PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Clay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hammer is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slippin. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Clay
vs
Hammer

170 cm
24
149 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

173 cm
21
145 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Zipp Zapp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tyson Clay!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hammer.
Hammer looks up at the clock and then as Clay takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hammer smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've been hearing good reports from Clay's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Hammer sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Clay is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hammer lands a few punches from side control.
Hammer is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Clay will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Clay takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hammer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clay keeps working.
Hammer working away.
Sloppy strikes there by Hammer.
Hammer trying to control the action but Clay is working from the bottom.
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 working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer in side control, throwing shots but Clay defends.
Hammer throwing strikes but Clay manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Hammer manages to get back to half guard.
Clay thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Clay missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Clay missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hammer wants to improve his position but Clay is controlling well.
Hammer is staying active underneath Clay, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hammer tries to get to full guard but Clay has control of the leg.
Hammer is concentrating on defense, preventing Clay from advancing position.
Hammer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Clay thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hammer's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clay seems to be looking for submissions.
Clay is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hammer!
Clay looking to ground and pound but Hammer is blocking nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Clay lands a big shot there that rocks Hammer but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Clay controlling his opponent.
Hammer slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Clay pulls his head out easily.

Clay seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clay is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hammer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Clay.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammer gets back to full guard.

Hammer has his foot on Clay's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Clay works his way back into a safe position though.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Clay in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Clay throwing strikes but missing.
Hammer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Hammer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Clay defends well.

Hammer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clay postures up in Hammer's guard and throws a big left but Hammer blocks it.
Clay loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Hammer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Clay can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Clay chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clay connects with a couple of short punches.
Clay lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Clay throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hammer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jack Hammer will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hammer feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hammer postures up.
Hammer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hammer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Clay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammer makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jack Hammer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Clay seems keen to control Hammer's posture.
Clay working a defensive guard here.
Hammer throws a strike but Clay rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hammer pulls Clay in close to his closed guard and prevents Clay from doing any damage or advancing position.
Clay throws an elbow that misses. Hammer uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Clay's guard. Nice move by Hammer!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Clay has wrist control.
Hammer tries to free his leg and advance position but Clay is retaining full guard.
Clay trying to keep a closed guard but Hammer is proving a slippery customer.
Hammer throws a strike but Clay rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hammer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Clay avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay tries to free his leg and advance position but Hammer is retaining full guard.
Clay landing with the ground and pound.
Hammer pulls Clay in to control the position.

Hammer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Clay can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Clay postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Clay postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Clay accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clay postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Hammer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Clay gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hammer trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay throws a big elbow that misses.

Clay got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hammer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Clay has managed to get both his arms back between Hammer's legs - danger averted.
Clay works over Hammer with some ground and pound from guard.

Hammer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Clay scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Clay postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Hammer has his foot on Clay's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Clay works his way back into a safe position though.
Clay working some strikes from top position.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Clay from controlling successfully.
Clay trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Clay 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay with a nice head shot there.
Hammer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Clay is one step ahead there.
Clay throws a big elbow that misses.
Clay wants to pass the guard but Hammer is keeping the position.
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 looking for a sweep. Not yet Hammer, not yet.
Hammer looking to control.
Clay loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Clay wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clay is working Hammer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hammer looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Hammer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hammer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Clay holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hammer.
Clay tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Clay lands an uppercut.
Hammer tries to pull guard but Clay forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Clay - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Clay.
Clay lands a nice uppercut.
Hammer jumps guard but Clay stands there with Hammer around his waist. Hammer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tyson Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hammer.
Clay lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Clay scores with a shoulder strike.
Hammer blocks a body shot from Clay.
Hammer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Clay just stands there and leans against the cage.
Clay lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hammer backwards.
Clay lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hammer backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Clay.
Clay goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Clay.
Clay stalling the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay pushes off an throws an elbow but Hammer leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Clay just leaning against Hammer, taking a breather.
A head punch on the inside from Clay fails to land.
Clay lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Clay stalling in the clinch.
Clay working aggressively here.
Hammer is trying to pull guard but Clay turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Clay lands with a light punch inside.
Clay gets underhooks to prevent Hammer's takedown attempt.
Hammer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Clay just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer blocks a body shot from Clay.
Clay tries to work over Hammer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Clay tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Clay has Hammer pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Clay.
Clay fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hammer tries to pull guard but Clay holds him up against the cage and eventually Hammer drops back down to his feet.
A shot in the inside from Clay.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay pressing his opponent against the cage.
Clay swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Clay lands a shoulder strike.
Clay doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Clay will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hammer up against the cage.
Clay lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Clay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Clay clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hammer misses with a takedown attempt
and Clay counters with a nice uppercut.
Clay tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hammer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hammer moves away from the strike by Clay.
Hammer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Clay tries to avoid it but Hammer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Clay to the ground. Clay escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hammer tries for a takedown but Clay sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tyson Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hammer.

Clay has Hammer up against the cage in a clinch.
Clay lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hammer jumps guard but Clay stands there with Hammer around his waist. Hammer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Clay.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hammer jumps guard but Clay stands there with Hammer around his waist. Hammer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Clay.
Clay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hammer jumps guard but Clay turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Clay lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hammer backwards.
Clay throws a punch but it's blocked by Hammer.
Clay stalling.
Clay has a couple of punches blocked by Hammer.
Hammer tries to score a body lock takedown but Clay shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hammer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Hammer has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Clay regains guard immediately.
Hammer postures up in Clay's guard and throws a big left but Clay blocks it.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clay wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Clay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer throws a strike but Clay rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Clay lands a couple of elbows.
Hammer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Clay is one step ahead there.
Clay tries to free his leg and advance position but Hammer is retaining full guard.
Clay trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer is trying to keep Clay in close.
Clay advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Clay winds up and cracks Hammer with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hammer moves into full guard.

Clay avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Clay is working Hammer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clay stopping the sweep attempt from Hammer.
Clay throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clay is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Clay trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Clay had his way with Jack Hammer in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Clay wants to clinch but Hammer slips to the side

and Hammer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Clay's guard now.
Hammer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Clay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Clay trying to control the position.
Hammer trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Hammer cracks Clay with a solid left hand.
Hammer is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Clay has wrist control.
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.
Clay looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hammer is one step ahead there.
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!
Clay preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Clay looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hammer is one step ahead there.
Hammer makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Clay tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammer cracks Clay with a solid left hand.
Hammer working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Clay trying to control the position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hammer lands a couple of elbows.
Hammer working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Clay seems keen to control Hammer's posture.
Hammer scoring with some ground and pound.
Clay looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammer working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammer throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hammer.
Hammer throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Clay has wrist control.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Clay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammer trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Clay avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammer connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammer trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Hammer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Clay keeps moving.
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 missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammer throwing strikes but missing.
Hammer throws a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Hammer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hammer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 47:48
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 48:48
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Tyson Clay retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!