PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dante Johns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johns
vs
Shepherd

208 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

189 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dante Johns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shepherd darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Shepherd is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johns is defending against the submission attempts here by Shepherd.

Shepherd is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepherd trying to pass the guard but Johns defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shepherd is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shepherd is working for a kimura but Johns is defending it quite comfortably.

Shepherd is looking for a kimura here.

Shepherd is working for a kimura but Johns is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shepherd is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.

Shepherd is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shepherd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johns has managed to free his arm - good work.

Shepherd is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johns doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shepherd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Shepherd is looking for a kimura but Johns is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shepherd to get the leverage.
Johns tries to get to full guard but Shepherd has control of the leg.

Shepherd wants to work for an arm triangle but Johns is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Shepherd is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johns is just riding it out for now. Shepherd eventually gives up the hold.

Shepherd is trying to work for a kimura but Johns is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Shepherd looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Shepherd wants to work for an arm triangle but Johns is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shepherd dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dante Johns's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shepherd throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Johns tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shepherd is in Johns's guard.

Shepherd is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Johns is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Johns has escaped and now he's on top!

Shepherd lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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

Shepherd is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shepherd has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Johns is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Shepherd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johns wants to stand but Shepherd has his arm trapped.
Shepherd manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Shepherd is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johns sees it coming and defends easily.

Shepherd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johns has managed to free his arm - good work.

Shepherd is looking for a kimura but Johns is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shepherd to get the leverage.

Shepherd is trying to work for a kimura but Johns is defending well.
Johns is in trouble now - Shepherd has advanced to mount!
Shepherd is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Johns is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Johns and Shepherd has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

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

Shepherd goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Johns has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shepherd but great work by Johns.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd tries to bench press Johns off him but Johns keeps the position.

Johns wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shepherd, who protects the arm well.
Shepherd is trying to improve his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shepherd can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shepherd manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Shepherd is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Shepherd is working for a submission of some sort.

Shepherd wants to work for an arm triangle but Johns is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johns has managed to free his arm - good work.

Shepherd seems to be looking for submissions.
Johns is holding on to half guard well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shepherd is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johns is just riding it out for now. Shepherd eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shepherd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dante Johns's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Shepherd changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johns looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Shepherd goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Johns has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shepherd but great work by Johns.
Shepherd is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Johns wants to stand up but Shepherd has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Shepherd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johns pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shepherd looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shepherd takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Shepherd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shepherd has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johns is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shepherd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johns wants to get back to his feet.

Johns is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Shepherd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johns pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Shepherd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johns pulls his head out easily.

Shepherd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shepherd manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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

Shepherd has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johns can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Shepherd looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Johns passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is looking for a sweep.
Shepherd is trying to work for a sweep but Johns has mounted him!
Shepherd keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Johns dominating with strikes here.
Johns manages to capitalize on a mistake by Shepherd to take his back!
You can see the frustration on Shepherd's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Johns working for a choke but Shepherd is defending well.
Shepherd wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johns is persistently looking for the submission but Shepherd is defending it well.
Shepherd tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shepherd bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Dante Johns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Shepherd postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Johns is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Shepherd, into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Johns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shepherd 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Shepherd!