MMA: HERNANDEZ LOOKS STRONG IN COMEBACK FIGHT
Reese Hernandez returned to the cage triumphantly this Saturday night after being sidelined for more than two and a half years following a gruesome injury to his spleen in a prior bout. Hernandez defeated Matt Lagou (3-4) in round two by TKO in Driller Promotions’ main event at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN.
Hernandez went right to work against Lagou, throwing hard kicks and eventually taking Lagou down to the canvas midway through the opening round. Lagou didn’t look comfortable on the ground as Hernandez tagged him with punches and knees to the body. However, Lagou nearly managed to sink in a rear naked choke after a scramble which Hernandez fought off just before the bell.
Hernandez, 35, of Thief River Falls, MN looked determined to end things in round two as he stalked Lagou. Lagou threw a right leg kick and fell to the ground while holding his left knee before any meaningful exchanges were thrown. The fight was stopped after it was determined Lagou could not continue to the dismay of Hernandez and the shocked full house in attendance. The official time of the stoppage was 0:21 of round two.
The fight of the night honors went to Noah Hawkins and Alphonse Weah in a featured amateur bout. The two fighters battled from start to finish, throwing massive punches at each other for three rounds. Hawkins received the nod by all three judges but it was close. Striker Joey Hart was awarded submission of the night against skilled fighter Jamie Naasz after scoring a rear naked choke submission victory in the third round.
Noah Hawkins lands a right hand to Alphons Weah.
Alphonse Weah lands a head kick to Noah Hawkins
Joey Hart celebrates his submission win over Jamie Naasz.
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Reese Hernandez (15-3-2)def. Matt Lagou (3-4) at 0:21 of round 2 by TKO
Dino Saracco def. Ben Wicks at 1:16 of Round 1 via TKO
Joey Hart def. Jamie Naasz by round 3 submission (RNC)
Nick Olson def. Andrew Yatskis at 1:48 of round 1 by submission (RNC)
Noah Hawkins def. Alphons Weah by UD
James Norris def. Gary Spears by UD
Ryan Ferguson def. Hunter Pederson by UD
Daniel Olson def. Darin Stone at 2:46 of round 1 by submission (RNC)
Aaron Shaw def. Matthew Dodd at 2:24 of round 1 by submission (shoulder lock)
Nick Joramo vs. Andrew Case-Allen ruled no contest (Kick to the nuts)
Quang Le def. Jesse Ward at 2:35 of round 3 by submission (heel hook)