PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Adams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shepherd's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celion Dion. Adams has chosen The Fall of Pride as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Shepherd
vs
Adams

191 cm
22
172 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

170 cm
27
170 lbs
8 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Shepherd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, John Adams!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Steve Montenegro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adams throws a head kick that Shepherd semi-blocks.
Adams takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shepherd misses with a wild combination.
Adams is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shepherd.
Shepherd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shepherd moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Adams tries a head kick but it misses.
Adams uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shepherd.
Adams wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Adams lands a jab.
Adams throws a head kick but Shepherd moves out of range.
Adams ducks right into an uppercut from Shepherd.
Shepherd misses with a few strikes there.
Adams throws a head kick that misses.
Adams throws a lazy head kick
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Adams walks into a straight right hand from Shepherd.
Shepherd dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Adams. That did some damage!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Adams clobbers Shepherd with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Adams shoots in looking for a takedown but Shepherd manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Adams's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Adams throws a sloppy body shot
and Shepherd makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Shepherd is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Adams smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Adams swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adams wants to slow Shepherd down by chopping away at his legs.
Adams blocks a head kick by Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a sloppy head kick and Adams moves out of range easily.
Adams throws a lazy head kick
and Shepherd counters with a head kick.
Shepherd is looking to chop away at Adams's legs.
Shepherd wants to slow Adams down by chopping away at his legs.
Shepherd looks to throw the jab but Adams is out of range.
Shepherd misses with a looping left.
Adams throws a head kick that misses
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A decent looking cross lands there for Shepherd.
Adams throws a head kick that misses
and Shepherd counters with a leg kick.
A head kick by Adams misses
and Shepherd counters with a slapping leg kick.
John Adams seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Adams throws a head kick that misses
and Shepherd counters with a slapping leg kick.
Shepherd stalks Adams and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Adams's face. Adams staggers backwards, shaken.
A low kick from Adams misses
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Shepherd.
Adams looks gassed!
Adams misses with a left hand
and Shepherd counters with a stiff right hand.
Shepherd throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Shepherd looks to land a right hand but Adams moved out of range.
Shepherd is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Shepherd dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Adams. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd sizes up Adams with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Shepherd lands with a slapping head kick.
Shepherd scores with a decent looking hook.
Adams on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Adams waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shepherd.
Shepherd avoids the head kick by Adams.
Shepherd is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Adams avoids the head kick by Shepherd.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shepherd.
Shepherd lands with a right hand.
Adams's corner calls for a 1-2. Adams obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Adams ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shepherd moves away.
Adams tries a head kick but it misses.
Adams with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Shepherd to score with a decent uppercut.
Shepherd takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice defenses there by Adams.
Nice uppercut lands for Shepherd. That snapped Adams's head back.
Shepherd goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Shepherd avoids the body shot from Adams.
Adams takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adams works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Adams throws a combination that misses
and Shepherd counters with a stiff right hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Shepherd, as that shot connected.
Adams throws a head kick that misses
enabling Shepherd to counter with a crisp jab.
Horrible takedown by Adams or perhaps it was just good defense by Shepherd which made him look bad.
Adams lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shepherd loads up on a big right hand but Adams slips the punch.
Shepherd cracks Adams with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Adams throws a head kick that misses
and Shepherd counters with a one-two to the body.
Shepherd throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Adams rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shepherd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Adams on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shepherd. Shepherd obviously looking to wear him down.
Shepherd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Adams.
Shepherd lands with a nice body kick.
Adams throws a lazy head kick
and Shepherd counters with a solid body kick.
Shepherd connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Adams misses with a hook
and Shepherd counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shepherd lands a jab.
Shepherd really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adams rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shepherd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice defenses there by Adams.
Adams swings away with a body shot that misses
and Shepherd counters with a good, hard body kick but Adams shrugs it off.
Adams looks to land a right hand but Shepherd moved out of range.
Adams gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Adams misses with a combination
and Shepherd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shepherd moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Adams walks into a straight right hand from Shepherd.
Adams takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Adams tries to land a leg kick but Shepherd saw it coming and moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shepherd. That's going to slow Adams down.
Shepherd scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shepherd lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Shepherd feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Adamss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A chopping leg kick lands by Shepherd.
Adams has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Adams drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shepherd dominated that 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.

Shepherd moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shepherd looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shepherd throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Adams to counter with a crisp jab.
Adams misses with an uppercut.
Adams misses with a head kick.
Adams throws a lazy body kick
and Shepherd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Adams misses with a jab to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Shepherd slips a straight right by Adams.
Shepherd scores with a punch to the head.
Adams swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Shepherd throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shepherd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Adams throws a body punch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Adams might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Shepherd has got the better of the exchanges.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Adams throws a lazy uppercut
and Shepherd counters with a slapping leg kick.
Adams throws a head kick that misses.
Adams throws a lazy head kick
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big right from Adams misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shepherd swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A head kick misses from Adams.
Adams slips a jab from Shepherd.
Shepherd lands with a thumping leg kick.
A lazy left from Shepherd finds it's target.
Shepherd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Adams counters with a takedown into side control.

Adams working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shepherd gets back to half guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adams missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Adams is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Adams stalling away here and it's allowed Shepherd to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Shepherd is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Shepherd takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd wants to take a breather but Adams is having none of it.
Adams is looking to improve his position.
Shepherd sitting and controlling from the half guard.

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.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Adams is not content to let Shepherd control the position.
Shepherd is looking to advance position but Adams won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shepherd 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!

Shepherd throws a big shot that misses.
Shepherd dips to his left and cracks Adams with an uppercut!
Adams throws a head kick but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd thuds his right hand into Adams's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Adams looks to land a left hand but Shepherd moved out of range nicely.
Adams's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Good exchange - Adams coming out on top.
Shepherd throws a lazy right hand but Adams sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Adams takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Shepherd throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Adams's head.
Shepherd moves out of range as Adams strikes.
Adams gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Shepherd counters with a nice low kick that buckles Adams's knee momentarily.
Adams lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Shepherd tries to sprawl but Adams drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Shepherd is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shepherd is pressing down on Adams's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Adams drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shepherd looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shepherd looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shepherd!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Adams takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Adams gets back to half guard.
Shepherd thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Adams's head.
Jack Shepherd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two 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.
Shepherd is controlling the pace.
Shepherd is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Adams can do to turn this around?
John Adams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jack Shepherd has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Adams throws a lazy body kick
enabling Shepherd to counter with a crisp jab.
Adams throws a body punch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd throws a quick inside leg kick.
Adams gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Adams throws a lazy head kick
and Shepherd counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Adams is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Shepherd - that will leave a mark!
Shepherd scoring well with a low kick there.
Shepherd lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Adams backs up against the cage.
Adams misses with an uppercut. Shepherd saw that one coming.
Shepherd lands with an overhand left.
Adams throws an off balance right hand
and Shepherd counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jack Shepherd is winning the standup battle so far.
Adams has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Shepherd.
Adams swings widly with a right hand
and Shepherd counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A head kick by Adams misses
and Shepherd counters with a straight right hand.
Shepherd chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shepherd connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Adams's hands.
Shepherd connects with the punch.
Shepherd connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Adams takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shepherd's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Shepherd duly obliges.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Adams throws an off balance right hand
and Shepherd counters with a nice leg kick.
Adams tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shepherd cracks Adams with a good jab.
Adams rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shepherd counters with an inside leg kick.
Shepherd looks to land a combination. Adams sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Shepherd showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shepherd, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:26

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