PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maria Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Sheperd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Freeman
vs
Sheperd

150 cm
19
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Maria Freeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Sheperd!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freeman throws a head kick that misses.
Sheperd dives in and grabs Freeman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Freeman pushes down on Sheperd's head and hops out.
Sheperd looks to score with a jab to the body but Freeman is just out of range.

Sheperd closes the distance and pushes Freeman back into the cage.
Sheperd stalling the fight.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sheperd stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalling in the clinch from Freeman.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Freeman just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sheperd's brow.
Sheperd has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Freeman is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sheperd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Sheperd.
Freeman misses with an attempted mid kick.
Freeman avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick misses from Sheperd.
Sheperd checks the leg kick.
Freeman throws a head kick that misses
and Sheperd counters with a left and a right that stings Freeman.
Sheperd tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Freeman defends well and Sheperd ends up having to push Freeman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Maria Freeman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sheperd.
Sheperd swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman tries to clinch there but Sheperd circles away.

Sheperd clinches up with Freeman and pushes him back against the cage.
Freeman is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sheperd gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Freeman tries to pull guard but Sheperd holds him up against the cage and eventually Freeman drops back down to his feet.
Sheperd is looking for a takedown.

Freeman breaks the clinch.

Sheperd tries to keep at a distance but Freeman has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Freeman manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sheperd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sheperd with a poor takedown
and Sheperd takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Freeman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Sheperd is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Freeman's half guard.
Freeman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Freeman uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sheperd looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freeman preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sheperd trying to control the action but Freeman is working from the bottom.

Sheperd decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Freeman throws a sloppy head kick and Sheperd moves out of range easily.
Sheperd shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Freeman but Freeman pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Freeman could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Sheperd closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joe Sheperd will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sheperd goes for a double leg but Freeman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Freeman continues to drive forward.
It looked like Freeman wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Sheperd shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sheperd showed some decent athleticism there.

Freeman manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Sheperd keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sheperd has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Freeman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sheperd tries to land a knee to the head but Freeman blocks with his arms.
Sheperd avoiding damage as Freeman throws knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Freeman.
Sheperd tries to pull guard but Freeman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Maria Freeman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sheperd.
Sheperd goes for a takedown attempt but Freeman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sheperd throws a series of strikes that have Freeman backpedaling.

It looks like Maria Freeman has been cut.
A lazy body kick from Sheperd
letting Freeman counter with a right hand.
Sheperd slips a straight right by Freeman.
Freeman throws the left hand but Sheperd avoids the punch easily.
Freeman throws a head kick but Sheperd moves out of range.
Sheperd avoids the head kick by Freeman.

Sheperd has Freeman up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sheperd.
Sheperd tries to pull guard but Freeman won't allow it.
Sheperd tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Freeman just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sheperd is trying to break the clinch but Freeman has him pressed against the cage.
Freeman misses with a punch to the body.

Sheperd pulls guard successfully.
Freeman throwing strikes but missing.
Freeman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Freeman has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheperd has a closed guard, preventing Freeman from standing up.
Freeman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Freeman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Freeman throws a strike but Sheperd rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sheperd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Freeman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Freeman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Freeman is really struggling to control Sheperd but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Freeman manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Freeman tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Freeman taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheperd tries to pull guard but Freeman won't allow it.

Sheperd escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sheperd fails with a takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Sheperd.
Freeman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Sheperd has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Maria Freeman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maria Freeman's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sheperd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Freeman.
Sheperd fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Freeman looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Sheperd moves into the clinch.
Sheperd jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Freeman walks away with a smile on his face. Sheperd gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Sheperd looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freeman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sheperd is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Freeman controls Sheperd momentarily but Sheperd frees himself.
Sheperd really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Freeman. 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 one minute gone in the round.
Sheperd trying to control but Freeman is working from the bottom.
Sheperd stopping the sweep attempt from Freeman.
Sheperd postures up.
Sheperd trying to control the position from guard on top but Freeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Freeman working a defensive guard but Sheperd passes into half guard.
Sheperd seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Freeman makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Freeman.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Freeman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sheperd stands up from Freeman's guard - Sheperd perhaps looking for a knockout.
Joe Sheperd seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Sheperd forces Freeman back against the cage and clinches.

Sheperd breaks from the clinch.
Sheperd shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Freeman pinned against the cage. Freeman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sheperd looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Freeman working a defensive guard here.
Freeman can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sheperd controls the pace.
Freeman keeping full guard, as Sheperd tries to pass.
Freeman keeping moving, preventing Sheperd from controlling successfully.
Freeman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Freeman pushes Sheperd off and scrambles back to his feet.
Freeman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Freeman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Freeman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Freeman wants it to stay on the feet.
Freeman is looking to counter with a body kick.
Maria Freeman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Sheperd.
Sheperd tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Freeman swivels and escapes.
Sheperd throws a wild body kick that Freeman sees coming a mile off.
Freeman throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Freeman throws a big shot that misses.
Sheperd tries to counter with a clinch but Freeman shakes him off and moves away.

Sheperd closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joe Sheperd.
I think Sheperd has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Sheperd!