PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chick Hamland (ranked 1432 p4p, 1507 weight class) and James Dean (ranked 180 p4p, 189 weight class). James Dean acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Hamland
vs
Dean

187 cm
26
185
6 - 4 - 0

188 cm
26
185
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chick Hamland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Dean!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dean scores with a shot to the body.
Hamland tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dean swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dean swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Dean moves into the clinch successfully.
Hamland throws a head punch that misses.
Hamland can't get the takedown.
Hamland is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dean pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dean stops a takedown attempt from Hamland.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chick Hamland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dean lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hamland backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Dean.
Hamland has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dean is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dean.
Dean lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Hamland gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Dean regains guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hamland throws a big elbow that misses.
Hamland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hamland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dean is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hamland tries to get to full guard but Dean has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamland gets back to full guard.
Hamland trying to control the position here.
Hamland continues to stall.
More hug and hope from Hamland.
Dean pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hamland is keeping the position for now.
Hamland looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dean tries to free his leg and advance position but Hamland is retaining full guard.
Dean is fighting to break Hamland's control of his arms but Hamland is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hamland lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Hamland managing to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hamland moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dean tries to throw a body punch but Hamland avoids it by throwing Dean back against the cage.
Dean looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Dean prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hamland lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hamland has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hamland thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dean can do anything to dispel that myth.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dean is concentrating on defense, preventing Hamland from advancing position.
Hamland perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hamland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dean is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hamland working over Dean with some ground and pound. Dean looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hamland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nice strikes from Hamland there.
Hamland seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dean does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hamland is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hamland is nestled in close to Dean, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hamland drops an elbow to the side of Dean's head.
Hamland is looking to take a break and control but Dean is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hamland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hamland thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dean's head.
Dean is trying to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hamland working over Dean with some ground and pound. Dean looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hamland is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chick Hamland will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dean circles away from the clinch attempt.

Dean darts in and clinches Hamland up against the cage.
Hamland misses with the head strike.
Dean misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dean creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hamland has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Dean lands an uppercut.
Dean lands a left hand.
Dean is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hamland is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dean pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hamland drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hamland tries for a takedown but Dean manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chick Hamland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamland is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Dean's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dean throws a series of punches but Hamland avoids them all with ease.
Hamland tries to clinch up but Dean circles away and keeps his distance.

Dean rushes Hamland and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dean doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dean throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hamlands head.
Hamland is working for takedown but Dean is calmly controlling the position for now.

Hamland has Dean pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hamland pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Dean tumbling to the mat - Hamland dives into Dean's guard.
Dean has control of Hamland's left arm, preventing Hamland from doing any damage.
Hamland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dean works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dean keeping moving, preventing Hamland from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dean holds on and takes a little breather.
Hamland postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dean wants to sweep here but Hamland controlling him for the moment.
Hamland throws a big elbow that misses.
Hamland seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hamland is looking to work some ground and pound but Dean has wrist control.
Hamland definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hamland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dean works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hamland throwing strikes from guard but Dean blocks nicely.
Hamland is fighting to break Dean's control of his arms but Dean is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hamland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dean works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamland trying to control the position from guard on top but Dean is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hamland gets a clinch.
Hamland is looking for a takedown.
Dean pushes Hamland back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dean trying to stall but Hamland improves his position.
Dean fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dean stops a takedown attempt from Hamland.
Dean scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dean throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hamlands head.
Hamland wants a takedown.
Hamland blocks an uppercut.
Hamland can't get the takedown.
Hamland is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dean gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dean lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hamland backwards.

Dean's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dean throws a body punch but Hamland moves out of range.
Hamland takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dean scores with a jab. Hamland acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

It looks like Chick Hamland has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hamland rushes Dean and presses him up against the cage.
Dean lands with a right to the head.

Hamland is trying to trip Dean. He has hold of a leg but Dean is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hamland persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Chick Hamland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hamland advances to half guard.
Dean has his hands clasped together around Hamland's back. He's all about the action.
Dean is staying active underneath Hamland, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Dean tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Hamland has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Dean avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hamland.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Dean showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chick Hamland's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Dean rushes Hamland and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hamland changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dean fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice defenses there by Hamland.
Hamland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dean.
Hamland tries to clinch but Dean moves away
and Dean counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Good exchange - Dean coming out on top.
Dean misses with an uppercut.
Hamland tries to clinch but Dean moves out of range.
Dean throws out a counter right but Hamland avoids it with no problem.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dean.
Dean throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dean has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hamland takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hamland moves in looking to clinch but Dean pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dean! But no joy.

Hamland moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hamland.
Dean lands with a short shot to the head.
Hamland has a couple of punches blocked by Dean.
Hamland will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dean up against the cage.
Hamland scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Dean.
Hamland is trying to drag Dean to the mat but Dean just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Hamland is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dean can't fight it off and eventually Hamland manages to take the fight to the floor. Dean looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Dean is pulling down on Hamland's head to control his posture.
Dean preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hamland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hamland in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hamland is looking to work some ground and pound but Dean has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamland loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hamland is looking to work some ground and pound but Dean has wrist control.
Dean looking for a sweep. Not yet Dean, not yet.
Dean wants to hit a sweep here but Hamland passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Dean there!
Hamland throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Hamland fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Dean holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Hamland tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Dean is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Hamland throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamland with the ground and pound from mount.
Dean avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hamland.
Hamland scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Dean?
Hamland landing shots from mount.
Hamland scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Dean is rocked!
Dean takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Hamland's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chick Hamland!