PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Morrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Sheppards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morrow comes to the cage accompanied by Final Countdown. This should be a great matchup!

Morrow
vs
Sheppards

162 cm
28
159 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

181 cm
29
159 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Morrow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Carl Sheppards!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheppards tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Morrow connects with a solid leg kick.
Alex Morrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Sheppards misses its intended target.
Morrow was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sheppards has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Morrow fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sheppards.
Sheppards misses with a hook.
A lazy left from Sheppards finds it's target.

Morrow moves into the clinch successfully.
Morrow tries to work over Sheppards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Morrow fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sheppards is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sheppards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheppards tries to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling the position.
A shot in the inside from Morrow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sheppards jumps guard but Morrow turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppards trying to control the position but instead, Morrow has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sheppards into the cage.
Sheppards prevents a body shot from Morrow.

Morrow breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sheppards avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good standup being displayed there by Morrow as he connects with a hook.
Morrow swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sheppards looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sheppards swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Morrow.
Sheppards misses the shot to the body.
Morrow connects with a leg kick. Sheppards looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morrow. Sheppards does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morrow moves into the clinch.
Sheppards wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sheppards stalls.
Sheppards controlling the action here for a moment.
Sheppards blocks a body shot from Morrow.
A nice left hand lands by Morrow.
Morrow works on Sheppards's body with a couple of short punches.
Morrow avoiding damage.

Sheppards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Morrow waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sheppards.
Sheppards tests Morrow's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Morrow tries to bum rush Sheppards with a series of wild strikes but Sheppards uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrow with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Morrow throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sheppards now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sheppards throws an off balance right hand
and Morrow counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morrow keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Morrow appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Morrow thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sheppards if he has to take too many more of those.
Morrow ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Sheppards looks to throw the jab but Morrow is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Sheppards.
Morrow goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sheppards missing with a left hand there. Morrow was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sheppards throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards misses with a wild body shot.
Morrow cracks Sheppards with a good jab.

It looks like Carl Sheppards has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Sheppards.
Morrow steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sheppards.
Morrow feints and then cracks Sheppards's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sheppards down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morrow scores with a jab.
Sheppards throws a series of punches but Morrow avoids them all with ease.

Morrow has Sheppards up against the cage in a clinch.
Sheppards wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Morrow lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Morrow misses with a body punch.
Sheppards is trying to break free.
Morrow misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Morrow dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Carl Sheppards'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.

Morrow is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Morrow fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A swing and a miss from Morrow.
Morrow scores with a nice strike.
Morrow doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Morrow lands with a kick to the ribs.
Morrow throws a low kick but Sheppards moves out of range easily.
Sheppards stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Morrow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrow scores with a jab.
Morrow swinging wildly here.
Nice body kick there by Morrow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppards is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Morrow.
Morrow attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sheppards! But no joy.
Morrow lands with a thumping leg kick.
Morrow avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sheppards swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morrow jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Morrow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sheppards can do to turn this around?
Morrow misses with a low kick as Sheppards jumps back.
Sheppards is looking for the big counter here.
Sheppards misses with a hook to the body
and Morrow finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Morrow walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sheppards checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sheppards! But no joy.
Morrow looks for the body kick but Sheppards saw that one coming.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Morrow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrow avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Morrow drives through and clinches with Sheppards against the cage.
Morrow tries to throw a body punch but Sheppards avoids it by throwing Morrow back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Morrow - that landed with a thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sheppards fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sheppards trying to control the position but instead, Morrow has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sheppards into the cage.
Sheppards makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sheppards blocks an uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Morrow can't find room to land a body shot as Sheppards controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sheppards's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sheppards is trying to maintain a safe position but Morrow gets an underhook and turns Sheppards into the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Sheppards.
Morrow tries to work over Sheppards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Morrow keeps control of Sheppards as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sheppards is pushing Morrow up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Sheppards avoiding damage.
Morrow tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Morrow takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sheppards content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sheppards blocks a body shot from Morrow.
Sheppards blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards has Morrow pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Morrow manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Morrow tries to work over Sheppards's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sheppards is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Morrow to keep the fight standing.
Alex Morrow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Sheppards.
Sheppards is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Morrow tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Morrow lands a shoulder strike.
Sheppards jumps guard but Morrow stands there with Sheppards around his waist. Sheppards gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sheppards has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Morrow lands a nice uppercut.
Sheppards has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Morrow avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Morrow stalling against the cage.
Alex Morrow has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Morrow tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Morrow dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Carl Sheppards's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sheppards throws an off balance right hand
and Morrow counters with a nice body kick.
Morrow connects with a leg kick. Sheppards looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Morrow on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Morrow comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sheppards throws out a loose jab but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morrow lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sheppards takes a step back to recover.
Sheppards takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrow lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sheppards takes a step back to recover.
Morrow wants to clinch but Sheppards slips to the side
and Sheppards counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morrow swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Sheppards counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morrow fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrow is looking to clinch but Sheppards is avoiding it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sheppards! But no joy.
Sheppards misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Some wild striking there from Morrow.
Sheppards misses the shot to the body.
Morrow tries to clinch up.
A cross from Morrow lands.
Sheppards loads up on a big right hand but Morrow slips the punch.
Morrow tries to close the distance and clinch but Sheppards swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sheppards swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Morrow counters with a nice leg kick.
Morrow fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sheppards.
Sheppards has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Morrow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Morrow misses
and Sheppards counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Alex Morrow is winning the standup battle so far.
Morrow fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sheppards misses with an uppercut. Morrow saw that one coming.
Morrow swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Morrow bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sheppards's head backwards.
Morrow thuds a left hand into Sheppards's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sheppards looks to score with a jab to the body but Morrow is just out of range.
Sheppards lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Morrow ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sheppards moves away.
Sheppards moves out of range as Morrow throws a body kick.

Morrow moves into the clinch.
Morrow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Morrow digs a right hand underneath Sheppards's ribcage. Sheppards let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Carl Sheppards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards has Morrow pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Morrow manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sheppards is looking to break free of the clinch but Morrow has double underhooks.
Morrow stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Sheppards is trying to stall.
Morrow tries to throw a body punch but Sheppards avoids it by throwing Morrow back against the cage.
Alex Morrow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sheppards is looking to control Morrow's arms but Morrow gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sheppards has his back to the cage.
Morrow slowing the pace effectively.
Sheppards holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Morrow lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sheppards stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Morrow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheppards's elbow.
Sheppards looking to stall.
Sheppards misses with some punches.
Sheppards tries to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling the position.
Morrow lands a nice shot to the body.
Morrow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Morrow effectively controlling the action here.
Sheppards tries to break free but Morrow pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sheppards.
Sheppards misses with a punch on the inside.
Morrow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Morrow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Morrow has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Morrow!
An out of breath Alex Morrow thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.