PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frank Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kuroda Atsushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hammer comes to the cage accompanied by We are the Champions. Kuroda Atsushi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Hammer
vs
Atsushi

175 cm
27
168 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

170 cm
33
164 lbs
34 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kuroda Atsushi!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Topper Green and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer scores with a hook to the body. Atsushi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Atsushi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Atsushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Atsushi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hammer is out of range and Atsushi settles back down.
Hammer blocks a low kick nicely.
Hammer pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Atsushi back to the cage. Hammer follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Atsushi misses with a low kick as Hammer jumps back.
Atsushi connects with an inside leg kick.
Atsushi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Frank Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atsushi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Atsushi wants to land a leg kick but Hammer is out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Atsushi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Atsushi.
Hammer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Atsushi manages to avoid it.
Hammer definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hammer scores with a nice right hand.
Hammer closes the distance and clinches up with Atsushi, looking for a takedown. Hammer pushes Atsushi against the cage but Atsushi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Atsushi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hammer defends it well.
Hammer dives in and grabs Atsushi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Atsushi pushes down on Hammer's head and hops out.
Atsushi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hammer looks to score with a jab to the body but Atsushi is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer avoids the head kick by Atsushi.
Atsushi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hammer's calf.
We've been informed that Atsushi has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Hammer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Atsushi flicks out a counter leg kick but Hammer steps away.
Hammer misses with a left hand
and Atsushi counters with a nice body kick.
Atsushi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hammer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hammer misses with a right hand
and Atsushi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hammer fails to land with a series of punches.
Hammer shoots in for a takedown but Atsushi shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hammer loads up on a big right hand but Atsushi slips the punch.
Atsushi was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A nice leg kick lands there from Atsushi.
Hammer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Atsushi was well out of range. Poor timing from Hammer.
Hammer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hammer fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Atsushi throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hammer looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hammer is thwarting Atsushi's attempts to control the position.
Atsushi is pressing down on Hammer's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Atsushi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Atsushi pulls Hammer in to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Atsushi is on top in guard.

Hammer keeping full guard, as Atsushi tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wants to hit a switch here but Atsushi passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hammer there!

Hammer defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Atsushi.
Hammer regains half guard.
Atsushi is looking to take a break and control but Hammer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Atsushi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.
Hammer won't allow Atsushi to pass to mount.
Hammer is pressing down on Atsushi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Atsushi preventing the sweep.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Atsushi from controlling successfully.
Hammer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Atsushi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hammer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Atsushi's guard.
Hammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Atsushi has wrist control.
Hammer tries to free his leg and advance position but Atsushi is retaining full guard.
Atsushi keeping moving, preventing Hammer from controlling successfully.
Hammer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hammer advances position into side control!
Atsushi tries to buck Hammer off but Hammer is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hammer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atsushi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Atsushi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Atsushi actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushi is looking for a sweep. Hammer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hammer misses with a head shot. Atsushi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hammer passes Atsushi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Atsushi trying to control from the bottom.
Hammer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hammer wants to free his trapped foot but Atsushi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Atsushi tries to get to full guard but Hammer has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hammer is keen to just control but Atsushi is a slippery customer.

Atsushi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Atsushi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hammer trying to control but Atsushi is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atsushi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hammer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hammer preventing the sweep.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Atsushi keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Atsushi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hammer has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer fails to land the takedown.
Hammer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hammer lands a shoulder strike.
Atsushi lands an elbow inside.
Hammer stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hammer misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hammer working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hammer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Atsushi has a couple of punches blocked by Hammer.
Atsushi blocks a body shot from Hammer.
A hook to the body from Atsushi.
Atsushi blocking some punches.
Atsushi has a couple of punches blocked by Hammer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Atsushi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hammer tries a body shot but Atsushi blocks it.
Hammer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hammer misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hammer drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Atsushi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Atsushi stalling against the cage.
Atsushi blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Atsushi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hammer tries for a takedown but Atsushi manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Atsushi takes a shot to the head.
Atsushi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hammer up against the cage.
Atsushi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hammer backwards.
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 Frank Hammer will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hammer closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Atsushi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Hammer working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Atsushi is looking for a sweep.
Atsushi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hammer's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer trying to pass the guard but Atsushi defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Atsushi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammer wants to pass the guard but Atsushi is keeping the position.
Hammer is working hard here to advance position.
Hammer is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Atsushi looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hammer puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Atsushi wants to get back to full guard.
Atsushi gets full guard.
Atsushi controls Hammer momentarily but Hammer frees himself.

Hammer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Atsushi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hammer has managed to get both his arms back between Atsushi's legs - danger averted.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Atsushi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer stands up over Atsushi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Atsushi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammer throws a big right hand that misses.
Atsushi pulls Hammer in close to his closed guard and prevents Hammer from doing any damage or advancing position.
Frank Hammer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Atsushi keeps moving.
Atsushi has Hammer pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hammer scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Hammer jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hammer misses with a hook.
A little jabbing left from Atsushi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hammer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Atsushi scores with a hook to the body. Hammer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hammer.
Atsushi looks to score with a jab to the body but Hammer is just out of range.
Hammer fails with the takedown.
Hammer is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Atsushi lands with a hook. Hammer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Atsushi keeps the fight on the outside.
Atsushi lands a jab to Hammer's midsection.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Atsushi enables Hammer to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Atsushi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Atsushi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hammer's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Atsushi has passed into side control.
Hammer is not content to let Atsushi control the position.

Atsushi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hammer tries to bench press Atsushi off him but Atsushi keeps the position.
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.
Hammer tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Atsushi easily slips into full mount!

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 Frank Hammer.
I think Hammer 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Hammer!
After winning the bout, Frank Hammer thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Kuroda Atsushi was interviewed post fight and said 'I am telling you Mike cheats!!! Lol'.