PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Trip Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khal TD (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying TD's choice of entrance music: Give it all. Trip Hammer could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Khal TD's chin.

Hammer
vs
TD

150 cm
22
161 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

177 cm
26
165 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Trip Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Khal TD!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hammer shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. TD is trying to defend but Hammer finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
TD trying to control here.
Hammer works his foot free and advances to mount.

Hammer goes for an armbar but TD turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from TD.
TD is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TD trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hammer manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hammer wants to control from the top but TD keeps moving.
Hammer looking to sit in guard and control but TD gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
TD stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hammer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
TD content to stall in guard here.
TD trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing TD from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hammer wants to sweep here but TD controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Khal TD.
TD is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hammer is defended easily by TD.
TD is looking to clinch but Hammer is avoiding it.
Hammer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around TD's waist but TD gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hammer off to one side.

TD has Hammer up against the cage in a clinch.
TD landing knees to the body.
Knees to the body from TD.
Hammer is breathing heavily.
TD has Hammer pushed against the cage.
TD continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Hammer wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trip Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
TD is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

TD's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Khal TD is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
TD smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
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 avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Khal TD seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hammer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

TD forces Hammer back against the cage and clinches.
TD landing some nice looking knees to the body.
TD using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
TD lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees in the clinch landing for TD.
TD unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hammer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
TD landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by TD.
TD utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from TD.
Hammer has had enough of the clinch but TD keeps him there for the moment.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as TD takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hammer is trying to drag TD to the mat but TD just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hammer takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
TD dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hammer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
TD lands a knee to the body.
Hammer takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

TD rushes Hammer and presses him up against the cage.
TD lands a good knee to the midsection. Hammer won't want to take too many of those.
Khal TD seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hammer looking for a takedown.
TD lands a knee to the body.
TD crunches a lovely knee into Hammer's ribcage.
Knees to the body from TD.
TD is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hammer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. TD is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
TD is struggling to control the position.
TD lands a knee to the body.
TD is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
TD taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hammer wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trip Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
TD is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hammer takes an elbow to the temple.
Hammer takes an elbow to the temple.
TD connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hammer's face.
Hammer changes levels and goes for a takedown here. TD fights it off and pushes away nicely.
TD throws a head kick that Hammer semi-blocks.
Hammer shoots in but TD avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hammer circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Hammer or perhaps it was just good defense by TD which made him look bad.
Good standup being displayed there by TD as he connects with a hook.
Hammer keeps the fight on the outside.
Hammer takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
TD wants to clinch up but Hammer keeps it at a distance.
Hammer has a takedown stuffed.

TD instigates a clinch.
TD lands a nice knee to the body.
Hammer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. TD avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
TD landing knees to the body.
TD putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hammer in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
TD crunches a lovely knee into Hammer's ribcage.
TD prevents a takedown attempt there.
TD landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knees to the body from TD.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
TD connects with a knee to the head.
Hammer can't get the takedown.
TD slows down the pace here.
Hammer is working for takedown but TD is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hammer throws an elbow but it misses.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but TD pulls his leg out and moves away.

TD rushes Hammer and presses him up against the cage.
TD connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hammer's face.
Hammer goes for a takedown in the clinch but TD prevents it.

TD escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
TD stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and TD wants it to stay on the feet.
TD throws a head kick that half lands.

TD rushes Hammer and presses him up against the cage.
TD manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
TD crunches a lovely knee into Hammer's ribcage.
Hammer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. TD gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
TD using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hammer can't get the takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for TD.

TD pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hammer fails with a takedown attempt.

TD pushes Hammer up against the cage in a clinch.
TD lands a nice knee to the body.
Hammer tries for a takedown but TD manages to get underhooks.
TD working Hammer over with knees to the body.
TD landing knees to the body.
Hammer tries for a takedown but TD manages to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by TD.
Come on TD - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nice elbow from TD.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
TD gets underhooks to prevent Hammer's takedown attempt.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
TD connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hammer's face.

TD breaks the clinch.
No luck for Hammer with that takedown attempt.
Hammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hammer.
TD tries to clinch up but Hammer circles away and keeps his distance.
Hammer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
TD wants to clinch.

TD has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
TD using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
TD putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hammer in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal TD showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

TD takes the fight into the clinch.
TD landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hammer letting TD take a breather here.
Nice elbow from TD.

It looks like Trip Hammer has been cut.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but TD pulls his leg out and moves away.
TD cracks Hammer with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hammer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has TD pinned against the cage. TD gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

TD moves into range and clinches up with Hammer.

TD breaks the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hammer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trip Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

TD clinches.
TD lands a knee to the head.
TD has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
TD holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammer wants a takedown but no success here.
TD is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for TD.
Hammer really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...

That's one minute gone in the round.
TD landing some nice looking knees to the body.
TD lands a good knee to the midsection. Hammer won't want to take too many of those.
TD is stalling here.
TD scores a nice knee to the body.
TD lands a left hand.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
TD is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but TD pulls his leg out and moves away.

TD closes the distance and clinches.
Hammer is looking to break free of the clinch but TD has double underhooks.
Hammer tries for a takedown but TD manages to get underhooks.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but TD pulls his leg out and moves away.
TD is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
TD tries to clinch but Hammer moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer fails with the takedown.

TD rushes Hammer and presses him up against the cage.
Hammer wants a takedown.
TD landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hammer takes a knee right on the jaw!
TD has Hammer pressed against the cage.
Hammer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
TD landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
TD lands a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. TD obliges.
TD lands a knee to the body.
TD unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hammer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
TD tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
TD tries a knee to the head but Hammer blocks it.
Hammer misses with a punch to the body.

Hammer lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
TD is staying active underneath Hammer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hammer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

TD is defending against the submission attempts here by Hammer.
Hammer thows a huge punch but TD dodges it nicely.

Hammer is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Khal TD is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
TD blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hammer.
Trip Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
TD won't allow Hammer to pass to mount.

Hammer is trying to work for a kimura but TD is defending well.
TD has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hammer is working away from the top position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khal TD comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got TD winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khal TD!