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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koji Katsuhito (ranked 2358 p4p, 4077 weight class) and Greg Sheppard (ranked 229 p4p, 336 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 169 cm
20
164
4 - 1 - 0 |
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177 cm
21
166
1 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast |
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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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Koji Katsuhito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Greg Sheppard!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheppard avoids the head kick by Katsuhito.
Sheppard looks for a takedown but Katsuhito sprawls well.
Sheppard ducks under a wild hook from Katsuhito.
Katsuhito tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sheppard is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Katsuhito has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Trials Of Fortitude in the buildup to the fight.
Sheppard swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Katsuhito counters with a left and a right that stings Sheppard.
Sheppard stuns Katsuhito with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Katsuhito throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Katsuhito.
Greg Sheppard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katsuhito throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sheppard defending well as Katsuhito loads up on a big left hand.
Sheppard feints the counter takedown.
Sheppard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppard fails with the takedown
and Katsuhito moves into the clinch.
Koji Katsuhito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Greg Sheppard.
Sheppard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Katsuhito is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Katsuhito avoiding damage.
Katsuhito blocks an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Katsuhito.
Sheppard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sheppard avoids the head kick by Katsuhito.
Sheppard lands a nice shot that snaps Katsuhito's head back.
Sheppard misses with an uppercut
and Katsuhito counters with a nice uppercut.
Sheppard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Katsuhito sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sheppard somewhat.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito tries a head kick but it misses.
A right-left combo lands from Katsuhito.
Katsuhito plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sheppard is rocked!
It looks like Greg Sheppard has been cut.
Sheppard has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
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!
Katsuhito uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sheppard.
Sheppard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Katsuhito avoids it really well and circles away.
Katsuhito missing with a left hand there. Sheppard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sheppard throws an off balance right hand
and Katsuhito cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard cracks a nice hook into Katsuhito's ribs.
Katsuhito throws a jab but it's blocked by Sheppard.
Sheppard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Katsuhito is looking to counter with head kicks.
Katsuhito throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Katsuhito waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sheppard.
Katsuhito missing with a left hand there. Sheppard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sheppard throws a body punch but Katsuhito moves out of range.
Sheppard misses the jab.
Sheppard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Katsuhito.
Sheppard tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The fighters circling - Katsuhito throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Katsuhito lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sheppard at a distance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Katsuhito is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Katsuhito is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sheppard defends well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sheppard cracks Katsuhito with a solid left hand.
Katsuhito trying to keep a closed guard but Sheppard is proving a slippery customer.
Sheppard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Katsuhito's head.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sheppard connects with a couple of short punches.
Sheppard trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsuhito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sheppard distracts Katsuhito with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Katsuhito is trying to control the position but Sheppard postures up.
Sheppard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sheppard got a little sloppy there for a moment and Katsuhito has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sheppard has managed to get both his arms back between Katsuhito's legs - danger averted.
Sheppard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sheppard trying to control but Katsuhito is working from the bottom.
Katsuhito looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sheppard lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Katsuhito trying to control the position.
Sheppard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Katsuhito not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Katsuhito tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sheppard controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sheppard trying to control but Katsuhito is working from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito working a defensive guard here.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Koji Katsuhito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Katsuhito takes a swing at Sheppard's ribcage but misses.
Sheppard feints the counter takedown.
A thudding body kick lands there by Katsuhito!
Katsuhito walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Katsuhito misses with a looping left.
Katsuhito with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sheppard works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Katsuhito lands a nice shot that snaps Sheppard's head back.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Katsuhito.
Katsuhito moves out of range of the strikes.
Katsuhito cracks a nice hook into Sheppard's ribs.
Katsuhito slips under a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sheppard. Katsuhito does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Sheppard tries to get set, Katsuhito tries to push him back and clinch up but Sheppard manages to avoid the attempt.
Sheppard closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Katsuhito's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Katsuhito looking for a guillotine here but Sheppard defends easily.
Sheppard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito wants to sweep here but Sheppard controlling him for the moment.
Katsuhito had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sheppard defends it easily.
Katsuhito keeping moving, preventing Sheppard from controlling successfully.
Katsuhito seems keen to control Sheppard's posture.
Katsuhito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sheppard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sheppard trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsuhito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Koji Katsuhito dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Greg Sheppard's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Horrible takedown attempt by Sheppard or perhaps it was just good defense by Katsuhito, which made it look bad.
Sheppard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Koji Katsuhito is winning the standup battle so far.
Sheppard slips a jab from Katsuhito.
Katsuhito just misses with a punch to the body.
Katsuhito misses with an uppercut. Sheppard saw that one coming.
Katsuhito throws a shot from downtown. Sheppard moves away and avoids it.
Sheppard lunges at Katsuhito with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Katsuhito's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katsuhito misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Katsuhito throws the left hand but Sheppard avoids the punch easily.
Sheppard changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sheppard misses with a wild body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppard shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sheppard wants to free his trapped foot but Katsuhito is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Katsuhito looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sheppard content to control rather than advance.
Sheppard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Katsuhito is trying to maintain the position but Sheppard is very close to passing his half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Katsuhito trying to control here.
Katsuhito is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Katsuhito wants to control the action here but instead Sheppard manages to pass to full mount!
Sheppard connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Katsuhito wants to hold on but Sheppard pushes him away.
Katsuhito is looking to improve his position but Sheppard isn't that keen on the idea.
Sheppard looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Sheppard is nestled in close to Katsuhito, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sheppard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sheppard not doing much here.
Katsuhito is looking to improve his position.
Katsuhito taking some punishment here, with Sheppard in his half guard.
Greg Sheppard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sheppard passes to side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito is looking for a sweep.
Sheppard trying to control the action but Katsuhito is working from the bottom.
Sheppard working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Katsuhito struggling a bit here.
Katsuhito is trying to improve his position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard cracks Katsuhito with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sheppard prevents Katsuhito from escaping the position.
Sheppard lands a decent elbow from side control.
Sheppard working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Katsuhito struggling a bit here.
Sheppard working the head with strikes.
Katsuhito wants to control but Sheppard postures up.
Katsuhito tries to control but Sheppard manages to take his back.
Sheppard is hanging on to Katsuhito's back as he tries to escape.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Sheppard lands a shot to the body.
Sheppard controlling the position well here. Katsuhito rolled but Sheppard kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Sheppard is landing with strikes from the back.
Sheppard tries to get the hooks in deep but Katsuhito pushed the leg off.
Katsuhito is trying to break free.
Sheppard connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Katsuhito to escape the position.
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!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Sheppard's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Katsuhito trying to control the position but Sheppard manages to sink in the hooks.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito is in bad spot here.
Sheppard is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Katsuhito knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Katsuhito for a finish.
Katsuhito trying to control the hands but Sheppard breaks the grip.
Sheppard lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Katsuhito hold on?!
Katsuhito covers up after that shot from Sheppard.
Katsuhito just trying to survive but Sheppard is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Sheppard has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Katsuhito.
Sheppard keeps control of the position easily here as Katsuhito tries to buck him off.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard scores with punches and elbows.
Katsuhito is keeping busy.
Katsuhito is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Katsuhito staying busy and making it hard for Sheppard to control.
Sheppard lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard lands punches and elbows.
Sheppard looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Katsuhito tries to roll but Sheppard sticks to his back.
Katsuhito is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Sheppard.
Sheppard is not going to allow Katsuhito to sit and survive in this position.
You can see the frustration on Katsuhito's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Katsuhito is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Katsuhito tries to roll but Sheppard sticks to his back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Greg Sheppard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Greg Sheppard's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Sheppard cracks Katsuhito with an open hand slap.
Katsuhito throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Katsuhito staying out of range there.
Katsuhito misses with a low kick as Sheppard jumps back.
Sheppard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Katsuhito.
Sheppard drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Katsuhito defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheppard throws a lazy uppercut
and Katsuhito cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sheppard shoots in and bounces Katsuhito off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Katsuhito trying to keep a closed guard but Sheppard is proving a slippery customer.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppard throwing strikes from guard but Katsuhito blocks nicely.
Katsuhito looking to control.
Katsuhito is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sheppard is aware though and is defending well.
Sheppard slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Katsuhito has control of Sheppard's left arm, preventing Sheppard from doing any damage.
Sheppard postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sheppard throwing strikes but missing.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sheppard throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Katsuhito on the side of the head.
Sheppard dives in and grabs Katsuhito's left leg, looking for a takedown. Katsuhito pushes down on Sheppard's head and hops out.
Sheppard avoids a kick to the body.
Sheppard feints the counter takedown.
Katsuhito lands an overhand right.
Sheppard throws a lazy right hand but Katsuhito sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Katsuhito throwing a counter right hand but Sheppard manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Katsuhito misses the target.
Katsuhito throws out a loose jab but Sheppard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Katsuhito misses with a straight right.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito tries a head kick but it misses.
Sheppard misses with a wild body shot.
A leg kick checked by Sheppard.
Sheppard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Katsuhito sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sheppard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Katsuhito to counter with a crisp jab.
Koji Katsuhito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Greg Sheppard.
Sheppard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Katsuhito was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheppard.
A little feinted left hand from Katsuhito on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sheppard fails with the takedown.
Sheppard misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Katsuhito counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sheppard circles away quickly and effectively.
Katsuhito gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sheppard.
Sheppard works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sheppard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Katsuhito throws out a powerful jab.
Katsuhito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sheppard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Katsuhito moves forwards but Sheppard connects with a nice, crisp jab.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Katsuhito throws out the jab.
Sheppard throws a big shot that misses.
Katsuhito connects with a jab.
Sheppard cracks Katsuhito with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sheppard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Katsuhito as he avoids it easily.
Katsuhito looks to land a body kick but Sheppard moved away.
Katsuhito uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sheppard.
Katsuhito throws a lazy right hand but Sheppard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Katsuhito throws a body punch but Sheppard moves out of range.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard looks to throw the jab but Katsuhito is out of range.
A punch combination from Katsuhito misses.
Sheppard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Katsuhito is fending him off so far but Sheppard persists. Nope, Katsuhito circles away and we're back to standing.
Sheppard misses with a hook.
Katsuhito was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Katsuhito uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sheppard.
Katsuhito checks a low kick from Sheppard.
Sheppard has a takedown stuffed.
It looked like Katsuhito was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sheppard.
Katsuhito connects with a body shot.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Katsuhito throws a hook to the side of Sheppard's head but Sheppard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Katsuhito throws a body punch but Sheppard moves out of range.
Sheppard throws out a powerful jab.
Katsuhito throws a jab but it's blocked by Sheppard.
Sheppard lands the left hand.
Sheppard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sheppard scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Katsuhito throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sheppard.
Katsuhito throws a big shot that misses.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sheppard moves away from the strike by Katsuhito.
Katsuhito tries to close the distance and clinch but Sheppard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sheppard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sheppard lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sheppard feints and as Katsuhito raises his hands in defense, Sheppard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sheppard stopping the sweep attempt from Katsuhito.
Sheppard wants to control from the top but Katsuhito keeps moving.
Sheppard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Katsuhito has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Katsuhito trying to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sheppard trying to control but Katsuhito is working from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Katsuhito moves away from the strike by Sheppard.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Koji Katsuhito.
I think Katsuhito 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Koji Katsuhito!
After the fight, Koji Katsuhito was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
39% |
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