PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Night Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hall comes into the arena with War blaring out of the sound system. Shepard is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by We Wont Back Down. On his way into the cage it seems that Night Hall has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Night Hall seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Hall
vs
Shepard

185 cm
22
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
167 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Night Hall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Shepard!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Anthony Taglia and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hall is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hall throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hall tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hall looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hall is looking to clinch.

Hall closes the distance and pushes Shepard back into the cage.
Hall stops a takedown attempt from Shepard.
Shepard wants to break free but Hall has control.

Shepard manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hall trying to stand up but can't free himself from Shepard's guard.
Hall throws and elbow that misses. Shepard uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hall's guard. Nice move by Shepard!
Hall wants to get back to his feet but Shepard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shepard looking to sit in guard and control but Hall gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hall missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hall throwing strikes but missing.
Hall wants to control from the top but Shepard keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hall lands a couple of digs.
Hall working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hall missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hall works over Shepard with some ground and pound from guard.
Hall throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall is stalling in the full guard.

Hall drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shepard manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hall has Shepard in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shepard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shepard advances position into side control!
Hall is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Shepard has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall can't do much from the bottom here.
Shepard landing strikes.
Shepard looks gassed!
Hall wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Shepard swings around for an armbar but Hall sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shepard's guard.

Hall postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Shepard is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hall, into his guard.

Hall uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hall has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hall is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A shot in the inside from Hall.

Hall pulls Shepard into guard.
Hall manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shepard manages to get himself to full guard.
Hall makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shepard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hall throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shepard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hall trying to control the position from guard on top but Shepard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hall wants to pass the guard but Shepard is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shepard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hall throws a head kick that misses.
Hall shoots for a double leg takedown but Shepard sprawls well. He's pushed Hall's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shepard circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hall pushes Shepard up against the cage in a clinch.
Hall prevents the takedown attempt.
Shepard is trying to stall.

Hall pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hall smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

It looks like Ryan Shepard has been cut.
Hall wants to clinch up but Shepard keeps it at a distance.
Hall misses with a body kick.
Hall throws a one two combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hall clinches up against the cage.
Shepard is breathing heavily.
Shepard being controlled against the cage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hall tries to clinch up but Shepard circles away and keeps his distance.
Hall throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shepard.

Hall closes the distance and pushes Shepard back into the cage.
Hall presses Shepard against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shepard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Hall pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Night Hall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Danga de danga de dang - Hall scores with a four punch combination!

Hall gets the takedown into side control.
Hall working the ground and pound from side control.
Shepard is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hall connects with a decent elbow.
Hall lands an elbow.
Shepard takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hall is working Shepard over with some ground and pound from side control.

Hall is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shepard has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hall working the ground and pound.
Hall is working Shepard over with some ground and pound from side control.
Hall is looking to take a break and control but Shepard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Hall tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hall has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shepard on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Hall connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Shepard some visible discomfort.

Hall wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shepard, who protects the arm well.

Hall looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four 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.
Hall scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Shepard to see if he's OK.
Shepard is not content to let Hall control the position.
Hall working the head and body with strikes.
Hall working the head with strikes.

Hall is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shepard has escaped the position, nice work there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Night Hall dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Shepard's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hall lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hall, as that shot connected.

That has opened up Ryan Shepard's cut even more.
Shepard throws a leg kick but Hall checks it.

Hall pushes Shepard up against the cage in a clinch.
Shepard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Hall has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shepard uses from the top position.

Hall manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hall looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hall rushes Shepard and presses him up against the cage.
Hall has Shepard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shepard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shepard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shepard jumps guard but Hall stands there with Shepard around his waist. Shepard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Shepard takes an elbow to the temple.

Hall gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hall is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shepard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hall is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hall postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shepard wants to sweep here but Hall controlling him for the moment.
Hall landing some decent shots from guard.
Hall forces his way into half guard.
Hall wants to stand up but Shepard has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall working Shepard over with strikes.
Shepard is not content to let Hall control the position.
Hall working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura but Shepard is defending well.
Nice strikes from Hall there.
Night Hall overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shepard on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hall working Shepard over with strikes.

Hall wants to work for an arm triangle but Shepard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hall missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hall landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hall throwing shots but Shepard is blocking nicely.
Ryan Shepard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hall throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Hall seems to be working for a kimura but Shepard defends the submission attempt.
Hall landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hall passes to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hall advances to mount.
Shepard in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The referee warns Shepard that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Shepard is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hall with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hall dominating with strikes here.
Hall scoring with strikes but Shepard is staying in there.
Night Hall is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hall fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

And that's the end of the fight!
Night Hall showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hall 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:25
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Night Hall!