PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Walton Shepard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steffan Simonsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Walton Shepard had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Shepard
vs
Simonsen

190 cm
19
177 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

179 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Walton 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, Steffan Simonsen!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shepard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Simonsen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shepard somewhat.

Simonsen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Simonsen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Simonsen misses with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simonsen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Shepard is trying to get back to his feet.
Shepard is not content to let Simonsen control the position.
Shepard is trying to buck Simonsen off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Simonsen.
Shepard wants to control but Simonsen postures up.
Simonsen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Simonsen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shepard is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shepard is not content to let Simonsen control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two 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.
Shepard is looking for a sweep.
Shepard is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Simonsen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Simonsen throws an elbow but Shepard slips to the side and avoids it well.
Simonsen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Shepard tries to bench press Simonsen off him but Simonsen keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonsen is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Simonsen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shepard sprawls well initially but Simonsen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Simonsen trying to mount his opponent but Shepard defends it.

Simonsen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Simonsen prevents Shepard from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simonsen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simonsen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shepard defends it well.
Still in half guard, Simonsen seems content to control.
Shepard is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Simonsen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Simonsen's back!
Shepard lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

Simonsen is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Simonsen closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shepard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Simonsen is defending well.

Simonsen jumps guard and drags Shepard to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steffan Simonsen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Simonsen rushes Shepard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Simonsen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Shepard regains guard.
Simonsen throws a big elbow that misses.
Simonsen wants to control from the top but Shepard keeps moving.
Shepard is looking to stand back up but Simonsen counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Shepard.
Simonsen stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shepard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Simonsen seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard tries to kick Simonsen off but Simonsen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Simonsen is looking to take a break and control but Shepard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Simonsen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Shepard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Simonsen is working away from the top position though.
Shepard tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Simonsen manages to move to mount!

Simonsen is working for a guillotine from mount but Shepard frees his head quite easily.
Simonsen unloads with some shots from mount but Shepard bucks and avoids them well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shepard avoids a series of strikes thrown by Simonsen.
Simonsen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shepard wants to control but Simonsen is having none of it.
Simonsen controlling the position easily from mount.
Shepard sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Simonsen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shepard defends it well.
Simonsen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Shepard wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonsen tries to pass to full mount but Shepard defends it.

Simonsen stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Shepard to get to his feet.

Simonsen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Shepard is not content to let Simonsen control the position.
Shepard is trying to stand up here but Simonsen is controlling him well.
Shepard is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simonsen trying to pass the guard but Shepard defending well.
Shepard is looking to escape.
Simonsen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Simonsen prevents Shepard from improving his position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Simonsen wants to control but Shepard is keeping him busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Steffan Simonsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simonsen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steffan Simonsen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Shepard scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Simonsen struggling a bit here.
Simonsen dodges the ground and pound from Shepard.
Shepard gets to mount! Simonsen was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Simonsen is trying to escape the mount.
Simonsen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simonsen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Simonsen is looking to control Shepard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Simonsen avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepard wants to stand up but Simonsen has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Simonsen wants to improve his position but Shepard is controlling well.
Simonsen trying to control from the bottom.
Simonsen is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Shepard is staying active.
Shepard is taking a breather. Simonsen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two 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.
Shepard looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Simonsen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Shepard prevents Simonsen from improving his position.
Simonsen manages to get to full guard.
Simonsen wants to stand but Shepard is controlling the position.
Simonsen is pulling down on Shepard's head. It's preventing any offense from Shepard, at least for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonsen tries to clinch but Shepard is having none of it.

Simonsen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shepard's guard.
Simonsen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shepard controlling Simonsen's posture.
Simonsen stays in close to Shepard's body and controls the position.
Simonsen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shepard swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Shepard has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Simonsen has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simonsen jumps guard.
Shepard postures up and lands a big shot to Simonsen's brow.
Shepard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shepard lands a couple of digs.
Shepard lands a couple of digs.

Simonsen has an active guard here but Shepard has managed to pass into half guard.
Simonsen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shepard scores with a couple of nice shots.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters are battling for position here. Simonsen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walton Shepard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Simonsen 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steffan Simonsen!