PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nathaniel Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waka Flo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flo has chosen Dr. Dre ft Snoop Dog as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shepard
vs
Flo

182 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nathaniel Shepard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Waka Flo!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Flo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Flo is keen to just control but Shepard is a slippery customer.
Shepard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Flo is working away from the top position though.

Flo is trying to work for a kimura but Shepard is defending well.
Shepard has his hands clasped together around Flo's back. He's all about the action.
Shepard tries to kick Flo off but Flo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shepard desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Shepard trying to control here.
Shepard keeping hold of Flo's head, controlling as best he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nathaniel Shepard wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Nice sprawl there from Shepard as Flo shoots in.
Shepard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Flo fails with the takedown

and Shepard moves into the clinch.
Shepard has had enough of the clinch but Flo keeps him there for the moment.

Flo decides to pull guard.
Flo wants to improve his position but instead Shepard has moved into half guard.
Still in half guard, Shepard seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Shepard decides to stand up.
Flo moves to clinch but Shepard breaks away

and Shepard moves into the clinch.
Shepard is trying to pull guard but Flo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Shepard wants to break free but Flo has control.
Flo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shepard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nathaniel Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waka Flo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Flo jumps guard and drags Shepard to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Shepard is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Flo keeping full guard, as Shepard tries to pass.
Flo wants to control but Shepard passes easily into half guard.
Flo wants to get back to full guard.
Shepard tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Shepard is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Flo!
Shepard controlling the pace for now.
Shepard seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Flo for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathaniel Shepard dominated that round.
That's time! Shepard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Flo shoots in for a takedown but Shepard shows good takedown defense.
Shepard is looking to clinch.
Flo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Nathaniel Shepard has been cut.
Flo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Shepard counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Shepard decides to stand up, so the ref orders Flo to his feet.
Flo scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flo shoots and misses
and Shepard counters with a two punch combo.
Nathaniel Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waka Flo.
Flo is breathing heavily.
Flo tries to clinch up but Shepard circles away and keeps his distance.
Flo swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shepard counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Flo tries a head kick but it misses.
Flo tries for a takedown but Shepard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shepard lands with a kick to the temple. Flo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Shepard closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shepard controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flo is trying to stand.
Shepard takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Shepard lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Shepard content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nathaniel Shepard wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from Shepard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shepard scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Shepard wants to stand but Flo has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Shepard is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shepard gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Flo tries to clinch but Shepard moves away

and Shepard moves into the clinch.

Shepard pulls Flo into guard.
Shepard wants to sweep here but Flo controlling him for the moment.
Shepard is controlling Flo's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nathaniel Shepard just wasn't active enough.
Flo wants to clinch but Shepard slips to the side
and Shepard counters with a left and a right that stings Flo.
Flo looks for a takedown but Shepard sprawls well.
Flo looks for the body kick but Shepard saw that one coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Flo avoids the head kick by Shepard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathaniel Shepard dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Shepard's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Flo clinches.
Flo throws a head punch that misses.
Flo jumps guard but Shepard stands there with Flo around his waist. Flo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Flo prevents Shepard from breaking the clinch.
A body shot lands from Shepard.
Flo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Shepard is trying to trip Flo. He has hold of a leg but Flo is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Shepard persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Flo looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Shepard has picked Flo up and slammed him! Flo can't keep hold of the triangle and Shepard manages to pass to side control!
Flo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shepard taking a breather here.

Shepard decides to stand back up. Shepard steps back and let's Flo get back to his feet.
Nathaniel Shepard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flo tries for a takedown but Shepard circles away easily

and Shepard counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Shepard working Flo over with strikes.
Shepard is controlling the pace.
Flo has hold of Shepard's hands but Shepard slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Shepard controlling the action here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shepard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Flo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shepard is working away from the top position though.
Well, if Shepard is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Shepard is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Flo sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Shepard is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Shepard wants to get back to his feet.
Shepard stalling.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Shepard works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathaniel Shepard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shepard, 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathaniel Shepard!