PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Harry Hamlet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Maverick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harry Hamlet has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hamlet
vs
Maverick

171 cm
24
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

163 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harry Hamlet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Maverick!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamlet digs a good body shot into Maverick's ribs.
Nice shot by Hamlet.
Hamlet clobbers Maverick with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've been told by Hamlet's head coaches at Hope MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hamlet lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Maverick keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maverick walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hamlet lands the left hand.
Hamlet works over Maverick's head and body with a nice combination.
Maverick moves forwards but Hamlet connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
Maverick steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hamlet.
Maverick steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hamlet.
Hamlet misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maverick.
Hamlet swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Maverick holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Maverick drags the fight down to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Maverick wants to sweep but no luck.
Maverick is pulling down on Hamlet's head. It's preventing any offense from Hamlet, at least for the moment.
Hamlet stopping the sweep attempt from Maverick.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maverick seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Maverick can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hamlet preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hamlet accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hamlet chips away with some ground and pound.
Hamlet is looking to work some ground and pound but Maverick has wrist control.
Hamlet with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hamlet won't allow Maverick to sweep him here.
Hamlet postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hamlet won't allow Maverick to sweep him here.
Maverick has Hamlet pulled in close to control his posture.
Maverick is continuing to stall.
Hamlet working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Maverick is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hamlet preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maverick pulls Hamlet in close to prevent any damage.
Hamlet throws a big right hand that misses.
Hamlet preventing the sweep.
Hamlet in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hamlet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maverick trying to control the position here.
Hamlet 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamlet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hamlet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maverick looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamlet cracks Maverick with a solid left hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Maverick holds on and takes a little breather.
Hamlet postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hamlet is breathing heavily.
Hamlet won't allow Maverick to sweep him here.
Hamlet trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maverick managing to control the position.
Maverick really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hamlet. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Maverick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maverick pulls Hamlet in to control the position.
Let's hope that Maverick has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Maverick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hamlet lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hamlet misses with a few strikes there.
Maverick tries to counter by closing the distance.
Harry Hamlet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hamlet misses with an uppercut.
Maverick is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hamlet throws a body punch but Maverick moves out of range.
Maverick tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hamlet lands a jab to Maverick's midsection.
Hamlet fails to land with a series of punches.
Maverick is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Maverick uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hamlet.
Hamlet fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maverick manages to avoid it.
Hamlet fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hamlet misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Hamlet dominated that round.
That's time! Hamlet's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maverick slips under a jab.
Hamlet swings for the body but Maverick moves out of range.
Hamlet sets himself, and Maverick steps forward looking for the clinch! Hamlet avoids it this time.
Hamlet looks to land a left hand but Maverick moved out of range nicely.
A swing and a miss from Hamlet.
Hamlet sets himself, and Maverick steps forward looking for the clinch! Hamlet avoids it this time.
Maverick takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hamlet swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hamlet throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maverick stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hamlet cracks Maverick with an open hand slap.
Hamlet is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Maverick ducks right into an uppercut from Hamlet.
Hamlet is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maverick can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamlet fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Maverick on the side of the head.
Maverick moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hamlet digs a good body shot into Maverick's ribs.
Hamlet swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamlet fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maverick manages to avoid it.
Hamlet stuns Maverick with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hamlet throws a hook to the side of Maverick's head but Maverick sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maverick wants to counter the offense by Hamlet and move into the clinch position.
Hamlet throws a sloppy body shot

and Maverick counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Maverick pulls guard effortlessly.
Maverick seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Maverick's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Hamlet throwing strikes from guard but Maverick blocks nicely.
Maverick is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hamlet preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamlet with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maverick looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Maverick pulls Hamlet in close to prevent any damage.
Hamlet throws a big right hand that misses.
Hamlet won't allow Maverick to sweep him here.
Hamlet content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hamlet accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Maverick holds on and takes a little breather.
Hamlet preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamlet being controlled here momentarily.
Hamlet postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hamlet won't allow Maverick to sweep him here.
Maverick is pulling down on Hamlet's head. It's preventing any offense from Hamlet, at least for the moment.
Hamlet in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maverick managing to control the position.
Maverick 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.
Maverick has his hands on Hamlet's head, controlling the position.
Hamlet postures up in Maverick's guard and throws a big left but Maverick blocks it.

That's four 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.
Maverick looking for a sweep. Not yet Maverick, not yet.
Maverick trying to control the position here.
Maverick wants to sweep here but Hamlet controlling him for the moment.
Maverick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maverick has control of Hamlet's left arm, preventing Hamlet from doing any damage.
Hamlet stopping the sweep attempt from Maverick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hamlet loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Maverick has Hamlet pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fighters circling - Hamlet throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maverick is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Hamlet dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A left lands for Hamlet.
Hamlet digs a good body shot into Maverick's ribs.
Maverick slips a jab and a cross from Hamlet.
Hamlet sets himself, and Maverick steps forward looking for the clinch! Hamlet avoids it this time.
Hamlet lands a nice looking body shot.
Hamlet bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maverick's head.
Hamlet closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hamlet misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maverick.
Hamlet throws a shot from downtown. Maverick moves away and avoids it.
Maverick steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hamlet.
Maverick has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Maverick there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hamlet wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hamlet scores with a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Hamlet misses.
Hamlet throws a jab when Maverick was well out of range.
Hamlet sets himself, and Maverick steps forward looking for the clinch! Hamlet avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamlet throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maverick sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maverick wants to counter with a clinch but Hamlet pushes him away.
Hamlet misses with a wild body shot.
Maverick tries to counter by closing the distance.
Maverick avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maverick tries to counter with a clinch but Hamlet shakes him off and moves away.
Nice defenses there by Maverick.
Hamlet pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Maverick back to the cage. Hamlet follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hamlet misses with a combination

and Maverick holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Maverick digs a right hand underneath Hamlet's ribcage. Hamlet let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maverick lands a hook to the side of the head.

Maverick pulls guard effortlessly.
Hamlet is looking to work some ground and pound but Maverick has wrist control.
Maverick is adopting a defensive guard.
Maverick looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hamlet is one step ahead there.
Joe Maverick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maverick utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maverick wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The adventures of Maverick the control monster continue. Boring.
Yet more stalling tactics from Maverick.
Hamlet stopping the sweep attempt from Maverick.
Maverick has control of Hamlet's left arm, preventing Hamlet from doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamlet stopping the sweep attempt from Maverick.
Maverick is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hamlet. Maverick does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hamlet sets himself, and Maverick steps forward looking for the clinch! Hamlet avoids it this time.
Hamlet looks to land a left hand but Maverick moved out of range nicely.
Maverick tries to counter with a clinch but Hamlet shakes him off and moves away.
Maverick slips under a jab.
Hamlet connects with a looping right hand.
Hamlet misses with an uppercut.
Hamlet fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Maverick takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hamlet throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maverick steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hamlet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maverick avoids the body shot from Hamlet.
Hamlet jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maverick wants to counter the offense by Hamlet and move into the clinch position.
Hamlet misses with a body shot

and Maverick counters by clinching up.
Maverick struggles to land a body shot inside as Hamlet controls his hands.
Maverick works on Hamlet's body with a couple of short punches.
Maverick scores with a shot to the side of Hamlet's head.
Still in the clinch, Maverick scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Maverick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maverick misses with a body punch.
Hamlet looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A body shot lands from Maverick.
Maverick lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Maverick manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Maverick is looking for a triangle but Hamlet pushes his legs off easily.
Hamlet won't allow Maverick to sweep him here.
Harry Hamlet is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hamlet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Hamlet showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hamlet, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Hamlet!
Our winner, Harry Hamlet, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.