PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Hogan (ranked 5725 p4p, 5028 weight class) and Fabreeze Verdum (ranked 619 p4p, 568 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hogan
vs
Verdum

178 cm
18
182
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
178
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Hogan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabreeze Verdum!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Eliza Hachem and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Verdum ducks under a wild hook from Hogan.
Verdum tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hogan defends well and Verdum ends up having to push Hogan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hogan looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Verdum dives in for a single leg takedown but Hogan sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hogan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hogan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hogan tries to work over Verdum's front leg with a kick but Verdum checks it.
Verdum wants to land a leg kick but Hogan is out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Verdum.
Hogan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Verdum working away.

Verdum decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verdum shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joe Hogan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreeze Verdum.
Verdum tries to move into range but Hogan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Verdum gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hogan.
Hogan misses with a kick to the body

and Verdum counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Verdum.
Hogan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hogan won't allow Verdum to sweep him here.
Verdum looks winded!
Verdum utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Verdum trying to keep a closed guard but Hogan is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hogan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Verdum being controlled here, momentarily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hogan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hogan with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Verdum working for a triangle but Hogan defends it easily.
Verdum is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan wants to pass the guard but Verdum is keeping the position.
Verdum is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hogan works his way to full guard. Good work.
Verdum forces his way into half guard.
Hogan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hogan looking for a sweep. Not yet Hogan, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verdum engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Hogan is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hogan is working an open guard so Verdum takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hogan misses with a hook

and Verdum counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Verdum.
Hogan misses with some punches.
Hogan lands with a left to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joe Hogan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hogan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hogan tries to clinch up but Verdum circles away and keeps his distance.
Verdum on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hogan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hogan.

Verdum looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hogan!

Verdum decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hogan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hogan stuffs the takedown.
Verdum fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Verdum is breathing heavily.
Hogan throws a one two combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hogan.
Hogan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hogan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Verdum can do to turn this around?
Verdum swats away the attempt to clinch by Hogan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verdum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hogan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Joe Hogan is winning the standup battle so far.
Hogan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Verdum backs up against the cage.
Hogan jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hogan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Verdum with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hogan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Joe Hogan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreeze Verdum.
Verdum walks into a jab.
Verdum will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hogan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Verdum.
Hogan misses with a looping left.
Hogan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Verdum under the eye.
Verdum tries to land a body kick
and Hogan counters with a good low kick that Verdum was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hogan fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Verdum has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Verdum takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hogan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Verdum.
Verdum dodges the punch combination from Hogan.
Verdum shoots in and drives through. Hogan sprawls well.
Hogan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Verdum tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hogan defends well and Verdum ends up having to push Hogan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hogan catches Verdum with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hogan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hogan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan feints and then cracks Verdum's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Verdum down.
Verdum takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Verdum moves to clinch but Hogan breaks away
and Hogan counters with a leg kick.
Verdum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verdum moves forwards but Hogan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hogan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Verdum on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hogan throws the left hand but Verdum avoids the punch easily.
Hogan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hogan. That's going to slow Verdum down.
Verdum misses with a takedown
and Hogan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Verdum's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan scores with a leg kick.
Hogan connects with a single shot there.
Joe Hogan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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 connects with a leg kick.
Hogan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hogan enables Verdum to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hogan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hogan looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Hogan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Verdum defends well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hogan dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hogan misses with a double jab.
Hogan connects with a crisp jab.
Hogan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Verdum is out of range.
Verdum dodges the punch combination from Hogan.
Hogan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hogan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Verdum's sensitive parts.
Nice defenses there by Verdum.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters circling a little - Hogan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Verdum shoots in for a takedown but Hogan shows good takedown defense.
Hogan leaves Verdum with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Verdum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hogan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hogan throws a combination. Verdum tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hogan with the inside leg kick.
Hogan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hogan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hogan sets himself, and Verdum steps forward looking for the clinch! Hogan avoids it this time.
Verdum gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hogan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Joe Hogan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreeze Verdum.
Hogan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hogan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Verdum. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hogan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Verdum has closed the distance and engaged Hogan in a clinch.
Verdum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hogan being controlled against the cage.

Verdum breaks the clinch.
Verdum looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hogan is fending him off so far but Verdum persists. Nope, Hogan circles away and we're back to standing.
Hogan swinging wildly here.
Hogan connects with a right hand. Verdum shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hogan throws a leg kick

and Verdum decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hogan's guard.
Verdum trying to control the position from guard on top but Hogan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Verdum stands up and waves to Hogan to follow him.
Hogan fails to land with a series of punches.
Verdum raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Verdum takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hogan swinging wildly here.
Hogan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hogan throws the kick towards the body but Verdum avoids it.
Joe Hogan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verdum takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Verdum closes the distance and clinches up with Hogan, looking for a takedown. Verdum pushes Hogan against the cage but Hogan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hogan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Verdum on the side of the head.
Hogan thumps Verdum with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hogan avoids the head kick by Verdum.
Verdum takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hogan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Verdum has time to react.
Hogan throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice shot lands for Hogan.
Hogan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fabreeze Verdum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hogan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Verdum's hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Hogan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hogan, 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Hogan!
Joe Hogan was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.