PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tiberias Rockefellor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rockefellor comes to the cage accompanied by Stand Alone. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Rockefellor
vs
Shepherd

181 cm
21
188 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

183 cm
23
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiberias Rockefellor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rockefellor misses with an uppercut. Shepherd saw that one coming.
Rockefellor throws an overhand right that lands on Shepherd's shoulder, as Shepherd tries to avoid the shot.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rockefellor as he jumps to the side.
Rockefellor smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rockefellor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rockefellor throws a right and a left that Shepherd avoids nicely.
Rockefellor throws the left hand but Shepherd avoids the punch easily.
Rockefellor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rockefellor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rockefellor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepherd circles away quickly and effectively.
Shepherd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rockefellor.
A swing and a miss from Rockefellor.
A big right from Rockefellor misses.
Shepherd moves out of range of the strikes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rockefellor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rockefellor is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shepherd moves out of range as Rockefellor strikes.
Shepherd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rockefellor.
A big right from Rockefellor misses.
Rockefellor looks to land a left hand but Shepherd moved out of range nicely.
Rockefellor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shepherd.
Tiberias Rockefellor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rockefellor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shepherd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rockefellor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shepherd.
Shepherd on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Shepherd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rockefellor.
Shepherd misses with a body shot.
Rockefellor misses with a double jab.
Rockefellor throws a looping overhand right but Shepherd ducks down to avoid it.
Shepherd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rockefellor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor misses with an uppercut.
No luck for Shepherd with that takedown attempt.
Shepherd keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rockefellor.
A swing and a miss from Rockefellor.
Rockefellor throws a jab but it's blocked by Shepherd.
A combination from Rockefellor does no damage.
A telegraphed right hand from Rockefellor misses the target.
A telegraphed right hand from Rockefellor misses the target.
Shepherd bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shepherd staying out of range there.

Shepherd closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rockefellor to the mat! Rockefellor manages to get full guard.
Rockefellor wants to get back to his feet but Shepherd is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rockefellor is breathing heavily.

Shepherd drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shepherd jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shepherd tries to free his leg and advance position but Rockefellor is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Rockefellor has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shepherd off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The fighters circling - Rockefellor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shepherd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rockefellor.
Shepherd has a takedown stuffed.
Tiberias Rockefellor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Shepherd.
Rockefellor misses with a two punch combination.
Shepherd dodges the punch combination from Rockefellor.
Nice defenses there by Shepherd.
Tiberias Rockefellor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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 walks into a stiff left hand from Rockefellor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd slips a jab from Rockefellor.
Rockefellor thuds his right hand into Shepherd's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shepherd slips under a jab from Rockefellor.

Shepherd shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rockefellor manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shepherd trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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.
Rockefellor throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rockefellor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shepherd is one step ahead there.

Shepherd is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiberias Rockefellor dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No joy there for Rockefellor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shepherd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rockefellor.
Rockefellor misses with a two punch combination.
Shepherd moves out of range as Rockefellor strikes.
Shepherd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shepherd ducks under a wild hook from Rockefellor.
Rockefellor looks to land a combination but Shepherd avoids it well.
Rockefellor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shepherd sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockefellor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rockefellor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rockefellor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Shepherd closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shepherd working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rockefellor tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shepherd wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Shepherd tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Shepherd working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shepherd is breathing heavily.
Rockefellor manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shepherd's best efforts.
Rockefellor tries to roll over but Shepherd keeps him under control.
Shepherd tries to pass to full mount but Rockefellor defends it.
Rockefellor tries to roll over but Shepherd keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor wants to get back to his feet.
Rockefellor gets back to full guard.

Shepherd is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shepherd prevents Rockefellor from getting back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rockefellor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shepherd.
No joy there for Rockefellor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rockefellor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepherd circles away quickly and effectively.
Rockefellor misses with a series of wild punches.
Shepherd moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd shoots in looking for a takedown. Rockefellor tries to sprawl out of it but Shepherd keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rockefellor manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shepherd bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rockefellor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rockefellor misses with a two punch combination.
Shepherd bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rockefellor scores with a nice right hand.
Rockefellor throws a lazy right hand but Shepherd sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shepherd shoots in for a double leg but Rockefellor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tiberias Rockefellor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shepherd walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rockefellor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rockefellor throws a shot from downtown. Shepherd moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rockefellor.
Shepherd moves out of range of the strikes.
Shepherd looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rockefellor is fending him off so far but Shepherd persists. Nope, Rockefellor circles away and we're back to standing.
Tiberias Rockefellor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Shepherd.
Rockefellor throws a series of punches but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rockefellor.
Rockefellor misses with a few strikes there.
Rockefellor 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.
Shepherd slips under a jab.
A slow jab from Rockefellor misses its intended target.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shepherd gets the takedown into side control.

Shepherd thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Shepherd wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rockefellor, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Shepherd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Shepherd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rockefellor.

Rockefellor lands a left and a right that send Shepherd crashing to the mat, dazed. Rockefellor thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Shepherd keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rockefellor.
Shepherd moves out of range of the strikes.
Rockefellor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepherd circles away quickly and effectively.

Shepherd scores a takedown into full mount!
Rockefellor squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Shepherd looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Rockefellor tries to reverse the position but Shepherd maintains control.
Rockefellor is working hard here to advance position.

Shepherd is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rockefellor can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockefellor regains half guard.
Rockefellor wants to get back to his feet.

Shepherd looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rockefellor makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rockefellor.

Rockefellor kicks Shepherd off and gets to his feet.
Shepherd tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rockefellor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefellor misses with a double jab.
Rockefellor throws a shot from downtown. Shepherd moves away and avoids it.
Rockefellor misses with a straight left.
No luck for Shepherd with that takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Rockefellor.
Rockefellor misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Rockefellor does no damage.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Shepherd.
Rockefellor regains half guard.

Shepherd looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd stops Rockefellor from getting back to his feet.
Rockefellor trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

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 looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rockefellor doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shepherd.
Shepherd prevents Rockefellor from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Rockefellor kicks Shepherd off and gets back to his feet.
Rockefellor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shepherd.
Rockefellor looks to throw the jab but Shepherd is out of range.
Rockefellor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rockefellor misses with a looping right.
Rockefellor tries to bum rush Shepherd with a series of wild strikes but Shepherd uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shepherd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rockefellor.

Shepherd closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Shepherd is working to tighten is grip on Rockefellor's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Rockefellor has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Shepherd is really squeezing tight and eventually Rockefellor passes out! Shepherd breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). John Shepherd!