PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Morrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakuin Ekaku Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morrow comes to the cage accompanied by Im Unforgiven. Ekaku Jr has chosen Jiu Jitsu as his entrance music. Hakuin Ekaku Jr told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Morrow
vs
Ekaku Jr

162 cm
27
159 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class 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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Morrow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morrow ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku Jr moves away.
A head kick from Ekaku Jr lands but Morrow takes it in his stride.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ekaku Jr lands with a nice body punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ekaku Jr is defended easily by Morrow.
Morrow takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Morrow moves out of range of the body kick from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Morrow tries to counter by clinching up but Ekaku Jr breaks away and moves out of range.
Ekaku Jr moves out of range as Morrow throws a body kick.
Ekaku Jr scores with a punch to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrow blocks a head kick by Ekaku Jr.
Morrow jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've been informed that Ekaku Jr has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Morrow throws a head kick that misses.

Ekaku Jr shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Morrow manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch.
Ekaku Jr shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ekaku Jr takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ekaku Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Morrow fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekaku Jr, pushing him back against the cage.
Ekaku Jr lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ekaku Jr jumps guard but Morrow turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ekaku Jr tries to work over Morrow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Morrow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Morrow prevents a body shot from Ekaku Jr.
Morrow taking a breather.
Ekaku Jr misses with some punches.
Ekaku Jr is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Alex Morrow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakuin Ekaku Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrow is trying to maintain a safe position but Ekaku Jr gets an underhook and turns Morrow into the cage.
Morrow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ekaku Jr lands with a right to the head.
Ekaku Jr is trying to pull guard but Morrow has him pressed against the cage.
Morrow is struggling to control the position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Morrow.
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 Jr blocks a body shot from Morrow.
Ekaku Jr lands a right hand.

Ekaku Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr has his takedown stuffed
and Morrow counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morrow tries a head kick but it misses.
A punch lands to the side of Morrow 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Alex Morrow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Morrow.
Morrow is looking to land body kicks.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ekaku Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Morrow, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr scores with a punch to the head.
Ekaku Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku Jr pushes Morrow away with a front kick.
Morrow throws a low kick but Ekaku Jr moves out of range easily.
Ekaku Jr scores with a kick to the midsection.
A cross from Ekaku Jr lands.
Ekaku Jr throws a shot from downtown. Morrow moves away and avoids it.
Ekaku Jr lands a nice looking body shot.
Ekaku Jr scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ekaku Jr misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morrow fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ekaku Jr just manages to avoid it.
Ekaku Jr is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Morrow throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku Jr ducks down to avoid it.
Morrow tried to score with a low kick but Ekaku Jr checks it.
Ekaku Jr misses with a low kick.
Morrow has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ekaku Jr finds it's way round the side to connect with Morrow's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morrow cracks Ekaku Jr with a good jab.
Morrow fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ekaku Jr checks it well.
Ekaku Jr tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Morrow was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nice uppercut lands for Ekaku Jr. That snapped Morrow's head back.
Morrow scores with a body shot.
Morrow moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku Jr blocks a head kick by Morrow.
Ekaku Jr has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Morrow tries to land a leg kick but Ekaku Jr saw it coming and moves away.
Ekaku Jr throws a series of punches but Morrow avoids them all with ease.
Morrow swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ekaku Jr misses with an uppercut. Morrow saw that one coming.
Ekaku Jr shoots in looking for a takedown. Morrow tries to sprawl out of it but Ekaku Jr keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Morrow manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ekaku Jr scores with a jab to the head.
Morrow takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ekaku Jr misses with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Morrow misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ekaku Jr avoids a kick to the body.
Morrow tries to land a front kick but Ekaku Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Morrow fails to land with a series of punches.
Morrow moves to clinch but Ekaku Jr breaks away

and Ekaku Jr counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ekaku Jr wants to pass the guard but Morrow is keeping the position.
Ekaku Jr wants to control from the top but Morrow keeps moving.
Morrow is pulling down on Ekaku Jr's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr passes Morrow's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ekaku Jr trying to pass the guard but Morrow defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr is taking a breather. Morrow says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ekaku Jr prevents Morrow from improving his position.
Morrow is looking to escape.
Morrow is controlling Ekaku Jr's trapped leg to prevent Ekaku Jr from advancing to side control.
Morrow looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ekaku Jr throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ekaku Jr takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ekaku Jr sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Morrow defending well though.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ekaku Jr missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Morrow tries to roll over but Ekaku Jr keeps him under control.
Ekaku Jr with the ground and pound but Morrow uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ekaku Jr is in close to Morrow's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ekaku Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ekaku Jr stops Morrow from standing up.
Ekaku Jr looking to pass the guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ekaku Jr misses with a wild combination.
Morrow misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Ekaku Jr moves into the clinch.
Morrow blocks a body shot from Ekaku Jr.
Morrow stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Morrow manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Morrow.
Ekaku Jr scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ekaku Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Morrow was well out of range. Poor timing from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ekaku Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Morrow misses the target.
Morrow throws an off balance right hand

and Ekaku Jr decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Morrow's guard.

Morrow wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 Jr blocks the body kick.
Jab, jab by Ekaku Jr - just one landing.

Ekaku Jr closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Morrow did well to prevent Ekaku Jr getting side control.
Morrow wants to get back to his feet.
Ekaku Jr scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Morrow is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ekaku Jr scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morrow is trying to control but can't.
Ekaku Jr is just content to waste time from the top position. Morrow takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Ekaku Jr works over Morrow with some ground and pound from guard.
Ekaku Jr scoring with some ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Morrow working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ekaku Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Morrow gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr with a hook.
Decent striking displayed by Morrow there.

Ekaku Jr gets a clinch.
A short uppercut from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr tries to throw a body punch but Morrow avoids it by throwing Ekaku Jr back against the cage.
Morrow lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ekaku Jr or not.
Morrow prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short left from Morrow.
Good body shot from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Morrow.
Ekaku Jr blocks a body shot from Morrow.
Ekaku Jr lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ekaku Jr lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku Jr lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr misses with a body punch.
Ekaku Jr can't get the takedown.
Morrow has a couple of punches blocked by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr misses with a punch to the body.

Ekaku Jr gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ekaku Jr thows a huge punch but Morrow dodges it nicely.
Morrow is refusing to be controlled, as Ekaku Jr sits in half guard.
Ekaku Jr thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrow on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr tries to pass the half guard into mount. Morrow knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ekaku Jr is still trying to improve position.
Ekaku Jr stalling away here and it's allowed Morrow to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Morrow can't keep his opponent in guard - Ekaku Jr advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ekaku Jr moves into full mount! Morrow won't be happy about that!
Morrow blocking the ground and pound.
Alex Morrow has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrow is in a horrible position here. Ekaku Jr smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ekaku Jr lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Morrow is in a horrible position here. Ekaku Jr smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Morrow is rocked!
Morrow is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Oh Morrow is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ekaku Jr lands a heavy shot. That's hurt Morrow! Ekaku Jr sees the opportunity and turns up the heat - strike after strike land to the defenseless Morrow and the ref dives in to save him! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
Hakuin Ekaku Jr took some time post fight to say the following; 'Thank you to my inspiration, my father, THE GREATEST EVER Hakuin "Zen" Ekaku.'.