PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Conroy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wes Ekwall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conroy comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Big Balls . Ekwall has chosen Linkin Park--One Step Closer as his entrance music. Bruce Conroy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Conroy
vs
Ekwall

163 cm
23
148 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

170 cm
29
145 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bruce Conroy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Wes Ekwall!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Paul Gruel and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Conroy.
Ekwall misses with an attempted mid kick.

Conroy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekwall, pushing him back against the cage.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.
Conroy misses with a knee to the head.
Conroy connects with a knee to the head.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks with his arms.
Ekwall is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Conroy is defending well.
Conroy lands a damaging elbow.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.
Conroy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ekwall tries to pull guard but Conroy won't allow it.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Conroy connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ekwall's face.
Conroy working Ekwall over with knees to the body.
Conroy misses with a knee to the head.
Conroy connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ekwall's face.
Conroy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ekwall wants a takedown.
Bruce Conroy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wes Ekwall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekwall fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Conroy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ekwall takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ekwall tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ekwall avoids a wild elbow strike from Conroy.
Conroy connects with a knee to the head.
Ekwall tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.
Conroy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ekwall is defending well for now.
Ekwall tries to circle away but Conroy has him pinned against the cage.
Conroy prevents Ekwall from breaking the clinch.
Conroy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Conroy connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ekwall's face.
Conroy throws an elbow but it misses.
Ekwall wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ekwall blocks an elbow strike.
Ekwall is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Conroy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conroy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekwall blocks it with crossed arms.
Conroy is trying to maintain a safe position but Ekwall gets an underhook and turns Conroy into the cage.
Conroy with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Conroy throws an elbow but it misses.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks with his arms.
Conroy misses with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ekwall drops down looking for an ankle pick but Conroy pulls his leg out and moves away.
Conroy throws a head kick but Ekwall moves out of range.
Bruce Conroy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Conroy is breathing heavily.
Conroy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ekwall blocks a head kick by Conroy.

Conroy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ekwall is trying to break the clinch but Conroy has him pressed against the cage.

Ekwall successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ekwall looking to hit a scissor sweep but Conroy is one step ahead there.
Ekwall wants to stand but Conroy is controlling the position.
Ekwall wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Conroy decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ekwall, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ekwall forces Conroy back against the cage and clinches.
Conroy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ekwall jumps guard but Conroy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ekwall avoids it.
Conroy scores with a knee to the head.
Ekwall misses with a body punch.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks it.
Ekwall avoids the elbow strike from Conroy, against the cage.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Conroy using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ekwall has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ekwall wants a takedown.
Conroy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekwall blocks it with crossed arms.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Conroy lands an elbow that stopped Ekwall in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Conroy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Conroy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Conroy dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ekwall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Conroy manages to avoid it.

Conroy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bruce Conroy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ekwall drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Conroy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ekwall takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ekwall drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Conroy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.
Conroy looking to throw knees to the head but Ekwall is blocking nicely.
Conroy lands a nice knee to the body.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.

Ekwall has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Conroy regains guard immediately.
Ekwall landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conroy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ekwall throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Conroy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ekwall throwing strikes from guard but Conroy blocks nicely.
Ekwall throwing strikes from guard but Conroy blocks nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ekwall throws a big elbow that misses.
Ekwall trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Conroy has his hands on Ekwall's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conroy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ekwall's guard.
Conroy wants to stand and escape but instead Ekwall has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Ekwall postures up.
Ekwall throwing strikes but missing.
Ekwall postures up in Conroy's guard and throws a big left but Conroy blocks it.
Ekwall throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ekwall throwing strikes from guard but Conroy blocks nicely.
Ekwall has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Conroy keeping moving, preventing Ekwall from controlling successfully.
Conroy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ekwall.
Ekwall postures up in Conroy's guard and throws a big left but Conroy blocks it.
Ekwall trying to control the position from guard on top but Conroy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conroy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ekwall throws a strike but Conroy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Conroy won't allow Ekwall to sweep him here.
Conroy tries to stand but Ekwall is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ekwall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wes Ekwall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ekwall checks a leg kick.
Conroy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ekwall throws a lazy right hand but Conroy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Conroy wants to land a leg kick but Ekwall is out of range.
Conroy checks a low kick from Ekwall.
Conroy throws a front kick aimed at Ekwall's knee but Ekwall avoids it well.
Conroy takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Conroy throws a head kick that misses.
Conroy scores with a leg kick.

Ekwall instigates a clinch.
Conroy misses with a knee strike.
Ekwall has Conroy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Conroy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ekwall is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ekwall tries for a takedown but Conroy manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conroy is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Ekwall breaks the clinch.
Conroy tries a head kick but it misses.

Ekwall gets tackled into the cage by Conroy. Conroy maintains the clinch.
Ekwall is looking to take this one to the mat.
Bruce Conroy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wes Ekwall.
Ekwall is looking to take this one to the mat.
Conroy looking to throw knees to the head but Ekwall is blocking nicely.
Conroy misses with a knee to the head.
Ekwall is trying to force a seperation but Conroy has the dominant position.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Conroy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ekwall managing to block the knees to the body from Conroy.
Ekwall jumps guard but Conroy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ekwall wants a takedown but no success here.
Conroy misses with a knee to the head.
Ekwall on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks it.
Conroy prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ekwall gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ekwall throws a strike but Conroy avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ekwall throws a big right hand that misses.
Ekwall trying to control the position from guard on top but Conroy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall throwing strikes from guard but Conroy blocks nicely.
Ekwall cracks Conroy with a solid left hand.
Ekwall lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ekwall throws a big elbow that misses.
Ekwall throwing strikes from guard but Conroy blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekwall throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall throws a strike but Conroy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ekwall is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Conroy wanted to stand there but Ekwall had control of the position.
Ekwall looking for a sweep. Not yet Ekwall, not yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ekwall is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ekwall avoids the head kick by Conroy.
Conroy dodges the punch combination from Ekwall.
Ekwall throws a hook but Conroy blocks it.

Ekwall fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Conroy, pushing him back against the cage.
Ekwall takes an elbow to the forehead.
Conroy trying to control the position but instead, Ekwall has worked for underhooks and has pushed Conroy into the cage.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks with his arms.
Ekwall has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Conroy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ekwall avoids the elbow strike from Conroy, against the cage.
Ekwall is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Conroy is defending well.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Conroy looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conroy lands a damaging elbow.
Conroy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bruce Conroy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wes Ekwall.
Conroy landing knees to the body.
Ekwall is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Conroy connects with a knee to the head.
Conroy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekwall blocks it with crossed arms.
Conroy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks it.
Conroy lands an elbow inside that Ekwall shrugs off.
Ekwall is trying to pull guard but Conroy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Conroy looking to throw knees to the head but Ekwall is blocking nicely.
Conroy looking to throw knees to the head but Ekwall is blocking nicely.
Ekwall tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Conroy lands an elbow inside.

Ekwall gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekwall not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conroy regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ekwall.
Ekwall with a nice head shot there.
Ekwall postures up in Conroy's guard and throws a big left but Conroy blocks it.
Ekwall cracks Conroy with a solid left hand.
Ekwall trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Conroy manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Ekwall is looking for a triangle here but Conroy uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Conroy stands up.

Conroy closes the distance and clinches.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks it.
Conroy lands an elbow inside.
Ekwall drops down looking for an ankle pick but Conroy pulls his leg out and moves away.

Conroy moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conroy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Conroy lands an elbow inside.
Conroy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekwall blocks it with crossed arms.
Conroy misses with an elbow strike.
Ekwall jumps guard but Conroy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Conroy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Conroy misses with a knee to the head.
Conroy looking to throw knees to the head but Ekwall is blocking nicely.
Ekwall taking a breather.
Conroy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Conroy throws a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Conroy throws an elbow but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Conroy tries a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks it.
Conroy prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekwall goes for a takedown in the clinch but Conroy prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Conroy had his way with Wes Ekwall in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ekwall scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wes Ekwall has got the better of the ground game so far.
Conroy pushes Ekwall away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ekwall gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Conroy sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ekwall thows a huge punch but Conroy dodges it nicely.
Ekwall working the head and body with strikes.
Ekwall not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ekwall looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Conroy with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
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.
Ekwall throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ekwall not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conroy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ekwall.
Ekwall missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ekwall throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Conroy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ekwall.
Ekwall lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ekwall working the head and body with strikes.
Ekwall lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall wants to free his trapped foot but Conroy is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ekwall thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ekwall is looking to advance position but Conroy won't allow it.

Ekwall is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Conroy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Conroy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ekwall scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Conroy defending well though.
Ekwall looks to land a strike but Conroy avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Ekwall throws a big right hand that misses.
Conroy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ekwall missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ekwall throwing strikes but missing.
Ekwall postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall tries to free his leg and advance position but Conroy is retaining full guard.
Ekwall distracts Conroy with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ekwall wants to control from the top but Conroy keeps moving.
Conroy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ekwall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ekwall missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ekwall missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wes Ekwall comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ekwall 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Wes Ekwall!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Wes Ekwall!
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Wes Ekwall!

Wes Ekwall wins by unanimous decision!