PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maxx Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wes Weddle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Weddle is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: remember the name - fort minor. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shepard
vs
Weddle

170 cm
23
140 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

168 cm
30
150 lbs
19 - 20 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Decent elbows
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maxx Shepard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Wes Weddle!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepard scores with a punch to the head.

Shepard moves into the clinch.

Weddle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shepard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Weddle as he avoids it easily.
Shepard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Weddle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Weddle scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Weddle tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Weddle goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Shepard rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Weddle's guard! Nice work there by Shepard!

Weddle had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shepard defends it easily.
Shepard wants to pass the guard but Weddle is keeping the position.
Shepard postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weddle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shepard manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Shepard trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shepard landing shots from mount.
Shepard lands a heavy elbow.
BOOM! Shepard connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Shepard dominating with strikes here.
Weddle is looking to improve his position but Shepard isn't that keen on the idea.

Shepard looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shepard lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Weddle hang on?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Weddle is desperately trying to improve his position but Shepard has a good base and remains in mount.
Shepard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Weddle can't escape the position.

Shepard goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Weddle is on top in guard.
Shepard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Weddle throws a big right hand that misses.
Weddle wants to control from the top but Shepard keeps moving.
Weddle won't allow Shepard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weddle postures up in Shepard's guard and throws a big left but Shepard blocks it.
Weddle content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shepard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Weddle manages to get himself to full guard.
Weddle working a defensive guard here.
Weddle wants to sweep here but Shepard controlling him for the moment.
Shepard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Weddle is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shepard is controlling him.
Shepard tries to free his leg and advance position but Weddle is retaining full guard.
Shepard chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Shepard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Weddle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shepard preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard postures up and lands a big shot to Weddle's brow.
Shepard trying to control the position from guard on top but Weddle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shepard tries to free his leg and advance position but Weddle is retaining full guard.

Weddle is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shepard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shepard advances to half guard.
Shepard drops an elbow to the side of Weddle's head.
Shepard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Weddle is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shepard looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Weddle with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Shepard is looking to advance position but Weddle won't allow it.
Weddle strikes from the bottom but Shepard uses the opportunity to move to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxx Shepard dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Weddle fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shepard avoids it really well and circles away.
Weddle tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shepard leaves Weddle with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Weddle misses with a wild combination.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Weddle.
Shepard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Weddle's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shepard wants to improve his position but Weddle is controlling well.
Maxx Shepard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Weddle not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard is looking for a sweep. Weddle is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Weddle tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Shepard.
Weddle thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Weddle thows a huge punch but Shepard dodges it nicely.

Shepard pushes Weddle off and gets back to his feet.
Weddle scores with a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Weddle is defended easily by Shepard.
Maxx Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wes Weddle.

Shepard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Weddle is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepard is working for a kimura but Weddle is defending it quite comfortably.
Shepard uses his free foot to push down on Weddle's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Weddle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Weddle can't escape the position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Shepard here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Shepard scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Shepard drops a big elbow. That's hurt Weddle! More shots from Shepard and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Maxx Shepard!