PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lon Hogan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Gero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hogan
vs
Gero

167 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lon Hogan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nathan Gero!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gero closes the distance and clinches.

Hogan pulls guard successfully.
Hogan could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gero wants to control from the top but Hogan keeps moving.

Hogan pushes Gero off and gets back to his feet.
Gero pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Gero takes the fight into the clinch.

Hogan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hogan takes the fight into the clinch.

Hogan tightens his grip and picks Gero up, before dumping him to the ground. Gero manages to land in 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!
Hogan throws a strike but Gero rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hogan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gero drops back looking for a leg! Hogan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hogan manages to kick Gero off! Gero jumps back into Hogan's guard.
Gero scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hogan looking to control but Gero passes into half guard.
Hogan is trying to get back to full guard.
Hogan misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Hogan tries to roll over but Gero keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hogan gets full guard.
Gero looks winded!
Gero slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hogan is trying to get back to half guard.
Hogan is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Gero is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hogan is trying to reverse the position but instead Gero has taken his back - oops!
Gero biding his time, looking for the opening.
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.
Hogan trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Hogan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gero controlling well, preventing Hogan from escaping the position.
Hogan trying to control the hands but Gero breaks the grip.
Hogan is in bad spot here.

Gero is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Hogan defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
We've been informed that Gero has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Hogan is trying to stand back up.
Hogan rolls, trying to escape but Gero keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan trying to control the action but Gero just sinks the hooks in.
Hogan tries to escape but Gero has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Gero tries to keep control of the position but Hogan is staying busy.
Gero controlling well, preventing Hogan from escaping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gero has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Hogan's body.
I really don't envy Hogan right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hogan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gero throws a head kick that Hogan semi-blocks.
Hogan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gero manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lon Hogan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hogan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hogan misses with a takedown

and Gero counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gero.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lon Hogan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hogan working Gero over with knees to the body.
Gero is breathing heavily.
Hogan wants to take the fight to the mat but Gero manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hogan wants a takedown.

Hogan successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gero won't allow Hogan to sweep him here.
Gero trying to control but Hogan is working from the bottom.
Gero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hogan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gero scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hogan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hogan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hogan is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogan throws a strike but Gero rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gero looking to sit in guard and control but Hogan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gero working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hogan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hogan throws a big right hand that misses.
Hogan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gero looking for a sweep. Not yet Gero, not yet.
Hogan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hogan working some strikes from top position.
Gero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan distracts Gero with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hogan won't allow Gero to sweep him here.
Hogan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hogan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hogan throwing strikes from guard but Gero blocks nicely.
Gero not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hogan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gero's half guard.
Gero manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gero controls Hogan momentarily but Hogan frees himself.
Hogan landing some decent shots from guard.
Gero is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hogan postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gero wants to stand and escape but Hogan is having none of it.
Gero preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lon Hogan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Hogan has closed the distance and engaged Gero in a clinch.
Gero cracks Hogan with a nice body shot.

Hogan breaks the clinch.
Hogan looks for a takedown but Gero sprawls well.

Gero rushes Hogan and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hogan has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Gero is trying to keep an underhook but Hogan manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Gero keeping hold of Hogan's head, controlling as best he can.
Gero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hogan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gero trying to control here.

Hogan seems to be working for a kimura but Gero defends the submission attempt.
Gero is positioning himself well to prevent Hogan advancing to mount.
Hogan thows a huge punch but Gero dodges it nicely.

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

Hogan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gero doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hogan.

Hogan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gero defends it well.

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.
Gero gets back to full guard.
Gero is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gero wants to stand but Hogan is controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Hogan forces Gero back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hogan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hogan shoots in looking for a takedown but Gero manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hogan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gero counters with a body kick.
Hogan shoots in for a takedown but Gero shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lon Hogan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gero goes for a double leg but Hogan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hogan continues to drive forward.

Hogan gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hogan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hogan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gero quickly recovers to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gero looking for submissions off his back.

Hogan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gero works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hogan throws a big right hand that misses.
Gero 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.
Hogan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lon Hogan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hogan 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lon Hogan!