proving hard to escape from.
Shepard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rookie with a hook.
Rookie cracks Shepard with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice jab there from Rookie.
Shepard keeps the fight on the outside.
Shepard fails with a takedown attempt.
Jack Shepard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rookie manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Shepard on his heels. He'll look to pass Shepard's guard now, I'm sure.
Rookie is looking to stand up but Shepard won't let him.

Shepard is working an open guard so Rookie takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Shepard needs to keep his hands up - Rookie had a free shot at his head there.
Rookie doesn't manage to clinch there - Shepard circles away.
And Shepard tries to counter it with a takedown but Rookie pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rookie throws a hook to the side of Shepard's head but Shepard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shepard circles away from the clinch attempt.

Rookie fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shepard, pushing him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rookie prevents the takedown attempt.

Rookie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shepard keeps the fight on the outside.
Rookie punishes Shepard's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard shoots in and drives through. Rookie sprawls well.
Runnin Rookie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Shepard.

Rookie clinches.
Shepard is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rookie to keep the fight standing.
Shepard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rookie fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rookie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shepard can do to turn this around?
Shepard is breathing heavily.

Shepard gets caught flat footed, as Rookie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rookie preventing the sweep.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shepard can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shepard has a closed guard, preventing Rookie from standing up.
Shepard is pulling down on Rookie's head to control his posture.
Runnin Rookie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shepard is on top in guard.

Rookie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shepard is controlling him.
Shepard works over Rookie with some ground and pound from guard.
Shepard postures up and lands a big shot to Rookie's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard with a nice head shot there.
Rookie wants to get back to his feet but Shepard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shepard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Rookie has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Shepard has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Shepard tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rookie smiles and moves away.

Shepard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
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!
Shepard trying to control the position but Rookie is working away.
Rookie knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shepard on the ground.
Rookie tries to escape but Shepard is in control.
Shepard working the ground and pound.
Rookie pushes Shepard away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shepard gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard scores with a couple of short elbows.
Rookie is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shepard remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Rookie is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Shepard is controlling him well.
Rookie is letting Shepard control him for a moment.
Shepard works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Check out the look on Shepard's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rookie is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard working the ground and pound from side control.
Rookie pushes Shepard away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shepard gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Shepard lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Shepard taking a breather here.
Rookie is not content to let Shepard control the position.
Shepard works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rookie is letting Shepard control him for a moment.
Shepard working the body and head with strikes.
Shepard lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Shepard working the ground and pound.
Shepard wants to control but Rookie is keeping him busy.
Shepard moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Runnin Rookie dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rookie slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Shepard shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rookie manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Shepard slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rookie is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shepard stands and throws Rookie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Shepard working the body and head with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Check out the look on Shepard's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rookie is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Rookie is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Shepard remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard is looking to take a break and control but Rookie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shepard lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Rookie down.
Rookie is working to avoid the ground and pound but Shepard connects with a decent elbow.
Rookie takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Rookie taking punishment in the form of punches.
Rookie is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Shepard lands a few punches from side control.
Rookie is not content to let Shepard control the position.
Shepard might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rookie haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Shepard is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rookie wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Shepard controls the position.
Rookie is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Shepard happy to just control the position for now.
Shepard landing strikes.
Rookie being controlled for a moment.
Shepard in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard just content to control the position.
Shepard is looking to take a break and control but Rookie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shepard is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Rookie will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Shepard is working Rookie over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rookie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rookie is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Shepard is controlling him well.
Shepard lands a few punches from side control.
Shepard is chipping away with strikes.
Rookie taking a bit of punishment here - Shepard scoring with strikes.
Shepard controlling from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rookie is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Shepard is controlling him well.
Rookie taking a bit of punishment here - Shepard scoring with strikes.
Rookie is trying to buck Shepard off.
Shepard is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Rookie's shoulder. That is not cool.
Shepard prevents Rookie from escaping the position.
Shepard is looking to take a break and control but Rookie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Rookie's face as Shepard controls the position.
Rookie takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shepard cracks Rookie with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Shepard in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Jack Shepard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Runnin Rookie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rookie is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Shepard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rookie has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Runnin Rookie!