PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rico Verthonghen (ranked 4782 p4p, 4737 weight class) and Jack Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Verthonghen
vs
Hammer

199 cm
25
275
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
18
243
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rico Verthonghen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer shoots for a takedown but Verthonghen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hammer wants to clinch up but Verthonghen keeps it at a distance.
A counter left hand to the body from Verthonghen misses its target.
Verthonghen jabs Hammer right on the nose. Hammer blinks but takes it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hammer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hammer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Verthonghen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As Hammer looks to move away, Verthonghen throws a big counter combo but Hammer just gets out of the way.
Hammer throws a low kick, looking for Verthonghen's leg but Verthonghen calmly moves out of range.
Verthonghen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Hammer fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick lands for Verthonghen.
Hammer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Verthonghen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Verthonghen avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verthonghen cracks Hammer with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hammer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Verthonghen tried to counter with a leg kick but Hammer avoided it.
Verthonghen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Verthonghen blocks a jab.
Hammer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Verthonghen counters with an inside leg kick.
Hammer wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verthonghen lands with an overhand left.
Hammer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Verthonghen counters with a stiff right hand.
Rico Verthonghen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hammer.
A lazy left from Verthonghen finds it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Verthonghen.
Hammer has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Verthonghen.
Hammer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Verthonghen half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verthonghen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hammer shoots in and drives through. Verthonghen sprawls well.
Rico Verthonghen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hammer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hammer takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hammer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Verthonghen counters with a stiff right hand.
Good exchange - Verthonghen coming out on top.
Hammer avoids the body shot from Verthonghen.
Hammer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Verthonghen is fending him off so far but Hammer persists. Nope, Verthonghen circles away and we're back to standing.
Verthonghen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hammer.
Hammer tries for a takedown but Verthonghen circles away easily
and Verthonghen counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer drops his hands momentarily and Verthonghen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hammer tries to clinch up
enabling Verthonghen to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer closes the distance looking to clinch
and Verthonghen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hammer takes one to the chin there.
Verthonghen throws a right and a left that Hammer avoids nicely.
Hammer fails with the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Verthonghen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Verthonghen lands with a nice body kick.
Rico Verthonghen is winning the standup battle so far.
Verthonghen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Verthonghen wants it to stay on the feet.
Verthonghen jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Hammer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Verthonghen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Verthonghen counters with a solid body kick.
Hammer shoots for a double leg takedown but Verthonghen sprawls well. He's pushed Hammer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Verthonghen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rico Verthonghen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hammer.
Hammer is breathing heavily.
Hammer tries to clinch up but Verthonghen circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Verthonghen.
Verthonghen lands a right hook to the body.

Verthonghen cracks Hammer with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Verthonghen has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Hammer to stand back up!

Hammer is rocked!
Hammer shoots in for a takedown but Verthonghen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hammer is still on wobbly legs! Can Verthonghen finish him?
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!
Hammer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hammer seems to have recovered his senses.
Verthonghen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Verthonghen lands a nice shot to the body.
Verthonghen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hammer's head.
Hammer ducks into an uppercut from Verthonghen and that's knocked him out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Rico Verthonghen!