PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason Bozzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Sheppards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carl Sheppards is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bozzi
vs
Sheppards

176 cm
22
154 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

181 cm
25
159 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jason Bozzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Carl Sheppards!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bozzi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sheppards throws out the jab.
Bozzi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sheppards lands with a good body shot.
Sheppards swings for the body but Bozzi moves out of range.
Bozzi tried to counter with a leg kick but Sheppards avoided it.
Bozzi misses with a hook.
Bozzi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Russian Fighting Community Gym in the buildup to the fight.
A swing and a miss from Bozzi.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sheppards! But no joy.
A leg kick checked by Sheppards.
Bozzi defending well as Sheppards loads up on a big left hand.
Sheppards just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBozzi.

Sheppards shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bozzi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sheppards controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bozzi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sheppards is one step ahead there.
Sheppards tries to free his leg and advance position but Bozzi is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bozzi trying to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bozzi is on top in guard.

Sheppards is looking for a triangle but Bozzi pushes his legs off easily.
Bozzi wants to control from the top but Sheppards keeps moving.
Sheppards wants to sweep here but Bozzi controlling him for the moment.

Sheppards working for a triangle but Bozzi defends it easily.
Bozzi postures up in Sheppards's guard and throws a big left but Sheppards blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sheppards works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sheppards wants to sweep but no luck.
Bozzi trying to control but Sheppards is working from the bottom.
Sheppards looking to control but Bozzi passes into half guard.
Sheppards keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bozzi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sheppards knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bozzi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bozzi winds up and cracks Sheppards with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bozzi lands with a punch from half guard.

Bozzi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sheppards is just riding it out for now. Bozzi eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi trying to mount his opponent but Sheppards defends it.
Sheppards wants to improve his position but Bozzi is controlling well.
Bozzi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sheppards moves into full guard.
Sheppards looking for a sweep. Not yet Sheppards, not yet.
Sheppards is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bozzi 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.
Bozzi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sheppards is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bozzi trying to control the position from guard on top but Sheppards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bozzi cracks Sheppards with a solid left hand.
Bozzi trying to control but Sheppards is working from the bottom.
Bozzi passes Sheppards's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bozzi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sheppards has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bozzi is working away from the top position though.
Sheppards tries to get to full guard but Bozzi has control of the leg.
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 Jason Bozzi will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Good exchange - Bozzi coming out on top.
Sheppards tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bozzi was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheppards.
A big right from Sheppards misses.
Bozzi tries to counter with a takedown but Sheppards is quick to defend against it.
Sheppards misses with a looping right.
Sheppards throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bozzi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bozzi misses with an uppercut.
Good shot there by Sheppards.
Bozzi is looking to slow Sheppards down with leg kicks.
Sheppards shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bozzi as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheppards lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bozzi circles away quickly and effectively.
Sheppards takes one to the chin there.
A lazy left from Bozzi finds it's target.
Bozzi lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Carl Sheppards has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppards shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bozzi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bozzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sheppards was well out of range. Poor timing from Bozzi.
Sheppards swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sheppards with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bozzi to score with a decent uppercut.
Sheppards thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sheppards getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bozzi ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Bozzi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bozzi pushes Sheppards away with a front kick.
Nice defenses there by Bozzi.
Bozzi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bozzi misses with a looping left.
It seemed like Sheppards was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sheppards jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bozzi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A good leg kick by Bozzi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good exchange - Bozzi coming out on top.
Bozzi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sheppards scores with a jab to the body.
Bozzi slips a straight right by Sheppards.
Sheppards throws a body shot but no joy.
Sheppards throws a lazy right hand but Bozzi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bozzi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bozzi.
Bozzi scoring well with a low kick there.
Sheppards misses with a two punch combination.
Bozzi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sheppards has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fighters circling - Sheppards throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bozzi.
Sheppards missing with a left hand there. Bozzi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Sheppards catches Bozzi right on the button with a cross.
Sheppards takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bozzi looks to land a combination but Sheppards avoids it well.
Sheppards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bozzi.
The fighters circling - Sheppards throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sheppards fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sheppards tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bozzi was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheppards.
Bozzi scores with a hook.
Bozzi thuds a left hand into Sheppards's body.
Jason Bozzi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sheppards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sheppards misses with an uppercut.
Bozzi feints and then cracks Sheppards's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sheppards down.
Sheppards walks into a jab.
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!
Bozzi connects with a body shot.
Jason Bozzi is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bozzi can pounce on him.
Bozzi ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Bozzi darts in looking for a takedown but Sheppards gets double underhooks and turns Bozzi into the ropes.
Sheppards scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bozzi pushes Sheppards away with a front kick.
Bozzi looks to land a right hand but Sheppards moved out of range.
Sheppards takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bozzi scores with a punch to the head.
Sheppards throws out a loose jab but Bozzi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bozzi loads up on a big right hand but Sheppards slips the punch.
Bozzi throws a leg kick which misses Sheppards's front leg but catches the back leg as Sheppards tries to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice defenses there by Bozzi.
Bozzi takes one to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Bozzi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Carl Sheppards's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bozzi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bozzi connects with an inside leg kick.
Sheppards fails with a takedown attempt.
Bozzi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bozzi wants it to stay on the feet.
Sheppards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bozzi.
Bozzi is looking to counter punch.
Bozzi lands a head kick!
Sheppards with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sheppards misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bozzi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sheppards.
Sheppards wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sheppards throws a hook but Bozzi avoids it easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sheppards crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bozzi - the referee stops the clock and Sheppards gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bozzi. Sheppards manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sheppards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppards throws a series of punches but Bozzi moves out of range.
Bozzi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sheppards swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bozzi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sheppards throws out the jab.
Bozzi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sheppards's calf.
Bozzi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bozzi lands a glancing blow to the side of Sheppards's head.
Bozzi works the jab nicely.
Sheppards throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bozzi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bozzi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sheppards waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bozzi.
Sheppards takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sheppards cracks Bozzi with a right hand to the side of the head.
Carl Sheppards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot lands for Bozzi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Bozzi throws a head kick that half lands.
Sheppards takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sheppards throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sheppards avoids the body shot from Bozzi.
A slow jab from Sheppards misses its intended target.
Bozzi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sheppards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bozzi.
No joy there for Bozzi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bozzi scores with a head kick. Sheppards tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Bozzi connects with a leg kick. Sheppards looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sheppards misses with a body shot.
Bozzi lands a head kick!
Bozzi cracks the inside of Sheppards's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards misses with a looping right.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Bozzi.
Sheppards's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sheppards stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bozzi.
Sheppards takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bozzi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sheppards can do to turn this around?
Bozzi moves forwards but Sheppards connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sheppards looks to land a left hand but Bozzi moved out of range nicely.
Bozzi throws a good cross that connects.
Crunch! Bozzi slams his shin into Sheppards's torso.
Sheppards misses with an uppercut.
Sheppards has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bozzi.
Bozzi looks to score with a jab to the body but Sheppards is just out of range.
Bozzi ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Bozzi throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bozzi.
A good leg kick by Bozzi.
Sheppards misses the body punch
and Bozzi counters with a straight right hand.
Sheppards misses with the combination.
Bozzi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sheppards walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sheppards walks into a jab.
Sheppards throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bozzi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bozzi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bozzi connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Bozzi clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Carl Sheppards's cut.
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.

Sheppards takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sheppards throws a right hand that Bozzi ducks under and follows up with a left that Bozzi also avoids with ease.
Sheppards drops his hands momentarily and Bozzi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bozzi throws a head kick that misses.
Sheppards misses with a body punch
and Bozzi counters with a series of strikes. Sheppards will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bozzi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bozzi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sheppards scores with a jab.
Bozzi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sheppards tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bozzi was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheppards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sheppards throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bozzi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bozzi lands a slapping body shot.
Bozzi is looking to slow Sheppards down with leg kicks.
Sheppards takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Bozzi.
Bozzi misses with a looping right.
It seemed like Sheppards was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sheppards tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sheppards uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bozzi.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bozzi.
A big right from Bozzi misses.
Sheppards scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sheppards missing with a left hand there. Bozzi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sheppards takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bozzi ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Bozzi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sheppards sprawls and moves away.
Bozzi ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Bozzi misses with a looping right.
An inside leg kick lands from Bozzi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards throws a looping overhand right but Bozzi ducks down to avoid it.
Bozzi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sheppards throws out the jab.
Bozzi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sheppards is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bozzi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sheppards misses with an uppercut
and Bozzi counters with a thumping low kick.
Bozzi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sheppards.
A shot to the liver by Sheppards. Beautiful body shot.
No joy there for Sheppards, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bozzi scores with a leg kick.
Sheppards takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sheppards throws a jab but it's blocked by Bozzi.
Sheppards misses with a hook to the body
and Bozzi counters with a nice uppercut.
Bozzi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sheppards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bozzi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bozzi tries a head kick but it misses.
Sheppards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Bozzi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sheppards keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bozzi slips under a jab.
Bozzi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sheppards throws a shot from downtown. Bozzi moves away and avoids it.
Bozzi lands a nice looking body kick.
Sheppards is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A good leg kick by Bozzi.
Bozzi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sheppards's calf.
Sheppards misses with a series of wild punches.
Sheppards has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sheppards tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sheppards slips under a jab from Bozzi.
Sheppards appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bozzi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sheppards's calf.
Sheppards throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bozzi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sheppards's knee momentarily.
Bozzi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bozzi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sheppards looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sheppards throws a lazy uppercut
and Bozzi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice defenses there by Bozzi.
Sheppards throws a body shot but no joy.
Bozzi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sheppards.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Bozzi had his way with Carl Sheppards in that round.
The cut man is working on Carl Sheppards's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bozzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sheppards looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A shot to the liver by Sheppards. Beautiful body shot.
Sheppards lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bozzi backs up against the ropes.
Bozzi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sheppards misses with a hook. Bozzi ducked under it nicely.
Bozzi feinted with a counter takedown.
Bozzi misses with a head kick.
Bozzi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sheppards under the eye.
Nice defenses there by Bozzi.
Some wild striking there from Bozzi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Sheppards misses.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bozzi throws a lazy head kick
and Sheppards counters with a straight right hand.
Bozzi thuds his shin into the meat of Sheppards's side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheppards misses with a body shot.
Bozzi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sheppards looks to score with a jab to the body but Bozzi is just out of range.
Crunch! Bozzi slams his shin into Sheppards's torso.
Sheppards looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fighters circling - Bozzi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sheppards closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sheppards looks to throw the jab but Bozzi is out of range.
Bozzi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sheppards.
Bozzi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bozzi ducks under a wild hook from Sheppards.
Sheppards misses with a looping right.
Sheppards misses with a body shot
and Bozzi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Sheppards really felt that one!
Sheppards is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bozzi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sheppards.
Bozzi connects with a leg kick. Sheppards looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bozzi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sheppards manages to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bozzi fakes the leg kick and cracks Sheppards in the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bozzi. That's going to slow Sheppards down.
Sheppards waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bozzi.
Sheppards misses with an uppercut
and Sheppards takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
You can see that Sheppards has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Bozzi connects with a nice looking jab.
Bozzi lands a leg kick that knocks Sheppards off balance momentarily.
Bozzi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sheppards.
Sheppards misses the shot to the body.
Sheppards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bozzi.
Carl Sheppards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheppards misses with an uppercut

and Bozzi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bozzi.
Bozzi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Bozzi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bozzi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sheppards is controlling Bozzi's posture.
Bozzi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bozzi tries to free his leg and advance position but Sheppards is retaining full guard.
Sheppards trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bozzi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bozzi wants to pass the guard but Sheppards is keeping the position.
Jason Bozzi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bozzi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sheppards thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Sheppards looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bozzi passes into side control.
Sheppards is looking for a sweep.
Bozzi landing a few strikes.
Bozzi working the head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Bozzi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bozzi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Bozzi!
A very excited looking Jason Bozzi made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.