PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiberias Rockefellor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rockefellor has chosen Stand Alone as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Shepherd
vs
Rockefellor

183 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

181 cm
20
188 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent knees
Determined

Elite Golden Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Shepherd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiberias Rockefellor!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rockefellor wants to clinch up but Shepherd keeps it at a distance.
Rockefellor fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rockefellor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shepherd will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Rockefellor scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rockefellor tries to clinch up but Shepherd circles away and keeps his distance.
Rockefellor tries to clinch there but Shepherd circles away.
Rockefellor is looking to clinch.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rockefellor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shepherd backs up against the cage.
Shepherd shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rockefellor pinned against the cage. Rockefellor gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shepherd keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rockefellor tries to clinch up but Shepherd circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Rockefellor misses.
Rockefellor wants to clinch.
Shepherd fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Shepherd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rockefellor is looking to clinch but Shepherd is avoiding it.
Rockefellor tries to clinch up.
Rockefellor misses with a double jab.
Rockefellor moves in looking to clinch but Shepherd pushes him off.
Rockefellor wants to clinch up but Shepherd keeps it at a distance.
Rockefellor tries to clinch there but Shepherd circles away.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but Rockefellor shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shepherd keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shepherd swats him away and circles back towards the center.

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.
Rockefellor wants to clinch up but Shepherd keeps it at a distance.
Rockefellor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tiberias Rockefellor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd shoots in for a double leg but Rockefellor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rockefellor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shepherd manages to avoid it.
Shepherd swats away the attempt to clinch by Rockefellor.
Rockefellor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shepherd looks for a takedown but Rockefellor sprawls well.
Rockefellor doesn't manage to clinch there - Shepherd circles away.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shepherd swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rockefellor thows a body shot but no joy.
Rockefellor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shepherd fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Shepherd circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shepherd keeps the fight on the outside.
Shepherd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rockefellor.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but Rockefellor shows good takedown defense.
Rockefellor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shepherd.
Shepherd swats away the attempt to clinch by Rockefellor.
Rockefellor doesn't manage to clinch there - Shepherd circles away.

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.
Rockefellor is looking to clinch but Shepherd is avoiding it.
Rockefellor tries to clinch there but Shepherd circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rockefellor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rockefellor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rockefellor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shepherd fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rockefellor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiberias Rockefellor dominated 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.

Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepherd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rockefellor is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Shepherd rather than just go for the knockout.
Shepherd swats away the attempt to clinch by Rockefellor.

Shepherd shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rockefellor's guard.
Rockefellor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shepherd manages to get himself to full guard.

Shepherd looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Shepherd escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rockefellor gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Shepherd throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rockefellor stands up and waves to Shepherd to follow him.
Rockefellor tries to clinch there but Shepherd circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockefellor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor wants to clinch up but Shepherd keeps it at a distance.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd is having none of it.
Rockefellor tries to clinch up but Shepherd circles away and keeps his distance.
Rockefellor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor moves in looking to clinch but Shepherd pushes him off.
Rockefellor throws a body punch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Rockefellor wants to clinch up but Shepherd keeps it at a distance.
Shepherd fails with the takedown.
Rockefellor takes a swing at Shepherd's ribcage but misses.
Shepherd keeps the fight on the outside.
Rockefellor slaps away a takedown attempt from Shepherd, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shepherd fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rockefellor avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Shepherd. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Rockefellor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor wants to clinch.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shepherd swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rockefellor doesn't manage to clinch there - Shepherd circles away.
Rockefellor misses with a series of wild punches.

Rockefellor takes the fight into the clinch.
Rockefellor misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor swings wildly with an uppercut but Shepherd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rockefellor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rockefellor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shepherd goes for a takedown attempt but Rockefellor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rockefellor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd is having none of it.
Shepherd keeps the fight on the outside.
Rockefellor tries to clinch up but Shepherd circles away and keeps his distance.
Rockefellor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor misses with a series of wild punches.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rockefellor throws a body punch but Shepherd moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rockefellor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepherd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rockefellor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shepherd circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rockefellor doesn't manage to clinch there - Shepherd circles away.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd moves out of range.

Shepherd scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rockefellor gets back to half guard.
Rockefellor wants to improve his position but Shepherd is controlling well.

Shepherd seems to be working for a kimura but Rockefellor defends the submission attempt.

Shepherd is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rockefellor is just riding it out for now. Shepherd eventually gives up the hold.

Shepherd is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Shepherd dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rockefellor is looking to clinch.
A combination from Rockefellor does no damage.
Shepherd circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but Rockefellor shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rockefellor is looking to clinch but Shepherd is avoiding it.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Tiberias Rockefellor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rockefellor tries to clinch but Shepherd is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepherd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rockefellor. Shepherd does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shepherd keeps the fight on the outside.
Shepherd swings for the body but Rockefellor moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepherd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rockefellor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rockefellor doesn't manage to clinch there - Shepherd circles away.
Shepherd circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rockefellor is looking to clinch.
Rockefellor tries to clinch there but Shepherd circles away.
Shepherd avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rockefellor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rockefellor tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepherd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rockefellor throws a sloppy body shot

and Shepherd counters with a single leg into guard. Rockefellor didn't expect that.

Shepherd drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shepherd jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Rockefellor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shepherd manages to get himself to full guard.
Rockefellor in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shepherd bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rockefellor's guard.

Rockefellor working for a triangle but Shepherd defends it easily.
Rockefellor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rockefellor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shepherd is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shepherd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

Shepherd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shepherd jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rockefellor is on top in guard.
Rockefellor content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Rockefellor gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rockefellor darts in trying to clinch

and Shepherd counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rockefellor!

Shepherd working for a submission but Rockefellor is keeping him at bay.
Rockefellor is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shepherd working for a guillotine from mount but Rockefellor is in no mood to give up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Rockefellor wants to get back to his feet.
Rockefellor is looking for a sweep. Shepherd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rockefellor regains full guard. Nicely done.
Shepherd stops Rockefellor from standing up.
Rockefellor 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.

Shepherd drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shepherd jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rockefellor wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rockefellor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rockefellor leaves Shepherd with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to John Shepherd.
I think Shepherd 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Shepherd!