PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tj Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Hammer

172 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

165 cm
26
140 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid 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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tj Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joshua Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer misses with a hook

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Hammer tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Hammer gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smith.
Hammer wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hammer connects with a body shot.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smith is taking a breather. Hammer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Smith wants to take a breather but Hammer is having none of it.
Smith prevents Hammer from standing back up.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hammer has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer wants to get back to his feet.
Smith is trying to control. Hammer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hammer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hammer is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
Smith 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.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hammer is trying to stand back up but Smith is controlling him
Smith is nestled in close to Hammer, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hammer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hammer is looking to escape.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Smith is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hammer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smith in particular looking to stall.
Smith is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Hammer tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Hammer tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith thows a huge punch but Hammer dodges it nicely.
Hammer wants to get back to his feet.
Hammer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hammer looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hammer is trying to escape back to his feet but Smith uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with punches from side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith working the ground and pound from side control.
Smith lands some shots froms side control.
Smith lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hammer down.
Smith is putting a hurting on Hammer here, landing some big shots from side control.
Smith wants to control but Hammer is keeping him busy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hammer can do anything to dispel that myth.

Smith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hammer, who protects the arm well.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hammer to see if he's OK.
Smith works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith scoring with punches and elbows.
Smith working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Smith landing strikes.
Smith in side control, throwing shots but Hammer defends.
Hammer is trying to buck Smith off.
Smith is chipping away with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Smith grinds an elbow into Hammer's temple.
Hammer taking punishment in the form of punches.
Smith working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammer takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Smith postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Smith landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tj Smith dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hammer misses with an uppercut.
Hammer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hammer!
Hammer thows a body shot but no joy.
Tj Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hammer misses with a straight right.
Hammer looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Smith wants to clinch.
Hammer stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tj Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammer lands with a cross.
Hammer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hammer takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Hammer lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Some wild striking there from Hammer.
Joshua Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Hammer does it's job there.
Hammer misses with a jab to the body

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith prevents Hammer from breaking the clinch.
Smith is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hammer is defending well.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hammer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hammer is looking to break free of the clinch but Smith has double underhooks.

Hammer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hammer throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Hammer looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Hammer looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith walks into a straight right hand from Hammer.
Hammer looks to land a left hand but Smith moved out of range nicely.
Smith has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Smith there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer misses with a left hand
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hammer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hammer loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Joshua Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hammer gets caught napping as Smith dives in and scores a takedown. Hammer manages to retain guard.
Hammer wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Hammer is breathing heavily.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hammer wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith passes into half guard.
Smith prevents Hammer from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is taking a breather. Hammer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hammer tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith slips a nice elbow through Hammer's hands, connecting with Hammer's forehead.
Hammer wants to get back to his feet.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.

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

Smith decides to stand up.
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hammer back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hammer bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Smith's head.
Hammer scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hammer stuffs the takedown.
A punch combination from Hammer misses.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hammer but Hammer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Hammer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Smith gets the takedown into side control.
Hammer is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammer being controlled for a moment.
Hammer is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Smith is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joshua Hammer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hammer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith goes for a double leg but Hammer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hammer continues to drive forward.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hammer gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tj Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hammer breaks the clinch.
Hammer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.
Smith wants to clinch up but Hammer keeps it at a distance.
Hammer loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Hammer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hammer darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smith's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hammer connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith scrambles back to his feet.
Smith dives in and grabs Hammer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hammer pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hammer gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Hammer has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smith's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hammer wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hammer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Hammer wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tj Smith wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hammer looks to land a left hand but Smith moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hammer but Hammer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith slips a straight right by Hammer.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Joshua Hammer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hammer sprawls well. Hammer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Hammer.
Hammer swinging wildly here.
Hammer throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith goes for a double leg but Hammer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hammer continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wants to break the clinch but can't.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hammer misses with a hook

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hammer tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammer on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hammer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tj Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hammer tries to kick Smith off in order to stand up. Smith Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Smith is chipping away with strikes.
Smith trying to control the position but Hammer is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith working the ground and pound from side control.
Smith lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hammer down.
Hammer is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Smith asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Smith scores with punches from side control.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Hammer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hammer tries to escape but Smith is in control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Hammer taking a bit of punishment here - Smith scoring with strikes.
Hammer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith trying to control the position but Hammer is working away.
Joshua Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tj Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammer throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tj Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smith 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 Bart Greer scores the fight for Tj Smith!
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight for Tj Smith!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Tj Smith!

Tj Smith wins by unanimous decision!