PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chaz Popizicki (ranked 761 p4p, 1064 weight class) and Chad Hammer (ranked 110 p4p, 145 weight class). Chad Hammer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Popizicki
vs
Hammer

182 cm
25
187
13 - 10 - 0

180 cm
26
185
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chaz Popizicki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Hammer!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Hammer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Chad Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popizicki misses with a double jab.
Hammer throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Popizicki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sloppy strikes from Hammer. Those never looked like landing.
Popizicki attempts a counter takedown but Hammer avoids it well and moves away.
Popizicki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hammer. Hammer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Popizicki jabs at Hammer's body.
Hammer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popizicki.
A big right from Popizicki misses.
Hammer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Popizicki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hammer doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Popizicki smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hammer scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Popizicki.
A big right from Popizicki misses.
Popizicki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hammer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer looks to land a left hand but Popizicki moved out of range nicely.
Popizicki misses with an uppercut.
As Popizicki backs off Hammer throws a huge counter combo but Popizicki manages to avoid it all.
Hammer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hammer lands with a nice body punch.
Hammer throws a looping overhand right but Popizicki ducks down to avoid it.
Popizicki slips a jab from Hammer.
Popizicki misses with a body shot.
Hammer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Popizicki makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Popizicki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Chad Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hammer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Popizicki.
Hammer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Popizicki misses with a straight right.
Popizicki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki fails to land with a series of punches.
Hammer lands with a good body shot.
Hammer throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Popizicki scores with a jab. Hammer acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice uppercut there from Hammer.
Popizicki misses the shot to the body.
Popizicki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Popizicki throws a hook but Hammer avoids it easily.
A big right from Hammer misses.
Popizicki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hammer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Hammer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab from Hammer misses.
Hammer misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hammer.
Hammer connects with a jab.
Popizicki connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hammer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Popizicki.
Hammer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hammer takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Popizicki takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Popizicki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammer wants to improve his position but Popizicki is controlling well.
Hammer is staying active underneath Popizicki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki passes to full mount!
Hammer sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Popizicki connects with a nice short shot to Hammer's temple.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Popizicki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Popizicki lands with a punch from half guard.
Popizicki slips a nice elbow through Hammer's hands, connecting with Hammer's forehead.
Popizicki controlling the action here.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki is trying to control the action in half guard but Hammer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Popizicki wants to take a breather but Hammer is having none of it.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Popizicki pulls his head out easily.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Popizicki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Popizicki there.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Hammer is defending against the submission attempts here by Popizicki.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hammer is trying to control but can't.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Popizicki connects with a nice short shot to Hammer's temple.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki wants to control but Hammer is keeping him busy.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.
Popizicki definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Popizicki connects with a nice short shot to Hammer's temple.
Popizicki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Popizicki wants to control but Hammer is keeping him busy.

Hammer looking for a kimura from the bottom but Popizicki passes into side control!
Check out the look on Popizicki's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki landing strikes.
Popizicki is looking to take a break and control but Hammer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hammer manages to get back to half guard.
Popizicki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Popizicki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.
Popizicki perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Popizicki is looking for a kimura but Hammer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Popizicki to get the leverage.
Popizicki stalling.
Hammer trying to control from the bottom.
Hammer is staying active underneath Popizicki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Popizicki pulls his head out easily.
Popizicki looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hammer with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chaz Popizicki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hammer walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hammer misses the jab.
Popizicki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hammer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Popizicki shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Hammer is defending against the submission attempts here by Popizicki.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Popizicki pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer wants to improve his position but Popizicki is controlling well.
Hammer is trying to maintain the position but Popizicki is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popizicki is trying to work for a kimura but Hammer is defending well.

Popizicki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hammer has managed to free his arm - good work.
Popizicki 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.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Popizicki pulls his head out easily.
Popizicki is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hammer!
Popizicki is stalling here but it's allowed Hammer to get half guard.
Popizicki trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hammer trying to get back to full guard but Popizicki takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Hammer really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Popizicki controlling from mount.
Popizicki cracks Hammer with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Popizicki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hammer can do to turn this around?
Popizicki looking to control but Hammer is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Popizicki lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hammer hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki avoids the attempt from Hammer to control.
Popizicki trying to control but Hammer is having none of it.
Popizicki landing shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popizicki controlling the position easily from mount.
Hammer manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hammer trying to control but Popizicki postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer controlling the position for now.
Popizicki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hammer tries to roll over but Popizicki keeps him under control.
Hammer gets back to full guard.
Hammer is trying to keep Popizicki in close.
Popizicki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Popizicki slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Popizicki has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Popizicki seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Hammer for as long as he can get away with.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Popizicki tries to free his leg and advance position but Hammer is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Popizicki lands a jab.
A jab from Popizicki misses.
Popizicki ducks under a wild hook from Hammer.
An attempted straight right counter from Popizicki misses the target.
Hammer throws a hook to the side of Popizicki's head but Popizicki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popizicki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hammer sprawls and moves away.
Popizicki bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hammer's head backwards.
Hammer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Popizicki throws the left hand but Hammer avoids the punch easily.
Popizicki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Popizicki ducks under a wild hook from Hammer.
Hammer lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Popizicki at a distance.
Hammer throws a big shot that misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hammer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hammer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hammer throws out a counter right but Popizicki avoids it with no problem.
Popizicki throws a right hand that misses
and Hammer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Popizicki is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hammer avoids the body shot from Popizicki.
A countering left hand to the body from Hammer misses.
Popizicki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hammer looks to land a left hand but Popizicki moved out of range nicely.

Popizicki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hammer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hammer is breathing heavily.
Popizicki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hammer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammer trying to keep a closed guard but Popizicki is proving a slippery customer.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Popizicki from controlling successfully.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Popizicki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Hammer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Popizicki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hammer is looking for a triangle here but Popizicki uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Popizicki lands some shots froms side control.
Popizicki lands some shots froms side control.
Hammer can't do much from the bottom here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hammer stops Popizicki from passing to mount.
Popizicki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.
Hammer is trying to improve his position.
Popizicki lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Popizicki working away.
Popizicki lands a few punches from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chaz Popizicki dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Popizicki ducks under a wild hook from Hammer.
Popizicki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hammer.
Popizicki scores with a body shot.
Popizicki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Popizicki throws a body punch but Hammer moves out of range.
Hammer misses with a body shot.
Popizicki throwing a counter right hand but Hammer manages to avoid it.
Popizicki shoots in looking for a takedown but Hammer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Popizicki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hammer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popizicki.
A punch lands to the side of Hammer 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popizicki misses with a looping right.
Hammer looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Popizicki moves into range and connects with a jab.

Popizicki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hammer's half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Popizicki stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.
Popizicki is nestled in close to Hammer, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.
Popizicki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Popizicki trying to control from half guard but Hammer is working away.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Popizicki working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Popizicki pulls his head out easily.
Popizicki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Popizicki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Popizicki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hammer trying to hold on to Popizicki's head to control him but Popizicki postures up.
Hammer is looking to improve his position.
Hammer gets back to full guard.
Popizicki trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Popizicki looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hammer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Popizicki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Popizicki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Chaz Popizicki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hammer looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Popizicki passes into half guard.

Popizicki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Popizicki pulls his head out easily.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hammer keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Popizicki wants to take a breather but Hammer is having none of it.
Ground and pound from Popizicki.
Popizicki is looking to take a break and control but Hammer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Popizicki lands a nice short elbow.
Popizicki with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Popizicki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Popizicki is thwarting Hammer's attempts to control the position.
Hammer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Popizicki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hammer is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Popizicki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Popizicki's back!
Popizicki is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Popizicki preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hammer.

Popizicki defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Our spies down at at EMP WORLDCLASS inform us that Hammer has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
I really don't envy Popizicki right now.
Popizicki trying to control the position but Hammer manages to sink in the hooks.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Popizicki fending off the submission attempt from Hammer.
Hammer is not going to allow Popizicki to sit and survive in this position.

Hammer looking for the RNC.

Hammer is looking for the choke from the back position but Popizicki is controlling his hands well.
Popizicki is in bad spot here.

Hammer looking for the choke but no joy.
Chaz Popizicki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammer trying to control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hammer controlling well, preventing Popizicki from escaping the position.

Popizicki fending off the submission attempt from Hammer.
Popizicki looking to control the position.
Hammer has the hooks in. Popizicki is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Hammer is looking for the choke from the back position but Popizicki is controlling his hands well.
Hammer controlling from the back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Hammer's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hammer is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Chad Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hammer looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Popizicki is controlling Hammer 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chaz Popizicki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Popizicki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chaz Popizicki!
Chaz Popizicki thanked the fans post fight for their support.