PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Phil Mcracken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Von Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mcracken kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Onra - I Wanna Go Back. Von Hammer told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Mcracken
vs
Hammer

187 cm
37
187 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

180 cm
38
182 lbs
15 - 21 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem
Tokyo United Fightwear

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Phil Mcracken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Von Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer misses with a looping left.
Hammer has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Mcracken is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Hammer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hammer sizes up Mcracken with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hammer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mcracken.

Mcracken gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mcracken prevents Hammer from standing back up.

Mcracken decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Mcracken.
Hammer scores with a hook to the body. Mcracken takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hammer swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mcracken.
Hammer paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mcracken moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken needs to keep his hands up - Hammer had a free shot at his head there.

Mcracken shoots in and bounces Hammer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hammer wants to stand and escape but Mcracken is having none of it.
Hammer wants to sweep here but Mcracken controlling him for the moment.
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.

Hammer is working an open guard so Mcracken takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Mcracken drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hammer is working an open guard so Mcracken takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hammer looks to land a combination but Mcracken avoids it well.
Hammer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mcracken takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hammer scores with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hammer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mcracken has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hammer finds it's way round the side to connect with Mcracken's head.
Mcracken looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hammer is fending him off so far but Mcracken persists. Nope, Hammer circles away and we're back to standing.
Mcracken ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hammer misses with a wild body shot.

Hammer gets caught napping as Mcracken dives in and scores a takedown. Hammer manages to retain guard.

Mcracken stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hammer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hammer misses with a two punch combination.
Hammer lands a really nice looking cross but Mcracken seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Hammer misses.
Hammer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Von Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hammer throws a body shot but no joy.
Hammer looks to land a combination but Mcracken avoids it well.
Mcracken slips under a jab from Hammer.
Mcracken shoots in but Hammer avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hammer! But no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hammer. Mcracken does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hammer looks to land a combination. Mcracken sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mcracken will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phil Mcracken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammer misses with a two punch combination.
Hammer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mcracken.
Hammer fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mcracken on the side of the head.
Hammer's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hammer duly obliges.
Von Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer misses with the combination.
Mcracken wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hammer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mcracken dodges the punch combination from Hammer.
Mcracken wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hammer swivels and escapes.
Hammer is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Mcracken had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Hammer connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hammer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mcracken manages to avoid it.
Mcracken tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hammer manages to circle out of the way.
Hammer swings for the body but Mcracken moves out of range.
As Hammer tries to get set, Mcracken tries to push him back and clinch up but Hammer manages to avoid the attempt.
Hammer just misses with a punch to the body.
Hammer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mcracken moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Mcracken shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mcracken showed some decent athleticism there.

Mcracken postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Hammer to stand up.
Hammer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mcracken circles away quickly and effectively.

Mcracken scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Von Hammer dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hammer throws a looping overhand right but Mcracken ducks down to avoid it.
Hammer throws a lazy right hand but Mcracken sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hammer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mcracken tries to counter by clinching up but Hammer breaks away and moves out of range.
Hammer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fighters circling - Hammer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Hammer misses.

Mcracken closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hammer's guard.
Hammer is adopting a defensive guard.
Hammer wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcracken gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mcracken shoots in but no luck this time.
Mcracken shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Von Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hammer throws the left hand but Mcracken avoids the punch easily.
Nice defenses there by Mcracken.
Hammer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mcracken slips a jab and a cross from Hammer.
Hammer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hammer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hammer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mcracken moves away from the strike by Hammer.
Mcracken defending well as Hammer loads up on a big left hand.

Mcracken manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hammer on his heels. He'll look to pass Hammer's guard now, I'm sure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcracken decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hammer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mcracken.
No joy there for Hammer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mcracken was well out of range. Poor timing from Hammer.
Hammer lands a two punch combo.
Hammer takes a swing at Mcracken's ribcage but misses.

Mcracken drives through with a takedown into Hammer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Mcracken stands up and waves to Hammer to follow him.
Hammer is breathing heavily.
Hammer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mcracken.
No luck for Mcracken with that takedown attempt.
Mcracken 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 failed takedown attempts in the round for Phil Mcracken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mcracken defending well as Hammer loads up on a big left hand.
Hammer lands with a good body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Hammer misses.
Hammer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mcracken blocks a jab.
Hammer throws a series of punches but Mcracken moves out of range.

Hammer tries to sprawl but Mcracken drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Mcracken decides to stand and escape the position.
Mcracken moves out of range as Hammer strikes.
Mcracken shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hammer sprawls well. Hammer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mcracken gets slowly back to his feet.
Hammer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hammer cracks Mcracken with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Hammer. Those never looked like landing.
Hammer misses with a wild body shot.
Mcracken takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hammer scores with a body shot.
Mcracken avoids the body shot from Hammer.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mcracken displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hammer throws out the jab.

Mcracken shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hammer manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Hammer blocking some punches.
Mcracken lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mcracken has a couple of punches blocked by Hammer.
Mcracken tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mcracken fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Mcracken fails to land.
Mcracken blocks an uppercut.
Mcracken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hammer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Von Hammer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mcracken is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hammer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mcracken blocks a jab.
Hammer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mcracken keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mcracken looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hammer is fending him off so far but Mcracken persists. Nope, Hammer circles away and we're back to standing.
Hammer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mcracken.
Hammer connects with a jab.
Mcracken tries to move into range but Hammer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hammer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hammer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mcracken.

Mcracken drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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 is trying to improve his position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hammer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcracken stands up and beckons Hammer to his feet.
Hammer throws a hook but Mcracken avoids it easily.
Hammer lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hammer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Mcracken changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hammer looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Phil Mcracken overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammer is looking for a sweep.

Mcracken decides to stand back up. Mcracken steps back and let's Hammer get back to his feet.
Hammer misses with a double jab

and Mcracken counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mcracken decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mcracken looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phil Mcracken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mcracken dodges the punch combination from Hammer.
Hammer connects with a nice looking jab.
Hammer scores with the left hand. Mcracken knows he should have avoided that one.
A punch combination from Hammer misses.
A big left from Hammer misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mcracken or perhaps it was just good defense by Hammer, which made it look bad.
Hammer leaves Mcracken with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hammer looks to land a left hand but Mcracken moved out of range nicely.
Hammer jabs Mcracken right on the nose. Mcracken blinks but takes it well.
Von Hammer seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hammer looks to score with a jab to the body but Mcracken is just out of range.
Hammer is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mcracken slips a jab and a cross from Hammer.
Hammer's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hammer duly obliges.
Hammer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hammer scores with a shot to the body.
Hammer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mcracken moves away.
No joy there for Hammer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mcracken looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Von Hammer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mcracken fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mcracken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hammer.
Mcracken is looking to counter with head kicks.
Mcracken shoots in for a double leg but Hammer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hammer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mcracken misses with a takedown attempt - Hammer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mcracken looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body punch from Hammer.
Mcracken shoots for a takedown but Hammer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hammer lands with an uppercut that bounces Mcracken off the cage and back into range.
Hammer digs a good hook to Mcracken's body.
Hammer throws a good cross that connects.
Hammer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nice shot by Hammer.
Mcracken avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hammer misses with the combination.
Hammer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Phil Mcracken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hammer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mcracken throws a head kick but Hammer moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Von 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Von Hammer!
After the big win, Von Hammer made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors V-Mask Clothing (10%) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
In defeat, Phil Mcracken stepped up to the mic, saying 'You were good in there... my butt hurts... and that's hard to do to a greek!'.