PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gio Avila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shepherd is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Alter Bridge - Addicted to pain . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Avila
vs
Shepherd

179 cm
24
140 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
165 lbs
8 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gio Avila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rufus Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepherd tries to close the distance and clinch but Avila swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Avila half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Avila throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shepherd's waist but Shepherd gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Avila off to one side.
Avila fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Avila fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Avila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Avila swats away the attempt to clinch by Shepherd.
Avila feinted with a counter takedown.
Avila misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Avila really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepherd stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shepherd wants it to stay on the feet.
Shepherd moves in looking to clinch but Avila pushes him off.
Shepherd moves in looking to clinch but Avila pushes him off.
Avila shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shepherd tries a low kick but Avila avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avila goes for a double leg but Shepherd avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shepherd continues to drive forward.
Avila shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shepherd defends it nicely.

Avila dives in and scores a takedown into Shepherd's guard.

Shepherd is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Avila is aware though and is defending well.
Avila has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Avila thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Avila 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.

Avila drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Avila jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shepherd really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Avila. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Avila drops back looking for a leg! Shepherd is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shepherd manages to kick Avila off! Avila jumps back into Shepherd's guard.
Shepherd pulls Avila in close to prevent any damage.

Shepherd is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Avila defends well.
Shepherd wants to stand but Avila is controlling the position.

Avila 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Avila thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Shepherd working for a triangle but Avila defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Avila 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Shepherd is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Avila is aware though and is defending well.
Shepherd is trying to keep Avila in close.

Avila drops back looking for a leg! Shepherd is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shepherd manages to kick Avila off! Avila jumps back into Shepherd's guard.

Avila thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shepherd is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice sprawl there from Shepherd as Avila shoots in.
Shepherd misses with a head kick.
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 Gio Avila will probably get the nod.
That's time! Avila's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Avila goes for a double leg but Shepherd avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shepherd continues to drive forward.
Shepherd stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shepherd wants it to stay on the feet.
Shepherd tries to clinch up but Avila circles away and keeps his distance.
Shepherd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gio Avila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Avila looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shepherd is fending him off so far but Avila persists. Nope, Shepherd circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Avila. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Avila blocks a head kick by Shepherd.
Shepherd tries to clinch

and Avila counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Shepherd!
Shepherd is looking to regain half guard here but Avila keeps moving and retains side control.

Avila is trying to get an arm triangle but Shepherd is defending well.
Shepherd tries to buck Avila off but Avila is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Avila tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Avila tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Avila has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Avila wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shepherd, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Shepherd's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is trying to improve his position.

Avila tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Avila in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Shepherd is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gio Avila!
Gio Avila thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Rufus Shepherd stepped up to the mic, saying 'Unfortunately i lost but i will train a lot to win next fight for myself and you- my fans'.