PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nathaniel Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Dowell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nathaniel Shepard has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Shepard
vs
Dowell

182 cm
24
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

205 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nathaniel Shepard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Dowell!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dowell.

Dowell closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Shepard did well to prevent Dowell getting side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Shepard trying to control here.
Shepard is trying to get back to full guard.
Dowell looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shepard is trying to stand up here but Dowell is controlling him well.
Dowell controlling the action here.
Shepard holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

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.
Shepard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Dowell looking to score a takedown here. Shepard is defending well but Dowell drives through and ends up in Shepard's guard.
Shepard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dowell working some strikes from top position.

Dowell 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.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Dowell from controlling successfully.
Dowell engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dowell trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Dowell was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Shepard moves out of range of the body kick from Dowell.
Shepard takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Dowell looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Shepard!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
You can see the frustration on Shepard's face as Dowell controls the position.

Shepard bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Dowell closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dowell lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shepard.

Dowell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dowell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Shepard counters with a nice body kick.
Dowell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shepard circles away.
Nathaniel Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Dowell.
Shepard throws a right hand that Dowell ducks under and follows up with a left that Dowell also avoids with ease.
Dowell shoots in for a takedown but Shepard shows good takedown defense.
Dowell throws a leg kick
and Shepard counters with a body kick that stops Dowell in his tracks momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dowell.
Dowell throws a low kick, looking for Shepard's leg but Shepard calmly moves out of range.
Dowell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dowell misses with a few strikes there.
Dowell looks winded!
Dowell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shepard counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dowell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Dowell 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.

Dowell tries a head kick but it misses.
Dowell clobbers Shepard with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

It looks like Nathaniel Shepard has been cut.
Dowell looks to clinch

and Shepard counters by moving into the clinch.
Shepard jumps guard but Dowell stands there with Shepard around his waist. Shepard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Dowell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shepard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dowell slaps away a takedown attempt from Shepard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dowell misses with a takedown attempt
and Shepard counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Dowell.
Shepard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dowell goes for a double leg but Shepard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shepard continues to drive forward.

Dowell jumps guard.
Shepard wanted to stand there but Dowell had control of the position.
Shepard trying to control the position from guard on top but Dowell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shepard controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shepard wants to control from the top but Dowell keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nathaniel Shepard.
Dowell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shepard avoids it really well and circles away.
Nathaniel Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Dowell.
Dowell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Dowell shoots in for a takedown but Shepard shows good takedown defense.
Dowell tries to close the distance and clinch but Shepard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dowell shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shepard as he jumps to the side.
Dowell throws a one two combo.
Jack Dowell seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dowell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shepard tries to avoid it but Dowell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shepard to the ground. Shepard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dowell blocks a head kick by Shepard.
Dowell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shepard sprawls well. Shepard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dowell gets slowly back to his feet.
Dowell is breathing heavily.

Dowell looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dowell stops Shepard from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shepard controls Dowell momentarily but Dowell frees himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Shepard holds on and takes a little breather.

Dowell gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Dowell fails with the takedown

and Shepard counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Dowell breaks the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shepard throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dowell's waist but Dowell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shepard off to one side.
Shepard takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Dowell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Shepard's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shepard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Dowell feints and as Shepard raises his hands in defense, Dowell changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shepard controlling Dowell's posture.
Dowell showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Dowell from controlling successfully.
Dowell wants to pass the guard but Shepard is keeping the position.

Jack Dowell has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Shepard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard swinging wildly here.
Dowell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shepard sprawls well. Shepard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dowell gets slowly back to his feet.

Dowell drives through with a takedown into Shepard's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Shepard has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dowell trying to control but Shepard is working from the bottom.
Shepard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nathaniel Shepard just wasn't active enough.
Dowell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shepard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dowell somewhat.
Dowell shoots and misses
and Shepard counters with a two punch combo.
Nathaniel Shepard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Dowell.
Dowell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dowell goes for a double leg but Shepard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shepard continues to drive forward.
Dowell is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dowell tries to break the clinch but Shepard is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Shepard pulls guard.
Shepard seems keen to control Dowell's posture.
Shepard keeping moving, preventing Dowell from controlling successfully.
Shepard is pulling down on Dowell's head to control his posture.
Shepard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dowell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

We're going to have a standup here because Nathaniel Shepard wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dowell is defended easily by Shepard.
Dowell shoots in for a takedown but Shepard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shepard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dowell!
Shepard controlling from side mount.

Shepard stands up and beckons Dowell to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head kick by Dowell misses

and Shepard counters by moving into the clinch.
Nathaniel Shepard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack Dowell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shepard misses with a hook to the ribs.

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 Nathaniel Shepard.
Well Dowell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Dowell!