PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Haggstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Haggstrom
vs
Hammer

183 cm
26
154 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

165 cm
29
157 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, David Haggstrom!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tom Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Haggstrom paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Hammer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Haggstrom sprawls well initially but Hammer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Haggstrom tries to get to full guard but Hammer has control of the leg.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hammer in particular looking to stall.

Hammer is trying to work for a kimura but Haggstrom is defending well.
Haggstrom is trying to maintain the position but Hammer is very close to passing his half guard.
Hammer is looking to stall here but Haggstrom recovers full guard.
Hammer trying to control but Haggstrom is working from the bottom.

Hammer is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggstrom not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hammer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haggstrom is keeping the position for now.
Hammer throws a big elbow that misses.

Haggstrom is looking for a triangle but Hammer pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haggstrom keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.

Haggstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hammer makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Haggstrom will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Haggstrom wants to sweep but no luck.
Haggstrom thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Haggstrom 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Haggstrom looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hammer is one step ahead there.
Hammer lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Haggstrom is trying to control the position but Hammer postures up.

Haggstrom 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.
Hammer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Haggstrom swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Haggstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Haggstrom thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Hammer has gone for a leg lock! Haggstrom slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hammer's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer is striking but Haggstrom is not phased and passes to half guard.
Haggstrom working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Hammer's thigh. Hammer counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Haggstrom wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
Hammer trying to keep a closed guard but Haggstrom is proving a slippery customer.
Haggstrom throws a big right hand that misses.
Haggstrom distracts Hammer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer pulls Haggstrom in close to his closed guard and prevents Haggstrom from doing any damage or advancing position.
Haggstrom works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ground and pound from Haggstrom.
Hammer is looking to control Haggstrom's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hammer avoid being mounted?
Hammer works his way to full guard. Good work.
Haggstrom is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hammer keeping full guard, as Haggstrom tries to pass.
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 round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice takedown defense from Haggstrom. No joy for Hammer on that attempt.

Hammer moves into the clinch.
Come on Hammer - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Haggstrom has picked Hammer up - he's going for a ride! Haggstrom dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hammer is staying active underneath Haggstrom, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Haggstrom thows a huge punch but Hammer dodges it nicely.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.
Haggstrom is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hammer is controlling Haggstrom's trapped leg to prevent Haggstrom from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer trying to hold on to Haggstrom's head to control him but Haggstrom postures up.
Haggstrom is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Haggstrom can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hammer is looking to escape.
Hammer wants to hold on but Haggstrom pushes him away.
Haggstrom with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom wants to control the pace but Hammer is squirming around nicely.
Hammer wants to control but Haggstrom is having none of it.
Haggstrom wants to control but Hammer has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Haggstrom looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Haggstrom looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hammer trying to hold on to Haggstrom's head to control him but Haggstrom postures up.
Haggstrom with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.
Haggstrom working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Hammer's thigh. Hammer counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Hammer trying to control the position.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Haggstrom from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Haggstrom drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hammer looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hammer looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hammer!
Hammer scoring with punches from side control.
An elbow from Hammer crashes against the mat.
David Haggstrom overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Haggstrom tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hammer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Hammer tries for a kimura but Haggstrom is defending well.
Haggstrom is looking to regain half guard here but Hammer keeps moving and retains side control.
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.

Hammer goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Haggstrom has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hammer but great work by Haggstrom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that David Haggstrom will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hammer shoots in but Haggstrom avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Haggstrom shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Haggstrom showed some decent athleticism there.
Hammer trying to control here.
Haggstrom stalling.
Haggstrom thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hammer's head.

Haggstrom 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggstrom not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Haggstrom is thwarting Hammer's attempts to control the position.
Haggstrom throwing shots but Hammer is blocking nicely.

Haggstrom is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hammer manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom works over Hammer with some ground and pound from guard.
Haggstrom trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hammer manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Haggstrom 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.

Hammer drops back looking for a leg! Haggstrom is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Haggstrom manages to kick Hammer off! Hammer jumps back into Haggstrom's guard.
Hammer is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hammer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Haggstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer throws a big right hand that misses.
Haggstrom looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Haggstrom keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.
Hammer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Haggstrom has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hammer is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Haggstrom.
Hammer creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Haggstrom is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hammer off and has taken his back!
Hammer controlling Haggstrom 's hands.
Hammer rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hammer wants to control but Haggstrom is keeping busy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haggstrom not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Haggstrom looking for a submission but Hammer manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Hammer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but David Haggstrom did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hammer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Haggstrom.
Nice takedown defense from Haggstrom. No joy for Hammer on that attempt.
Hammer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haggstrom pinned against the cage. Haggstrom gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hammer moves in looking to clinch but Haggstrom pushes him off.

Hammer gets a clinch.
Hammer is pushing Haggstrom up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hammer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Haggstrom after a bit of a struggle.
David Haggstrom 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 Haggstrom pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Haggstrom manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Hammer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haggstrom darts in looking for a takedown but Hammer gets double underhooks and turns Haggstrom into the cage.

Hammer pulls guard successfully.
Haggstrom slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Haggstrom passes into half guard.
Haggstrom wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haggstrom seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hammer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hammer is trying is best to control the position here.
Haggstrom trying to control the action but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Hammer trying to control from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Haggstrom looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hammer with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Haggstrom is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hammer trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom prevents Hammer from improving his position.
Hammer keeps trying to improve his position.
Hammer wants to control but Haggstrom is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Haggstrom in particular looking to stall.
Haggstrom blocks the strikes from Hammer.
Hammer wants to improve his position but Haggstrom is controlling well.
Haggstrom looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hammer with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Haggstrom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hammer sees it coming and defends easily.
Hammer is trying to control but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haggstrom sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hammer is staying active underneath Haggstrom, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that David Haggstrom will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Hammer.
Tom Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hammer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Haggstrom counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Haggstrom has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hammer avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Hammer has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Haggstrom clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Haggstrom preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hammer.
Hammer doesn't have the hooks in and Haggstrom manages to turn into his guard.
Haggstrom sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hammer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hammer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Haggstrom is working Hammer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hammer is trying to keep Haggstrom in close.
Hammer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Haggstrom looking to sit in guard and control but Hammer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Haggstrom preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haggstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hammer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Haggstrom keeps moving.

Haggstrom had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hammer defends it easily.
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 stands and throws Haggstrom's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Hammer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Haggstrom has escaped the position, nice work there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haggstrom wants to control but Hammer postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hammer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Hammer is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Haggstrom knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hammer lands a nice forearm strike.
Haggstrom dodges the ground and pound from Hammer.
Haggstrom tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ground and pound from Hammer seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Hammer controls the position from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haggstrom keeps working.
Hammer in side control, throwing shots but Haggstrom defends.
Hammer working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Haggstrom gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Haggstrom is looking for a sweep. Hammer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hammer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hammer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tom Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
David Haggstrom is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammer throwing shots but Haggstrom is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Hammer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Haggstrom 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:47
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by split decision... David Haggstrom!
David Haggstrom retains his featherweight title!