PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nipon Lunlana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Lunlana
vs
Shepard

168 cm
20
143 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
135 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nipon Lunlana!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Shepard!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepard throws out a leg kick but Lunlana moves out of range and Shepard only half commits.
Shepard missing with a left hand there. Lunlana was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lunlana fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shepard.
Lunlana lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shepard's sensitive parts.
Lunlana blocks a jab.
Shepard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shepard blocks the body kick.
Lunlana throws out a leg kick but Shepard moves out of range and Lunlana only half commits.
Shepard lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lunlana moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shepard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lunlana.
Shepard scores with a shot to the body.
Shepard is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard takes a swing at Lunlana's ribcage but misses.
Shepard throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lunlana.
Shepard throws an overhand right that lands on Lunlana's shoulder, as Lunlana tries to avoid the shot.
Shepard throws a chopping leg kick but Lunlana manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lunlana on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lunlana will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shepard misses with a body kick.
Shepard tries a head kick but it misses.
Lunlana drops his hands momentarily and Shepard takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shepard throws a head kick but Lunlana moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lunlana checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard throws a wild body kick that Lunlana sees coming a mile off.
A clash of legs there as Shepard blocks the low kick.
Shepard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Shepard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Shepard tries to clinch up.
Shepard throws a head kick that misses.
Shepard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lunlana's sensitive parts.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shepard falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lunlana makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Shepard misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Lunlana there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shepard connects with a leg kick. Lunlana looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shepard looks for the body kick but Lunlana saw that one coming.
Lunlana on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Lunlana closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lunlana lands with a kick to the ribs.
Shepard is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Lunlana takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lunlana tries to land a leg kick but Shepard saw it coming and moves away.
John Shepard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crunch! Shepard slams his shin into Lunlana's torso.
Shepard moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lunlana scores with a push kick.
A head kick misses from Shepard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shepard avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lunlana throws a low kick but Shepard avoids it.
Shepard takes a swing at Lunlana's ribcage but misses.
Shepard misses with an uppercut. Lunlana saw that one coming.
Lunlana throws a leg kick but Shepard sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lunlana takes a head kick and keeps coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard blocks a head kick by Lunlana.
Lunlana throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John 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.

A swing and a miss from Shepard.
Lunlana blocks a head kick by Shepard.

Shepard rushes Lunlana and presses him up against the cage.
Shepard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Shepard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shepard is trying to pull guard but Lunlana turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Nipon Lunlana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Shepard.

Lunlana breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shepard misses with a wild body shot.
Shepard closes the distance but Lunlana moves to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Shepard misses the shot to the body.
Lunlana takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lunlana throws a looping overhand right but Shepard ducks down to avoid it.
Shepard throws an overhand right that lands on Lunlana's shoulder, as Lunlana tries to avoid the shot.
Lunlana avoids the body shot from Shepard.
Lunlana showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shepard.
Lunlana thuds his shin into the meat of Shepard's side.
Lunlana doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shepard tries to clinch up
and Lunlana counters with a slapping leg kick.
John Shepard seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard closes the distance and clinches up with Lunlana, looking for a takedown. Shepard pushes Lunlana against the cage but Lunlana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shepard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shepard avoids a kick to the body.
Shepard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lunlana's hands.
Lunlana lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lunlana takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shepard throws a sloppy head kick and Lunlana moves out of range easily.
Lunlana misses with an uppercut. Shepard saw that one coming.
Good leg kick by Shepard there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shepard tries to land a body kick
and Lunlana counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lunlana takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lunlana avoids a kick to the body.
Shepard looks to score with a jab to the body but Lunlana is just out of range.
Shepard lands a glancing blow to the side of Lunlana's head.
Shepard throws a head kick but Lunlana moves out of range.
Shepard misses the shot to the body.
Lunlana blocks a low kick nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lunlana.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shepard.
Lunlana moves away from the strike by Shepard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lunlana ducks right into an uppercut from Shepard.
Lunlana feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Shepard's calf.
Shepard scores with a shot to the body.
Shepard throws a body punch but Lunlana moves out of range.
Shepard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shepard avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Shepard tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lunlana scores with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A low kick from Shepard misses
and Lunlana counters with a good, hard body kick but Shepard shrugs it off.
Lunlana fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shepard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Shepard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shepard chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lunlana can pounce on him.
Lunlana slaps away a takedown attempt from Shepard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lunlana scores with a push kick.
Shepard throws a head kick that misses.
Shepard's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lunlana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shepard.
Lunlana blocks a head kick by Shepard.
Shepard misses with a low kick as Lunlana jumps back.
Shepard misses with a body kick.
Lunlana moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lunlana swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lunlana manages to avoid it.
Shepard takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Shepard has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Lunlana.
Shepard throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lunlana.
Shepard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shepard lands a head kick. Lunlana smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Lunlana thows a body shot but no joy.
Shepard throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shepard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lunlana takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Lunlana staying out of range there.
Shepard tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circling - Shepard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shepard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shepard is looking to land body kicks.
Shepard goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Lunlana tries to score with a low kick but Shepard moves his leg out of the way.
Shepard swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lunlana on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Shepard throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lunlana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shepard works the jab nicely.
Shepard takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Shepard throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A good leg kick by Lunlana.
A head kick misses from Shepard.
Lunlana blocks the body kick.
Lunlana bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard throws a sloppy head kick
and Lunlana counters with an inside leg kick.
Shepard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shepard misses with a low kick.
Lunlana throws an overhand right that lands on Shepard's shoulder, as Shepard tries to avoid the shot.
Lunlana slips under a jab from Shepard.
Lunlana throws a head kick that Shepard semi-blocks.
Shepard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lunlana.
Shepard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lunlana shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shepard throws a sloppy head kick and Lunlana moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Shepard really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lunlana throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shepard lands with a good body shot.
Shepard attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shepard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shepard fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shepard throws a sloppy head kick and Lunlana moves out of range easily.
Lunlana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shepard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shepard checks a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lunlana, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Shepard lands but Lunlana takes it in his stride.
Lunlana misses with a low kick.
Lunlana moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lunlana misses with a body kick.
A head kick by Shepard misses
and Lunlana counters with a head kick.

Shepard is rocked!
Shepard tries to land a front kick but Lunlana steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shepard is still on wobbly legs! Can Lunlana finish him?
Lunlana blocks a head kick by Shepard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shepard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shepard is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Lunlana tried to score with a low kick but Shepard checks it.
Shepard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shepard seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shepard misses with a kick to the body.
Shepard throws a leg kick
letting Lunlana counter with a right hand.
Lunlana throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lunlana connects with a leg kick. Shepard looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
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!
Lunlana throws a leg kick that is checked
and Shepard counters with a nice body kick.
Lunlana jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lunlana throws a leg kick but Shepard sees it coming and moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Shepard misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepard blocks a leg kick.
Shepard misses with an uppercut.
Shepard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shepard lands a head kick!
Lunlana keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shepard.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shepard. Lunlana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shepard plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Good work by Lunlana as he checks the leg kick.
Shepard tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Lunlana makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard misses with a kick to the body
and Lunlana counters with a good low kick that Shepard was not able to check.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shepard. Lunlana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lunlana blocks the body kick.
Shepard lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A head kick misses from Shepard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepard throws a head kick but Lunlana moves out of range.
Shepard takes a swing at Lunlana's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but John Shepard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lunlana misses with a low kick.
Shepard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shepard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shepard works Lunlana's body with a nice hook.
Shepard misses with a two punch combination.
Shepard avoids the head kick by Lunlana.
Lunlana throws a chopping leg kick but Shepard manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Shepard connects with a right hand. Lunlana shakes it off.
Lunlana avoids a kick to the body.
Lunlana avoids the body shot from Shepard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lunlana momentarily.
Lunlana fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shepard.
Shepard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lunlana manages to avoid it.
Lunlana keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shepard.
Shepard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lunlana was well out of range. Poor timing from Shepard.
Shepard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lunlana walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lunlana looks to land a right hand but Shepard moved out of range.
A head kick by Shepard misses
and Lunlana counters with a thumping low kick.
Nipon Lunlana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard misses with a head kick.
Shepard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lunlana blocks a head kick by Shepard.
Lunlana uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shepard.
Lunlana throws a sloppy head kick
and Shepard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A clash of legs there as Shepard blocks the low kick.
Lunlana cracks the inside of Shepard's front leg.
Shepard blocks a head kick by Lunlana.
Shepard feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lunlana's calf.
Lunlana tries to move into range but Shepard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lunlana throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Shepard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lunlana misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lunlana dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shepard. That did some damage!
Shepard checks a leg kick.
Lunlana is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Shepard's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Shepard misses with a body punch
and Lunlana counters with a slapping leg kick.
Shepard dips to his left and cracks Lunlana with an uppercut!
Lunlana on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shepard fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lunlana on the side of the head.
John Shepard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lunlana bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shepard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shepard misses with a head kick.
Shepard lands a nice hook to Lunlana's body. Lunlana takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Lunlana throws a body kick that misses.
Shepard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lunlana moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lunlana circles away quickly and effectively.
Lunlana avoids the head kick by Shepard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Shepard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shepard has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Shepard! John Shepard retains his bantamweight title!