PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cj Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mao Zedong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hammer
vs
Zedong

182 cm
26
135 lbs
8 - 14 - 1

173 cm
28
135 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Cj Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mao Zedong!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zedong throws a head kick that misses.
Zedong throws a solid leg kick but Hammer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zedong.

Zedong has closed the distance and engaged Hammer in a clinch.
Hammer tries to score a body lock takedown but Zedong shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Zedong gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Zedong seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zedong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hammer's head.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.
Zedong seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zedong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hammer defending well though.

Zedong is looking for a kimura but Hammer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zedong to get the leverage.
Zedong sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer missing with punches from the bottom.

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

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.
Nice strikes from Zedong there.

Zedong moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Hammer.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Zedong in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hammer tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Zedong stalls from top position.
Zedong in side control lands a decent elbow.
Zedong creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Zedong throws an elbow but Hammer slips to the side and avoids it well.

Zedong is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hammer knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Zedong decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hammer to his feet.
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!
Hammer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hammer scores with a jab to the body.
Zedong avoids the body shot from Hammer.
Zedong avoids the body shot from Hammer.
Zedong slips a jab and a cross from Hammer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zedong moves into the clinch successfully.
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zedong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hammer managing to block the knees to the body from Zedong.
Zedong is trying to break free.
Hammer really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Zedong pulls Hammer into guard.
Hammer trying to control but Zedong is working from the bottom.
Hammer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zedong is keeping the position for now.

Hammer drops back looking for a leg! Zedong is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zedong manages to kick Hammer off! Hammer jumps back into Zedong's guard.
Hammer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hammer 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zedong seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hammer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hammer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zedong trying to control the position here.
Hammer wants to control from the top but Zedong keeps moving.
Hammer throws a strike but Zedong rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hammer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zedong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zedong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zedong is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mao Zedong dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zedong throws a sloppy head kick and Hammer moves out of range easily.
Zedong connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zedong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hammer tries to close the distance and clinch but Zedong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cj Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hammer doesn't manage to clinch there - Zedong circles away.
Hammer stuns Zedong with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zedong keeps the fight on the outside.

Zedong closes the distance and clinches.

Hammer pulls Zedong into guard.
Zedong wants to control from the top but Hammer keeps moving.
Zedong tries to free his leg and advance position but Hammer is retaining full guard.
Zedong trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.

Zedong drops back looking for a leg! Hammer is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hammer manages to kick Zedong off! Zedong jumps back into Hammer's guard.

Zedong gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer tries to clinch there but Zedong circles away.
Hammer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Zedong clinches.
Hammer tries to score a body lock takedown but Zedong shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hammer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zedong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zedong stops a takedown attempt from Hammer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cj Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hammer jumps guard but Zedong turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Hammer manages to pull guard.
Hammer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zedong content to stall in guard here.

Hammer has his foot on Zedong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zedong works his way back into a safe position though.
Hammer keeping moving, preventing Zedong from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zedong forces his way into half guard.
Zedong controlling the action here.
Hammer works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zedong is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Hammer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zedong defends it easily.
Zedong advances position into side control!
Zedong trying to control the position but Hammer is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hammer is trying to get back to full guard.
Zedong controlling the action here.
Hammer is trying to get back to full guard.

Zedong is trying to work for a kimura but Hammer is defending well.
Hammer is staying active underneath Zedong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zedong takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zedong working the head and body with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Zedong lands a nice short elbow.
Zedong trying to control from half guard but Hammer is working away.
Hammer is trying to maintain the position but Zedong is very close to passing his half guard.

Hammer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zedong pulls his head out easily.
Zedong is controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zedong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mao Zedong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Zedong throws a series of punches but Hammer avoids them all with ease.

Hammer tries to keep at a distance but Zedong has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hammer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mao Zedong has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

Hammer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zedong defends it easily.
Zedong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hammer is keeping the position for now.
Zedong 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.

Hammer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zedong defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zedong advances to half guard.

Hammer actively working from the bottom here.
Zedong is trying to control. Hammer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zedong wants to control but Hammer is keeping him busy.
Zedong might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hammer kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.

Zedong decides to stand and escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zedong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Zedong scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ground and pound from Zedong seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Zedong thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hammer is looking for a sweep.
Hammer can't do much from the bottom here.
Zedong controlling the position.
Hammer is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zedong tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hammer gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hammer is trying to get back to full guard.
Zedong wants to take a breather but Hammer is having none of it.

Hammer is defending against the submission attempts here by Zedong.

Hammer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zedong trying to control the action but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Mao Zedong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zedong moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Hammer.
Hammer tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zedong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Cj Hammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hammer gets back to half guard.
Zedong looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Hammer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zedong is taking a breather. Hammer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Hammer looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mao Zedong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zedong 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mao Zedong!
A relieved looking Mao Zedong thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.