PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hakuin Ekaku Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ekaku Jr kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Jiu Jitsu. Johnson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. On March The Saints kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ekaku Jr
vs
Johnson

175 cm
23
165 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

170 cm
23
159 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku Jr.
Johnson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ekaku Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And Johnson tries to counter it with a takedown but Ekaku Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Ekaku Jr.
Johnson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Ekaku Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch.
Ekaku Jr chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr misses with a head kick.

Ekaku Jr fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Ekaku Jr is now in Johnson's guard.
Johnson is adopting a defensive guard.
Johnson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to stand up but Ekaku Jr is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekaku Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Ekaku Jr isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson trying to control the position here.
Ekaku Jr is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ekaku Jr looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Johnson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnson trying to control the action but Ekaku Jr is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr sneaks back into half guard.
Ekaku Jr regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.
Johnson controlling from the top position.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Ekaku Jr blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Ekaku Jr blocks nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson throws a hook but Ekaku Jr blocks it.
Ekaku Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ekaku Jr.
Johnson moves out of range as Ekaku Jr strikes.
Ekaku Jr fails with the takedown.
Johnson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ekaku Jr defends it well.
Nice body kick from Johnson.
Johnson throws an off balance right hand
and Ekaku Jr counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr pivots, looking for a leg kick but Johnson is out of range and Ekaku Jr settles back down.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku Jr shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ekaku Jr.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Ekaku Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekaku Jr thinks about countering with a head kick.
Ekaku Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Ekaku Jr closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku Jr sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Johnson is looking to control Ekaku Jr's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Johnson is looking to escape.
Ekaku Jr trying to pass the guard but Johnson defending well.
Johnson manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hakuin Ekaku Jr will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ekaku Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ekaku Jr takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Ekaku Jr.
Johnson with the counter takedown but Ekaku Jr avoids it easily.
Ekaku Jr's corner calls for a 1-2. Ekaku Jr obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ekaku Jr shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ekaku Jr's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ekaku Jr's sensitive parts.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson works the jab nicely.
Johnson swings widly with a right hand

and Ekaku Jr counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Ekaku Jr is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ekaku Jr looking to pass the guard.
Ekaku Jr is looking to advance position but Johnson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

BOOM! Johnson connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr avoids a series of strikes thrown by Johnson.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Johnson working Ekaku Jr over with strikes here.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ekaku Jr is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson tries to control but Ekaku Jr wriggling away.
Johnson throwing strikes here but Ekaku Jr is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ekaku Jr is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.
Johnson throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Johnson throwing strikes but Ekaku Jr bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Ekaku Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ekaku Jr is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Ekaku Jr trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson pulls Ekaku Jr in close to prevent any damage.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Ekaku Jr from controlling successfully.
Johnson is pulling down on Ekaku Jr's head to control his posture.
Ekaku Jr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Ekaku Jr from controlling successfully.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Ekaku Jr is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku Jr throws out the jab.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Ekaku Jr avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ekaku Jr continues to drive forward.
Ekaku Jr steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku Jr. Ekaku Jr obviously looking to wear him down.
Ekaku Jr lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Ekaku Jr forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ekaku Jr scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
Come on Johnson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries a body shot but Ekaku Jr blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Johnson.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.
Ekaku Jr leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ekaku Jr working aggressively here.
Ekaku Jr works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Johnson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Johnson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Ekaku Jr moved out of range nicely.
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ekaku Jr finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Ekaku Jr moves out of range easily.
Ekaku Jr shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Ekaku Jr misses the body punch
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!

Johnson feints and as Ekaku Jr raises his hands in defense, Johnson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ekaku Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ekaku Jr is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ekaku Jr keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Johnson postures up and lands a big shot to Ekaku Jr's brow.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ekaku Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ekaku Jr!
Ekaku Jr can't do much from the bottom here.
Johnson is putting a hurting on Ekaku Jr here, landing some big shots from side control.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Ekaku Jr controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Ekaku Jr defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Johnson throws a strike aimed at the side of Ekaku Jr's head but Ekaku Jr avoids it well.
Johnson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ekaku Jr is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
Ekaku Jr manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Johnson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ekaku Jr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Johnson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Johnson's back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ekaku Jr somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Ekaku Jr misses with punches from the back.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr misses with a punch to the head.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Johnson trying to control the hands but Ekaku Jr won't let him.
Will Ekaku Jr go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
The referee is taking a good look at Johnson as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Ekaku Jr!
Ekaku Jr avoiding Johnson 's attempts to control his hands.
Johnson has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is really stuck here.
Johnson breaks Ekaku Jr's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ekaku Jr's head.
Ekaku Jr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Johnson!
A very excited looking Nick Johnson rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
The defeated Hakuin Ekaku Jr had this to say: 'God Bless all. Thank you to my inspiration, my father, THE GREATEST EVER Hakuin "Zen" Ekaku.'.