PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Colon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Shepherd told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Colon
vs
Shepherd

184 cm
21
179 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Elite Golden Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Colon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Colon scores with a takedown into Shepherd's guard.
Colon passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Colon 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.
Colon working the head and body with strikes.
Shepherd manages to get back to half guard.
Colon throwing shots but Shepherd is blocking nicely.
Colon tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Shepherd.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Colon trying to mount his opponent but Shepherd defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Colon throwing shots but Shepherd is blocking nicely.

Colon is looking for a kimura here.
Shepherd is looking for a sweep. Colon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shepherd misses with a takedown

and Colon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shepherd won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Colon throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Colon has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Shepherd!
Colon throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Shepherd because Colon loaded up on that one.
Colon pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Colon throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Shepherd taking shots to the head.
Colon looking to finish with strikes here!
Colon looking to finish with strikes here!
Shepherd tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colon sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Colon tries to control but Shepherd wriggling away.
Shepherd tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Colon is landing with some decent strikes but Shepherd is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Shepherd is desperately trying to improve his position but Colon has a good base and remains in mount.
Colon throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Shepherd regains half guard.
Colon moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shepherd takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Colon working away.
The strikes coming from Colon are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sloppy strikes there by Colon.
Colon throws a strike aimed at the side of Shepherd's head but Shepherd avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shepherd gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Colon to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Shepherd has momentary wrist control but Colon slips an elbow through the middle.
Colon is pushing down on Shepherd's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shepherd is fighting to maintain full guard but Colon has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shepherd is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Colon throwing shots but Shepherd is blocking nicely.
Colon tries to stand and escape but Shepherd actually recovers to full guard.
Colon throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Colon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Colon wants to control from the top but Shepherd keeps moving.
Shepherd avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Colon in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Colon fails with the takedown

and Shepherd counters with a shoot takedown. Colon fights it but they end up in guard.
Colon trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Colon is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Colon has escaped and now he's on top!
Colon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Colon stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Colon takes the fight into the clinch.
Colon lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Colon jumps into guard, dragging Shepherd to the mat.

Shepherd has gone for a leg lock! Colon slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shepherd's guard.
Shepherd utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Colon throws a big right hand that misses.
Colon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepherd swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Colon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shepherd works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Colon throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Colon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Colon has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Shepherd is proving hard to escape from.
Colon throwing strikes from guard but Shepherd blocks nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Colon scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Shepherd blocking the ground and pound attempt from Colon.

Colon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Colon 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.

Colon throws a leg kick that is checked

and Shepherd counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Colon's guard now.
John Colon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shepherd tries to free his leg and advance position but Colon is retaining full guard.
Colon controls Shepherd momentarily but Shepherd frees himself.

Shepherd drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Colon manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Shepherd has Colon in his guard.
Shepherd controlling Colon's posture.
Colon throws a strike but Shepherd rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Colon is keeping the position for now.

Shepherd has gone for a leg lock! Colon slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shepherd's guard.
Colon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepherd swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Shepherd utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shepherd has a closed guard, preventing Colon from standing up.
Colon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepherd swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Colon tries to stand but Shepherd is controlling from the bottom.
Colon postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colon is looking to work some ground and pound but Shepherd has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Shepherd misses with a takedown attempt

and Colon counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Shepherd wants to get back to full guard.
Shepherd takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shepherd won't allow Colon to pass to mount.
Shepherd trying to hold on to Colon's head to control him but Colon postures up.
Shepherd is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Colon is staying active.
Shepherd is positioning himself well to prevent Colon advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Colon thows a huge punch but Shepherd dodges it nicely.
Colon is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Shepherd!
Shepherd avoids a series of strikes thrown by Colon.
Colon controlling the pace for now.

Colon has hold of Shepherd's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Shepherd manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Shepherd wants to hold on but Colon pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Colon clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Colon shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Shepherd counters with a shoot takedown. Colon fights it but they end up in guard.

Shepherd is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Colon is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Colon has escaped and now he's on top!

Colon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Shepherd, up you get!
Colon scores with a jab. Shepherd acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Colon throws a hook but Shepherd avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Colon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepherd circles away quickly and effectively.
John Colon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Colon is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Shepherd's half guard.
Colon missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Colon with the ground and pound but Shepherd uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Shepherd is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shepherd is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Colon lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Colon stands up from Shepherd's guard - Colon perhaps looking for a knockout.

Colon shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shepherd napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shepherd is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Sloppy strikes there by Colon.
Colon works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colon sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Shepherd is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Colon throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Shepherd works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Colon wants to pass to mount but Shepherd is defending the position.
Colon thows a huge punch but Shepherd dodges it nicely.
Shepherd is not content to let Colon control the position.

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.
Shepherd is positioning himself well to prevent Colon advancing to mount.
Colon thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shepherd's head.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Colon tries to clinch up.
Colon pivots, looking for a leg kick but Shepherd is out of range and Colon settles back down.
Shepherd with a poor takedown
and Colon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Colon had his way with John Shepherd in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Colon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Colon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shepherd has his takedown stuffed

and Colon counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Shepherd's guard now.
Colon tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepherd is retaining full guard.
Colon wants to stand and escape but instead Shepherd has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Shepherd has gone for a leg lock! Colon slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shepherd's guard.
Shepherd is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Colon throws and elbow that misses. Shepherd uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Colon's guard. Nice move by Shepherd!

Shepherd drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Colon manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Shepherd has Colon in his guard.
Colon is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
John Colon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Shepherd manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Colon manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Colon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Colon trying to control but Shepherd is working from the bottom.
Shepherd working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Colon in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Colon drops back looking for a leg! Shepherd is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shepherd manages to kick Colon off! Colon jumps back into Shepherd's guard.
Shepherd is trying to keep Colon in close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Colon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Colon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Colon 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Colon!
John Colon retains his middleweight title!