PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sheldon Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Stevenson
vs
Shepherd

180 cm
25
151 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jacob Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sheldon Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson shoots in and drives through. Shepherd sprawls well.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shepherd sprawls well. Shepherd wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
No luck for Shepherd with that takedown attempt.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that both miss.

A jab-cross combination lands for Stevenson and sends Shepherd crashing to the mat! Stevenson follows him down to the mat - Shepherd regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Shepherd is rocked!

It looks like Sheldon Shepherd has been cut.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Shepherd is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Stevenson jumps into side control!
Shepherd is still in real trouble! Can Stevenson finish him?

Stevenson stands up and beckons Shepherd to his feet.
Jacob Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that Shepherd avoids nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sloppy strikes from Stevenson. Those never looked like landing.
Stevenson misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
Stevenson misses with a double jab

and Shepherd decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stevenson's guard.
Shepherd wants to control from the top but Stevenson keeps moving.
Shepherd stops Stevenson from standing up.
Shepherd has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stevenson is proving hard to escape from.
Shepherd looking to pass the guard.
Stevenson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson wants to stand up but Shepherd is controlling him.
Stevenson keeping moving, preventing Shepherd from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sheldon Shepherd wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stevenson keeps the fight on the outside.
Stevenson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shepherd shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stevenson pinned against the cage. Stevenson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shepherd seems to have recovered his senses.
Shepherd fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jacob Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sheldon Shepherd.
Shepherd fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stevenson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shepherd sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevenson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stevenson wants it to stay on the feet.
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
Shepherd rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stevenson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but Stevenson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Stevenson. Those never looked like landing.
Stevenson scores with a three punch combo!
Stevenson misses with a wild combination.
Stevenson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shepherd.
Stevenson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt - Shepherd sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but Stevenson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevenson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Stevenson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Shepherd clinches up against the cage.
Shepherd changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stevenson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Horrible takedown by Shepherd or perhaps it was just good defense by Stevenson which made him look bad.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stevenson!
Shepherd checks the leg kick nicely there.
Stevenson closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Stevenson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Shepherd - the referee stops the clock and Stevenson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Shepherd. Stevenson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Shepherd tries to clinch but Stevenson moves out of range.
A left and a right from Stevenson both land. Nice combination.
Stevenson looks to land a combination but Shepherd avoids it well.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stevenson circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice combination there by Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a wild combination.
Stevenson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevenson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shepherd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Stevenson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sheldon Shepherd's cut.
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.

Shepherd wants to clinch.
Shepherd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevenson.
Shepherd fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stevenson tries for a takedown but Shepherd sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stevenson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A combination from Stevenson does no damage.
Stevenson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Shepherd counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shepherd.
Shepherd changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stevenson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stevenson throws a right hand that Shepherd ducks under and follows up with a left that Shepherd also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jacob Stevenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevenson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shepherd tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stevenson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shepherd lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Shepherd tries for a takedown but Stevenson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jacob Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sheldon Shepherd.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shepherd.
Stevenson misses with the combination.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shepherd wants to clinch up but Stevenson keeps it at a distance.
Jacob Stevenson is winning the standup battle so far.
Stevenson fails to land with a series of punches.
Stevenson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shepherd wants to clinch up but Stevenson keeps it at a distance.
A punch combination from Stevenson misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stevenson but Stevenson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevenson fails to land with a series of punches.
Shepherd misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shepherd tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Stevenson misses.
Shepherd slips a jab from Stevenson.
Shepherd scores with a head kick.
A punch combination from Stevenson misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that Shepherd avoids nicely.
Stevenson slips a jab and a cross from Shepherd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shepherd fails with the takedown.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that Shepherd avoids nicely.
Stevenson scores with a three punch combo!
No luck for Shepherd with that takedown attempt.
Stevenson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shepherd tries to clinch there but Stevenson circles away.
Stevenson tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevenson misses with a few strikes there.
Shepherd dodges the punch combination from Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Stevenson.
Shepherd misses with a wild combination.
Stevenson swats away the attempt to clinch by Shepherd.
Stevenson tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shepherd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stevenson.
Shepherd shoots in and drives through. Stevenson sprawls well.
Danga de danga de dang - Stevenson scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepherd avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Stevenson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sheldon Shepherd's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Stevenson looks to land a combination but Shepherd avoids it well.
Stevenson throws a right hand that Shepherd ducks under and follows up with a left that Shepherd also avoids with ease.
Stevenson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Shepherd closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stevenson circles away.
Shepherd has a takedown stuffed.
Stevenson lands a two punch combo.
No joy there for Stevenson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shepherd looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stevenson is fending him off so far but Shepherd persists. Nope, Stevenson circles away and we're back to standing.
Jacob Stevenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sheldon Shepherd.
Stevenson throws a head kick but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd throws a right hand that Stevenson ducks under and follows up with a left that Stevenson also avoids with ease.
Shepherd takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shepherd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevenson.
Shepherd fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A left and a right from Stevenson both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shepherd.
Shepherd keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shepherd avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shepherd shoots in for a double leg but Stevenson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevenson looks to land a combination. Shepherd sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stevenson sprawls well. Stevenson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shepherd gets slowly back to his feet.
Shepherd avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd shoots in and drives through. Stevenson sprawls well.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shepherd shoots in for a takedown but Stevenson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No joy there for Stevenson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shepherd shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stevenson defends it nicely.
Stevenson throws a series of punches but Shepherd moves out of range.
Nice body kick from Shepherd.
Stevenson looks to land a combination but Shepherd avoids it well.
Shepherd tries to clinch up.
Shepherd dodges the punch combination from Stevenson.
Stevenson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson lands with a nice combination. Shepherd backs away looking to recover.
Shepherd tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stevenson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shepherd somewhat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stevenson!
Danga de danga de dang - Stevenson scores with a four punch combination!
Stevenson misses with a series of wild punches.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shepherd is defended easily by Stevenson.

Stevenson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shepherd, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson leaning against his opponent.
A short left from Stevenson.
Stevenson is looking to break free of the clinch but Shepherd has double underhooks.
Stevenson is trying to stall.
Shepherd drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stevenson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shepherd.
Shepherd tries to clinch up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Stevenson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stevenson, 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Stevenson!
An out of breath Jacob Stevenson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.