PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hakuin Ekaku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tuhkasaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ekaku comes to the cage accompanied by IV. Tuhkasaari has chosen Proteus - Full Metal Jacket as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ekaku
vs
Tuhkasaari

173 cm
24
155 lbs
19 - 0 - 0

164 cm
23
149 lbs
14 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Powerful

Conviction
Ka-POW Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hakuin Ekaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Tuhkasaari!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku checks a low kick from Tuhkasaari.
Teppo Tuhkasaari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tuhkasaari avoids the body shot from Ekaku.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ekaku 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 Tuhkasaari has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tuhkasaari and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tuhkasaari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ekaku lands with a nice body punch.
Ekaku throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tuhkasaari.
Ekaku lands with a straight right. Tuhkasaari didn't see that one coming.
Tuhkasaari checks the leg kick.
Tuhkasaari wants to slow Ekaku down by chopping away at his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari thumps Ekaku with a low kick.
Ekaku is looking to slow Tuhkasaari down with leg kicks.
Ekaku throws the kick towards the body but Tuhkasaari avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ekaku's calf.
Ekaku scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tuhkasaari throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ekaku's waist but Ekaku gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tuhkasaari off to one side.

Tuhkasaari closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ekaku to the mat! Ekaku manages to get full guard.
Tuhkasaari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ekaku swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekaku trying to keep a closed guard but Tuhkasaari is proving a slippery customer.
Tuhkasaari wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Tuhkasaari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuhkasaari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Ekaku looking for a sweep. Not yet Ekaku, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari shoots in but no luck this time.
Ekaku misses with a series of wild punches.
Tuhkasaari is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tuhkasaari looks for a takedown but Ekaku sprawls well.
Hakuin Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tuhkasaari.
Ekaku lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ekaku counters with a left to the body.
Ekaku misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Ekaku counters with a nice uppercut.
Tuhkasaari is looking to land body kicks.
Ekaku moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ekaku goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tuhkasaari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tuhkasaari's knee momentarily.
Ekaku will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ekaku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tuhkasaari avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tuhkasaari throws a lazy body kick
and Tuhkasaari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tuhkasaari shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ekaku but Ekaku pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari misses with the body kick
and Ekaku counters with a thumping low kick.
Ekaku throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tuhkasaari stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ekaku will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tuhkasaari throws a sloppy head kick
and Ekaku counters with a series of strikes. Tuhkasaari will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ekaku misses the shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ekaku.
Tuhkasaari looks for the body kick but Ekaku saw that one coming.
An inside leg kick lands from Tuhkasaari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku connects with the punch.
Ekaku misses with a few strikes there.
Tuhkasaari takes one to the side of the head.
Ekaku takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ekaku throws a big shot that misses.
Tuhkasaari lands with a kick to the ribs.
Tuhkasaari chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ekaku can pounce on him.
Ekaku walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tuhkasaari checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ekaku counters with an inside leg kick.
Hakuin Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tuhkasaari is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A low kick from Ekaku is predictable there
and Tuhkasaari counters with a good low kick that Ekaku was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Ekaku counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tuhkasaari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ekaku is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tuhkasaari throws a lazy body kick
and Ekaku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a straight right hand.
Hakuin Ekaku is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tuhkasaari walks into a left hand.
Tuhkasaari cracks the inside of Ekaku's front leg.
Ekaku checks the leg kick.
Ekaku blocks the body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Ekaku blocks the leg kick.
Tuhkasaari looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Ekaku does no damage.
Ekaku motions for Tuhkasaari to come forward. Ekaku throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tuhkasaari blocks a jab.
Ekaku lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ekaku looks to land a combination but Tuhkasaari avoids it well.
Tuhkasaari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hakuin Ekaku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tuhkasaari gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ekaku counters with a stiff right hand.
Ekaku misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari misses with the body kick
and Ekaku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari thows a body kick. Ekaku tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A low kick from Ekaku misses

and Tuhkasaari counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tuhkasaari.
Ekaku pulls Tuhkasaari in close to prevent any damage.
Tuhkasaari passes into half guard.
Tuhkasaari is keen to just control but Ekaku is a slippery customer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tuhkasaari is thwarting Ekaku's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku dominated that second round.
That's time! Ekaku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tuhkasaari throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ekaku.
Tuhkasaari misses with a low kick.
Tuhkasaari connects with a solid leg kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a head kick that misses.
A low kick from Ekaku misses
and Tuhkasaari counters with a good, hard body kick but Ekaku shrugs it off.
An inside leg kick lands from Ekaku.
A low kick from Tuhkasaari misses
and Ekaku counters with a left and a right that stings Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari looks to throw a body kick
and Ekaku counters with a two punch combo.
Ekaku throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tuhkasaari makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ekaku throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ekaku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ekaku jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tuhkasaari moves away from the strike by Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a leg kick
and Tuhkasaari counters with a solid body kick.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body
and Ekaku counters with a nice body shot.
Ekaku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No joy there for Ekaku, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A swing and a miss from Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a body punch but Tuhkasaari moves out of range.
Tuhkasaari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ekaku. Tuhkasaari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body
and Ekaku counters with a thumping low kick.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body
and Ekaku counters with a two punch combo.
Ekaku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tuhkasaari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A low kick from Tuhkasaari misses

and Ekaku counters by moving into the clinch.

Ekaku breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tuhkasaari slips a jab from Ekaku.
Tuhkasaari looks to land a body kick but Ekaku moved away.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tuhkasaari gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ekaku counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tuhkasaari thinking.
Ekaku lands a nice shot to the body.
Tuhkasaari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ekaku lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tuhkasaari circles away quickly and effectively.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body.
Ekaku misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ekaku falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tuhkasaari counters with a nice body kick.
Ekaku swings for the body but Tuhkasaari moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku lands a jab to the nose.
Ekaku works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tuhkasaari thows a body kick. Ekaku tries to catch it but that hurt him.
An inside leg kick lands from Ekaku.
Ekaku connects with a looping right hand.
Ekaku takes a swing at Tuhkasaari's ribcage but misses.
Ekaku tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku misses with a two punch combination.
Tuhkasaari misses with the body kick
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick.
Ekaku will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tuhkasaari motions for Ekaku to come forward. Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ekaku throws a hook but Tuhkasaari avoids it easily.
Ekaku tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick by Ekaku misses
and Tuhkasaari counters with a body kick that stops Ekaku in his tracks momentarily.
Tuhkasaari scoring well with a low kick there.

Tuhkasaari gets a takedown into half guard.
Tuhkasaari is looking to stall here but Ekaku recovers full guard.
Ekaku keeping full guard, as Tuhkasaari tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ekaku has control of Tuhkasaari's left arm, preventing Tuhkasaari from doing any damage.
Tuhkasaari controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tuhkasaari won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Tuhkasaari from controlling successfully.
Ekaku looking to control.
Ekaku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tuhkasaari wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ekaku throws a sloppy head kick
and Tuhkasaari finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari misses with the body kick
and Ekaku counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tuhkasaari throws a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Tuhkasaari will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tuhkasaari is looking to slow Ekaku down with leg kicks.
Tuhkasaari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ekaku throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tuhkasaari takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick the misses
and Ekaku counters with a straight right hand.
Tuhkasaari goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tuhkasaari has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ekaku throws a front kick aimed at Tuhkasaari's knee but Tuhkasaari avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Tuhkasaari misses
and Ekaku counters with a straight right hand.
Ekaku misses with a series of wild punches.
Ekaku swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tuhkasaari misses with the body kick
and Tuhkasaari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ekaku moves out of range of the body kick.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Good work by Tuhkasaari as he checks the leg kick.
A low kick from Ekaku misses
and Tuhkasaari counters with a low kick, right behind Ekaku 's knee.
Tuhkasaari throws a lazy head kick
and Ekaku counters with a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Hakuin Ekaku will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ekaku misses with an uppercut. Tuhkasaari saw that one coming.
Ekaku throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ekaku is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick the misses
and Ekaku counters with a series of strikes. Tuhkasaari will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Tuhkasaari avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tuhkasaari checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tuhkasaari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice defenses there by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari misses with a leg kick
and Ekaku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari misses with a takedown attempt
and Ekaku counters with a slapping leg kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a good low kick that Tuhkasaari was not able to check.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
Tuhkasaari takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tuhkasaari throws a head kick but Ekaku moves out of range.
Tuhkasaari thows a leg kick but Ekaku checks it
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body.
Ekaku looks to land a combination. Tuhkasaari sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ekaku throws a leg kick
and Tuhkasaari counters with a nice leg kick.
Ekaku throws a leg kick
and Tuhkasaari makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Teppo Tuhkasaari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice body kick from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ekaku sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tuhkasaari somewhat.
Tuhkasaari scores with a nice body kick.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tuhkasaari moves out of range as Ekaku strikes.
Ekaku misses with a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tuhkasaari. That's going to slow Ekaku down.
Ekaku throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ekaku cracks Tuhkasaari with an open hand slap.
Ekaku lands a really nice looking cross but Tuhkasaari seems unphased.
A low kick from Tuhkasaari is predictable there
letting Ekaku counter with a right hand.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but Ekaku moved away.
Ekaku connects with the punch.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick
letting Ekaku counter with a right hand.
A lazy body kick from Tuhkasaari
and Ekaku counters with a big head kick but Tuhkasaari shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku blocks the body kick.
Tuhkasaari's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tuhkasaari fails to land the takedown.
Hakuin Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tuhkasaari.
Ekaku throws a leg kick which misses Tuhkasaari's front leg but catches the back leg as Tuhkasaari tries to avoid it.
Ekaku lands a head kick!
A big right from Ekaku misses.
Tuhkasaari throws a sloppy head kick
and Ekaku makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ekaku throws a nice outside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hakuin Ekaku showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ekaku, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!

Hakuin Ekaku wins by unanimous decision!