PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marc The Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Hammer's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Eminem-Till I Collapse. Overeem has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

The Hammer
vs
Overeem

200 cm
18
235 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
280 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marc The Hammer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alistair Overeem!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Overeem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The Hammer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Overeem as he avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by The Hammer or perhaps it was just good defense by Overeem which made him look bad.
Overeem tries to clinch but The Hammer is having none of it.

Overeem clinches with his opponent.
A nice right hand lands inside from Overeem.
Overeem pushes The Hammer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Overeem works on The Hammer's body with a couple of short punches.
Overeem is leaning against The Hammer and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The Hammer is breathing heavily.
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 short right from Overeem.
Overeem is looking to break free of the clinch but The Hammer has double underhooks.
Overeem lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Overeem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Overeem wants to break the clinch but can't.
The Hammer tries to land a knee to the head but Overeem blocks with his arms.
Overeem can't break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Overeem.
Overeem scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Overeem takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem is leaning against The Hammer and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Overeem.

Overeem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Overeem tries to clinch there but The Hammer circles away.

Overeem moves into the clinch.
The Hammer trying to stall but Overeem improves his position.
Overeem makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Overeem lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Overeem prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc The Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body punch from Overeem - that landed with a thud.
The Hammer prevents Overeem from breaking the clinch.

The Hammer breaks from the clinch.

Overeem has taken the fight to the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Overeem.
The Hammer looking to slow down the pace here.
Overeem is working The Hammer over against the cage.
The Hammer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Overeem smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Hammer shoots in but no luck this time.
Overeem throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck The Hammer on the side of the head.
The Hammer tries to clinch up but Overeem circles away and keeps his distance.
The Hammer shoots for a double leg takedown but Overeem sprawls well. He's pushed The Hammer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The Hammer closes the distance and clinches up with Overeem, looking for a takedown. The Hammer pushes Overeem against the cage but Overeem circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The Hammer circles away from the clinch attempt

and The Hammer counters by clinching up.

Overeem breaks from the clinch.
The Hammer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Overeem tries to clinch but The Hammer is having none of it.
The Hammer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch but The Hammer swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The Hammer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Overeem's waist but Overeem gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing The Hammer off to one side.
The Hammer keeps the fight on the outside.
Overeem stuffs the takedown attempt from The Hammer. The Hammer gets slowly back to his feet.
Alistair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Overeem misses.
The Hammer shoots in and drives through. Overeem sprawls well.
The Hammer swats away the attempt to clinch by Overeem.
Overeem avoids the head kick by The Hammer.
Overeem digs a good body shot into The Hammer's ribs.
The Hammer doesn't manage to clinch there - Overeem circles away.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch up but The Hammer swats him away and circles back towards the center.

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.
No joy there for Overeem, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Horrible takedown by The Hammer or perhaps it was just good defense by Overeem which made him look bad.
The Hammer keeps the fight on the outside.
The Hammer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Overeem misses with a two punch combination.
The Hammer shoots in but no luck this time.

The Hammer clinches.
Overeem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Overeem presses The Hammer against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The Hammer fails to pull guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Hammer fails to pull guard.
The Hammer fails to pull guard.
Overeem is trying to break free.
Overeem works on The Hammer's body with a couple of short punches.

The Hammer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Overeem dominated that round.
That's time! The Hammer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The Hammer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Overeem smiles and moves away.
Overeem swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The Hammer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Overeem as he avoids it easily.
The Hammer shoots in but Overeem avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc The Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem clinches but The Hammer breaks the clinch

so The Hammer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The Hammer preventing the sweep.
The Hammer slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Overeem wants to stand and escape but The Hammer is having none of it.
Overeem is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as The Hammer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The Hammer sitting in guard here, content to control.
Overeem really doesn't want to stay on the ground with The Hammer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The Hammer stands and throws Overeem's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Overeem wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The Hammer is looking to take a break and control but Overeem is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The Hammer thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The Hammer is looking to take a break and control but Overeem is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The Hammer controls the position.
Overeem is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The Hammer fails to land the takedown.
The Hammer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Overeem clinches up against the cage.
Overeem scores with a shoulder strike.
Overeem wants to break the clinch but can't.
The Hammer digs a right hand into Overeem's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Overeem's gas tank.
Overeem gets underhooks to prevent The Hammer's takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Overeem scores with a nice short uppercut.
Overeem dodges an elbow strike from The Hammer.
A short body shot lands from Overeem as the two fighters clinch.
Overeem lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt The Hammer or not.
The Hammer wants to break free but Overeem has control.
The Hammer wants a takedown but no success here.
Overeem presses The Hammer against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Overeem lands a hook that snaps the head of The Hammer backwards.
Overeem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The Hammer tries to break the clinch but Overeem is controlling the position.
Overeem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but The Hammer has him pressed against the cage.

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.
The Hammer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Overeem slows down the pace here.
Overeem throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Overeem lands a body shot in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Overeem.

The Hammer breaks from the clinch.
The Hammer has a takedown stuffed.
Overeem swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and The Hammer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Overeem wants to stand up but The Hammer is controlling him.

Overeem is working an open guard so The Hammer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Overeem tries to clinch but The Hammer moves away

and The Hammer counters by clinching up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short right from Overeem on the inside.
Overeem scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc The Hammer dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Overeem moves in looking to clinch but The Hammer pushes him off.
The Hammer has a takedown stuffed.
Marc The Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Overeem takes the fight into the clinch.
The Hammer tries to pull guard but Overeem holds him up against the cage and eventually The Hammer drops back down to his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Overeem as The Hammer tries to tie him up.
The Hammer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Overeem pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc The Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The Hammer working aggressively here.

Overeem manages to break the clinch.
Overeem tries to clinch but The Hammer moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Hammer tries to close the distance and clinch but Overeem swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Overeem keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The Hammer has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Overeem gets a clinch.
The Hammer tries to pull guard but Overeem won't allow it.
Overeem lands a shot to the body.
Overeem stalls.
Overeem lands a right hand that snaps the head of The Hammer backwards.
The Hammer prevents Overeem from breaking the clinch.
Overeem is stalling here.
The Hammer throws an elbow that misses.
The Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Overeem as The Hammer tries to tie him up.
The Hammer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The Hammer fails to pull guard.
Overeem lands with a left to the head.
The Hammer is working for takedown but Overeem is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is pressed up against the cage. The Hammer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Overeem down to the mat. Overeem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The Hammer defending well as Overeem loads up on a big left hand.
The Hammer shoots in but no luck this time.
Overeem is looking to clinch but The Hammer is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Overeem looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Overeem rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but The Hammer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The Hammer connects with a single shot there.
The Hammer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Overeem as he avoids it easily.
Overeem wants to clinch but The Hammer slips to the side
and The Hammer counters with a nice kick to the body.
Overeem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Overeem swinging wilding here.
The Hammer on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Hammer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Overeem chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before The Hammer can pounce on him.
The Hammer dodges the punch combination from Overeem.
The Hammer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Overeem. No joy for The Hammer on that attempt.
The Hammer dodges the punch combination from Overeem.
The Hammer misses with a jab, cross combination.

The Hammer tries to keep at a distance but Overeem has taken the fight into the clinch.
Overeem looking to stall.

The Hammer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Overeem closes the distance but The Hammer moves to the side
and The Hammer counters with a two punch combo.
The Hammer shoots for a double leg takedown but Overeem sprawls well. He's pushed The Hammer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The Hammer fails to land the takedown.
Overeem misses with a wild combination.
The Hammer has a takedown stuffed.

The Hammer closes the distance and clinches.
Alistair Overeem seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Hammer looking to slow down the pace here.
Overeem is looking to break free of the clinch but The Hammer has double underhooks.
Overeem avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Overeem really dominated that 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.

Overeem takes a swing at The Hammer's ribcage but misses.
The Hammer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Overeem tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and The Hammer counters by clinching up.
The Hammer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Overeem just stands there and leans against the cage.
The Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Overeem pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc The Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem clinches but The Hammer breaks the clinch

and The Hammer counters by moving into the clinch.
Overeem lands an uppercut.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Overeem wants to break free but The Hammer has control.
Overeem prevents the takedown attempt.

The Hammer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The Hammer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Overeem throws out the jab.
Overeem darts in trying to clinch

and The Hammer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by The Hammer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Overeem breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The Hammer fails with a takedown attempt.
Alistair Overeem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Overeem tries to keep at a distance but The Hammer has taken the fight into the clinch.
Overeem wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Overeem as The Hammer tries to tie him up.
Overeem lands with a light punch inside.
The Hammer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Overeem can't break the clinch.
The Hammer jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Overeem walks away with a smile on his face. The Hammer gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The Hammer wants to clinch but Overeem slips to the side
and Overeem counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The Hammer is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Overeem swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No luck for The Hammer with that takedown attempt.
The Hammer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Overeem pinned against the cage. Overeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The Hammer tries for a takedown but Overeem circles away easily
and Overeem connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Overeem tries to clinch but The Hammer moves away

and The Hammer counters with a shoot takedown. Overeem fights it but they end up in guard.
Overeem managing to control the position.
The Hammer wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.
The Hammer won't allow Overeem to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Hammer sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Overeem's guard.
Overeem throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Overeem is refusing to be controlled, as The Hammer sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Overeem tries to push off, looking to stand up, but The Hammer manages to move to mount!
Overeem is working to get back to half guard.
The Hammer landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Overeem working to try and regain half guard.
The Hammer landing strikes from the mount and Overeem is in trouble!
Overeem is looking to improve his position but The Hammer isn't that keen on the idea.
The Hammer with a couple of short strikes.
The Hammer in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The Hammer is landing with some decent strikes but Overeem is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Overeem is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
The Hammer manages to capitalize on a mistake by Overeem to take his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc The Hammer had his way with Alistair Overeem in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

The Hammer shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Overeem as he jumps to the side.
The Hammer fails with the takedown.

Overeem clinches up against the cage.
The Hammer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc The Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem lands with a right to the head.
The Hammer jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Overeem walks away with a smile on his face. The Hammer gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Overeem tries to clinch but The Hammer moves away

and The Hammer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Overeem's guard now.
Overeem keeping moving, preventing The Hammer from controlling successfully.
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.
Overeem trying to strike off his back.
The Hammer wants to control from the top but Overeem keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overeem wants to get back to his feet but The Hammer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Overeem throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
The Hammer is pushing down on Overeem's leg trying to pass to half guard. Overeem is fighting to maintain full guard but The Hammer has managed to sneak the leg through.
The Hammer passes into side control, despite Overeem's attempt to control the position.
The Hammer is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Overeem will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Overeem pushes The Hammer away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, The Hammer gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Overeem tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but The Hammer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Overeem is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

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.
Overeem can't do much from the bottom here.
The Hammer wants to control but Overeem is keeping him busy.
Overeem is looking to regain half guard here but The Hammer keeps moving and retains side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Overeem can do anything to dispel that myth.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Overeem swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and The Hammer counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Overeem throws a nice looking combination but The Hammer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Overeem tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but The Hammer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Overeem wants to clinch.
Horrible takedown by The Hammer or perhaps it was just good defense by Overeem which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Hammer swats away the attempt to clinch by Overeem.
The Hammer avoids a punch combination nicely.
The Hammer scoring well with a low kick there.
The Hammer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Overeem closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The Hammer keeps control of Overeem as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Overeem gets underhooks to prevent The Hammer's takedown attempt.
Overeem taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A shot in the inside from Overeem.
The Hammer looking for a takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Overeem.
The Hammer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The Hammer tries for a takedown. No joy.
The Hammer tries to pull guard but Overeem won't allow it.
The Hammer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Overeem pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Overeem lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The Hammer can't break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Overeem.
Overeem stalling against the cage.
Overeem prevents a takedown attempt there.
The Hammer jumps guard but Overeem stands there with The Hammer around his waist. The Hammer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Overeem digs a right hand underneath The Hammer's ribcage. The Hammer let out a lung full of air as it connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alistair Overeem.
I think Overeem 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 48:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!