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 kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bolt Thrower - IV Crusade. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hammer
vs
Reipas

155 cm
28
134 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

175 cm
28
148 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Perkele!
The Choke´s On You

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 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Reipas!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer scores with a kick to the body.
Hammer throws the left hand but Reipas avoids the punch easily.
Hammer dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reipas. That did some damage!
Hammer wants to land a leg kick but Reipas is out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hammer.
Reipas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hammer counters with a nice body kick.
Hammer lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hammer moves out of range of the body kick from Reipas.
Reipas closes the distance and clinches up with Hammer, looking for a takedown. Reipas pushes Hammer against the cage but Hammer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Reipas shoots in but Hammer avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Antti Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Reipas.
Reipas shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Reipas gets tackled into the cage by Hammer. Hammer maintains the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reipas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A bit of stalling here from Hammer.
Reipas fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hammer just leaning against Reipas, taking a breather.
Hammer scores with a shot to the side of Reipas's head.
Reipas fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hammer with a knee to the head.

It looks like Riku Reipas has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reipas jumps guard but Hammer stands there with Reipas around his waist. Reipas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hammer.
Reipas looks winded!
Hammer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hammer holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hammer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hammer obliges.
Hammer gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hammer is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Reipas tries to pull guard but Hammer holds him up against the cage and eventually Reipas drops back down to his feet.
Hammer stalling the fight.
Hammer utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
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 has Reipas pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer lands a shoulder strike.
Reipas tries to pull guard but Hammer holds him up against the cage and eventually Reipas drops back down to his feet.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hammer lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hammer lands with a light punch inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hammer.
Hammer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hammer lands a knee to the head.
Hammer throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hammer to keep the fight standing.
Hammer lands a nice knee to the body.
Hammer stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hammer.
Reipas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Reipas decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hammer is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammer controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Reipas working for a triangle but Hammer defends it easily.
Reipas keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.

Reipas is working an open guard so Hammer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Reipas gets the takedown into side control.
Hammer gets back to half guard.
Hammer gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer is adopting a defensive guard.
Hammer looking for a sweep. Not yet Hammer, not yet.
Hammer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Reipas thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Reipas trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammer looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Hammer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Riku Reipas's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hammer fails with an attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Hammer misses.
Hammer throws a low kick, looking for Reipas's leg but Reipas calmly moves out of range.
Hammer keeps the fight on the outside.
Reipas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hammer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hammer.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hammer.
Hammer lands an elbow inside that Reipas shrugs off.
Hammer using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hammer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hammer obliges.
A nice left hand lands by Hammer.
Reipas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Reipas.
Antti Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Reipas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer connects with an inside leg kick.
Hammer dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reipas. That did some damage!
Reipas is breathing heavily.
Reipas shoots in looking for a takedown but Hammer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Reipas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Reipas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hammer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Reipas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hammer can pounce on him.

Hammer moves into the clinch.
Hammer lands a right hand that snaps the head of Reipas backwards.
Hammer using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
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 stalling.
Hammer lands a knee to the head.
Reipas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hammer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hammer avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reipas tries to pull guard but Hammer forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Reipas jumps guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hammer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hammer connects with a knee to the head.
Hammer lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hammer.
Hammer crunches a lovely knee into Reipas's ribcage.
Hammer stalling in the clinch.
Hammer seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Antti Hammer.
Reipas has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hammer.
Reipas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Reipas throws a hook to the side of Hammer's head but Hammer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Hammer lands a big head kick that sends Reipas tumbling to the mat! Hammer takes a step backwards and waves Reipas back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Reipas is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reipas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hammer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Reipas is still on wobbly legs! Can Hammer finish him?
Hammer throws a sloppy head kick and Reipas moves out of range easily.
Hammer misses with a low kick.
Reipas seems to have recovered his senses.
Hammer lands with an overhand left.
Hammer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reipas.
Hammer connects with a leg kick. Reipas looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Hammer moves into the clinch.
Hammer leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hammer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hammer has Reipas pressed against the cage.
Reipas tries to pull guard but Hammer holds him up against the cage and eventually Reipas drops back down to his feet.
Hammer lands an elbow just above Reipas 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer controlling the action here for a moment.
Reipas jumps guard but Hammer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Reipas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.
Hammer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Antti Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Hammer closes the distance and pushes Reipas back into 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.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hammer, right into the meat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Good leg kick by Hammer there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Reipas tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Hammer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hammer with a knee to the head.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hammer pushes Reipas up against the cage in a clinch.
Hammer utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A hook to the body from Hammer.
Hammer lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Reipas.
Reipas jumps guard but Hammer stands there with Reipas around his waist. Reipas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Reipas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hammer lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hammer lands a nice knee to the body.
Hammer utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reipas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammer smiles and moves away.

Hammer darts in and clinches Reipas up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Hammer.
Reipas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hammer.
Hammer is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hammer lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Reipas letting Hammer take a breather here.
Reipas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hammer is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hammer landing knees to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hammer scores with a hook to the body.
Antti Hammer has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hammer controlling the action here for a moment.
Reipas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Antti Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Reipas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reipas gets control of Hammer's arms and successfully pulls guard. Reipas will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hammer is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reipas can do to turn this around?

Reipas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hammer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Reipas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hammer works over Reipas with some ground and pound from guard.
Hammer controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hammer scoring with punches to the head and body.

Reipas looking for a guillotine here but Hammer defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammer is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Hammer avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hammer trying to control but Reipas is working from the bottom.
Hammer scoring with punches to the head and body.

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

Reipas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hammer is aware though and is defending well.
Reipas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Riku Reipas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reipas has momentary wrist control but Hammer slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammer not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hammer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hammer.
Antti Hammer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammer swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Reipas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Reipas shoots and misses
and Hammer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hammer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hammer chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Reipas tries for a takedown but Hammer circles away easily
and Hammer counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hammer closes the distance and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hammer takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hammer is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Hammer!
Antti Hammer decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.