PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gerry King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lee Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

King
vs
Shepherd

198 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Tends to cut

CBK MMA Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gerry King!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Lee Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

King scores with a takedown into Shepherd's guard.
Shepherd tries to land a sweep but no joy.

King thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shepherd looking to control.
King preventing the sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
King throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
King wants to pass the guard but Shepherd is keeping the position.
King 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.
Shepherd is adopting a defensive guard.

Shepherd had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. King is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Shepherd Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take King's back instead.
Shepherd lands an elbow to the side of the head.
King manages to reverse the position and now he's in Shepherd's guard. Nice work there by King.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
King gets full guard.
Shepherd lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Shepherd gets to his feet - King follows without any prompting.

Shepherd decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
King avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shepherd.
Shepherd looks gassed!
King is trying to get back to full guard.
King trying to control here.

King looking for submissions off his back.
Shepherd wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd not landing any meaningful shots this time.
King is trying to maintain the position but Shepherd is very close to passing his half guard.
King is looking for a sweep. Shepherd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shepherd fails to land with a series of punches.
Shepherd fails with a takedown attempt.
King misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
King looks to land a combination but Shepherd avoids it well.
Shepherd has a takedown stuffed.
Shepherd misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gerry King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Shepherd.
King shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shepherd as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King tries to bum rush Shepherd with a series of wild strikes but Shepherd uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
King lands a jab-cross combination.
King swats away the attempt to clinch by Shepherd.
Shepherd changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. King tries to avoid it but Shepherd manages to keep hold of a leg and drag King to the ground. King escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shepherd tries for a takedown but King sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
King throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
King shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shepherd pinned against the cage. Shepherd gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shepherd with a lazy takedown attempt
and King counters with a one-two to the body.

King gets a takedown into half guard.
Shepherd tries to roll over but King keeps him under control.
King seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shepherd does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King uses his free foot to push down on Shepherd's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Shepherd.
King lands a heavy elbow.
Poor strikes thrown by King there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Shepherd is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Shepherd really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
King is looking to stand but King has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Shepherd wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by King.
Shepherd regains half guard.
King stops Shepherd from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gerry King will probably get the nod.
That's time! King's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shepherd slips a jab and a cross from King.
King stalks Shepherd and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shepherd's face. Shepherd staggers backwards, shaken.

Shepherd 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.
King keeping moving, preventing Shepherd from controlling successfully.
Shepherd prevents King from getting back to his feet.
Shepherd throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as King works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
King working a defensive guard here.
Shepherd trying to control the position from guard on top but King is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
King controls Shepherd momentarily but Shepherd frees himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
King ducks under a wild hook from Shepherd.
King lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Shepherd takes the fight into the clinch.

Shepherd pulls guard successfully.
King trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shepherd working a defensive guard here.
Shepherd wants to get back to his feet but King is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shepherd keeping moving, preventing King from controlling successfully.
King is looking to stand up but Shepherd won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shepherd lands an upkick as King stands over him.
King trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Shepherd rushes King and presses him up against the cage.

Shepherd is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. King can't fight it off and eventually Shepherd manages to take the fight to the floor. King looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
King is trying to control the position but Shepherd postures up.
Shepherd thows a big elbow that misses.
Shepherd must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
King has a closed guard, preventing Shepherd from standing up.
Shepherd throws a strike but King rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
King wants to control from the top but Shepherd keeps moving.
Shepherd is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst King is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is trying to keep King in close.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Shepherd looks for a takedown but King sprawls well.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
King fails with the takedown.

Shepherd looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Shepherd landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Shepherd decides to stand and escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King misses with a two punch combination.

Shepherd 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.
King will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shepherd throwing strikes but missing.
Shepherd scoring with punches to the head and body.

Shepherd decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on King, up you get!
King throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shepherd.
King throws a right hand that Shepherd ducks under and follows up with a left that Shepherd also avoids with ease.

Shepherd throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. King was covering up waiting for the punch and Shepherd finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
King lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shepherd!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepherd holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as King tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Shepherd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Shepherd shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Shepherd tries to pass to full mount but King defends it.
Shepherd looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks King with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
King regains full guard. Nicely done.

Shepherd stands up from King's guard - Shepherd perhaps looking for a knockout.
King looks to land a combination. Shepherd sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
King goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Shepherd tries to close the distance and clinch up but King swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
King tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
King throws a head kick but Shepherd moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shepherd throws a right and a left that King avoids nicely.
King swinging wilding here.
King throws a one two combo.
Shepherd tries to clinch but King is having none of it.
Lee Shepherd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
King tries to score with a low kick but Shepherd moves his leg out of the way.
Shepherd defends well against a solid takedown attempt from King.

Shepherd moves into the clinch.
Shepherd leaning against his opponent.
King wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Shepherd gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Shepherd looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks King with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
King has hold of Shepherd's hands but Shepherd slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shepherd is trying to control the action in half guard but King is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Shepherd is just content to waste time from the top position. King takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
King wants to sweep here but Shepherd controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shepherd's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lee Shepherd has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shepherd with a flurry of punches that miss.

Shepherd gets to his feet. King looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Shepherd is on the wrong end of a nice combination from King.

Shepherd gets a takedown into half guard.
Shepherd throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
King won't allow Shepherd to pass to mount.
King is looking to control Shepherd's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can King avoid being mounted?

Shepherd decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King misses with a wild combination.
Shepherd moves out of range of the body kick.
Shepherd throws a combination that misses
and King counters with a two punch combo.

Shepherd darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Shepherd wants to control but King is keeping him busy.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Shepherd lands a nice short elbow.

King makes his way to full guard, as Shepherd worked for a kimura.
King throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

King looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shepherd working some strikes from top position.
King wants to stand but Shepherd is controlling the position.

Shepherd decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on King, up you get!

Shepherd moves into range and clinches up with King.

Shepherd has King pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Shepherd pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending King tumbling to the mat - Shepherd dives into King's guard.
King is trying to keep Shepherd in close.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shepherd accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Shepherd really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

King misses with a few strikes there.
Shepherd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but King paws at him with a jab and circles away.
King fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice shot by Shepherd.
King moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
King misses with a double jab

and Shepherd counters with a takedown into side control.
King is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shepherd's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shepherd winds up and cracks King with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shepherd trying to pass the guard but King defending well.
King is trying to maintain the position but Shepherd is very close to passing his half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
King is looking for a sweep. Shepherd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
King looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
King is trying to control but can't.
King moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Shepherd stands up from guard. Let's bang!
King blocks a jab.
King shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shepherd as he jumps to the side.

Shepherd drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shepherd chips away with some ground and pound.

Shepherd avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shepherd stops King from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd trying to control the position from guard on top but King is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shepherd thows a big elbow that misses.

Shepherd decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on King, up you get!

Shepherd gets a takedown into half guard.
King has hold of Shepherd's hands but Shepherd slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shepherd seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
King tries to kick Shepherd off but Shepherd keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
King wants to improve his position but Shepherd is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
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. Shepherd connects with a nice short shot to King's temple.
The fighters are battling for position here. King manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shepherd looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shepherd accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Shepherd connects with a single shot there.
Shepherd moves in looking to clinch but King pushes him off.
King stalks Shepherd and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shepherd's face. Shepherd staggers backwards, shaken.
Horrible takedown by Shepherd or perhaps it was just good defense by King which made him look bad.

King shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Shepherd tries to hold on but King postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
King won't let Shepherd get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
King tries to control but Shepherd wriggling away.
Shepherd is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
King looking to control but Shepherd is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shepherd tries to lock up and control but King gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Shepherd dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by King.
Shepherd misses with a hook.

Shepherd fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with King, pushing him back against the cage.
King tries to score a body lock takedown but Shepherd shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Shepherd pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
King throws a combination that misses

and Shepherd counters with a shoot takedown. King fights it but they end up in guard.

Shepherd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
King not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shepherd controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Shepherd makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shepherd wants to control from the top but King keeps moving.
King keeping full guard, as Shepherd tries to pass.
Shepherd keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of King's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shepherd is one step ahead there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
King misses with a few strikes there.

Shepherd drives through and clinches with King against the cage.
King tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shepherd smiles and moves away.
Shepherd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and King counters with a three punch combo that has Shepherd backing up. Shepherd nods at King to acknowledge the strikes.
Shepherd chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before King can pounce on him.

Shepherd throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. King was covering up waiting for the punch and Shepherd finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Shepherd postures up.
King looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shepherd is one step ahead there.
Shepherd postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd works over King with some ground and pound from guard.
King wants to stand up but Shepherd is controlling him.
King keeping moving, preventing Shepherd from controlling successfully.
Shepherd trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shepherd postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
King lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepherd circles away quickly and effectively.
King changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shepherd tries to avoid it but King manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shepherd to the ground. Shepherd escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gerry King. That's going to take a lot out of him.

King gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shepherd to score an easy takedown into full guard.
King keeping moving, preventing Shepherd from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is looking to stand up but King won't let him.
Shepherd throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
King working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shepherd.
Gerry King has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shepherd wants to stand but King is controlling his posture from full guard.
King doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now King is on top in guard.
Shepherd striking from his own guard.
King wants to pass the guard but Shepherd is keeping the position.
Shepherd is trying to keep King in close.

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.
Shepherd has control of King's left arm, preventing King from doing any damage.
King is pushing down on Shepherd's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shepherd is fighting to maintain full guard but King has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lee Shepherd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shepherd holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Shepherd is trying to control but can't.
Shepherd is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shepherd keeping control of the position.
Shepherd is looking to control King's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shepherd avoid being mounted?

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Shepherd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shepherd 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lee Shepherd!
Lee Shepherd is the new light heavyweight champion!