PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Satoshi Ekaku (ranked 530 p4p, 493 weight class) and Xylon Kofel (ranked 47 p4p, 42 weight class). 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.

Ekaku
vs
Kofel

173 cm
29
147
11 - 4 - 0

173 cm
29
150
14 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Conviction
Shadow Realm Apparel

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Satoshi Ekaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Xylon Kofel!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku thuds a left hand into Kofel's body.
Kofel throws a shot to the body.
Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ekaku throws a body punch but Kofel moves out of range.
Ekaku takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A slapping leg kick lands for Ekaku.
Ekaku moves in looking to clinch but Kofel pushes him off.
Ekaku pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kofel is out of range and Ekaku settles back down.
Kofel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Kofel.
A little feinted left hand from Ekaku on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ekaku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kofel.
Kofel cracks a nice hook into Ekaku's ribs.
Ekaku slips a straight right by Kofel.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Kofel.
Kofel walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ekaku checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kofel is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ekaku rather than just go for the knockout.
Ekaku tries to clinch up.
Kofel scoring well with a low kick there.
Kofel misses with a low kick.
Kofel throws a hook but Ekaku blocks it.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kofel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kofel sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kofel throws a hook but Ekaku blocks it.
Ekaku checks a low kick from Kofel.
Kofel throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ekaku lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ekaku uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kofel.
Ekaku lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kofel will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku sizes up Kofel with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kofel misses the shot to the body.
Ekaku looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ekaku looks to land a left hand but Kofel moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku lands with a cross.

Ekaku closes the distance and clinches.

Kofel breaks the clinch.
Kofel just misses with a punch to the body.
Kofel scoring well with a low kick there.
Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Kofel tries to work over Ekaku's front leg with a kick but Ekaku checks it.
Kofel misses with a kick to the body.
Kofel throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekaku pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ekaku looks to land a body kick but Kofel moved away.
Good work by Kofel as he checks the leg kick.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Kofel.
Kofel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ekaku has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kofel finds it's way round the side to connect with Ekaku's head.
Ekaku lunges at Kofel with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kofel's hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A good leg kick by Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut.
Kofel's coach down at Blacktalians MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kofel's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ekaku slips under a jab.
Ekaku throws the kick towards the body but Kofel avoids it.
Kofel thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kofel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A jab from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku connects with a right hand. Kofel shakes it off.
Kofel works the jab nicely.
Kofel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ekaku throws a jab when Kofel was well out of range.
Kofel blocks the body kick.
Ekaku staying out of range there.
Kofel defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kofel.
Ekaku looks to land a left hand but Kofel moved out of range nicely.
Kofel takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ekaku avoids the body shot from Kofel.
Ekaku doesn't manage to clinch there - Kofel circles away.
Ekaku lands a head kick. Kofel smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ekaku with a nice cross.
Kofel throws the kick towards the body but Ekaku avoids it.
Ekaku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kofel.
Ekaku lands a nice hook to Kofel's body. Kofel takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A good leg kick by Ekaku.
Kofel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
Kofel looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku moves out of range as Kofel throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kofel tries a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Kofel throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Kofel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kofel slips under a jab from Ekaku.
Kofel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kofel misses with a hook.
Ekaku tries to clinch but Kofel is having none of it.
A big left from Kofel misses.
Kofel misses with a kick to the body.
Kofel throws a big shot that misses.
Kofel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kofel.
Kofel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
Some bone on bone action there as Ekaku checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ekaku cracks Kofel with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kofel avoids the body shot from Ekaku.
Ekaku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kofel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kofel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kofel moves out of range of the strikes.
Kofel defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Kofel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ekaku is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Kofel.
Kofel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Kofel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ekaku.
Kofel misses with a hook. Ekaku ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku misses with a kick to the body.
Kofel throws a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Ekaku moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kofel lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ekaku at a distance.
Kofel punishes Ekaku's body with a nice straight punch.
Kofel misses with a low kick as Ekaku jumps back.
Ekaku thows a body kick. Kofel tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kofel swings for the body but Ekaku moves out of range.
Kofel with the inside leg kick.
Ekaku attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A leg kick checked by Ekaku.
Ekaku walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kofel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A slow jab from Kofel misses its intended target.
Ekaku misses with an attempted mid kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kofel!
Kofel takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kofel throws a body shot but no joy.
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 Satoshi Ekaku will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kofel throws a front kick aimed at Ekaku's knee but Ekaku avoids it well.
Ekaku motions for Kofel to come forward. Ekaku throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kofel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice uppercut lands for Ekaku. That snapped Kofel's head back.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kofel.
Ekaku does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kofel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Kofel throws a jab when Ekaku was well out of range.
Ekaku moves in looking to clinch but Kofel pushes him off.
Ekaku is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ekaku is looking to land body kicks.
Ekaku takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ekaku connects with a body shot that sends Kofel's belly button to the back.
Ekaku tried to score with a low kick but Kofel checks it.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Kofel appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kofel looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Kofel lands with a nice body punch.
Kofel scoring well with a low kick there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kofel!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kofel misses with a looping right.
Ekaku avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ekaku seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nice defenses there by Kofel.
Ekaku chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kofel can pounce on him.
A jab from Ekaku misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kofel thumps Ekaku with a low kick.
Kofel misses with a wild body shot.
Ekaku slips a straight right by Kofel.
Kofel lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kofel moves out of range of the strikes.
Kofel throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kofel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ekaku lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ekaku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kofel.
Ekaku tried to counter with a leg kick but Kofel avoided it.
Ekaku will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kofel throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Kofel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kofel misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ekaku lands a glancing blow to the side of Kofel's head.
Ekaku with a nice calf kick.
Ekaku connects with a leg kick.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Kofel.
Ekaku connects with a solid leg kick.
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!
Ekaku blocks a low kick nicely.
Kofel ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kofel.
A low kick lands for Kofel.
Ekaku moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kofel misses the jab.
Ekaku throws out a powerful jab.
Kofel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Ekaku scores with the left hand. Kofel knows he should have avoided that one.
A leg kick checked by Ekaku.
Ekaku fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kofel manages to avoid it.
Ekaku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ekaku bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kofel's head.
Kofel throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku looks to throw the jab but Kofel is out of range.
Kofel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku.
It looked like Ekaku wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kofel misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
Ekaku was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Danga de danga de dang - Kofel scores with a four punch combination!
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Kofel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Ekaku finds it's way through Kofel's defenses.
Ekaku tries to clinch there but Kofel circles away.
Kofel follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Kofel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku looks for the body kick but Kofel saw that one coming.
Kofel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kofel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kofel just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kofel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku.
Kofel walks into a straight right hand from Ekaku.
Kofel throws a low kick but Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Kofel keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ekaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Kofel avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kofel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kofel throws a big shot that misses.
Kofel looks to land a body kick but Ekaku moved away.
Kofel with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ekaku looks to land a left hand but Kofel moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku lands with a good body shot.
Good work by Kofel as he checks the leg kick.
Ekaku connects with a body shot.
Ekaku throws a chopping leg kick but Kofel manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kofel takes one on the button.
Ekaku scores with a leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku throws a push kick but Kofel slaps the foot to one side.
Ekaku lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kofel moves out of range as Ekaku throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kofel.
Ekaku lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kofel takes a step back to recover.
Ekaku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kofel.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Kofel avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Kofel.
Kofel throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kofel throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kofel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kofel misses with a leg kick.
Kofel checks a low kick from Ekaku.
Kofel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kofel misses with a looping left.
Ekaku was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ekaku checks a low kick from Kofel.
Kofel misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ekaku wants to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kofel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ekaku can pounce on him.
A nice leg kick from Kofel, right into the meat of the thigh.

Ekaku has closed the distance and engaged Kofel in a clinch.
Ekaku throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kofels head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Satoshi Ekaku will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kofel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Ekaku checks a leg kick nicely.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ekaku throws a push kick but Kofel slaps the foot to one side.
Kofel is looking to slow Ekaku down with leg kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
Ekaku with a nice calf kick.
Ekaku dips to his left and cracks Kofel with an uppercut!
Ekaku throws a lazy right hand but Kofel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kofel throws the left hand but Ekaku avoids the punch easily.
Kofel throws a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Ekaku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kofel needs to keep his hands up - Ekaku had a free shot at his head there.
Kofel is looking to land body kicks.
Kofel defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Kofel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ekaku avoids the head kick by Kofel.
Ekaku thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kofel if he has to take too many more of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kofel with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kofel throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kofel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
An inside leg kick from Ekaku misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Kofel misses.
Kofel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ekaku. That did some damage!
Kofel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ekaku feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kofel scores with the left hand. Ekaku knows he should have avoided that one.
Kofel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kofel moves out of range of the body kick.
Kofel tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ekaku is able to avoid easily.
Ekaku fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kofel checks it well.
Kofel throws a nice looking combination but Ekaku bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ekaku finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Good exchange - Ekaku coming out on top.
Kofel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kofel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kofel has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Ekaku.
Kofel connects with a leg kick.
Kofel stuns Ekaku with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kofel looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Kofel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku.
Kofel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kofel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Ekaku on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ekaku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kofel.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kofel throws a nice looking combination but Ekaku bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kofel misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
Ekaku lands with a kick to the ribs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kofel lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ekaku has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ekaku and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ekaku chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kofel can pounce on him.
Ekaku listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The fighters circling - Ekaku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kofel misses with a low kick as Ekaku jumps back.
Kofel slips under a jab from Ekaku.
Kofel misses with a hook.
A jab from Kofel misses.
Kofel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kofel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Kofel avoids a kick to the body.
Kofel throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku ducks down to avoid it.
Ekaku changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ekaku is looking to slow Kofel down with leg kicks.
A shot to the liver by Kofel. Beautiful body shot.
Ekaku looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ekaku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kofel cracks a nice hook into Ekaku's ribs.
Ekaku takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ekaku connects with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kofel misses with a straight right.
Kofel loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku slips the punch.
Ekaku misses with a body kick.
Kofel staying out of range there.
Kofel walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kofel looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Kofel lands a nice looking body kick.
Kofel jabs at Ekaku's body.

Ekaku moves into the clinch.

Ekaku's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekaku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kofel.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Kofel avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses.
Satoshi Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Kofel looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku lands with a hook. Kofel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A slow jab from Kofel misses its intended target.
Ekaku uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kofel has time to react.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku digs a good hook to Kofel's body.
Kofel misses with a wild body shot.
Ekaku on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kofel. Kofel obviously looking to wear him down.
Donk. Ekaku catches Kofel right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kofel looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Kofel throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ekaku.
Kofel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ekaku swings for the body but Kofel moves out of range.
Ekaku lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kofel throws an overhand right that lands on Ekaku's shoulder, as Ekaku tries to avoid the shot.
Ekaku is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kofel.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kofel.
Kofel on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kofel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A countering left hand to the body from Kofel misses.
Kofel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kofel motions for Ekaku to come forward. Kofel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kofel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku.
Kofel misses with a double jab.
Kofel looks to land a right hand but Ekaku moved out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku slips a straight right by Kofel.
Ekaku throws a leg kick which misses Kofel's front leg but catches the back leg as Kofel tries to avoid it.
Ekaku throws a leg kick that misses.
Kofel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Satoshi Ekaku is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ekaku chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kofel can pounce on him.
Ekaku misses with an attempted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Satoshi Ekaku.
Well Ekaku 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Satoshi Ekaku!
A very excited looking Satoshi Ekaku made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.