PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ondra The Hammerfist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Max Payne told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

The Hammerfist
vs
Payne

185 cm
22
211 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

201 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Nutrition King

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ondra The Hammerfist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Max Payne!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Hammerfist pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Payne changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. The Hammerfist tries to avoid it but Payne manages to keep hold of a leg and drag The Hammerfist to the ground. The Hammerfist escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Payne shoots in for a takedown but The Hammerfist shows good takedown defense.
Max Payne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from The Hammerfist as Payne shoots in.
Ondra The Hammerfist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Payne.
The Hammerfist slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

The Hammerfist pushes Payne up against the cage in a clinch.
The Hammerfist lands a knee to the body.
The Hammerfist tries to land knees in the clinch but Payne avoids the damage to the body.
The Hammerfist crunches a lovely knee into Payne's ribcage.
The Hammerfist comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

The Hammerfist breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Payne with that takedown attempt.
The Hammerfist tries to clinch up but Payne circles away and keeps his distance.
Payne fails to land the takedown.
Payne looks gassed!

Payne closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Payne lands in his opponent's guard.
The Hammerfist knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Payne on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
The Hammerfist looking to hit a scissor sweep but Payne is one step ahead there.
Payne throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Hammerfist works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The Hammerfist controls Payne momentarily but Payne frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The Hammerfist is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The Hammerfist wants to take a breather but Payne is having none of it.
Payne misses with some strikes from the bottom.
The Hammerfist scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The Hammerfist seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The Hammerfist is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The Hammerfist winds up and cracks Payne with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Payne on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The Hammerfist moves nicely into side control.
Payne tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payne is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked The Hammerfist off and has taken his back!
The Hammerfist trying to control the hands but Payne breaks the grip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Hammerfist turns into Payne and is now in his guard.
Payne is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The Hammerfist has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Payne bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in The Hammerfist's guard.
Payne lands a couple of elbows.
Payne is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Payne's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Payne distracts The Hammerfist with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Payne is in close to The Hammerfist's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Payne is working The Hammerfist over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Payne working some strikes from top position.
Payne pushing down on The Hammerfist's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The Hammerfist might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Payne slips a nice elbow through The Hammerfist's hands, connecting with The Hammerfist's forehead.
Nice strikes from Payne there.
The Hammerfist taking some punishment here, with Payne in his half guard.
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!
Payne not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The Hammerfist punching from the bottom.
Payne has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The Hammerfist is trying to get back to full guard.
The Hammerfist scores with a few weak punches.
The Hammerfist is trying to get back to full guard.
Payne missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Payne shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has The Hammerfist pinned against the cage. The Hammerfist gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The Hammerfist tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

The Hammerfist darts in and clinches Payne up against the cage.

Payne gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The Hammerfist avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Payne preventing the sweep.
Payne throwing strikes but missing.
Payne won't allow The Hammerfist to sweep him here.
The Hammerfist lands a decent shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Hammerfist has his foot on Payne's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Payne works his way back into a safe position though.
Payne working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The Hammerfist manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Payne manages to get himself to full guard.
The Hammerfist is working Payne over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The Hammerfist is working Payne over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Payne wants to sweep here but The Hammerfist controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Payne is on top in guard.
Payne stands up over The Hammerfist, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payne landing with the ground and pound.
Payne with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ondra The Hammerfist will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The Hammerfist tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Payne paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Payne shoots in and drives through. The Hammerfist sprawls well.

Payne darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The Hammerfist punching from the bottom.
Payne scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The Hammerfist trying to hold on to Payne's head to control him but Payne postures up.
Payne looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The Hammerfist tries to get to full guard but Payne has control of the leg.
Payne slips a nice elbow through The Hammerfist's hands, connecting with The Hammerfist's forehead.
Payne 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.
The Hammerfist on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The Hammerfist is trying to get back to full guard.
The Hammerfist taking some punishment here, with Payne in his half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne slips a nice elbow through The Hammerfist's hands, connecting with The Hammerfist's forehead.
Payne working the head and body with strikes.
Payne moves nicely into side control.
Payne advances nicely into full mount.
Payne lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The Hammerfist is in all sorts of trouble here.
The Hammerfist is mounted but he's throwing punches.
The Hammerfist working to try and regain half guard.
Max Payne has got the better of the ground game so far.
The Hammerfist is working hard here to advance position.
The Hammerfist manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Hammerfist keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The Hammerfist is looking for a sweep. Payne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The Hammerfist punching from the bottom.
The Hammerfist slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Payne working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The Hammerfist manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The Hammerfist unloading with bombs!
The Hammerfist landing strikes, looking to finish!
Payne manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Payne punching from the bottom.
Payne is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of The Hammerfist's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take The Hammerfist's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. The Hammerfist is looking for a way out.
Payne is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften The Hammerfist up.
The Hammerfist trying to get back to his feet but Payne is in full control for now.
Payne lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
The Hammerfist rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The Hammerfist missing with punches from the bottom.
Payne missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Payne seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The Hammerfist is looking for a sweep. Payne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Hammerfist is trying to control but can't.
The Hammerfist is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Payne gets a takedown into half guard.
Payne seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Payne scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The Hammerfist is trying to get back to full guard.
Payne lands strikes from half guard.
The Hammerfist tries to roll over but Payne keeps him under control.
Payne lands strikes from half guard.
Payne trying to mount his opponent but The Hammerfist defends it.
Payne is nestled in close to The Hammerfist, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The Hammerfist is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Payne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Payne tries to keep at a distance but The Hammerfist has taken the fight into the clinch.
The Hammerfist lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

The Hammerfist breaks from the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The Hammerfist stuffs the takedown attempt from Payne. Payne gets slowly back to his feet.

The Hammerfist moves into range and clinches up with Payne.
The Hammerfist with an attempt at a knee that misses.

The Hammerfist manages to break the clinch.
Payne closes this distance looking for a takedown but The Hammerfist circles away.
Payne will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ondra The Hammerfist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Payne.

The Hammerfist gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The Hammerfist using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Payne has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The Hammerfist is pressed up against the cage. Payne has hold of a leg and is looking to drag The Hammerfist down to the mat. The Hammerfist avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The Hammerfist swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - The Hammerfist looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Payne changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. The Hammerfist tries to avoid it but Payne manages to keep hold of a leg and drag The Hammerfist to the ground. The Hammerfist escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Payne shoots for a takedown but The Hammerfist saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Payne looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Hammerfist gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Payne working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of The Hammerfist's head.
Payne lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Payne landing some decent shots from guard.

The Hammerfist had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Payne is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. The Hammerfist Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Payne's back instead.
Payne manages to reverse the position and now he's in The Hammerfist's guard. Nice work there by Payne.
Payne missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Payne preventing the sweep.
The Hammerfist throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The Hammerfist had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Payne is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. The Hammerfist Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Payne's back instead.
The Hammerfist lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Hammerfist lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The Hammerfist is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. The Hammerfist gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. The Hammerfist gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. The Hammerfist apologises and we restart here on the feet.
The Hammerfist lands with an overhand left.
Payne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown. The Hammerfist tries to sprawl out of it but Payne keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. The Hammerfist manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Payne avoids the head kick by The Hammerfist.
Payne looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The Hammerfist fails with an attempt to clinch.
The Hammerfist slow jab from Payne misses its intended target.
A head kick misses from The Hammerfist.
Payne fails with the takedown.
Payne misses with a takedown attempt - The Hammerfist sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Payne tries to keep at a distance but The Hammerfist has taken the fight into the clinch.
Payne is looking for a takedown up against the cage. The Hammerfist gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

The Hammerfist breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Payne shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says The Hammerfist as he avoids it easily.
The Hammerfist stuffs the takedown attempt from Payne. Payne gets slowly back to his feet.
The Hammerfist tries to clinch up but Payne circles away and keeps his distance.
The Hammerfist is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
The Hammerfist throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.
The Hammerfist throws a hook but Payne blocks it.

The Hammerfist moves into range and clinches up with Payne.
The Hammerfist with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

The Hammerfist breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Payne shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Payne scoring with strikes but The Hammerfist is staying in there.
The Hammerfist squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Payne thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Payne punching from mount but The Hammerfist doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for The Hammerfist because Payne loaded up on that one.
Payne is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. The Hammerfist can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The Hammerfist is trying to escape the mount.
Payne lands a big shot there that rocks The Hammerfist but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Payne lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Payne punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Hammerfist takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The Hammerfist is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Payne with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Hammerfist keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Payne with a couple of short strikes.
The Hammerfist bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ondra The Hammerfist.
I think The Hammerfist has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!