PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolas Zerka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hammer comes to the cage accompanied by Kanye West. Zerka has chosen mc circulaire as his entrance music. Hammer has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hammer
vs
Zerka

190 cm
19
214 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

191 cm
19
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Frank Hammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nicolas Zerka!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zerka thuds his right hand into Hammer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zerka lands a glancing blow to the side of Hammer's head.
Zerka swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hammer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zerka circles away quickly and effectively.
Hammer is breathing heavily.

Zerka bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zerka cracks Hammer with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Zerka sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hammer is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Zerka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Zerka is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hammer is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Zerka stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hammer stuffs the takedown attempt from Zerka. Zerka gets slowly back to his feet.
Hammer stuffs the takedown attempt from Zerka. Zerka gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerka fails to land the takedown.
Frank Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolas Zerka.
Zerka shoots in and drives through. Hammer sprawls well.
Zerka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hammer.
Hammer moves forwards but Zerka connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Zerka looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Zerka looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Zerka is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zerka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hammer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zerka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zerka thows a huge punch but Hammer dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zerka trying to pass the guard but Hammer defending well.

Zerka is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zerka wants to control but Hammer is keeping him busy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Zerka darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Zerka gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Zerka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hammer is fending him off so far but Zerka persists. Nope, Hammer circles away and we're back to standing.
Zerka tries for a takedown but Hammer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hammer misses with a looping right.
Zerka misses with a double jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zerka tries to bum rush Hammer with a series of wild strikes but Hammer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hammer walks into a left hand.
A big left from Hammer misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Zerka dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Hammer misses the target.
Zerka sizes up Hammer with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zerka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hammer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Zerka moves into range and clinches up with Hammer.
Zerka is working for takedown but Hammer is calmly controlling the position for now.

Zerka pulls guard effortlessly.
Zerka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammer throws a strike but Zerka rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zerka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hammer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zerka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerka passes into half guard.
Zerka is looking to take a break and control but Hammer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Zerka wants to work for an arm triangle but Hammer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zerka controlling the action here.

Zerka is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two 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.
Zerka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hammer keeps working.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zerka is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Zerka passes to full mount!

Zerka with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Zerka looking to secure an arm triangle but Hammer defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zerka with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Zerka working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Zerka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zerka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hammer pinned against the cage. Hammer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zerka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hammer moves away.
Zerka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hammer lands a head kick. Zerka smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Zerka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Frank Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolas Zerka.
Zerka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zerka shoots in looking for a takedown. Hammer tries to sprawl out of it but Zerka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hammer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hammer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerka tries a head kick but it misses.
Zerka takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nicolas Zerka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hammer throws a right hand that Zerka ducks under and follows up with a left that Zerka also avoids with ease.
Zerka bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zerka misses with a takedown attempt - Hammer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hammer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zerka circles away quickly and effectively.
Frank Hammer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zerka.
Zerka blocks a head kick by Hammer.
Zerka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hammer swivels and escapes.
Zerka blocks a head kick by Hammer.
Nice uppercut there from Zerka.
Zerka moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zerka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hammer stuffs the takedown.
Frank Hammer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zerka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer fails to land with a series of punches.
Zerka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hammer stuffs the takedown.
Hammer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hammer throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zerka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zerka.
Zerka wants to clinch.
Nicolas Zerka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zerka wants to clinch up but Hammer keeps it at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zerka.
Hammer throws a right and a left that Zerka avoids nicely.
Hammer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Hammer as Zerka shoots in.

Zerka gets the takedown into side control.

Hammer throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Zerka drives through and clinches with Hammer against the cage.
Hammer misses with a knee to the head.
Hammer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zerka is defending well for now.
Hammer prevents the takedown attempt.
Zerka looking for a takedown.
Zerka tries to pull guard but Hammer won't allow it.
Hammer throws an elbow that misses.
Zerka tries for a takedown but Hammer manages to get underhooks.
Hammer gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zerka.
Zerka fails to pull guard.
Hammer misses with an elbow over the top.
Zerka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hammer gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hammer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zerka's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zerka throws an elbow but misses.
Zerka tries to pull guard but Hammer holds him up against the cage and eventually Zerka drops back down to his feet.

Zerka manages to pull guard.
Hammer is looking to work some ground and pound but Zerka has wrist control.

Zerka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Zerka working for submissions but it's allowed Hammer to get to half guard.
Zerka is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hammer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hammer's back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zerka is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
A lull in the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Nicolas Zerka just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hammer scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zerka throws a shot to the body.

Zerka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Zerka gets to his feet - Hammer follows without any prompting.
Hammer throws a right and a left that both miss.

Zerka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zerka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hammer is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zerka is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hammer pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hammer landing some nice looking knees to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hammer utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Zerka is trying to force a seperation but Hammer has the dominant position.
Hammer landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hammer stops a takedown attempt from Zerka.
Frank Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolas Zerka.
Hammer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerka is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hammer pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zerka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hammer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hammer lands an elbow inside.
Hammer missing with knees to the body.
Hammer stops a takedown attempt from Zerka.

Zerka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zerka misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice takedown defense from Hammer. No joy for Zerka on that attempt.
Hammer falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zerka counters with a series of strikes. Hammer will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hammer lands with an uppercut that bounces Zerka off the cage and back into rage.
Zerka blocks a head kick by Hammer.
Zerka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hammer falls off balance throwing a combination

and Zerka counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zerka is pressing down on Hammer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hammer is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer is staying active underneath Zerka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Zerka is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Hammer still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Hammer has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Hammer scores with a couple of short elbows.
Hammer creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zerka sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hammer throws an elbow but Zerka slips to the side and avoids it well.
Zerka manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hammer's best efforts.
Hammer prevents Zerka from standing back up.
Zerka keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zerka actively working from the bottom here.
Hammer seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Zerka manages to get to full guard.

Zerka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zerka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Zerka is looking for a triangle but Hammer pushes his legs off easily.
Zerka manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Zerka goes for an armbar but Hammer turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Hammer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammer wanted to stand there but Zerka had control of the position.
Hammer passes Zerka's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hammer is thwarting Zerka's attempts to control the position.
Hammer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zerka manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zerka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammer preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Zerka dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Zerka is looking to clinch.

Zerka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Zerka trying to control but Hammer is working from the bottom.
Hammer wants to stand and escape but Zerka is having none of it.
Zerka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammer keeping full guard, as Zerka tries to pass.

Zerka gets to his feet - Hammer follows without any prompting.
Zerka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerka lands a right hook to the body.
Zerka fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick by Hammer misses
and Zerka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hammer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zerka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hammer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zerka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zerka fails with a takedown attempt.
Hammer keeps the fight on the outside.
Zerka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hammer.
Hammer walks into a left hand.
Zerka cracks a nice hook into Hammer's ribs.
Horrible takedown by Zerka or perhaps it was just good defense by Hammer which made him look bad.
Frank Hammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolas Zerka.
Zerka has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer fails to land with a series of punches.
Zerka blocks a jab.
Zerka scores with a nice body kick.
Zerka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hammer as he avoids it easily.
Hammer swats away the attempt to clinch by Zerka.
Zerka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zerka fails with a takedown attempt.
Hammer tries a head kick but it misses.

Zerka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zerka tries to pull guard but Hammer won't allow it.
Hammer pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zerka pulls guard effortlessly.

Hammer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zerka has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hammer has managed to get both his arms back between Zerka's legs - danger averted.

Zerka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hammer defends it easily.
Hammer cracks Zerka with a solid left hand.

Zerka has his foot on Hammer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hammer works his way back into a safe position though.
Nicolas Zerka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammer with a flurry of punches that miss.

Zerka is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Hammer has his hands clasped together but Zerka extends an breaks Hammer's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Zerka.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nicolas Zerka!