PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trey Anastasio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anastasio's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tweezer. Trey Anastasio has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Anastasio
vs
Shepard

173 cm
24
195 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
188 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Knockout power

{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition
Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Trey Anastasio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Shepard!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Joseph Jones and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Anastasio rushes Shepard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shepard tries for a takedown but Anastasio manages to get underhooks.
Anastasio goes for a takedown attempt but Shepard pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Anastasio is looking to clinch but Shepard is avoiding it.
Anastasio looks for a takedown but Shepard sprawls well.
Anastasio misses with a takedown attempt

and Shepard counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shepard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trey Anastasio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Anastasio wants to stand and escape but Shepard is having none of it.

Anastasio working for a triangle but Shepard defends it easily.
Shepard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shepard working some strikes from top position.
Shepard landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anastasio pushes Shepard off and gets back to his feet.
Anastasio throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shepard.
Anastasio looks to land a combination but Shepard avoids it well.
Trey Anastasio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anastasio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Anastasio is defended easily by Shepard.
Anastasio scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Shepard throws a leg kick

and Anastasio counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Anastasio could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio is trying to control the action in half guard but Shepard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Shepard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anastasio pulls his head out easily.
Anastasio prevents Shepard from improving his position.
Shepard is trying is best to control the position here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Anastasio wants to work for an arm triangle but Shepard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shepard gets back to full guard.

Anastasio drops back looking for a leg! Shepard is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shepard manages to kick Anastasio off! Anastasio jumps back into Shepard's guard.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Anastasio from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shepard can do anything to dispel that myth.

Shepard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Anastasio gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shepard working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard wants to sweep here but Anastasio controlling him for the moment.
Anastasio is pushing down on Shepard's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shepard is fighting to maintain full guard but Anastasio has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shepard tries to get to full guard but Anastasio has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Anastasio takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Shepard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anastasio pulls his head out easily.
Anastasio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shepard keeps working.
Anastasio moves into full mount! Shepard won't be happy about that!
Anastasio trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is wriggling around trying to escape.

Anastasio wants to finish this one by submission but Shepard is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Anastasio.
Shepard is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Anastasio can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shepard is looking to escape.
Shepard tries to hold on but Anastasio pushes him away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shepard is desperately trying to improve his position but Anastasio has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Anastasio looking to secure an arm triangle but Shepard defends it well.
Shepard is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Trey Anastasio will probably get the nod.
That's time! Anastasio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Anastasio checks a low kick from Shepard.
Anastasio shoots in for a double leg but Shepard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anastasio misses with a wild combination.
Anastasio lands a jab to the head.
A head kick from Anastasio lands but Shepard takes it in his stride.
Anastasio wants to clinch.

Anastasio shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shepard is trying to defend but Anastasio finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shepard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Anastasio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shepard regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anastasio trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard 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.
Shepard wants to stand up but Anastasio is controlling him.
Anastasio works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Shepard tries to get to full guard but Anastasio has control of the leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Anastasio is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shepard defends it well.
Shepard moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Anastasio from controlling successfully.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anastasio 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.
Anastasio wants to pass the guard but Shepard is keeping the position.

Shepard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Trey Anastasio overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anastasio pushing down on Shepard's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shepard landing strikes from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shepard wants to improve his position but Anastasio is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Anastasio connects with a nice short shot to Shepard's temple.
Shepard tries to roll over but Anastasio keeps him under control.

Anastasio is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anastasio is looking for a kimura but Shepard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Anastasio to get the leverage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Anastasio wants to take a breather but Shepard is having none of it.

Shepard looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shepard is trying to stand back up but Anastasio is controlling him
Shepard missing with punches from the bottom.
Anastasio throwing shots but Shepard is blocking nicely.
Shepard makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shepard.
Anastasio looking to pass the guard.

Shepard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anastasio slips nicely into half guard.
Anastasio thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Anastasio works his way into full mount!

Anastasio has hold of Shepard's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Shepard manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Shepard sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anastasio throwing shots but Shepard is blocking nicely.

Shepard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anastasio pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trey Anastasio dominated that second 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.

Anastasio displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shepard.
Shepard shoots for a takedown but Anastasio saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Anastasio shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shepard but Shepard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Anastasio looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shepard is fending him off so far but Anastasio persists. Nope, Shepard circles away and we're back to standing.
Anastasio tries for a takedown but Shepard circles away easily

and Shepard counters with a shoot takedown. Anastasio fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trey Anastasio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shepard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Anastasio trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anastasio is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shepard is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Anastasio is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shepard defends well.

Shepard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shepard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Anastasio has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shepard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shepard's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Anastasio might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Shepard drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Shepard seems to have locked his on tight now - Anastasio screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Shepard, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). John Shepard!
A relieved looking John Shepard thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.