PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Hammer (ranked 5893 p4p, 3973 weight class) and Hakeem Sterling (ranked 558 p4p, 433 weight class). Johnny Hammer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hammer
vs
Sterling

180 cm
22
165
3 - 4 - 0

165 cm
25
155
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hakeem Sterling!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Columbo Gatti and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammer explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sterling looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Hammer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hammer misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hammer looks for the body kick but Sterling saw that one coming.
Hammer misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hammer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sterling steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hammer.
Hammer lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hammer throws a wild body kick that Sterling sees coming a mile off.
We've been told by Hammer's head coaches at Cozad MMA New York that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sterling avoids a kick to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hammer.
Hammer throws the kick towards the body but Sterling avoids it.
Sterling blocks the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hammer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sterling looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Hammer is looking to land body kicks.
Hammer throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hammer throws a wild body kick that Sterling sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sterling crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hammer - the referee stops the clock and Sterling gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hammer. Sterling manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hammer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And Sterling responds with a good body kick, but Hammer manages to step out the way in time.
Hammer tries to land a front kick but Sterling steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hammer is looking to land body kicks.
Johnny Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hammer.
Hammer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sterling moves out of range as Hammer throws a body kick.
Sterling steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hammer.
Hammer looks to land a body kick but Sterling moved away.
Hammer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sterling moves out of range as Hammer throws a body kick.
Hammer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hammer looks for the body kick but Sterling saw that one coming.
Hammer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sterling looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hammer looks for the body kick but Sterling saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sterling moves out of range of the body kick from Hammer.
Hammer looks for the body kick but Sterling saw that one coming.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hammer.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hammer.
Sterling tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hammer looks to land a body kick but Sterling moved away.
Hammer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hammer misses with a kick to the body.
Hammer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hammer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hammer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hammer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sterling with the counter takedown but Hammer avoids it easily.
Hammer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hammer gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Sterling counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Hammer is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hammer breaks the clinch.
Sterling blocks the body kick.

Sterling shoots in and gets a takedown into Hammer's guard.

Sterling drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sterling jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sterling 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammer wants to stand and escape but Sterling is having none of it.
Sterling slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Sterling decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hammer to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterling moves out of range of the body kick.
Hammer throws the kick towards the body but Sterling avoids it.
Sterling blocks the body kick.
Sterling tries to counter with a clinch but Hammer shakes him off and moves away.
Johnny Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hammer throws a push kick but Sterling slaps the foot to one side.
Sterling tries to counter with a clinch but Hammer shakes him off and moves away.
Hammer throws a body kick that misses

and Sterling counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sterling is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Hammer is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Hakeem Sterling!
Johnny Hammer was interviewed post fight and said 'I just want to thank my sponsors, my fans and my family for the unwavering support.'.