PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Braden Turk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Turk's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Status Quo- Deeper and Down. Hammer comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bolt Thrower - IV Crusade kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Braden Turk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Turk
vs
Hammer

168 cm
33
145 lbs
28 - 17 - 0

155 cm
33
134 lbs
25 - 19 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Backyard Fighting

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 28 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Braden Turk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Antti Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer tries to clinch there but Turk circles away.
Turk lands a nice shot to the body.
Turk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hammer is out of range and Turk settles back down.
Turk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hammer swivels and escapes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hammer. Turk does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hammer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Turk can pounce on him.
Braden Turk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Turk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Hammer rushes Turk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Turk lands a nice uppercut.
Turk has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hammer is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Turk managing to block the knees to the body from Hammer.
Turk is trying to break the clinch but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Turk's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Turk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Turk tries to throw a body punch but Hammer avoids it by throwing Turk back against the cage.
Hammer tries a knee to the head but Turk blocks it.
Hammer lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Braden Turk has been cut.
Turk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hammer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hammer - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Turk digs a right hand underneath Hammer's ribcage. Hammer let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turk struggles to land a body shot inside as Hammer controls his hands.
We've been hearing reports that Turk has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hammer lands with a short shot to the head.
Turk drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hammer gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Braden Turk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Turk is leaning against Hammer and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hammer just misses with a elbow thrown towards Turk's brow.
Hammer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hammer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Turk is trying to break the clinch but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Hammer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hammer with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Turk can't find room to land a body shot as Hammer controls the action.
Turk tries for a takedown. No joy.
Turk lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hammer taking a breather.
Hammer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turk is working Hammer over against the cage.
Hammer creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hammer misses with a knee strike.
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 prevents a body shot from Turk.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Turk.
Turk digs a right hand into Hammer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hammer's gas tank.
Turk misses with a punch on the inside.
Hammer misses with a knee strike.
Hammer stalling in the clinch.
Hammer connects with a knee to the head.
Turk lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Turk is looking to break free of the clinch but Hammer has double underhooks.
Turk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hammer using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Turk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Turk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Hammer tightens his grip and picks Turk up, before dumping him to the ground. Turk manages to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Turk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but Turk blocks nicely.

Turk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.

Turk isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hammer stacks Turk on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hammer!
The ground and pound from Hammer seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turk takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Hammer is looking to take a break and control but Turk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hammer tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hammer is trying to ground and pound but Turk uses the momentary lack of control by Hammer to regain half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hammer in particular looking to stall.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammer stalling away here and it's allowed Turk to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Antti Hammer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Braden Turk's cut.
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 misses the jab.
Turk shoots in for a takedown but Hammer shows good takedown defense.
Turk staying out of range there.
Turk dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hammer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Turk manages to avoid it.
Hammer misses with a low kick as Turk jumps back.
Hammer slaps away a takedown attempt from Turk, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Turk misses with a straight left.
Turk gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hammer takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Turk shoots in for a double leg but Hammer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Braden Turk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Turk can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Turk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Turk misses with a two punch combination.
Nice straight punches there by Turk. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Turk.
Turk chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hammer can pounce on him.
Hammer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Turk.
Hammer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A bone on bone clash there as Hammer blocks the leg kick.
Turk lands with a good body shot.
Turk lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A looping hook to the body misses from Turk. Hammer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hammer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hammer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Turk.
Turk ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hammer tries to close the distance and clinch but Turk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Turk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hammer.
Hammer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Turk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Turk throws a lazy right hand but Hammer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hammer listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hammer works the jab nicely.

Turk is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses.
Turk fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Turk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hammer throws out the jab.
Turk tries a head kick but it misses.
Turk throws a poor cross that misses
and Hammer counters with a right hand to the body.
Hammer lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Turk at a distance.

Hammer clinches with his opponent.
Turk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Turk blocks an uppercut.
Hammer using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Turk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Braden Turk has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hammer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hammer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Turk blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Turk.
Hammer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Turk wants a takedown but no success here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Turk just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hammer's brow.
Hammer with a knee to the head.
Turk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Turk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hammer motions for Turk to come forward. Hammer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Turk shoots in but Hammer avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hammer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Turk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Turk cracks Hammer with an open hand slap.
Turk closes the distance and clinches up with Hammer, looking for a takedown. Turk pushes Hammer against the cage but Hammer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hammer wants to clinch up but Turk keeps it at a distance.
Hammer wants to clinch up but Turk keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer throws a sloppy head kick and Turk moves out of range easily.
Hammer defending well as Turk loads up on a big left hand.
Hammer throws out a leg kick but Turk moves out of range and Hammer only half commits.

Hammer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hammer lands in his opponent's guard.
Hammer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Turk is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hammer postures up in Turk's guard and throws a big left but Turk blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Turk throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hammer won't allow Turk to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Antti Hammer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Braden Turk's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Left hook, right uppercut from Turk.
Turk has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Turk there as he acknowledges the shot.
Turk misses with a body shot
and Turk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hammer avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hammer closes the distance but Turk moves to the side

and Turk counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hammer's guard now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hammer is on top in guard.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Turk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but Turk blocks nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Turk avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Turk is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hammer is aware though and is defending well.
Hammer forces his way into half guard.
Hammer is pressing down on Turk's thigh, looking to free his foot. Turk is holding on for now.
Hammer is trying to control. Turk wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hammer tries to stand but can't do so whilst Turk controls his leg.
Turk taking some punishment here, with Hammer in his half guard.
Still in half guard, Hammer seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turk is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hammer misses with a head shot. Turk uses the momentum to regain guard.
Braden Turk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Turk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hammer.
Hammer throwing strikes from guard but Turk blocks nicely.
Turk trying to keep a closed guard but Hammer is proving a slippery customer.
Hammer throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Turk is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hammer defends well.
Hammer connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammer postures up in Turk's guard and throws a big left but Turk blocks it.
Antti Hammer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Turk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Turk looking for a sweep. Not yet Turk, not yet.
Turk is trying to keep Hammer in close.
Turk keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Antti Hammer wasn't active enough on the ground.
Turk thuds a left hand into Hammer's body.
Hammer is looking to clinch but Turk is avoiding it.
Turk pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hammer checks a low kick from Turk.
Hammer lunges at Turk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Turk's hand.

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!
Turk is looking to reverse the position.
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.
Turk is not content to let Hammer control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Hammer!
In his post fight interview, Antti Hammer gave a big smile as he said 'I own this motha fucking place! Bring me the belt already.'.