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 has chosen Slippin as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Clay
vs
Hammer

170 cm
25
149 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

173 cm
22
145 lbs
9 - 1 - 1

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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer staying out of range there.
We've been told by Clay's head coaches at Dark Horse MMA Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hammer dodges the punch combination from Clay.
A combination from Clay does no damage.
Clay lands a nice hook to Hammer's body. Hammer takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Clay keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hammer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Clay avoids it really well and circles away.
Clay swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Clay throws an overhand right that lands on Hammer's shoulder, as Hammer tries to avoid the shot.
Hammer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Clay defends it nicely.
Tyson Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hammer.

Hammer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Clay sprawls well initially but Hammer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Clay regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer preventing the sweep.
Hammer throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammer trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but Clay blocks nicely.
Hammer is working Clay over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Clay bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hammer's guard.
Clay trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Clay's guard.
Hammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Clay has wrist control.
Hammer pushing down on Clay's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hammer.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hammer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clay trying to hold on to Hammer's head to control him but Hammer postures up.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Clay taking some punishment here, with Hammer in his half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Hammer working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Clay avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hammer.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hammer connects with a nice short shot to Clay's temple.
Hammer scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Clay is trying to control but can't.
Hammer trying to control from half guard but Clay is working away.
Hammer throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Clay to regain full guard.
Hammer postures up in Clay's guard and throws a big left but Clay blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer lands a couple of decent looking shots.
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.
Hammer controls Clay momentarily but Clay frees himself.
Clay wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
Clay is really struggling to control Hammer but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hammer trying to control the position here.
Clay throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Clay throws a combination that misses

and Hammer counters with a single leg into guard. Clay didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer working some strikes from top position.
Hammer throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammer passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Clay tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hammer is trying to ground and pound but Clay uses the momentary lack of control by Hammer to regain half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Hammer dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Clay tests Hammer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Clay throws a poor cross that misses

and Hammer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Clay's guard now.
Hammer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammer is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hammer trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Hammer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clay tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Clay avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammer scoring with some ground and pound.
Hammer preventing the sweep.
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hammer looking to sit in guard and control but Clay gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay is fighting to break Hammer's control of his arms but Hammer is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Hammer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Clay doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Clay manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hammer is trying to keep Clay in close.
Hammer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Clay won't allow Hammer to sweep him here.
Clay sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hammer's guard.
Hammer tries to get to full guard but Clay has control of the leg.
Jack Hammer has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Clay lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Hammer trying to hold on to Clay's head to control him but Clay postures up.
Clay sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hammer defending well though.
Hammer is looking for a sweep. Clay is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Clay sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hammer defending well though.
Clay wants to free his trapped foot but Hammer is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Clay is looking for a kimura here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hammer keeping control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay trying to control from half guard but Hammer is working away.
Hammer is looking for a sweep. Clay is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Clay sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hammer defending well though.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hammer wants to control but Clay is keeping busy.
Clay is looking to take a break and control but Hammer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hammer regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hammer is keeping the position for now.
Clay throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Hammer looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Clay passes into half guard.
Hammer is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Clay's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Clay's back!
Hammer throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Can Clay hold on?! Hammer is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Clay breaks Hammer's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clay wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Hammer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Clay bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hammer's head.
Hammer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Clay.
Hammer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Clay sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hammer somewhat.
Clay swings for the body but Hammer moves out of range.
Clay jabs Hammer right on the nose. Hammer blinks but takes it well.
Hammer has a takedown stuffed.
Clay throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Hammer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammer stopping the sweep attempt from Clay.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Clay is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer chips away with some ground and pound.
Clay trying to keep a closed guard but Hammer is proving a slippery customer.
Hammer works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Clay is trying to get back to full guard.
Hammer landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Clay tries to roll over but Hammer keeps him under control.
Hammer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Clay's head.
Hammer is keen to just control but Clay is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer controlling the pace.
Clay keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hammer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hammer not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hammer throws a strike but Clay avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Clay preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Clay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammer trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Clay keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Clay keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.
Clay wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammer postures up.
Hammer is in close to Clay's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hammer's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Clay preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hammer throwing strikes but missing.
Hammer connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer stopping the sweep attempt from Clay.
Clay utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Clay keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.
Hammer not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hammer tries to free his leg and advance position but Clay is retaining full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clay utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Clay keeps moving.

Jack Hammer has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Hammer scores with a four punch combination!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Hammer really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Clay slaps away a takedown attempt from Hammer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hammer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Clay.
Clay throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hammer on the side of the head.
Hammer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Clay.
Hammer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Clay but Clay pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Clay misses with a body punch

and Hammer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hammer.
Hammer looking to sit in guard and control but Clay gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Clay wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
Clay stands up over Hammer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
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 wants to control from the top but Clay keeps moving.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammer throws an elbow that misses. Clay uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hammer's guard. Nice move by Clay!

Hammer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Clay distracts Hammer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Clay postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Clay trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Clay throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer is trying to control the position but Clay postures up.
Clay throwing strikes from guard but Hammer blocks nicely.
Clay is fighting to break Hammer's control of his arms but Hammer is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Clay is stalling in the full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A punch combination from Clay misses.
Tyson Clay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clay throws an overhand right that lands on Hammer's shoulder, as Hammer tries to avoid the shot.
Hammer blocks a jab.

Hammer changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Clay looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Hammer are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hammer tries to move to mount but Clay blocks the move with his legs.
Clay tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hammer is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Clay's shoulder. That is not cool.
Clay is not content to let Hammer control the position.
Hammer working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hammer landing a few strikes.
Clay is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hammer has just dragged him back down to the mat.
An elbow from Hammer crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hammer trying to control the action but Clay is working from the bottom.
Clay sneaks back into half guard.
Hammer lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammer working the head and body with strikes.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hammer is trying to control. Clay wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hammer seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Hammer dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hammer shoots in looking for a takedown. Clay tries to sprawl out of it but Hammer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Clay manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Clay misses with a series of wild punches.
A big left from Clay misses.
Clay swings for the body but Hammer moves out of range.

Hammer shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hammer was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hammer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clay keeps working.
Hammer is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Hammer scoring with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer working away.
The ground and pound from Hammer seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Hammer lands a nice forearm strike.
Hammer lands a nice forearm strike.
Hammer in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Clay wants to control but Hammer postures up.
Hammer working the ground and pound.

Clay is rocked!
Hammer wants to control but Clay is keeping him busy.
Oh Clay is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hammer working the strikes but Clay uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Hammer perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Clay seems to have got his legs back now.
Hammer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer trying to control from half guard but Clay is working away.
Hammer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Clay defending well though.
Jack Hammer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hammer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hammer keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Hammer frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hammer working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Clay is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hammer controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hammer controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Hammer was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Clay cracks Hammer with an open hand slap.
Clay throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay throws a lazy right hand but Hammer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hammer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Clay counter with a right hand.
Hammer shoots in for a double leg but Clay sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tyson Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Hammer.

Hammer scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Clay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hammer trying to control from half guard but Clay is working away.
Tyson Clay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clay slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Clay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Clay has his foot on Hammer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hammer works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Hammer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hammer 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 45:50
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 45:50
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Hammer!
Jack Hammer is the new featherweight champion!
An out of breath Jack Hammer thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Tyson Clay spoke after the fight, saying 'I shit the bed.'.