PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Amarce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Hammer struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Tom Hammer was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Amarce
vs
Hammer

176 cm
25
142 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

165 cm
27
149 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kyle Amarce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tom Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Amarce looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hammer is fending him off so far but Amarce persists. Nope, Hammer circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Amarce.
Amarce shoots in and drives through. Hammer sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyle Amarce. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Hammer. No joy for Amarce on that attempt.

Hammer shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Amarce is looking for a sweep. Hammer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Hammer is looking for a kimura but Amarce is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hammer to get the leverage.

Hammer is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Amarce sees it coming and defends easily.
Hammer wants to pass to mount but Amarce is defending the position.
Amarce works his way to full guard. Good work.
Amarce wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer postures up in Amarce's guard and throws a big left but Amarce blocks it.
Hammer wants to pass the guard but Amarce is keeping the position.
Amarce bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hammer's guard.
Amarce trying to control the position from guard on top but Hammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer has Amarce pulled in close to control his posture.
Hammer keeping full guard, as Amarce tries to pass.
Amarce stopping the sweep attempt from Hammer.
Amarce trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amarce stands up over Hammer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Amarce from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Amarce postures up.
Hammer keeping full guard, as Amarce tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hammer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Amarce tries to avoid it but Hammer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Amarce to the ground. Amarce escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hammer moves in looking to clinch but Amarce pushes him off.

Amarce gets caught flat footed, as Hammer shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wants to pass the guard but Amarce is keeping the position.
Amarce not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Amarce escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hammer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Amarce will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Amarce keeping full guard, as Hammer tries to pass.
Amarce is trying to control the position but Hammer postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammer throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammer told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but Amarce blocks nicely.
Hammer engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Amarce has control of Hammer's left arm, preventing Hammer from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hammer tries to free his leg and advance position but Amarce is retaining full guard.
Amarce is trying to keep Hammer in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kyle Amarce just wasn't active enough.

Hammer clinches up against the cage.
Hammer slowing the pace effectively.
Hammer is working for takedown but Amarce is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Amarce pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Amarce closes the distance and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Amarce's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tom Hammer will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hammer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Amarce tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hammer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Amarce somewhat.
Hammer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Amarce as he avoids it easily.
Amarce misses with a takedown attempt

and Hammer counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hammer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Amarce gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hammer.
Amarce wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Hammer goes for a takedown in the clinch but Amarce prevents it.
Kyle Amarce has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Hammer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Amarce is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Amarce wants to get back to striking at distance but Hammer won't allow it.
Amarce working hard to break the clinch.

Hammer jumps guard and drags Amarce to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Amarce passes Hammer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Amarce trying to control the action but Hammer is working from the bottom.

Amarce looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Amarce thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hammer's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amarce not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hammer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Amarce.
Hammer is trying to maintain the position but Amarce is very close to passing his half guard.
Amarce trying to control the pace.
Hammer trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.
Hammer is not content to let Amarce control the position.
Amarce content to control rather than advance.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Amarce is looking to advance position but Hammer won't allow it.
Amarce stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Amarce sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hammer defending well though.
Hammer wants to control but Amarce is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Amarce is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Amarce is trying to control. Hammer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hammer works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hammer looking to control.
Hammer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Amarce 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!

Amarce dives in and scores a takedown into Hammer's guard.
Amarce loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Amarce from controlling successfully.
Amarce passes Hammer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Amarce sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Amarce trying to control from half guard but Hammer is working away.
Amarce throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Amarce wants to work for an arm triangle but Hammer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hammer moves into full guard.
Amarce looking to sit in guard and control but Hammer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hammer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Amarce controls Hammer momentarily but Hammer frees himself.
Hammer trying to control but Amarce is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Amarce lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hammer!
Amarce throws some wild stikes that Hammer manages to avoid easily.
Amarce looking to take Hammer's back but Hammer rolls and after a scramble, Hammer ends up on top in guard. Nice escape there from Hammer to escape a tricky position.
Amarce throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer postures up in Amarce's guard and throws a big left but Amarce blocks it.

Amarce throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hammer escapes and throws Amarce's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammer throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hammer looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Amarce is avoiding damage well.
Amarce gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hammer frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Amarce really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hammer looking to finish with strikes here!
Hammer wants to control the pace but Amarce is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Amarce is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Amarce tries to hold on but Hammer pushes him away.

Hammer has hold of Amarce's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Amarce manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer looking to finish with strikes here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Amarce is desperately trying to improve his position but Hammer has a good base and remains in mount.
Hammer trying to control but Amarce is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kyle Amarce.
I think Amarce has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle Amarce!