PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tad Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hyashi Hayakawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Tad Shepherd has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Shepherd
vs
Hayakawa

191 cm
19
140 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

165 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tad Shepherd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hyashi Hayakawa!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayakawa swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shepherd counters with a left and a right that stings Hayakawa.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hayakawa. Shepherd does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hayakawa connects with an inside leg kick.
Hayakawa leaves Shepherd with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Hayakawa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Shepherd tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hayakawa is in Shepherd's guard.
Hayakawa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shepherd is keeping the position for now.
Shepherd being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shepherd escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hayakawa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hayakawa looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayakawa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hayakawa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hayakawa tries to free his leg and advance position but Shepherd is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hayakawa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hayakawa.
Shepherd is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shepherd sneaks back into half guard.
Nice strikes from Hayakawa there.
Ground and pound from Hayakawa.
Hayakawa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayakawa controlling the pace.
Shepherd trying to control here.
Hayakawa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shepherd tries to get to full guard but Hayakawa has control of the leg.
Shepherd blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hayakawa.
Hayakawa slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shepherd is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hayakawa is controlling the pace.
Hayakawa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hayakawa misses with a head shot. Shepherd uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hyashi Hayakawa dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hayakawa misses the jab.

Shepherd gets caught flat footed, as Hayakawa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hyashi Hayakawa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hayakawa throws an elbow that misses. Shepherd uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hayakawa's guard. Nice move by Shepherd!
Hayakawa looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Let's hope that Hayakawa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd is standing up over Hayakawa. Hayakawa looks to escape but Shepherd dives into side control.
Hayakawa trying to control but Shepherd flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Hayakawa manages to reverse the position and now he's in Shepherd's guard. Nice work there by Hayakawa.
Hayakawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hayakawa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shepherd is looking to stand up but Hayakawa isn't so interested in that idea.
Hayakawa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hayakawa wants to pass the guard but Shepherd is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayakawa landing some decent shots from guard.
Hayakawa sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hayakawa gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Shepherd counters with a left and a right that stings Hayakawa.

Hayakawa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayakawa is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hayakawa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hayakawa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hayakawa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hyashi Hayakawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Hayakawa falls off balance throwing a combination
and Shepherd counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hayakawa misses with a double jab
enabling Shepherd to counter with a crisp jab.

Shepherd gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hayakawa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shepherd is trying to keep Hayakawa in close.
Hayakawa sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepherd tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hayakawa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayakawa wants to pass the guard but Shepherd is keeping the position.
Hayakawa is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hayakawa misses with a combination
and Shepherd counters with a one-two to the body.
Hayakawa throws a body kick that misses
and Hayakawa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hayakawa looking to score a takedown here. Shepherd is defending well but Hayakawa drives through and ends up in Shepherd's guard.
Hayakawa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hayakawa throws a big right hand that misses.
Hayakawa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
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. Hayakawa connects with a nice short shot to Shepherd's temple.
Shepherd wants to control but Hayakawa is keeping busy.
Hayakawa slows the pace down in half guard.
Hayakawa thows a huge punch but Shepherd dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hayakawa in particular looking to stall.
Hayakawa trying to pass the guard but Shepherd defending well.
Hyashi Hayakawa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hayakawa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hayakawa in particular looking to stall.
Shepherd gets full guard.
Shepherd really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hayakawa postures up in Shepherd's guard and throws a big left but Shepherd blocks it.
Shepherd not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hayakawa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hayakawa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hayakawa looks to land a body kick but Shepherd moved away.

Hayakawa scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hayakawa controlling from side mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shepherd is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hyashi Hayakawa.
I've got Hayakawa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hyashi Hayakawa!