PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hakuin Ekaku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Bailey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ekaku's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, IV. Bailey comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Welcome to the TerrorDome kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Joel Bailey has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ekaku
vs
Bailey

173 cm
27
155 lbs
25 - 2 - 0

172 cm
24
152 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Terror-Trition: Video Proven 155Q for $49+Laundry!
Terror-Trition: Video Proven 155Q for $49+Laundry!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hakuin Ekaku!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joel Bailey!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku just misses with a punch to the body.
Ekaku takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ekaku throws a hook but Bailey blocks it.
Bailey gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ekaku.
Bailey takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ekaku scores with a nice head shot.
Bailey looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Bailey moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bailey fails with a takedown attempt.
Ekaku lands a leg kick that knocks Bailey off balance momentarily.
Ekaku tries a head kick but it misses.
Bailey defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Bailey wants to clinch
and Ekaku counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body punch from Ekaku.
Ekaku fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bailey checks it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey misses with a body kick.
Ekaku misses with a looping right.
Ekaku misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bailey.
Bailey delivers a nice body kick.
Hakuin Ekaku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bailey throws a body punch but Ekaku moves out of range.
Ekaku turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bailey throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bailey misses with an uppercut.
Bailey on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ekaku attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bailey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ekaku defends it nicely.
Hakuin Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Bailey.
Ekaku lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailey ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
Ekaku thuds his shin into the meat of Bailey's side.
Ekaku avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bailey slips a straight right by Ekaku.
Ekaku feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bailey's calf.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Bailey ducks down to avoid it.
Ekaku tries to score with a low kick but Bailey moves his leg out of the way.
Ekaku feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Baileys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bailey swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ekaku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Ekaku does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Ekaku.
Ekaku throws out a powerful jab.
Ekaku defending well as Bailey loads up on a big left hand.
Ekaku displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bailey.
Ekaku throws a shot from downtown. Bailey moves away and avoids it.
Ekaku throws a good cross that connects.
Bailey avoids the head kick by Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a head kick that Bailey semi-blocks.
Bailey pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ekaku is out of range and Bailey settles back down.
Ekaku punishes Bailey's body with a nice straight punch.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.

Bailey shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ekaku napping and manages to drive through into side control!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ekaku parries the strikes from Bailey easily there. Bailey is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ekaku to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ekaku throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Bailey ducks right into an uppercut from Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
Bailey ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
Bailey throws a body kick that misses.
Ekaku uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bailey.
A jab from Ekaku misses.
Bailey scores with a jab.
Ekaku checks a low kick from Bailey.
Bailey misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bailey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ekaku defends it nicely.
Bailey bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ekaku throws a series of punches but Bailey moves out of range.
Ekaku throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ekaku thows a body shot but no joy.
Bailey thows a leg kick but Ekaku checks it
and Ekaku counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bailey pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bailey lands a leg kick that knocks Ekaku off balance momentarily.
Bailey moves out of range as Ekaku strikes.
Ekaku throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Bailey to counter with a crisp jab.
Ekaku throws a leg kick which misses Bailey's front leg but catches the back leg as Bailey tries to avoid it.
An inside leg kick from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Bailey avoids the punch easily.
Bailey tries to clinch there but Ekaku circles away.
Ekaku lands a really nice looking cross but Bailey seems unphased.
Bailey blocks a head kick by Ekaku.
Bailey throws a head kick but Ekaku moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bailey looks to land a right hand but Ekaku moved out of range.
Bailey throws a chopping leg kick but Ekaku manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A cross from Ekaku lands.
Bailey fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bailey lands a nice hook to Ekaku's body. Ekaku takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hakuin Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Bailey throws a body punch but Ekaku moves out of range.
Bailey misses with a wild combination.
Ekaku misses with a double jab.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Bailey.
That kick from Ekaku tenderised Bailey's leg. Bailey is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ekaku scores with a shot to the body.
Ekaku lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku stuffs the takedown attempt from Bailey. Bailey gets slowly back to his feet.
Bailey misses with a low kick.
Good leg kick by Ekaku there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bailey ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Ekaku throws a quick inside leg kick.

Bailey shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ekaku is trying to defend but Bailey finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bailey has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ekaku is trying to maintain the position but Bailey is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bailey thows a huge punch but Ekaku dodges it nicely.
Bailey looks to land a strike but Ekaku avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Bailey trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ekaku manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Bailey is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ekaku is aware though and is defending well.

Bailey has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ekaku can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ekaku tries to free his leg and advance position but Bailey is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ekaku gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Good standup being displayed there by Ekaku as he connects with a hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ekaku.
Ekaku stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ekaku wants it to stay on the feet.
Ekaku gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ekaku lands a nice shot to the body.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice body kick there by Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ekaku misses the shot to the body.
Bailey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Bailey.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Bailey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a body punch but Bailey moves out of range.
Ekaku throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ekaku jabs Bailey to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bailey tries for a takedown but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bailey swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bailey throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A big left from Ekaku misses.
Bailey ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ekaku throws a shot from downtown. Bailey moves away and avoids it.
Bailey is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ekaku rather than just go for the knockout.
Bailey takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ekaku fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bailey shoots in for a takedown but Ekaku shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bailey misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku walks into a left hand.
A big right from Bailey misses.
Bailey throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bailey is looking to chop away at Ekaku's legs.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Bailey.
Nice shot by Ekaku.
Bailey fails with a takedown attempt.
Hakuin Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Bailey.
Bailey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ekaku defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bailey.
Ekaku scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ekaku swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut. Bailey saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ekaku.
Ekaku scores with a head kick.
Ekaku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bailey tries to clinch up but Ekaku circles away and keeps his distance.
Ekaku swings for the body but Bailey moves out of range.
Ekaku darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ekaku throws a head kick but Bailey moves out of range.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ekaku throws a big shot that misses.
Ekaku lands a nice hook to Bailey's body. Bailey takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Ekaku.
Bailey paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ekaku thows a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku stuffs the takedown.
Bailey moves out of range of the leg kick from Ekaku.
Ekaku punishes Bailey's body with a nice straight punch.
Ekaku slips a jab from Bailey.
Bailey shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ekaku pinned against the cage. Ekaku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ekaku lands a nice shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bailey.
Ekaku moves out of range of the leg kick from Bailey.
Ekaku is looking to slow Bailey down with leg kicks.
Ekaku scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bailey doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku scores with a jab to the body.
Ekaku swats away the attempt to clinch by Bailey.
Bailey takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ekaku's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ekaku duly obliges.
An inside leg kick lands from Bailey.
Bailey misses with a few strikes there.
Ekaku with a nice cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good work by Ekaku as he checks the leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bailey throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ekaku lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ekaku blocks a jab.
Ekaku throws a leg kick but Bailey sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bailey takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ekaku looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ekaku fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bailey has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bailey scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ekaku in his tracks.
Bailey gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ekaku counters with a thumping low kick.
Ekaku blocks a jab.
Bailey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bailey is out of range and Ekaku settles back down.
Ekaku tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku thumps Bailey with a low kick.
Ekaku misses with a body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekaku.
Bailey moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku avoids the head kick by Bailey.
Ekaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bailey lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ekaku tries a head kick but it misses.
Ekaku cracks Bailey with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bailey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
A big left from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku stuffs the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bailey.
Ekaku punishes Bailey's body with a nice straight punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bailey moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ekaku lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailey scores with a nice right hand.
Ekaku misses with a body shot.
Bailey's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut.
Bailey connects with a body shot.
Donk. Bailey catches Ekaku right on the button with a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd cheers as Bailey lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ekaku doesn't seem phased though.
Bailey lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ekaku circles away quickly and effectively.
Bailey has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ekaku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A head kick misses from Ekaku.
Some wild striking there from Bailey.
Ekaku throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bailey counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bailey tries for a takedown but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hakuin Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Bailey.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bailey throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku moves away and avoids it.
Bailey with a poor takedown
and Ekaku counters with a head kick. That will keep Bailey thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Crunch! Ekaku slams his shin into Bailey's torso.
Ekaku darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ekaku misses with a body kick.
Ekaku fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bailey is out of range.
Bailey stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ekaku.
Bailey looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ekaku keeps Bailey at a distance using the push kick.
Bailey dives in and grabs Ekaku's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ekaku pushes down on Bailey's head and hops out.
Ekaku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ekaku takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bailey checks a low kick from Ekaku.
Bailey doesn't manage to clinch there - Ekaku circles away.
Bailey tries a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bailey. Ekaku does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Ekaku.
Bailey throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ekaku sizes up Bailey with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekaku looks to land a combination but Bailey avoids it well.
Ekaku defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bailey.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bailey digs a good hook to Ekaku's body.
Ekaku slips a jab and a cross from Bailey.
Ekaku connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bailey's hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku had his way with Joel Bailey in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bailey gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a good cross that connects.
Bailey showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ekaku.
Bailey tries to bum rush Ekaku with a series of wild strikes but Ekaku uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses
and Bailey counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ekaku keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ekaku takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bailey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekaku.
Bailey tries to clinch but Ekaku is having none of it.
Bailey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku with a nice cross.
Ekaku scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ekaku throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ekaku scoring well with a low kick there.
Ekaku thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ekaku throws a leg kick but Bailey moved away.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Bailey closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ekaku's guard.
Bailey stopping the sweep attempt from Ekaku.
Bailey thows a big elbow that misses.
Ekaku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bailey is one step ahead there.
Ekaku wants to stand and escape but Bailey is having none of it.
Joel Bailey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailey won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.
Bailey wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Ekaku wants to stand up but Bailey is controlling him.
Bailey controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ekaku wants to stand up but Bailey is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bailey throws a leg kick but Ekaku checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bailey.
Bailey uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bailey finds it's way round the side to connect with Ekaku's head.
Ekaku misses with a hook. Bailey ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ekaku lands with a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Bailey.

Bailey closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ekaku quickly recovers to half guard.
Bailey looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ekaku taking some punishment here, with Bailey in his half guard.
Bailey thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ekaku to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku tries to land a sweep but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku is looking to stand up but Bailey isn't so interested in that idea.
Bailey advances position into side control!
Ekaku is trying to get back to his feet.
Bailey trying to control the action but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
Bailey scoring with punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joel Bailey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ekaku has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!

Hakuin Ekaku wins by unanimous decision!
Hakuin Ekaku retains his featherweight title!