PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antti Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Reipas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hammer comes to the cage accompanied by Bolt Thrower - IV Crusade. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hammer
vs
Reipas

155 cm
25
134 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
148 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
KO power

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Riku Reipas!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hammer rushes Reipas and presses him up against the cage.
Reipas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Reipas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hammer walks away with a smile on his face. Reipas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hammer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Reipas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hammer but Hammer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Antti Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Reipas.
Hammer throws a series of punches but Reipas avoids them all with ease.
Reipas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Reipas walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Hammer clinches up with Reipas and pushes him back against the cage.
Hammer lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Reipas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.

Hammer moves into range and clinches up with Reipas.
Hammer is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hammer lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer lands an elbow that stopped Reipas in his tracks for a moment.
Hammer scores a nice knee to the body.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hammer to keep the fight standing.
Reipas fails to pull guard.
Hammer using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hammer is pushing Reipas up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hammer seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Hammer gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hammer is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hammer taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Hammer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reipas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hammer was well out of range. Poor timing from Reipas.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer throws a head kick that misses.
Reipas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hammer swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses.
Hammer throws a sloppy head kick and Reipas moves out of range easily.
Hammer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Reipas.
Hammer lands a leg kick that knocks Reipas off balance momentarily.
Hammer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Reipas checks a leg kick.

Hammer has closed the distance and engaged Reipas in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Hammer.
Hammer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Reipas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.

Hammer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reipas, pushing him back against the cage.

Hammer breaks from the clinch.
Hammer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Reipas misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Reipas circles away quickly and effectively.
Reipas shoots for a double leg takedown but Hammer sprawls well. He's pushed Reipas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hammer lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Reipas has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Reipas and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hammer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Reipas.
Reipas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hammer misses the shot to the body.
Reipas motions for Hammer to come forward. Reipas throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Reipas slips under a jab.
A good leg kick by Hammer.
Reipas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hammer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hammer.
Hammer lands a knee to the head.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hammer unloads a knee to the mid-section. Reipas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hammer unloads a knee to the mid-section. Reipas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Reipas looks gassed!
Reipas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hammer moves out of range of the body kick from Reipas.
Reipas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hammer counters with a thumping low kick.
Reipas shoots and misses
and Hammer counters with a nice leg kick.
Hammer tries a head kick but it misses.
Reipas blocks a head kick by Hammer.
Reipas moves out of range of the body kick.

Hammer instigates a clinch.
Reipas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hammer lands a damaging elbow.
Reipas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hammer walks away with a smile on his face. Reipas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hammer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hammer scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Antti Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hammer connects with a solid leg kick.

Hammer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reipas, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Hammer dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hammer throws a quick inside leg kick.
Reipas with a poor takedown

and Hammer moves into the clinch.
Reipas is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hammer is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Reipas.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Hammer lands a good knee to the midsection. Reipas won't want to take too many of those.

Hammer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hammer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hammer.
Reipas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hammer. Hammer obviously looking to wear him down.
Hammer lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reipas misses with a takedown
and Hammer counters with a thumping low kick.
Antti Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Reipas.
Hammer is looking to slow Reipas down with leg kicks.
Hammer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hammer.
Hammer scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Reipas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Hammer misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Reipas crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hammer - the referee stops the clock and Reipas gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hammer. Reipas manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hammer closes the distance and clinches.
Reipas is breathing heavily.
Hammer working Reipas over with knees to the body.
Hammer scores with a nice hook to the head.
Reipas takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hammer unloads a knee to the mid-section. Reipas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hammer is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Reipas tries to pull guard but Hammer forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hammer comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Hammer manages to break the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hammer feints and then cracks Reipas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reipas down.
Hammer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reipas can do to turn this around?
Hammer throws a body punch but Reipas moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer lands a nice looking kick to the body. Reipas takes a step back to recover.
Hammer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Reipas shoots and misses
and Hammer counters with a nice leg kick.
Antti Hammer is winning the standup battle so far.

Hammer moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hammer breaks the clinch.
Hammer throws a sloppy head kick and Reipas moves out of range easily.
Reipas shoots and misses
and Hammer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Hammer lands a left and a right that send Reipas crashing to the mat, dazed. Hammer thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Reipas is rocked!

It looks like Riku Reipas has been cut.
Reipas walks into a straight right hand from Hammer.
Reipas is still on wobbly legs! Can Hammer finish him?
Reipas steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hammer. That one must have hurt.

Hammer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reipas, pushing him back against the cage.
Hammer lands an elbow inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hammer.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Reipas seems to have recovered his senses.
Hammer landing knees to the head.
Hammer landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hammer.
Hammer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Hammer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reipas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hammer counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer scores with a head kick. Reipas tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hammer throws a sloppy head kick and Reipas moves out of range easily.

Hammer closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hammer landing knees to the head.
Hammer lands a nice knee to the body.
Reipas takes an elbow to the forehead.
Antti Hammer has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Reipas tries to pull guard but Hammer holds him up against the cage and eventually Reipas drops back down to his feet.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Hammer unloads a knee to the mid-section. Reipas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hammer pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hammer comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Reipas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hammer landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hammer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hammer moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice elbow from Hammer.
Hammer throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Reipas jumps guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A knee to the head by Hammer.
Hammer has Reipas pressed against the cage.
Hammer pushes Reipas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Reipas jumps guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hammer to keep the fight standing.
Hammer is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Hammer manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hammer.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses.
Reipas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Hammer dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Riku Reipas's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Hammer pushes Reipas away with a front kick.
A head kick misses from Hammer.
Reipas with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Knees to the body from Hammer.
Hammer is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hammer connects with a nasty looking knee right to Reipas's face.
Hammer lands a good knee to the midsection. Reipas won't want to take too many of those.

Hammer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A shot to the liver by Hammer. Beautiful body shot.
Riku Reipas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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 a head kick but it misses.
Hammer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hammer fakes the leg kick and cracks Reipas in the body.

Hammer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Reipas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hammer to keep the fight standing.
Hammer gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hammer slows down the pace here.
Hammer comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hammer lands an elbow that stopped Reipas in his tracks for a moment.
Reipas fails to pull guard.
Antti Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Reipas.
Reipas takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hammer pressing his opponent against the cage.

Hammer breaks from the clinch.
Reipas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hammer circles away.
Reipas takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hammer lands a nice looking body kick.
Hammer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reipas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hammer lands a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hammer has Reipas up against the cage in a clinch.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hammer lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Hammer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hammer leaves Reipas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Reipas checks a leg kick nicely.
Hammer throws a looping overhand right but Reipas ducks down to avoid it.
Hammer connects with an inside leg kick.
Reipas wants to clinch
and Hammer counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Hammer.
Reipas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hammer counters with a nice leg kick.
Hammer throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hammer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Reipas fails with the takedown
and Hammer counters with a leg kick.
Hammer dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reipas. That did some damage!
A nice inside leg kick there by Hammer. That's going to slow Reipas down.
Hammer fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Reipas.
Reipas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hammer. Hammer obviously looking to wear him down.
Hammer looks to land a combination but Reipas avoids it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reipas takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hammer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reipas.
Riku Reipas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer feints and then cracks Reipas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reipas down.
Hammer throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hammer closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hammer feints and then cracks Reipas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reipas down.
Reipas tries for a takedown but Hammer circles away easily
and Hammer counters with a one-two to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Reipas crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hammer - the referee stops the clock and Reipas gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hammer. Reipas manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Antti Hammer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Reipas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hammer finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A good leg kick by Hammer.
Hammer thuds his right hand into Reipas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammer misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Hammer.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hammer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Hammer!
Antti Hammer spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.