PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Garrone (ranked 1467 p4p, 3335 weight class) and Zeke Hester (ranked 170 p4p, 336 weight class). Francesco Garrone had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.2lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. 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.

Garrone
vs
Hester

185 cm
30
170
12 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
164
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Francesco Garrone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zeke Hester!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Bruno Lombardi and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garrone takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Hester moves into the clinch.
Garrone avoids a wild elbow strike from Hester.
Hester lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Francesco Garrone has been cut.
Hester looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Garrone is trying to break free.
Garrone blocks an elbow strike.
Hester keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garrone's efforts to push away.
Garrone dodges an elbow strike from Hester.
Hester throws an elbow that misses.
Hester creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garrone's defenses.
Hester lands an elbow inside.
Garrone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hester smiles and moves away.

Hester closes the distance and clinches.
Garrone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hester smiles and moves away.

Hester fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Garrone, pushing him back against the cage.
Garrone has been working on his balance at California Top Team, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Hester.
Hester creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garrone's defenses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hester just misses with a elbow thrown towards Garrone's brow.
Hester lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hester gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hester looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hester lands an elbow inside.

Francesco Garrone's cut is getting worse.
Nice elbow from Hester.
Garrone takes an elbow to the temple.
Hester lands a nice elbow.

Francesco Garrone's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Hester pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hester creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garrone's defenses.

Jeez, Francesco Garrone's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Francesco Garrone's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Zeke Hester!
A victorious Zeke Hester thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.