PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sam Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Tom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom has chosen Kings Of Leon - Sex on Fire as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shepherd
vs
Tom

182 cm
23
136 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

152 cm
20
131 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Sydney, Sam Shepherd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tim Tom!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Donatello Bradman and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tom shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shepherd sprawls well. Shepherd wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tom gets slowly back to his feet.
Tom on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shepherd connects with a body shot that sends Tom's belly button to the back.
Shepherd connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Shepherd connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shepherd fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tom has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tom doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shepherd counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tom is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Shepherd scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tom should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Shepherd lands a jab-cross combination.

Tom is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shepherd connects with a high kick.
Tom is still on wobbly legs! Can Shepherd finish him?
Tom with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sam Shepherd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Tom.
Shepherd lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Shepherd lands but Tom takes it in his stride.
Shepherd connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tom shoots in for a takedown but Shepherd shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shepherd stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shepherd wants it to stay on the feet.
And Shepherd counters with a quick kick to the body but Tom blocks it.
Shepherd lands a nice hook to Tom's body. Tom takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tom walks into a straight right hand from Shepherd.
Shepherd plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Shepherd closes the distance and pushes Tom back into the cage.
Shepherd leaning his opponent against the cage.

Shepherd breaks from the clinch.
Tom seems to have recovered his senses.
Shepherd lands a really nice looking cross but Tom seems unphased.
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!
Tom misses with a takedown attempt
and Shepherd counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sam Shepherd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shepherd comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tom walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shepherd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd takes the fight into the clinch.

Shepherd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shepherd lunges at Tom with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tom's hand.
Shepherd punishes Tom's body with a nice straight punch.
Shepherd is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tom shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shepherd counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tom is lucky that one didn't land flush.
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.
Shepherd connects with a crisp jab.
Shepherd cracks a nice hook into Tom's ribs.
Shepherd is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tom takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Shepherd rushes Tom and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Shepherd breaks the clinch.
Shepherd is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tom closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shepherd circles away.
Shepherd lands a slapping body shot.

Shepherd gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shepherd pushes Tom away with a front kick.
Shepherd throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tom's head.
Tom misses with a takedown attempt
and Shepherd counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Shepherd pushes Tom up against the cage in a clinch.

Shepherd pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tim Tom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shepherd takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Shepherd delivers a nice body kick.
Tom on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Both fighters circling a little - Shepherd finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Tom misses with a takedown attempt
and Shepherd makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
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!
Nice cross by Shepherd.

Shepherd gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tom is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shepherd fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tom misses with a takedown
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tom looks winded!
Tom misses with a takedown
and Shepherd counters with a big head kick but Tom shrugs it off.
Shepherd looks to land a combination. Tom sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nice body kick there by Shepherd.
Shepherd lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nice sprawl there from Shepherd as Tom shoots in.
Tom doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shepherd counters with a nice body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepherd fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tom looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Shepherd moves into the clinch.
Shepherd lands a good knee to the midsection. Tom won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shepherd dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shepherd jabs at Tom's body.
Tom with a poor takedown
and Tom takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tom misses with a combination

so Shepherd counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shepherd is standing up over Tom. Tom looks to escape but Shepherd dives into side control.

Shepherd working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
We've been hearing good reports from Shepherd's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Tom is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Shepherd decides to stand back up.
Shepherd is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tom can do to turn this around?
Shepherd goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shepherd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shepherd lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tom tries for a takedown but Shepherd sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tom is breathing heavily.
Shepherd comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Shepherd lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shepherd darts in and clinches Tom up against the cage.

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shepherd looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tom is trying desperately to land a takedown but Shepherd is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Tom.
Shepherd connects with a body shot that sends Tom's belly button to the back.

Tom tries to keep at a distance but Shepherd has taken the fight into the clinch.
Shepherd lands a nice shot to the body.
Shepherd lands a good knee to the midsection. Tom won't want to take too many of those.

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shepherd moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Shepherd lands with a good body shot.
Shepherd is looking to wear down Tom with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Shepherd throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shepherd feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Toms jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tom misses with a leg kick

and Shepherd counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shepherd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shepherd lands a head kick!
Shepherd throws a series of strikes that have Tom backpedaling.

Shepherd clinches.
Shepherd throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Toms head.

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shepherd with a hook.

Shepherd has Tom up against the cage in a clinch.

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tom shoots and misses
and Shepherd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sam Shepherd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Tom.
Shepherd scores with a nice body kick.
Shepherd lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tom with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Shepherd to counter with a crisp jab.
Tom takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice body kick from Shepherd.
Tom has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tom there as he acknowledges the shot.

Shepherd moves into the clinch.
Shepherd is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shepherd takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shepherd.

Shepherd breaks from the clinch.
Tom has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Shepherd.
Tom looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Tom tries to get set, Shepherd tries to push him back and clinch up but Tom manages to avoid the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tom letting Shepherd take a breather here.
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!
Shepherd is struggling to control the position.
Tom has a couple of punches blocked by Shepherd.
Tom has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Shepherd.

Tom manages to pull guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepherd slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shepherd dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tom misses with a takedown attempt
and Shepherd finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tom tries for a takedown but Shepherd manages to get underhooks.
Shepherd dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tom letting Shepherd take a breather here.
Shepherd displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tom up against the cage.
Shepherd gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Shepherd prevents the takedown attempt.
Sam Shepherd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Tom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepherd stalling the fight.
Shepherd lands a good knee to the midsection. Tom won't want to take too many of those.
Sam Shepherd has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tom takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sam Shepherd.
Shepherd lands a high kick!
Shepherd goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Shepherd moves into the clinch successfully.
Shepherd works on Tom's body with a couple of short punches.
Shepherd is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shepherd lands a nice elbow.

Shepherd breaks the clinch.

Shepherd fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tom, pushing him back against the cage.
A short right from Shepherd on the inside.
Shepherd just leaning against Tom, taking a breather.
Tom is looking for a takedown.
Shepherd taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shepherd displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Tom takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A shot to the liver by Shepherd. Beautiful body shot.
Tim Tom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That kick from Shepherd tenderised Tom's leg. Tom is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tom throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shepherd's waist but Shepherd gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tom off to one side.

Tom gets tackled into the cage by Shepherd. Shepherd maintains the clinch.
Knees to the body from Shepherd.

Shepherd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shepherd works over Tom's head and body with a nice combination.
Shepherd changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Shepherd clinches up with Tom and pushes him back against the cage.

Shepherd pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shepherd moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tom's calf.
Tom shoots in and drives through. Shepherd sprawls well.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Shepherd - that will leave a mark!
Shepherd scores with the left hand. Tom knows he should have avoided that one.
Shepherd throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shepherd paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shepherd lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tim Tom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shepherd connects with a high kick.
Shepherd scores with a shot to the body.
Shepherd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shepherd lands a jab-cross combination.
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!

Shepherd closes the distance and clinches.
Tom has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shepherd after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom is trying to push Shepherd away but Shepherd has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shepherd has Tom pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Tom is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from Shepherd - that's hurt Tom badly! Oh, another knee lands and Tom is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Tom doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Sam Shepherd!
After winning the bout, Sam Shepherd thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.