PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Saber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saber comes into the arena with Walk This Way blaring out of the sound system. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Saber
vs
shepard

180 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lucas Saber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack shepard!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saber fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
shepard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saber swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Saber.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saber.
shepard misses with a head kick.
shepard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
shepard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Saber's head backwards.
Saber has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Saber. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
shepard misses with a head kick.
shepard tries a head kick but it misses.
Saber tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but shepard swivels and escapes.
Saber displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saber fails to pull the fight into his guard.
shepard looking for a takedown.
Saber goes for a takedown attempt but shepard pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
shepard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saber throws a combination but it was largely blocked by shepard.
Saber changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. shepard tries to avoid it but Saber manages to keep hold of a leg and drag shepard to the ground. shepard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
shepard misses with a takedown attempt - Saber sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saber misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
shepard blocks a head kick by Saber.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saber.
Saber looks to clinch
letting shepard counter with a right hand.
shepard throws a head kick that misses.
shepard lands with a kick to the temple. Saber shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Saber tries to clinch but shepard moves away
and shepard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
shepard throws a sloppy head kick

and Saber counters with a nice double leg into side control. shepard won't be happy with that.
shepard looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
shepard is letting Saber control him for a moment.
Saber creates some space and throws a big elbow, but shepard sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saber postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack shepard 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.

Saber shoots in looking for a takedown. shepard tries to sprawl out of it but Saber keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. shepard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saber wants to clinch

and shepard counters with a head kick that drops Saber to the mat! Saber scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
A head kick by shepard misses

and Saber counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
shepard looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saber thows a big elbow that misses.
Saber trying to control the position from guard on top but shepard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saber is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
shepard is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saber's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Saber tries to free his leg and advance position but shepard is retaining full guard.

That's two 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.
Saber trying to control but shepard is working from the bottom.

Saber stands up from shepard's guard - Saber perhaps looking for a knockout.
shepard throws a lazy head kick

and Saber counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in shepard's guard now.
Saber controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lucas Saber.
shepard avoids the head kick by Saber.
Saber with a poor takedown
and shepard counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Saber fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Saber. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
shepard tries to clinch up.
Lucas Saber seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Saber changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. shepard looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Saber misses with the ground and pound.
shepard being controlled for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas Saber dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Saber has his takedown stuffed
and shepard counters with an outside leg kick.
shepard throws a lazy head kick

and Saber counters with a shoot takedown. shepard fights it but they end up in guard.
shepard can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Saber controls the pace.
Saber lands a couple of elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
shepard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saber trying to control the position from guard on top but shepard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
shepard is looking to work some ground and pound but Saber has wrist control.
Lucas Saber overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
shepard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
shepard scoring with some ground and pound.
shepard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
shepard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Saber has his foot on shepard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. shepard works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two 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.
Saber avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
shepard looking to pass the guard.
shepard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Saber 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.

Saber has his feet on shepard's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Saber scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saber is trying to control. shepard wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
shepard is trying to maintain the position but Saber is very close to passing his half guard.
Saber content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Saber is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

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.
Saber looking to control but shepard is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Saber sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Saber has control of shepard's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and shepard regains control of the situation pretty easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucas Saber showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saber 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucas Saber!