PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Trip Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Greg MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hammer
vs
MacDonald

150 cm
21
151 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

189 cm
27
150 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Nemesis Cage Clothing (SALE)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Trip Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Greg MacDonald!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Bruno Hogan and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacDonald scores with a jab to the head.
MacDonald is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
MacDonald lands a nice hook to Hammer's body. Hammer takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The fight stays on the outside here - MacDonald looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
MacDonald changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Greg MacDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacDonald uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hammer has time to react.
MacDonald fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hammer avoids it really well and circles away.
MacDonald lands a high kick!
MacDonald tries to clinch but Hammer is having none of it.
MacDonald lands a jab to the head.
Hammer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and MacDonald connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
MacDonald tries to score with a low kick but Hammer moves his leg out of the way.
MacDonald is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hammer on the wrong end of a nice hook.

MacDonald moves into range and clinches up with Hammer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald is pressed up against the cage. Hammer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag MacDonald down to the mat. MacDonald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
MacDonald pulls out of a head kick attempt.
MacDonald throws a solid leg kick but Hammer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at MacDonald.
Hammer blocks a low kick nicely.
Hammer fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trip Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right-left combo lands from MacDonald.

MacDonald pushes Hammer up against the cage in a clinch.
Hammer is working for takedown but MacDonald is calmly controlling the position for now.

MacDonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circle momentarily. MacDonald darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
MacDonald throws a right and a left that Hammer avoids nicely.
MacDonald tries to land a leg kick but Hammer saw it coming and moves away.
MacDonald tries for a takedown but Hammer circles away easily

so Hammer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

MacDonald is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald lands a shoulder strike.
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. MacDonald is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hammer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald lands an uppercut.
Hammer goes for a takedown in the clinch but MacDonald prevents it.
Hammer tries to stall but MacDonald uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Hammer has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed MacDonald clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer tries to get the hooks in deep but MacDonald pushed the leg off.
Hammer avoiding MacDonald 's attempts to control his hands.
Hammer missing with punches from the back.
MacDonald rolls, trying to escape but Hammer keeps control of the position.
Hammer missing with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald trying to control the action but Hammer just sinks the hooks in.

Hammer is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. MacDonald is defending well though. Hammer let's go of the attempt for now.
Hammer missing with strikes from the back.
Hammer thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Hammer missing with strikes.
Hammer doesn't have the hooks in and MacDonald manages to turn into his guard.
MacDonald wants to stand but Hammer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hammer looking for a sweep. Not yet Hammer, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hammer is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammer manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
MacDonald wants to control but Hammer is having none of it.
Hammer looking to finish with strikes here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammer punching from mount but MacDonald doing a good job of avoiding damage.
MacDonald really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hammer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hammer lands a big shot there that rocks MacDonald but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Greg MacDonald will probably get the nod.
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.

MacDonald lands a head kick. Hammer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
MacDonald lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
MacDonald getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
MacDonald shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hammer counters with a single leg into guard. MacDonald didn't expect that.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but MacDonald blocks nicely.
Hammer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammer won't allow MacDonald to sweep him here.
Hammer 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald is trying to keep Hammer in close.
MacDonald has momentary wrist control but Hammer slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammer keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of MacDonald's head.
Hammer with a nice head shot there.
Hammer stops MacDonald from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hammer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hammer lands a couple of decent looking shots.
MacDonald wants to stand but Hammer is controlling the position.
MacDonald is breathing heavily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hammer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hammer throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. MacDonald is keeping the position for now.
MacDonald tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hammer is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hammer postures up in MacDonald's guard and throws a big left but MacDonald blocks it.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but MacDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
MacDonald misses with a takedown

and Hammer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hammer lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer postures up.
Hammer is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hammer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of MacDonald's head.
Hammer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. MacDonald is keeping the position for now.
Hammer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as MacDonald works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but MacDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MacDonald working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hammer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hammer is in close to MacDonald's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hammer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hammer stopping the sweep attempt from MacDonald.
Hammer throwing strikes but missing.
MacDonald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
MacDonald trying to control the position here.
MacDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trip Hammer dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

MacDonald tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Hammer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. MacDonald sprawls well initially but Hammer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hammer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Hammer is working for a submission of some sort.
MacDonald has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hammer is working away from the top position though.
Hammer trying to mount his opponent but MacDonald defends it.
MacDonald trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hammer.
Trip Hammer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hammer is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MacDonald wants to improve his position but Hammer is controlling well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
MacDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Hammer moves out of range easily.
MacDonald scores with the left hand. Hammer knows he should have avoided that one.
MacDonald tries for a takedown but Hammer circles away easily

and Hammer counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Hammer seems to be looking for submissions.
Hammer is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer lands strikes from half guard.
MacDonald on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
MacDonald is looking for a sweep. Hammer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hammer is sneakily working for an arm triangle but MacDonald sees it coming and defends easily.
MacDonald is trying to stand back up but Hammer is controlling him

Hammer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, MacDonald has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hammer throwing shots but MacDonald is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer thows a huge punch but MacDonald dodges it nicely.
MacDonald is trying to stand back up but Hammer is controlling him
Hammer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
MacDonald tries to score with a low kick but Hammer moves his leg out of the way.
No luck for MacDonald with that takedown attempt.

MacDonald has managed to clinch.
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. MacDonald is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Hammer has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics MacDonald uses from the top position.

Hammer is looking for a triangle but MacDonald pushes his legs off easily.
MacDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
MacDonald looking to pass the guard.
MacDonald wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hammer holds on and takes a little breather.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trip Hammer showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hammer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trip Hammer!