PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dirk Diggler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Diggler
vs
Shepherd

180 cm
22
189 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

183 cm
23
185 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dirk Diggler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diggler scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Shepherd doesn't seem bothered though.
Diggler shoots in but Shepherd avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shepherd defending well as Diggler loads up on a big left hand.
Shepherd takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Diggler uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shepherd has time to react.
Shepherd with a poor takedown

and Diggler counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Diggler.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggler tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepherd is retaining full guard.

Shepherd escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Diggler gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Diggler passes Shepherd's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Shepherd is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Diggler's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Diggler's back!
Diggler tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Diggler manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Shepherd is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Shepherd is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Diggler sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd seems to be looking for submissions.
Shepherd trying to mount his opponent but Diggler defends it.

Shepherd wants to work for an arm triangle but Diggler is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shepherd looks gassed!
Diggler works his way to full guard. Good work.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shepherd drops back, looking for a kneebar! Diggler looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Diggler looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Diggler!
Shepherd is trying to improve his position.
Diggler landing a few strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diggler is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shepherd knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Diggler tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Diggler has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shepherd is trying to control Diggler's posture but Diggler avoids it.
Diggler wants to control but Shepherd is keeping him busy.
Shepherd is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

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

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.
Shepherd sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Shepherd misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Shepherd tries to get to full guard but Diggler has control of the leg.
Shepherd moves into full guard.
Diggler tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepherd is retaining full guard.

Shepherd has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Diggler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Shepherd looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dirk Diggler dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Diggler shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shepherd's guard.

Shepherd working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diggler doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diggler manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diggler slips nicely into half guard.

Shepherd looking for submissions off his back.
Diggler is trying to control. Shepherd wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Diggler looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Diggler seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shepherd.

Diggler thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shepherd tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Shepherd had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Diggler defends it easily.
Shepherd is breathing heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shepherd is on top in guard.

Diggler has his foot on Shepherd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shepherd works his way back into a safe position though.
Diggler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shepherd is one step ahead there.

Shepherd drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Diggler manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Shepherd has Diggler in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Diggler drops back looking for a leg! Shepherd is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shepherd manages to kick Diggler off! Diggler jumps back into Shepherd's guard.
Diggler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shepherd is keeping the position for now.
Diggler is pushing down on Shepherd's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shepherd is fighting to maintain full guard but Diggler has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shepherd wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diggler trying to mount his opponent but Shepherd defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Diggler seems to be working for a kimura but Shepherd defends the submission attempt.
Shepherd flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Diggler is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shepherd doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Diggler.

Shepherd looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Shepherd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Shepherd has one foot on Diggler's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Diggler throws a sloppy head kick and Shepherd moves out of range easily.
Shepherd moves out of range as Diggler strikes.
Diggler looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Diggler gets a takedown into half guard.
Diggler trying to mount his opponent but Shepherd defends it.

Shepherd looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dirk Diggler dominated that second round.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Shepherd slips a jab and a cross from Diggler.
Diggler swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Shepherd throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Diggler was covering up waiting for the punch and Shepherd finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Shepherd looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shepherd takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Shepherd working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Diggler has passed into half guard!
Shepherd is looking to improve his position.
Shepherd wants to sweep but Diggler has passed to side control!

Diggler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dirk Diggler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.

Diggler tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Diggler has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shepherd is looking to regain half guard here but Diggler keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Shepherd's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Diggler wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Diggler is trying to get an arm triangle but Shepherd is defending well.

Diggler is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shepherd knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Shepherd is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Diggler prevents Shepherd from improving his position.
Diggler throwing shots but Shepherd is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Shepherd gets back to full guard.
Diggler passes Shepherd's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Shepherd actively working from the bottom here.
Diggler slips a nice elbow through Shepherd's hands, connecting with Shepherd's forehead.
Shepherd is pressing down on Diggler's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Shepherd is looking for a triangle but Diggler pushes his legs off easily.
Diggler tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepherd is retaining full guard.

Shepherd looking for subs off his back but Diggler has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shepherd misses with some strikes from the bottom.

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 Dirk Diggler.
Well Diggler 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dirk Diggler!