PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cade Connors (ranked 6775 p4p, 6472 weight class) and Thorulf Hammar (ranked 694 p4p, 680 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Connors
vs
Hammar

188 cm
25
202
0 - 1 - 0

191 cm
19
200
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cade Connors!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thorulf Hammar!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hammar with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Connors clinches with his opponent.
Hammar trying to stall but Connors improves his position.
Connors is looking for a takedown.
Hammar stalling against the cage.
Hammar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Connors misses with a body punch.
Connors scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hook to the body lands for Hammar.
Connors misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hammar stalling against the cage.
Connors pushes Hammar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hammar creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Connors swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Connors misses with a body punch.
Hammar swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Hammar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hammar chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connors throws a right and a left that Hammar avoids nicely.
Connors moves in looking to clinch but Hammar pushes him off.

Connors moves into the clinch.
Connors misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hammar tries to throw a body punch but Connors avoids it by throwing Hammar back against the cage.
Connors doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Connors scores with a nice short uppercut.
We've been informed that Hammar 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.
Connors misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Connors as Hammar tries to tie him up.
Connors tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hammar smiles and moves away.
Hammar throws a head kick that Connors semi-blocks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hammar.
Connors tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hammar with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connors tries to clinch but Hammar moves out of range.
Connors on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Thorulf Hammar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hammar throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Connors with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hammar counters with a left and a right that stings Connors.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cade Connors. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Connors walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hammar.
Connors fails to land with a series of punches.
Hammar throws out a counter right but Connors avoids it with no problem.
Cade Connors seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Connors misses.
Connors's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hammar connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Connors scrambles back to his feet.
Hammar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A lazy left from Hammar finds it's target.
Connors misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hammar's corner calls for a 1-2. Hammar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Connors throws a body punch but Hammar moves out of range.
Hammar doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Connors lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connors needs to keep his hands up - Hammar had a free shot at his head there.
A punch lands to the side of Connors 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Connors tries for a takedown but Hammar circles away easily
and Hammar counters with a three punch combo that has Connors backing up. Connors nods at Hammar to acknowledge the strikes.
Connors is breathing heavily.
Hammar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Connors.
Hammar feints a counter leg kick.
Connors gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hammar pushes Connors away with a front kick.
Connors misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hammar.
Hammar throws out a counter right but Connors avoids it with no problem.
Hammar throws a nice outside leg kick.
Connors takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
An inside leg kick lands from Hammar.
Hammar lands a nice looking body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Connors has his takedown stuffed
and Hammar counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Hammar tenderised Connors's leg. Connors is trying to keep his angry face on.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hammar. That's going to slow Connors down.
Hammar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Connors takes one to the chin there.
Connors on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hammar. Hammar obviously looking to wear him down.
Hammar lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Connors takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hammar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Some wild striking there from Connors.
Hammar lands the left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammar works the jab nicely.
Nice body kick there by Hammar.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hammar.
Connors wants to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thorulf Hammar dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hammar scores with a body shot.
Connors has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hammar.
An inside leg kick lands from Hammar.
Hammar works the jab nicely.
Connors falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hammar counters with a nice leg kick.
Hammar throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hammar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hammar lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Connors is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Connors, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Connors looks to clinch
and Hammar counters with an outside leg kick.
Hammar swats away the attempt to clinch by Connors.
Hammar throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammar throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hammar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Connors.
Connors on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hammar scoring well with a low kick there.
Hammar jabs Connors to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Connors takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Connors misses with a few strikes there.
Hammar plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nice body kick from Hammar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hammar scores with a jab. Connors acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A jab from Hammar finds it's way through Connors's defenses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Connors throws a series of punches but Hammar moves out of range.
Connors shoots and misses
and Hammar counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connors tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hammar swivels and escapes.
Hammar scores with a jab. Connors acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hammar keeps Connors at a distance using the push kick.
Connors will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hammar throws a right and a left that Connors avoids nicely.
Connors has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hammar.
Hammar explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Hammar scores with a crisp jab that stopped Connors in his tracks.
Hammar throws a shot to the body.
Hammar lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hammar connects with a leg kick.
Hammar ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hammar digs a good body shot into Connors's ribs.
Hammar scores with a jab.
Hammar's corner calls for a 1-2. Hammar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hammar misses with a wild combination.
Thorulf Hammar seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connors takes a kick to the side of the head.
Connors throws a combination that misses
letting Hammar counter with a right hand.
Hammar works the jab nicely.
Hammar feints and then cracks Connors's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Connors down.
Hammar goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hammar lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Connors shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Connors moves in looking to clinch but Hammar pushes him off.
That kick from Hammar tenderised Connors's leg. Connors is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cade Connors is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hammar scoring well with a low kick there.
Connors closes the distance and clinches up with Hammar, looking for a takedown. Connors pushes Hammar against the cage but Hammar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cade Connors. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammar scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Connors misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hammar counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammar scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hammar lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hammar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice body punch from Hammar.
Hammar swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A head kick from Hammar lands but Connors takes it in his stride.
A jab from Hammar does it's job there.
Hammar digs a good hook to Connors's body.
Connors takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jab, jab by Hammar - just one landing.
Hammar lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hammar lands a high kick!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hammar.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thorulf Hammar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Connors has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hammar.
Hammar scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hammar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Connors throws out the jab.
Connors misses with a takedown
and Hammar counters with a one-two to the body.
Hammar lands with a straight right. Connors didn't see that one coming.
Connors shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hammar counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Decent striking displayed by Hammar there.
Some wild striking there from Connors.
Connors looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hammar lands a head kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammar thows a body kick. Connors tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammar cracks Connors with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hammar lands a nice shot that snaps Connors's head back.
Hammar throws a head kick that half lands.
Connors is looking to clinch.
Connors throws an overhand right that lands on Hammar's shoulder, as Hammar tries to avoid the shot.
Hammar moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Connors looks to land a combination but Hammar avoids it well.
Connors slips a jab and a cross from Hammar.
Connors went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Connors closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A left lands for Hammar.
Connors throws a combination that misses
and Hammar counters with a thumping low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hammar scoring well with a low kick there.
Hammar scores with a jab to the head.
Hammar throws a good cross that connects.
Cade Connors has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Hammar lands but Connors takes it in his stride.
Hammar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Connors. That did some damage!

Connors fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hammar, pushing him back against the cage.
Hammar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Connors being controlled against the cage.
Connors prevents a body shot from Hammar.
Connors fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Hammar as the two fighters clinch.
Hammar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Hammar breaks the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hammar.
Connors takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hammar scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A low kick lands for Hammar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connors gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hammar counters with a three punch combo that has Connors backing up. Connors nods at Hammar to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cade Connors. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body kick from Hammar.
Hammar fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Connors.
Connors shoots and misses
and Hammar counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hammar lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Connors takes a kick to the side of the head.
Thorulf Hammar is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Connors takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hammar lands a glancing blow to the side of Connors's head.
Hammar throws a quick inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hammar digs a good hook to Connors's body.
An inside leg kick from Connors misses.
Hammar appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hammar lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Connors moves to clinch but Hammar breaks away
and Hammar counters with a big head kick but Connors shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammar connects with a leg kick.
Hammar lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hammar scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Connors doesn't seem bothered though.
Hammar scores with a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Connors looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hammar throws a head kick that Connors semi-blocks.
Hammar cracks a nice hook into Connors's ribs.
Hammar uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Connors has time to react.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Connors tries to clinch up
and Hammar counters with a good low kick that Connors was not able to check.
Connors misses with a hook
and Hammar counters with a three punch combo that has Connors backing up. Connors nods at Hammar to acknowledge the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thorulf Hammar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hammar 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 26:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thorulf Hammar!
During a confident post fight interview, Thorulf Hammar thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.