PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Shephard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincenzo Vitalli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shephard comes into the arena with You All Everybody blaring out of the sound system. Vitalli is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by i kill cause im hungry. Vincenzo Vitalli told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Shephard
vs
Vitalli

188 cm
36
245 lbs
27 - 18 - 0

200 cm
29
270 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Bare Knuckle Fisticuffs Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Shephard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vincenzo Vitalli!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vitalli looks to throw the jab but Shephard is out of range.
Vitalli scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Shephard decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Shephard thows a huge punch but Vitalli dodges it nicely.
Vitalli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vitalli is refusing to be controlled, as Shephard sits in half guard.
Vitalli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Vitalli trying to control the position.
Shephard stopping the sweep attempt from Vitalli.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vitalli is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vitalli looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Shephard tries to free his leg and advance position but Vitalli is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vitalli working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shephard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shephard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vitalli wants to sweep but no luck.
Shephard forces his way into half guard.
Shephard thows a huge punch but Vitalli dodges it nicely.
Vitalli wants to improve his position but Shephard is controlling well.
Shephard content to control rather than advance.
Nice strikes from Shephard there.
Vitalli manages to get to full guard.
Shephard 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shephard pushes down on Vitalli's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vitalli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vitalli on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Vitalli wants to control but Shephard is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Shephard is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Vitalli trying to control from the bottom.
Vitalli gets back to full guard.
Vitalli trying to keep a closed guard but Shephard is proving a slippery customer.
Vitalli wants to sweep here but Shephard controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shephard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shephard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shephard forces his way into half guard.
Vitalli is looking for a sweep. Shephard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shephard is trying to control. Vitalli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vitalli is looking to improve his position.
Shephard perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Vitalli tries to get to full guard but Shephard has control of the leg.
Vitalli is looking to control Shephard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vitalli avoid being mounted?
Vitalli tries to roll over but Shephard keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shephard is nestled in close to Vitalli, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Vitalli wants to control but Shephard is keeping busy.
Shephard is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Vitalli moves into full guard.
Vitalli manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shephard manages to get himself to full guard.

Shephard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shephard has control of Vitalli's left arm, preventing Vitalli from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vitalli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shephard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shephard thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shephard dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shephard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vitalli but Vitalli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice takedown defense from Vitalli. No joy for Shephard on that attempt.
Vitalli lands a really nice looking cross but Shephard seems unphased.

It looks like Jack Shephard has been cut.
Vitalli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shephard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Shephard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vitalli scores with a jab. Shephard acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Shephard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Vitalli!
Vitalli gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Vitalli is trying to get back to full guard.

Shephard 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.
Vitalli is looking to control Shephard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vitalli avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shephard is nestled in close to Vitalli, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Vitalli gets full guard.

Vitalli has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shephard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vitalli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vitalli is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Shephard won't allow Vitalli to pass to mount.
Shephard is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shephard makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Shephard gets the takedown into side control.
Jack Shephard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vitalli gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Vitalli is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shephard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shephard's back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shephard defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Vitalli's arms.

Vitalli has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Shephard rolls, trying to escape but Vitalli keeps control of the position.

Vitalli has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Shephard has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Shephard wants to escape the position.
Shephard is working hard here to advance position.

Shephard is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Vitalli gets his way!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vitalli working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Vitalli keeps control of the position as Shephard tries to break free.

Vitalli is looking for the choke from the back position but Shephard is controlling his hands well.
Vitalli is hanging on to Shephard's back as he tries to escape.

Shephard is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Vitalli gets his way!
Shephard manages to reverse the position and now he's in Vitalli's guard. Nice work there by Shephard.
Vitalli wants to sweep here but Shephard controlling him for the moment.
Shephard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shephard trying to control but Vitalli is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vitalli avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shephard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vitalli is keeping the position for now.

Shephard got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vitalli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shephard has managed to get both his arms back between Vitalli's legs - danger averted.
Shephard sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Vitalli's guard.
Shephard prevents Vitalli from improving his position.

Shephard wants to work for an arm triangle but Vitalli is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shephard wants to pass the guard but Vitalli is defending well.
Vitalli is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shephard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shephard's back!
Vitalli is not going to allow Shephard to sit and survive in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vincenzo Vitalli will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jack Shephard's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shephard shoots and misses
and Vitalli cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab lands there for Vitalli.
Vitalli attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shephard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vitalli sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shephard somewhat.
Shephard fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Shephard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shephard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Vitalli tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shephard is in Vitalli's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shephard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vitalli looking to control.
Shephard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shephard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shephard is pushing down on Vitalli's leg trying to pass to half guard. Vitalli is fighting to maintain full guard but Shephard has managed to sneak the leg through.
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. Shephard connects with a nice short shot to Vitalli's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shephard wants to take a breather but Vitalli is having none of it.
Shephard passes the guard and advances to mount!
Vitalli keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Vitalli regains half guard.
Vitalli tries to roll over but Shephard keeps him under control.
Vitalli moves into full guard.
Vitalli keeping full guard, as Shephard tries to pass.
Vitalli lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shephard wants to sweep but no luck.
Vitalli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shephard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vitalli trying to control the position from guard on top but Shephard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shephard lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shephard trying to control but Vitalli is working from the bottom.
Shephard scoring with some ground and pound.

Vitalli is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shephard is aware though and is defending well.
Vitalli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shephard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vitalli manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shephard manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shephard is on top in guard.

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

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shephard is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vitalli wants to improve his position but Shephard is controlling well.
Vitalli trying to control here.
Shephard perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Shephard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Shephard is looking to advance position but Vitalli won't allow it.
Vitalli trying to control from the bottom.
Vitalli is looking to improve his position.
Shephard is keen to just control but Vitalli is a slippery customer.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Vitalli has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shephard is working away from the top position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Shephard showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shephard has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Shephard!
Jack Shephard decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
Vincenzo Vitalli was interviewed post fight and said 'I believe, in my prime, I could have fought with anybody alive.'.