PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mitch Gagnon (ranked 1965 p4p, 3314 weight class) and Bjarne Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gagnon
vs
Hammer

168 cm
27
142
4 - 0 - 0

167 cm
27
140
2 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mitch Gagnon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bjarne Hammer!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer shoots in and drives through. Gagnon sprawls well.
Hammer misses with a body shot.
It looked like Gagnon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hammer tries to clinch but Gagnon moves out of range.
Gagnon uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hammer has time to react.

It looks like Bjarne Hammer has been cut.
Gagnon looks to score with a jab to the body but Hammer is just out of range.
Gagnon lands the left hand.
Hammer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gagnon circles away.
Gagnon lands with a nice body punch.
Hammer walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gagnon connects with the punch.
Hammer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hammer misses with a jab, cross combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hammer.
Mitch Gagnon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjarne Hammer.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hammer moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hammer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hammer steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gagnon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon connects with a body shot that sends Hammer's belly button to the back.
Hammer shoots for a double leg takedown but Gagnon sprawls well. He's pushed Hammer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gagnon looks to score with a jab to the body but Hammer is just out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gagnon, as that shot connected.
Hammer looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hammer takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hammer walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gagnon throws the left hand but Hammer avoids the punch easily.
Hammer is looking to clinch but Gagnon is avoiding it.
Hammer lands a jab to the nose.
Hammer lunges at Gagnon with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gagnon's hand.
Gagnon with a hook.
Gagnon has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Gagnon leaves Hammer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mitch Gagnon 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 ducks under a wild hook from Gagnon.
Gagnon thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon dodges the punch combination from Hammer.
Gagnon looks to throw the jab but Hammer is out of range.
Hammer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gagnon's waist but Gagnon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hammer off to one side.
Gagnon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hammer throws the kick towards the body but Gagnon avoids it.
Hammer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gagnon circles away quickly and effectively.
Hammer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gagnon bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hammer's head backwards.
Gagnon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gagnon lands a jab.
Gagnon lands with a hook. Hammer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hammer walks into a stiff left hand from Gagnon.
Good shot there by Gagnon.
Gagnon throws a big shot that misses.
Hammer is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon looks to land a right hand but Hammer moved out of range.
Gagnon misses with a looping right.
Gagnon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gagnon lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses.
Gagnon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Gagnon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hammer.
Gagnon misses with a body punch

and Hammer counters by moving into the clinch.
Gagnon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gagnon throws a punch but it's blocked by Hammer.
Gagnon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gagnon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hammer's elbow.
Gagnon prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hammer has Gagnon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gagnon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gagnon prevents Hammer from breaking the clinch.
Gagnon lands with a light punch inside.
Hammer takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gagnon.
Hammer is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gagnon to keep the fight standing.
Hammer is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gagnon to keep the fight standing.
Gagnon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hammer is working for takedown but Gagnon is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gagnon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gagnon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hammer's elbow.
Gagnon misses with the head strike.
Gagnon misses with a punch to the body.
Hammer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Hammer pulls guard.
Hammer looking for a sweep. Not yet Hammer, not yet.
Hammer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch Gagnon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bjarne Hammer's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice shot by Gagnon.
Gagnon cracks Hammer with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hammer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gagnon misses the jab.
Hammer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gagnon pinned against the cage. Gagnon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hammer slips a jab from Gagnon.
And Hammer responds with a good body kick, but Gagnon manages to step out the way in time.
Hammer takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gagnon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hammer can do to turn this around?
Gagnon cracks Hammer with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hammer darts in looking for a takedown but Gagnon gets double underhooks and turns Hammer into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gagnon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mitch Gagnon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjarne Hammer.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses.
Gagnon throws a looping overhand right but Hammer ducks down to avoid it.
Gagnon looks to throw the jab but Hammer is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gagnon lands with a right hand.
Mitch Gagnon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gagnon swings widly with a right hand
and Hammer counters with a straight right hand.
Gagnon misses with a body shot.
Hammer takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gagnon thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jab from Gagnon.
A big left from Gagnon misses.
Gagnon scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hammer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hammer swings for the body but Gagnon moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Gagnon misses its target.
A big right from Gagnon misses.
Hammer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gagnon.
Hammer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gagnon throws out the jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hammer staying out of range there.
Hammer tries to counter with a clinch but Gagnon shakes him off and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon throws a big shot that misses.
Mitch Gagnon is winning the standup battle so far.
A big right from Gagnon misses.
Gagnon throws the left hand but Hammer avoids the punch easily.
Hammer ducks under a wild hook from Gagnon.
Hammer shapes to counter with a head kick.
Hammer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gagnon as he avoids it easily.
Hammer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gagnon misses with a straight right.
Hammer dives in and grabs Gagnon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gagnon pushes down on Hammer's head and hops out.
Hammer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gagnon defends it nicely.
Gagnon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gagnon throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon lands with a shot to the body.
Hammer takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hammer shoots in and drives through. Gagnon sprawls well.
Gagnon throws a looping overhand right but Hammer ducks down to avoid it.
Gagnon tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hammer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gagnon misses with a straight right.
Gagnon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gagnon scores with a hook to the body. Hammer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gagnon misses with a body shot.

Gagnon moves into the clinch successfully.
Hammer pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gagnon working aggressively here.
Gagnon lands with a short shot to the head.
A body shot lands from Gagnon.
Mitch Gagnon has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Good body shot from Gagnon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
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!
Gagnon avoiding damage as Hammer throws knees to the body.
Gagnon lands a left hand.
Hammer prevents a body shot from Gagnon.
Hammer blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hammer goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gagnon prevents it.
Gagnon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gagnon swings wildly with an uppercut but Hammer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hammer prevents a body shot from Gagnon.
Gagnon keeps control of Hammer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gagnon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gagnon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gagnon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A shot in the inside from Gagnon.
Gagnon throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch Gagnon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bjarne Hammer's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gagnon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gagnon misses with a hook.
Hammer thows a leg kick but Gagnon checks it
and Gagnon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gagnon is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hammer.
Gagnon misses with an uppercut
and Hammer counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Gagnon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Gagnon drives through and clinches with Hammer against the cage.
Hammer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gagnon smiles and moves away.
Nice shot by Gagnon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Gagnon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Hammer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gagnon scores with a shot to the side of Hammer's head.
Hammer works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch on the inside from Gagnon fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon tries a body shot but Hammer blocks it.
Gagnon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gagnon misses with some punches.
Gagnon working aggressively here.
Hammer is trying to stall.
Gagnon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gagnon scores with a shot to the side of Hammer's head.
A nice left hand lands by Gagnon.
Gagnon misses with a punch on the inside.
Gagnon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hammer blocks a body shot from Gagnon.
Hammer avoiding damage.
Hammer misses with a knee strike.
Hammer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gagnon misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hammer is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gagnon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gagnon has a couple of punches blocked by Hammer.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hammer.
Gagnon lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
Gagnon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gagnon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hammer wants to take the fight to the mat but Gagnon manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mitch Gagnon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjarne Hammer.
Gagnon tries to throw a body punch but Hammer avoids it by throwing Gagnon back against the cage.
Gagnon scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hammer can't break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Gagnon.
Gagnon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hammer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gagnon pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hammer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gagnon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hammer backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gagnon has him pressed against the cage.
Gagnon prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hammer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gagnon misses with the head strike.
Gagnon misses with a punch to the body.
Gagnon throws a head punch that misses.
Gagnon struggles to land a body shot inside as Hammer controls his hands.
Gagnon throws a punch but it's blocked by Hammer.
Bjarne Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gagnon tries to work over Hammer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hammer blocks a body shot from Gagnon.
Gagnon working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gagnon lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hammer or not.
A right hook to the body lands for Gagnon.
Hammer tries to score a body lock takedown but Gagnon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gagnon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gagnon avoids the elbow strike from Hammer, against the cage.
Gagnon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gagnon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gagnon misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gagnon prevents Hammer from breaking the clinch.
Gagnon lands an uppercut.
Hammer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hammer blocks a body shot from Gagnon.
Hammer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gagnon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hammer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gagnon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gagnon managing to block the knees to the body from Hammer.
Gagnon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gagnon misses with some punches.
Hammer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Still in the clinch, Gagnon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hammer misses with a knee to the head.
Gagnon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gagnon working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gagnon lands a right hand.
Gagnon lands with a left to the head.
Gagnon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mitch Gagnon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gagnon avoids the elbow strike from Hammer, against the cage.
Hammer blocks a body shot from Gagnon.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mitch Gagnon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gagnon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Hoff scores the fight for Mitch Gagnon!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Mitch Gagnon!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Mitch Gagnon!

Mitch Gagnon wins by unanimous decision!