PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wellen Dowd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shepherd has chosen 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celion Dion as his entrance music. Jack Shepherd has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dowd
vs
Shepherd

177 cm
26
184 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

191 cm
20
172 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Mayhem Black Market $20 157 Energy

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wellen Dowd!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Shepherd!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepherd throws a nice looking combination but Dowd bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Dowd looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Shepherd!
Shepherd wants to hold on but Dowd pushes him away.
Dowd scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Shepherd is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Dowd thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Dowd thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Dowd misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Poor strikes thrown by Dowd there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Dowd misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Shepherd tries to hold on but Dowd postures up.
Dowd throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dowd working the ground and pound effectively.
Shepherd is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shepherd wants to control but Dowd is having none of it.
Dowd landing strikes from the mount.
Dowd throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Dowd throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Dowd sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Dowd landing strikes from the mount.
Dowd landing shots from mount.
The referee warns Shepherd that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dowd 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 can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dowd with a couple of short strikes.
Dowd throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Shepherd regains half guard.
Dowd misses with a head shot. Shepherd uses the momentum to regain guard.
Shepherd pulls Dowd in close to prevent any damage.
Dowd loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dowd with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shepherd controlling the position.
Shepherd looking to control.
Dowd throws a big right hand that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
An inside leg kick from Dowd misses.
Dowd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

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.
Good exchange - Dowd coming out on top.

Dowd gets a takedown into half guard.
Dowd is looking to advance position but Shepherd won't allow it.

Shepherd is defending against the submission attempts here by Dowd.
Dowd not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dowd missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dowd wants to pass the guard but Shepherd is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wellen Dowd dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dowd misses with a hook. Shepherd ducked under it nicely.
Dowd slips a jab from Shepherd.
Dowd misses with a low kick.
Shepherd throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Dowd scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Dowd landing strikes.
Dowd working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Dowd scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sloppy strikes there by Dowd.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shepherd defending against the ground and pound.
Dowd looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Shepherd is avoiding damage well.
Dowd is putting a hurting on Shepherd here, landing some big shots from side control.
Shepherd is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Dowd's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dowd is looking to advance position but Shepherd won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shepherd blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dowd.
Dowd thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Shepherd to regain full guard.
Dowd throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shepherd is trying to keep Dowd in close.
Shepherd looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dowd is one step ahead there.
Dowd might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dowd throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shepherd avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shepherd slaps away a takedown attempt from Dowd, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dowd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shepherd manages to avoid it.
Shepherd sizes up Dowd with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Wellen Dowd has been cut.
Shepherd misses with an uppercut. Dowd saw that one coming.
Wellen Dowd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dowd lands a right hook to the body.
Shepherd throws a body kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Shepherd throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dowd throws a low kick but Shepherd avoids it.
Dowd misses with a takedown attempt - Shepherd sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shepherd misses with a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shepherd.
Dowd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shepherd manages to avoid it.
Shepherd throws a hook but Dowd avoids it easily.
Shepherd takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dowd connects with a body shot.
A big left from Shepherd misses.
Shepherd clobbers Dowd with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Shepherd throws a sloppy head kick and Dowd moves out of range easily.
Dowd lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Dowd dives in and grabs Shepherd's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shepherd pushes down on Dowd's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wellen Dowd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dowd keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Dowd shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dowd passes into half guard.
Dowd not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shepherd tries to get to full guard but Dowd has control of the leg.
Shepherd is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dowd.
Dowd throws a strike but Shepherd avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Shepherd looking for a sweep. Not yet Shepherd, not yet.
Dowd thows a big elbow that misses.
Dowd being controlled here momentarily.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Shepherd throws a wild body kick that Dowd sees coming a mile off.
Dowd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shepherd keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shepherd misses with a wild combination.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Shepherd will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Wellen Dowd's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dowd throws a series of punches but Shepherd moves out of range.
Shepherd takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Shepherd checks a leg kick.
Dowd thows a leg kick but Shepherd checks it
and Shepherd counters with a body kick.
Shepherd keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dowd.
Shepherd throws a head kick that Dowd semi-blocks.
Shepherd avoids the body shot from Dowd.
Shepherd throws a nice head kick!

Dowd is rocked!
Shepherd tries to work over Dowd's front leg with a kick but Dowd checks it.
Shepherd throws a leg kick which misses Dowd's front leg but catches the back leg as Dowd tries to avoid it.
A thudding body kick lands there by Shepherd!
Dowd tries to bum rush Shepherd with a series of wild strikes but Shepherd uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shepherd cracks Dowd with an open hand slap.
Oh Dowd is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
A nice leg kick lands there from Shepherd.
Dowd seems to have got his legs back now.
Shepherd throws a sloppy head kick and Dowd moves out of range easily.
Dowd steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Shepherd. That one must have hurt.
Dowd tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shepherd throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Wellen Dowd's cut is getting worse.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Dowd blocks the leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shepherd tests Dowd's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dowd stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shepherd.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Shepherd.
A lazy left from Shepherd finds it's target.
Jack Shepherd seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shepherd looks for the body kick but Dowd saw that one coming.
Dowd fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice defenses there by Shepherd.
Dowd throws a leg kick
and Shepherd counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shepherd lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dowd's sensitive parts.
A thudding body kick lands there by Shepherd!
Shepherd throws a leg kick which misses Dowd's front leg but catches the back leg as Dowd tries to avoid it.
Dowd takes a kick to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dowd blocks the body kick.
Dowd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Shepherd counters with a nice uppercut.
Shepherd takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dowd swings away with a body shot that misses
and Shepherd counters with a solid body kick.
An inside leg kick from Shepherd misses.

Shepherd lands a left and a right that send Dowd crashing to the mat, dazed. Shepherd thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Shepherd throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Shepherd.
Shepherd fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Dowd.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Dowd looks for a takedown but Shepherd sprawls well.
Shepherd fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Dowd checks it well.
Shepherd fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dowd.
Dowd throws a predictable looking body shot
and Shepherd counters with a nice body kick.
Dowd moves out of range of the body kick from Shepherd.
Shepherd explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Dowd will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Dowd walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shepherd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shepherd has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dowd takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A low kick from Dowd misses
and Shepherd counters with a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Shepherd.
Jack Shepherd is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shepherd stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shepherd is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Shepherd misses with a straight right.
Dowd shoots for a double leg takedown but Shepherd sprawls well. He's pushed Dowd's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wellen Dowd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shepherd throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dowd.
Shepherd moves out of range of the strikes.
Dowd tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dowd shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dowd thows a leg kick but Shepherd checks it
and Shepherd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jack Shepherd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shepherd avoids the body shot from Dowd.
Shepherd throws a shot from downtown. Dowd moves away and avoids it.
Dowd blocks a head kick by Shepherd.
Dowd is looking to wear down Shepherd with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dowd works the jab nicely.
Shepherd slips a straight right by Dowd.
Dowd takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dowd is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shepherd blocks a jab.
Dowd throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dowd misses with a jab to the body
and Shepherd counters with a low kick, right behind Dowd 's knee.
Shepherd displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dowd.
Shepherd lets loose with a powerful body kick. Dowd will feel that in the morning.
Dowd takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Shepherd explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Shepherd connects with a good right hand that stumbles Dowd. Dowd circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Wellen Dowd's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A solid leg kick lands there for Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a push kick but Dowd slaps the foot to one side.
Dowd stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shepherd.
Dowd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shepherd really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wellen Dowd's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dowd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shepherd.
Dowd attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dowd looks to score with a jab to the body but Shepherd is just out of range.
Dowd thows a leg kick but Shepherd checks it
and Shepherd counters with a low kick, right behind Dowd 's knee.
Dowd on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shepherd. Shepherd obviously looking to wear him down.
Shepherd clobbers Dowd with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shepherd.
Dowd is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shepherd.
Dowd fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shepherd lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Shepherd throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Shepherd lands a big head kick that sends Dowd tumbling to the mat! Shepherd takes a step backwards and waves Dowd back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Shepherd lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dowd circles away quickly and effectively.
Shepherd connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shepherd throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dowd.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Dowd takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lazy left from Shepherd finds it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dowd misses with a takedown
and Shepherd counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dowd thows a leg kick but Shepherd checks it
and Shepherd cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shepherd lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Dowd takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Shepherd scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Shepherd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dowd.
Shepherd chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dowd can pounce on him.
Shepherd misses with a head kick.
Dowd connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dowd scores with a body shot.
Dowd fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dowd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shepherd manages to avoid it.
Dowd connects with a solid leg kick.
Dowd looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Shepherd misses with a series of wild punches.

Dowd scores with a takedown into Shepherd's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dowd.
Dowd is working Shepherd over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dowd is looking to work some ground and pound but Shepherd has wrist control.
Shepherd manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dowd can't escape the position.
Shepherd controlling his opponent.
Dowd tries to hold on but Shepherd postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd prevents Dowd from getting the reversal.
Dowd is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Dowd working to try and regain half guard.
Shepherd working Dowd over with strikes here.
Dowd is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Shepherd looking to control but Dowd is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A nice elbow there by Shepherd.
Dowd takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Shepherd punching from mount but Dowd doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Shepherd throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Dowd is desperately trying to improve his position but Shepherd has a good base and remains in mount.
Dowd wants to control but Shepherd is having none of it.
Shepherd controlling from the full mount.
Dowd tries to reverse the position but Shepherd maintains control.
Shepherd controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shepherd dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Wellen Dowd's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shepherd lands with a right hand.
A slapping body kick lands there for Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a solid leg kick but Dowd takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shepherd.
Dowd shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shepherd defends it nicely.
Shepherd misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shepherd tries to land a leg kick but Dowd saw it coming and moves away.
Shepherd throws an overhand right that lands on Dowd's shoulder, as Dowd tries to avoid the shot.
Dowd fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dowd closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shepherd circles away.
Shepherd lands with a kick to the temple. Dowd shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Shepherd stuffs the takedown attempt from Dowd. Dowd gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wellen Dowd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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.
Shepherd misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dowd misses with a shot to the body
and Dowd takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A clash of legs there as Shepherd blocks the low kick.
Dowd keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a hook but Dowd blocks it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Shepherd.
Shepherd throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A low kick from Dowd misses
and Shepherd counters with a head kick. That will keep Dowd thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Shepherd wants to slow Dowd down by chopping away at his legs.
Shepherd pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shepherd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shepherd lands with a right hand.
Dowd checks the leg kick nicely there.

Dowd darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Dowd working over Shepherd with some ground and pound. Shepherd looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wellen Dowd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack Shepherd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dowd thows a huge punch but Shepherd dodges it nicely.
Dowd is nestled in close to Shepherd, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Shepherd has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dowd throws a strike but Shepherd avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Shepherd manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dowd tries to hold on but Shepherd postures up.
Dowd is working to get back to half guard.
Wellen Dowd overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shepherd looking to control and managing it successfully.
Shepherd avoids the attempt from Dowd to control.
Shepherd takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Shepherd looking to control but Dowd is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shepherd content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Dowd gets back to half guard.
Shepherd passes into side control, despite Dowd's attempt to control the position.
Shepherd tries to stand but Dowd is controlling his head.
Dowd is trying to control Shepherd's posture but Shepherd avoids it.
Dowd being controlled for a moment.
Dowd manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 45:49
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 45:49
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Shepherd! Jack Shepherd retains his welterweight title!