PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Hais (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hais comes into the arena with Time to Say Goodbye by Bocelli & Brightman blaring out of the sound system. Shepherd has chosen Head Like A Hole - Nine Inch Nails as his entrance music. Frankie Shepherd acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Hais
vs
Shepherd

188 cm
25
140 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

172 cm
20
143 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

BUY ONE,GET TWO

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Vladimir Hais!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Frankie Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepherd connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shepherd jabs at Hais's body.
Hais fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shepherd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shepherd looks to score with a jab to the body but Hais is just out of range.
Shepherd sizes up Hais with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hais on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shepherd changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Shepherd. No joy for Hais on that attempt.
Hais moves out of range of the strikes.
Hais fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Hais. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hais keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shepherd swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shepherd thumps Hais with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shepherd dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hais ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shepherd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shepherd throws a hook but Hais blocks it.
Hais takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shepherd ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hais lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shepherd circles away quickly and effectively.
Hais walks into a stiff left hand from Shepherd.
Shepherd thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hais if he has to take too many more of those.
Shepherd uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hais has time to react.
Some bone on bone action there as Hais checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Shepherd is looking to slow Hais down with leg kicks.
Hais really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shepherd thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shepherd misses with a looping left.
Frankie Shepherd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hais.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd throws a sloppy head kick and Hais moves out of range easily.
Hais moves away from the strike by Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hais counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Shepherd's guard now.
Hais prevents Shepherd from getting back to his feet.
Hais preventing the sweep.

Hais drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shepherd looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shepherd looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shepherd!
Hais tries to buck Shepherd off but Shepherd is having none of it.

Shepherd decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Shepherd lands a jab to Hais's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd takes a swing at Hais's ribcage but misses.
Shepherd 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.
Hais checks a low kick from Shepherd.
Hais slips under a jab.
Hais shoots in for a double leg but Shepherd sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shepherd falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hais counters with a takedown into side control.

Hais wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shepherd, who protects the arm well.
Hais is breathing heavily.
Hais tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hais is looking to take a break and control but Shepherd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hais has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Hais is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shepherd is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hais advances nicely into full mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hais looking to ground and pound but Shepherd is blocking nicely.
Hais wants to take Shepherd's back but he can't do it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Shepherd dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shepherd thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shepherd stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shepherd wants it to stay on the feet.
Shepherd looks to score with a jab to the body but Hais is just out of range.
Shepherd misses with a looping right.
Shepherd defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hais.
Shepherd misses with a looping right.
Hais steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shepherd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hais looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hais takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hais uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shepherd.
Shepherd misses with a few strikes there.
Shepherd misses with a hook. Hais ducked under it nicely.
Hais shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shepherd but Shepherd pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Hais. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shepherd slaps away a takedown attempt from Hais, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Shepherd.
Shepherd defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hais.
Shepherd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shepherd just misses with a punch to the body.
Hais blocks a head kick by Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a right hand that Hais ducks under and follows up with a left that Hais also avoids with ease.
Shepherd throws a lazy head kick

and Hais counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hais trying to mount his opponent but Shepherd defends it.
Hais is looking to pass Shepherd's guard but actually Shepherd recovers to full guard.
Hais is pushing down on Shepherd's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shepherd is fighting to maintain full guard but Hais has managed to sneak the leg through.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shepherd can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hais missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hais trying to advance position but Shepherd counters by regaining guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shepherd seems keen to control Hais's posture.
Hais pushes down on Shepherd's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hais wants to pass the guard but Shepherd is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd wants to control but Hais is keeping busy.
Hais is keen to just control but Shepherd is a slippery customer.
Hais has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Shepherd wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Shepherd is looking to get to half guard.

That's four 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.
Hais unloads with some shots from mount but Shepherd bucks and avoids them well.
Hais can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shepherd is looking to escape.
Hais works his way to his opponent's back.

Hais is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Shepherd has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Hais dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hais fails with the takedown.
Hais fails to land the takedown.
Shepherd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hais manages to avoid it.
Decent striking displayed by Shepherd there.

Hais scores a takedown into full mount!

Hais is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Shepherd has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Shepherd!
Shepherd must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shepherd stopping the sweep attempt from Hais.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Shepherd is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd chips away with some ground and pound.
Shepherd throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shepherd wants to control from the top but Hais keeps moving.

Shepherd avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shepherd wants to get up but he can't break Hais's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Shepherd is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Vladimir Hais overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hais lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shepherd!

Hais has hold of Shepherd's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Shepherd manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd is desperately trying to improve his position but Hais has a good base and remains in mount.

Hais is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Shepherd to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Shepherd shrugs it off.
Shepherd is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Hais trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hais working the ground and pound effectively.

Hais goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Shepherd turns into him and now he's in Hais's guard.
Shepherd stopping the sweep attempt from Hais.
Shepherd with a nice head shot there.
Hais will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shepherd lands a couple of digs.

Hais is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shepherd is aware though and is defending well.

Hais has his foot on Shepherd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shepherd works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd wants to stand but Hais is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shepherd trying to control but Hais is working from the bottom.

Shepherd decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hais, up you get!
Shepherd throws a sloppy head kick and Hais moves out of range easily.
Shepherd lands with a right hand.
A head kick misses from Shepherd.
Shepherd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hais manages to avoid it.
Hais avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shepherd scores with a head kick.
Shepherd connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shepherd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Frankie Shepherd just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Shepherd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A lazy left from Shepherd finds it's target.
Hais tries to clinch but Shepherd moves out of range.
Hais misses with a takedown attempt - Shepherd sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hais misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shepherd stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Good exchange - Shepherd coming out on top.
Frankie Shepherd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shepherd throws a lazy head kick

and Hais counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hais.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shepherd takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Shepherd unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A frustrated look appears on Shepherd's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hais wants a takedown.
Hais blocks an uppercut.
Hais blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hais has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shepherd is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Hais. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd throws a punch but it's blocked by Hais.
A short uppercut from Shepherd.
Shepherd has a couple of punches blocked by Hais.
Hais looking for a takedown.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hais's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shepherd gets underhooks to prevent Hais's takedown attempt.
Shepherd is working Hais over against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Hais.
Shepherd misses with some punches.

Shepherd breaks from the clinch.
Hais takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Shepherd throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hais slips a jab from Shepherd.
Hais shoots in for a takedown but Shepherd shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shepherd throws a wild body kick that Hais sees coming a mile off.
Shepherd misses the body punch

and Hais counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hais.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hais looking to pass the guard.
Shepherd wants to sweep but no luck.
Hais stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepherd swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hais drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shepherd dives on top into guard.
Shepherd wanted to stand there but Hais had control of the position.
Shepherd advances to half guard.
Shepherd is trying to control. Hais wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hais manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hais has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shepherd can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hais is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Shepherd stands up and waves to Hais to follow him.
Hais avoids the body shot from Shepherd.
Frankie Shepherd seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hais shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shepherd as he avoids it easily.

Hais looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hais prevents Shepherd from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hais is looking for a kimura but Shepherd is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hais to get the leverage.
Hais stops Shepherd from getting back to his feet.

Hais is looking for a kimura but Shepherd is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hais to get the leverage.
Hais is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Shepherd reverses the position - he's now on top in Hais's guard.
Hais is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shepherd trying to control but Hais is working from the bottom.
Shepherd throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Frankie Shepherd will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Shepherd goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hais displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shepherd throws out the jab.
Shepherd dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Hais closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hais tries to advance to mount but can't.

Hais working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hais is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shepherd knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
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.

Hais is trying to get an arm triangle but Shepherd is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd is looking to reverse the position.
Shepherd is pushing Hais's head away, looking to escape. Hais manages to hold on to the position though.
Hais advances nicely into full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Shepherd wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hais.
Hais throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Shepherd because Hais loaded up on that one.
Hais unloads with some shots from mount but Shepherd bucks and avoids them well.
Shepherd sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Shepherd is not content to let Hais control the position.

Shepherd is defending against the submission attempts here by Hais.
Hais passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Shepherd!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hais is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Shepherd can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hais fails to move to back control.
Shepherd bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shepherd stopping the sweep attempt from Hais.
Shepherd postures up.
Vladimir Hais has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shepherd postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shepherd trying to control but Hais is working from the bottom.
Frankie Shepherd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Shepherd stands up and waves to Hais to follow him.
Hais shoots in for a takedown but Shepherd shows good takedown defense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shepherd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shepherd thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hais ducks under a wild hook from Shepherd.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frankie Shepherd.
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 Donald Grub scores the fight 48:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:48
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:49

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Frankie Shepherd! Frankie Shepherd retains his bantamweight title!