PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sipho Maseco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Hogan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maseco comes to the cage accompanied by Tan Dun - For The World (Hero Soundtrack). Hogan has chosen Real American as his entrance music. 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.

Maseco
vs
Hogan

186 cm
21
162 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

183 cm
25
166 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Sipho Maseco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eric Hogan!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maseco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Maseco.
Maseco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maseco is looking to land body kicks.
Maseco throws a series of strikes that have Hogan backpedaling.
Maseco tries a head kick but it misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Hogan checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maseco tries to land a front kick but Hogan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maseco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maseco throws a right and a left that Hogan avoids nicely.
A left and a right from Maseco both land. Nice combination.
Maseco takes a swing at Hogan's ribcage but misses.
Hogan fails with the takedown.
Maseco scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hogan.
Maseco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maseco fails to land with a series of punches.
Maseco misses with a kick to the body.
Maseco looks to score with a jab to the body but Hogan is just out of range.
Hogan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maseco.
Maseco tries a head kick but it misses.
Hogan avoids the head kick by Maseco.
Hogan shoots in and drives through. Maseco sprawls well.
Sipho Maseco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Hogan.

Hogan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Maseco is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maseco is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maseco blocking the ground and pound.
Maseco is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maseco is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hogan throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Maseco because Hogan loaded up on that one.
Maseco is looking to improve his position but Hogan isn't that keen on the idea.
Hogan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maseco wants to control but Hogan is having none of it.
Maseco bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Hogan keeping moving, preventing Maseco from controlling successfully.

Hogan wriggles free and stands up.
A head kick misses from Maseco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hogan avoids the body shot from Maseco.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hogan checks a leg kick.
Maseco throws the kick towards the body but Hogan avoids it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hogan.
Hogan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Maseco sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maseco looks for the body kick but Hogan saw that one coming.
Maseco swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Hogan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Maseco's half guard.
Maseco is trying to stand up here but Hogan is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sipho Maseco dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hogan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maseco sprawls well initially but Hogan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maseco is trying to control but can't.
Maseco slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hogan stops Maseco from standing up.
Hogan thows a big elbow that misses.
Maseco working a defensive guard but Hogan passes into half guard.
Maseco is trying to maintain the position but Hogan is very close to passing his half guard.
Maseco is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maseco 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!
Maseco has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Hogan's body.
Maseco wants to control but Hogan is keeping busy.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Hogan looking very determined here, making life difficult for Maseco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Maseco throwing sloppy strikes.

Maseco has his opponent's back but Hogan is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Maseco.
Maseco throws a sloppy head kick and Hogan moves out of range easily.
Maseco tries a head kick but it misses.
Maseco throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hogan.
No luck for Hogan with that takedown attempt.
Hogan slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hogan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Maseco did well to prevent Hogan getting side control.
Maseco wants to get back to his feet.
Hogan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hogan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hogan thows a huge punch but Maseco dodges it nicely.
Hogan keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Maseco is trying to stand back up but Hogan is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maseco is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hogan prevents Maseco from standing back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Horrible takedown by Hogan or perhaps it was just good defense by Maseco which made him look bad.

Hogan closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Maseco is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hogan's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maseco wants to get back to his feet.
Hogan is nestled in close to Maseco, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Hogan 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! This is the final round!

Maseco throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Maseco pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maseco misses with an uppercut.
Hogan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hogan dives in and grabs Maseco's left leg, looking for a takedown. Maseco pushes down on Hogan's head and hops out.

Hogan shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hogan was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hogan lands a big shot there that rocks Maseco but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Maseco is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maseco gets back to half guard.
Maseco tries to kick Hogan off but Hogan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maseco is looking for a sweep. Hogan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Maseco pushes Hogan off looking to stand but Hogan dives back in and keeps control.
Hogan keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Maseco pushes Hogan off looking to stand but Hogan dives back in and keeps control.

Maseco kicks off Hogan and gets to his feet.
Maseco looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Maseco tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hogan was well out of range. Poor timing from Maseco.
Hogan fails with a takedown attempt.
Hogan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Maseco pinned against the cage. Maseco gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sipho Maseco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Hogan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maseco thows a body shot but no joy.

Hogan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Maseco's guard.
Maseco lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hogan!
Maseco controlling from mount.
Hogan is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hogan somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Hogan moves out of range of the body kick from Maseco.
Maseco is looking to wear down Hogan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hogan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hogan is defended easily by Maseco.
Maseco throws a half hearted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Hogan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hogan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

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