PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Shephard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shephard
vs
Sanchez

178 cm
24
164 lbs
7 - 2 - 2

170 cm
20
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 7 - 2 - 2, fighting out of New York, Jack Shephard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Julio Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Anthony Taglia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shephard swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.

Sanchez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Shephard looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sanchez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shephard sees it coming and defends easily.
Shephard trying to control here.
Shephard is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez wants to take a breather but Shephard is having none of it.
Well, if Sanchez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
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. Sanchez connects with a nice short shot to Shephard's temple.

Sanchez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shephard is just riding it out for now. Sanchez eventually gives up the hold.
Sanchez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shephard is trying to maintain the position but Sanchez is very close to passing his half guard.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura but Shephard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanchez to get the leverage.
Sanchez working the head and body with strikes.
Shephard makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shephard.
Shephard controlling the position.
Sanchez postures up.
Shephard 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.
Sanchez forces his way into half guard.
Sanchez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shephard does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sanchez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shephard has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shephard tries to roll over but Sanchez keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Sanchez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shephard doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sanchez.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura here.
Shephard trying to control from the bottom.
Shephard tries to roll over but Sanchez keeps him under control.

Shephard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanchez pulls his head out easily.
Sanchez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sanchez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shephard manages to get to full guard.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Shephard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Shephard is retaining full guard.

Sanchez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sanchez preventing the sweep.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shephard looking to control.
Sanchez throwing strikes from guard but Shephard blocks nicely.
Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Shephard.

Sanchez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sanchez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Shephard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Shephard keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
Shephard trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.
Shephard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanchez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sanchez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sanchez dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sanchez dives in and grabs Shephard's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shephard pushes down on Sanchez's head and hops out.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shephard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sanchez.
Sanchez shoots for a takedown but Shephard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jack Shephard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julio Sanchez.
Shephard throws a series of strikes that have Sanchez backpedaling.
Sanchez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shephard tries to avoid it but Sanchez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shephard to the ground. Shephard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shephard tries to clinch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez takes one to the side of the head.
Shephard lands with a good body shot.
Shephard connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shephard wants to clinch up but Sanchez keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shephard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shephard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown. Shephard tries to sprawl out of it but Sanchez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shephard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shephard tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanchez is able to avoid easily.
Sanchez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shephard pinned against the cage. Shephard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shephard cracks a nice hook into Sanchez's ribs.
Sanchez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sanchez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shephard sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

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.

Sanchez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Shephard's half guard.
Shephard gets back to full guard.
Shephard controls Sanchez momentarily but Sanchez frees himself.

Shephard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shephard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Shephard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shephard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shephard is really struggling to control Sanchez but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Shephard 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sanchez trying to control but Shephard is working from the bottom.

Sanchez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sanchez preventing the sweep.

Shephard is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shephard pulls Sanchez in close to prevent any damage.
Shephard looking to control.

Sanchez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shephard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Shephard is retaining full guard.

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.
Sanchez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shephard's head.
Sanchez trying to control but Shephard is working from the bottom.

Shephard is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shephard keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Shephard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shephard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Sanchez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sanchez throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shephard dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck for Sanchez with that takedown attempt.
Sanchez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shephard.

Sanchez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shephard to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sanchez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shephard trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shephard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Shephard from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Shephard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shephard trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shephard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanchez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Shephard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shephard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shephard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shephard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shephard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanchez 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shephard looking to pass the guard.

Sanchez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sanchez looking to control.
Sanchez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Shephard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Shephard is proving a slippery customer.

Sanchez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez looking for subs off his back but Shephard has passed one foot through into half guard.
Sanchez gets back to full guard.

Sanchez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shephard is aware though and is defending well.
Shephard content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sanchez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shephard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shephard passes Sanchez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is pressing down on Shephard's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Shephard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanchez looking to control.
Shephard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanchez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shephard scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shephard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sanchez has his foot on Shephard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shephard works his way back into a safe position though.

Shephard got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanchez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shephard has managed to get both his arms back between Sanchez's legs - danger averted.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Shephard controlling him for the moment.
Shephard is in close to Sanchez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shephard wants to pass the guard but Sanchez is keeping the position.

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 Jack Shephard.
I think Shephard 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Julio Sanchez!