PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wilburn Hogan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Marx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilburn Hogan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hogan
vs
Marx

195 cm
18
177 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wilburn Hogan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Marx!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hogan throws a sloppy head kick and Marx moves out of range easily.
Hogan fails with a takedown attempt.
Marx misses with a takedown

and Hogan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hogan.
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.
Marx trying to strike off his back.
Hogan forces his way into half guard.
Marx has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Marx throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Hogan is looking for a kimura but Marx is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hogan to get the leverage.
Hogan stops Marx from getting back to his feet.
Marx tries to roll over but Hogan keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Hogan there.
Hogan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marx is refusing to be controlled, as Hogan sits in half guard.
Marx looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marx is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hogan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hogan's back!
Hogan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Marx has got his arm under Hogan's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Hogan has spun round into Marx's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Hogan trying to control the position from guard on top but Marx is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marx wants to get back to his feet but Hogan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Marx looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hogan passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hogan is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Marx!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marx is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hogan landing strikes from the mount and Marx is in trouble!
Hogan unloading with bombs!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marx bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Marx looks winded!
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 striking from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Marx trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hogan manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hogan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hogan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hogan pushing down on Marx's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marx is trying to stand back up but Hogan is controlling him
Hogan with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Marx desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Hogan is looking to advance position but Marx won't allow it.
Hogan tries to stand and escape but Marx is controlling the position.
Marx is looking for a sweep. Hogan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marx is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hogan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hogan's back!

Marx is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hogan knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hogan for a finish.
Hogan manages to reverse the position and now he's in Marx's guard. Nice work there by Hogan.
Hogan tries to stand but Marx is controlling from the bottom.
Hogan stopping the sweep attempt from Marx.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Marx looking for a guillotine here but Hogan defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilburn Hogan dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hogan clinches with his opponent.

Hogan has clasped his hands together around Marx's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Marx can't do much from the bottom here.
Marx is looking to regain half guard here but Hogan keeps moving and retains side control.
Marx struggling a bit here.
Marx tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Marx is trying to escape the position but Hogan is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan scoring with punches and elbows.
Marx is trying to control Hogan's posture but Hogan avoids it.
Marx is looking to regain half guard here but Hogan keeps moving and retains side control.
Hogan taking a breather here.
Hogan tries to stand but Marx is controlling his head.

Hogan thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Marx pushes Hogan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hogan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marx takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Marx wants to control but Hogan postures up.
Hogan trying to control the position but Marx is working away.
Marx regains half guard.
Marx has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hogan is working away from the top position though.
Marx is breathing heavily.
Hogan keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Hogan is nestled in close to Marx, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marx tries to roll over but Hogan keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hogan stops Marx from getting back to his feet.
Wilburn Hogan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Marx looking for subs from the bottom but Hogan mounts him!
Hogan lands a big elbow.
Hogan raining down shots from the mount!
Hogan controlling the position easily from mount.
Hogan landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan controlling the position easily from mount.
Marx tries to buck Hogan off but he can't manage it.
Hogan controlling from the full mount.

Hogan looking to secure an arm triangle but Marx defends it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marx is trying to escape the mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilburn Hogan dominated that second round.
That's time! Hogan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hogan tries to clinch up.
Marx wants to clinch

and Hogan counters with a takedown into side control.
Marx wants to control but Hogan postures up.
Marx manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hogan's best efforts.
Hogan is pressing down on Marx's thigh, looking to free his foot. Marx is holding on for now.
Hogan working the head and body with strikes.
Marx trying to control but Hogan postures up.
Marx trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Hogan manages to pass to mount!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marx regains half guard.
Marx takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marx wants to control but Hogan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hogan is trying to control. Marx wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hogan tries to pass to full mount but Marx defends it.
Hogan seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Marx is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Marx manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Marx throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hogan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marx is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hogan passes into half guard.
Hogan stops Marx from getting back to his feet.
Hogan controlling the action here.

Marx looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marx is looking for a sweep. Hogan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hogan takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Hogan 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.
Marx wants to control but Hogan is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marx tries to roll over but Hogan keeps him under control.
Hogan slows the pace down in half guard.
Marx trying to control here.
Mark Marx has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marx looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hogan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wilburn Hogan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hogan keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wilburn Hogan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hogan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

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