PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sven Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Ratao (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.

Hammer
vs
Ratao

193 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sven Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joao Ratao!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ratao tries to clinch up but Hammer circles away and keeps his distance.
Hammer throws a series of punches but Ratao avoids them all with ease.
Ratao moves away from the strike by Hammer.
Ratao is looking to clinch but Hammer is avoiding it.
Ratao slips a jab and a cross from Hammer.
Hammer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hammer tries to bum rush Ratao with a series of wild strikes but Ratao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hammer misses with a looping right.
Hammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ratao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hammer throws a series of punches but Ratao avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ratao moves away.
Ratao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hammer rushes Ratao and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ratao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ratao is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hammer is keeping busy.
Hammer drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ratao pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sven Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ratao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sven Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hammer gets caught flat footed, as Ratao shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ratao tries to free his leg and advance position but Hammer is retaining full guard.
Ratao trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer really is a fat lump.
Hammer looking to control.
Ratao preventing the sweep.
Ratao trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.

Ratao stands up and waves to Hammer to follow him.

Hammer moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A bit of stalling here from Hammer.
Hammer lands a right hand.
Ratao tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hammer is looking to break free of the clinch but Ratao has double underhooks.
Hammer lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hammer wants to stall.
Hammer cracks Ratao with a nice body shot.

Ratao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hammer swats away the attempt to clinch by Ratao.
Hammer misses with a wild combination.
Hammer is breathing heavily.
Hammer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ratao shoots in and drives through. Hammer sprawls well.

Ratao has managed to clinch.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ratao pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Hammer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ratao lands a nice looking body shot.
Ratao throws a head kick but Hammer moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Hammer as Ratao shoots in.
Hammer throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ratao stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Hammer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hammer.
Hammer creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hammer slows down the pace here.
Hammer unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ratao lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer leaning against his opponent.
Hammer throws a punch but it's blocked by Ratao.

Hammer breaks the clinch.
Ratao slips a jab and a cross from Hammer.
Hammer fails with the takedown.
Hammer throws a nice looking combination but Ratao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ratao throws a chopping leg kick but Hammer manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ratao clinches but Hammer breaks the clinch

and Hammer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Ratao is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hammer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hammer passes Ratao's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ratao can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hammer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ratao keeps working.
Hammer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ratao tries to kick Hammer off but Hammer keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ratao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hammer is nestled in close to Ratao, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hammer is tying to control. Ratao wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hammer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sven Hammer dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ratao tries to clinch but Hammer is having none of it.
Hammer misses with a two punch combination.
Hammer swinging wilding here.

Hammer clinches up with Ratao and pushes him back against the cage.
Ratao wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Ratao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.
Hammer misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Hammer misses.
Hammer takes a swing at Ratao's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ratao with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hammer counters with a single leg into guard. Ratao didn't expect that.
Hammer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ratao swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ratao tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ratao 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ratao is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hammer is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ratao is keeping the position for now.

Hammer drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ratao dives on top into guard.

Hammer working for submissions but it's allowed Ratao to get to half guard.
Hammer slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hammer keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Hammer throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Ratao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ratao manages to get himself to full guard.
Ratao looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ratao might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hammer kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammer preventing the sweep.
Hammer distracts Ratao with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ratao trying to keep a closed guard but Hammer is proving a slippery customer.
Hammer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ratao wants to stand but Hammer is controlling the position.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but Ratao blocks nicely.
Hammer connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammer wants to pass the guard but Ratao is keeping the position.
Hammer pushes down on Ratao's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ratao wants to improve his position but Hammer is controlling well.
Ground and pound from Hammer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ratao is not content to let Hammer control the position.
Hammer is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ratao wants to control but Hammer is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hammer working the head and body with strikes.
Hammer trying to control from half guard but Ratao is working away.
Hammer is really struggling to control Ratao but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hammer wants to take a breather but Ratao is having none of it.
Ratao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hammer wants to pass to mount but Ratao is defending the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No joy there for Hammer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ratao wants to land a leg kick but Hammer is out of range.
Hammer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ratao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sven Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joao Ratao.

Ratao gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hammer is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hammer prevents Ratao from getting back to his feet.
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Ratao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.
Ratao has his hands on Hammer's head, controlling the position.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammer looking to sit in guard and control but Ratao gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ratao wants to pass the guard but Hammer is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sven Hammer dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hammer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hammer throws a right hand that Ratao ducks under and follows up with a left that Ratao also avoids with ease.
Ratao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hammer as he jumps to the side.
Hammer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ratao wants to clinch up but Hammer keeps it at a distance.
Hammer looks for a takedown but Ratao sprawls well.
Hammer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sven Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ratao gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hammer holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hammer misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ratao changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hammer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A big right from Hammer misses.
Ratao shoots in for a takedown but Hammer shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer fails with the takedown.
Ratao lands a right hook to the body.
Ratao stuffs the takedown attempt from Hammer. Hammer gets slowly back to his feet.
Hammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Hammer moves into the clinch.
Ratao stops a takedown attempt from Hammer.
Hammer stalls.

Hammer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ratao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sven Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hammer shoots for a double leg takedown but Ratao sprawls well. He's pushed Hammer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hammer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ratao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hammer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hammer shoots in for a takedown but Ratao shows good takedown defense.
Ratao looks for a takedown but Hammer sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ratao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some wild striking there from Hammer.
Ratao with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hammer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hammer.
Ratao fails to pull guard.
A short body shot lands from Hammer as the two fighters clinch.

Ratao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hammer jabs at Ratao's body.
Ratao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ratao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hammer wants to land a leg kick but Ratao is out of range.
Ratao throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ratao doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hammer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hammer throws a series of punches but Ratao moves out of range.
Ratao tries to close the distance and clinch but Hammer swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hammer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hammer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ratao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer misses with a body punch

and Ratao holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hammer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ratao just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hammer is working Ratao over against the cage.
Ratao stalling in the clinch.
Ratao fails to pull guard.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ratao.
Ratao is leaning against Hammer and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hammer can't break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Hammer scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hammer trying to stall but Ratao improves his position.

Ratao manages to break the clinch.
Ratao tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hammer swivels and escapes.
Hammer falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ratao counters with a nice body kick.

Ratao gets a clinch.
Ratao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hammer tries to stall but Ratao uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ratao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.
Hammer misses with a double jab
and Ratao counters with a nice body shot.
Sven Hammer is winning the standup battle so far.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ratao.
Hammer tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ratao holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ratao prevents the takedown attempt.
Hammer is working Ratao over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hammer lands an uppercut.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Hammer creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ratao circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hammer shoots in and bounces Ratao off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hammer slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Ratao throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ratao trying to keep a closed guard but Hammer is proving a slippery customer.
Joao Ratao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hammer controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sven Hammer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hammer has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

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