PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Hammertree (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Vera
vs
Hammertree

178 cm
23
166 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brandon Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick Hammertree!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vera shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hammertree manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Vera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hammertree swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammertree is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
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.
Vera controls from within his opponent's guard.
Vera looking to pass the guard.
Vera trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammertree is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammertree really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vera. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hammertree leaves Vera with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vera keeps the fight on the outside.
Horrible takedown by Vera or perhaps it was just good defense by Hammertree which made him look bad.
Vera shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hammertree sprawls well. Hammertree wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vera gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vera keeps the fight on the outside.
Hammertree tries to clinch up but Vera circles away and keeps his distance.
Hammertree tries to clinch up.
Hammertree throws a head kick but Vera moves out of range.
Hammertree shoots for a double leg takedown but Vera sprawls well. He's pushed Hammertree's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hammertree has his takedown stuffed

and Vera counters with a single leg into guard. Hammertree didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hammertree had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vera defends it easily.
Vera wants to control from the top but Hammertree keeps moving.
Hammertree wants to control but Vera passes easily into half guard.
Vera trying to control from half guard but Hammertree is working away.
Hammertree has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Vera is working away from the top position though.
Vera is looking to take a break and control but Hammertree is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vera looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hammertree looks to clinch

and Vera counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hammertree's guard now.
Vera being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hammertree not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vera wants to control from the top but Hammertree keeps moving.
Vera content to stall in guard here.

Hammertree had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vera defends it easily.
Vera is working Hammertree over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hammertree is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hammertree can do anything to dispel that myth.
Vera trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammertree is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammertree wants to get back to his feet but Vera is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vera moves out of range of the body kick.
A low kick from Hammertree misses

and Vera counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vera sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hammertree's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vera is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Vera trying to control from half guard but Hammertree is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vera drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hammertree not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vera trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammertree is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammertree avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammertree trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Vera trying to control but Hammertree is working from the bottom.
Brandon Vera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vera wants to pass the guard but Hammertree is keeping the position.
Vera wants to control from the top but Hammertree keeps moving.
Hammertree throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hammertree tries to score with a low kick but Vera moves his leg out of the way.
Hammertree wants to clinch

and Vera counters with a single leg into guard. Hammertree didn't expect that.
Vera won't allow Hammertree to sweep him here.
Vera passes Hammertree's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Vera perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hammertree trying to control from the bottom.
Hammertree is not content to let Vera control the position.

Vera is working for a kimura but Hammertree is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hammertree wants to improve his position but Vera is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammertree keeps working.
Vera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vera is keen to just control but Hammertree is a slippery customer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hammertree tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Vera moves into the clinch.
Vera tries to pull guard but Hammertree won't allow it.
Hammertree is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Vera pulls guard.
Hammertree's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hammertree trying to control the position from guard on top but Vera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vera is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hammertree defends well.

Vera throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammertree tries to free his leg and advance position but Vera is retaining full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Vera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hammertree gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hammertree tries to free his leg and advance position but Vera is retaining full guard.
Hammertree trying to control but Vera is working from the bottom.
Vera is trying to control the position but Hammertree postures up.

That's four 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.
Hammertree looking to pass the guard.
Hammertree wants to control from the top but Vera keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hammertree wants to land a leg kick but Vera is out of range.

Vera closes the distance and clinches.
Vera drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hammertree gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hammertree wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hammertree has had enough of the clinch but Vera keeps him there for the moment.
Hammertree is trying to break free.
Hammertree wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Vera tightens his grip and picks Hammertree up, before dumping him to the ground. Hammertree manages to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Vera dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hammertree misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hammertree throws a lazy head kick

and Vera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vera.
Hammertree wants to break free but Vera has control.
Hammertree is working for takedown but Vera is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hammertree wants to get back to striking at distance but Vera won't allow it.
Hammertree wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vera has him pressed against the ropes.
Hammertree is trying to break the clinch but Vera is controlling him.
Hammertree is trying to force a seperation but Vera has the dominant position.
Vera fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Vera tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammertree just stands there and leans against the ropes.

Vera drags the fight down to the ground.
Vera is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hammertree looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hammertree manages to get himself to full guard.
Hammertree wants to stand but Vera is controlling the position.
Hammertree keeping moving, preventing Vera from controlling successfully.
Vera works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Vera trying to control the action but Hammertree is working from the bottom.
Hammertree blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vera.

Vera is working for a submission of some sort.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammertree is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Brandon Vera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vera seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hammertree does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hammertree looking for submissions off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hammertree scores with a spinning back kick!
Hammertree throws a front kick aimed at Vera's knee but Vera avoids it well.
Hammertree thuds his right hand into Vera's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nick Hammertree seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hammertree will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A low kick from Hammertree is predictable there

and Vera moves into the clinch.

Vera breaks from the clinch.
Vera avoids a kick to the body.
Hammertree tries to clinch up

and Vera counters with a single leg into guard. Hammertree didn't expect that.
Hammertree looking to control.
Hammertree keeping full guard, as Vera tries to pass.
Hammertree has control of Vera's left arm, preventing Vera from doing any damage.
Vera trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammertree is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera wants to pass the guard but Hammertree is keeping the position.
Hammertree is pulling down on Vera's head. It's preventing any offense from Vera, at least for the moment.

Hammertree had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vera defends it easily.
Vera forces his way into half guard.
Hammertree is trying to control but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Vera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vera, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Vera!