PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hakuin Ekaku Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Geoffrey Barbossa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ekaku Jr's entrance music is Jiu Jitsu. A fine choice. Hakuin Ekaku Jr has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ekaku Jr
vs
Barbossa

175 cm
25
165 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

170 cm
27
160 lbs
17 - 3 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

MayheM sportswear

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 13 - 6 - 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 17 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Geoffrey Barbossa!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbossa feints a jab promting Ekaku Jr to slip. Barbossa then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ekaku Jr slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
We've been hearing reports that Ekaku Jr has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Ekaku Jr checks a leg kick.
Ekaku Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Barbossa's shoulder, as Barbossa tries to avoid the shot.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch up but Barbossa keeps it at a distance.
Barbossa looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku Jr is just out of range.
Ekaku Jr moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Barbossa scoring well with a low kick there.
Barbossa motions for Ekaku Jr to come forward. Barbossa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku Jr tries to close the distance and clinch but Barbossa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ekaku Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barbossa. Ekaku Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barbossa throws a hook to the side of Ekaku Jr's head but Ekaku Jr sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barbossa throws a head kick but Ekaku Jr moves out of range.
Ekaku Jr tries to clinch there but Barbossa circles away.
Barbossa feints and then cracks Ekaku Jr's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ekaku Jr down.
Ekaku Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barbossa keeps the fight on the outside.
Barbossa throws a right hand that Ekaku Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Ekaku Jr also avoids with ease.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Barbossa enables Ekaku Jr to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Barbossa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku Jr trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Barbossa manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbossa advances position into side control!
Barbossa wants to control but Ekaku Jr is keeping him busy.

Barbossa stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Barbossa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ekaku Jr tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Barbossa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr slips under a jab.
Barbossa connects with a solid leg kick.
Barbossa misses with a looping right.
As Barbossa looks to move away, Ekaku Jr throws a big counter combo but Barbossa just gets out of the way.
Barbossa takes one to the chin there.
Ekaku Jr missing with a left hand there. Barbossa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Ekaku Jr moves into the clinch.
Barbossa tries to work over Ekaku Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barbossa lands a body punch in the clinch.
Barbossa prevents Ekaku Jr from breaking the clinch.
Barbossa misses with the head strike.
A short body shot lands from Ekaku Jr as the two fighters clinch.
Ekaku Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekaku Jr misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barbossa is trying to stall.
Ekaku Jr stalls.
Barbossa stalling in the clinch but Ekaku Jr improves position.
Barbossa lands a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Barbossa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbossa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ekaku Jr moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Ekaku Jr gets tackled into the ropes by Barbossa. Barbossa maintains the clinch.
Ekaku Jr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barbossa throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr working aggressively here.
Ekaku Jr cracks Barbossa with a nice body shot.
Barbossa misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa has a couple of punches blocked by Ekaku Jr.
Barbossa blocks a body shot from Ekaku Jr.

Barbossa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekaku Jr misses with an uppercut
and Barbossa counters with a straight right hand.

Ekaku Jr has managed to clinch.
Ekaku Jr tries to work over Barbossa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barbossa lands with a light punch inside.
Ekaku Jr scores with a shoulder strike.
Barbossa has a couple of punches blocked by Ekaku Jr.
Barbossa swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekaku Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekaku Jr misses with some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Barbossa.

Barbossa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barbossa.
Barbossa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Barbossa cracks Ekaku Jr with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Barbossa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
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!
Barbossa misses with an uppercut. Ekaku Jr saw that one coming.
Barbossa lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ekaku Jr will feel that in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr blocks a leg kick.
Ekaku Jr lands with a nice body punch.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch up but Barbossa keeps it at a distance.
No joy there for Barbossa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ekaku Jr lands with a shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr defending well as Barbossa loads up on a big left hand.
Barbossa throws a wild body kick that Ekaku Jr sees coming a mile off.
Geoffrey Barbossa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barbossa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Barbossa swats away the attempt to clinch by Ekaku Jr.
A jab from Barbossa misses.

Ekaku Jr scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Barbossa dodges the ground and pound from Ekaku Jr.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku Jr tries to advance position but instead Barbossa slips a leg back in to half guard.
Barbossa is looking to get back to is feet but Ekaku Jr passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geoffrey Barbossa dominated that round.
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.

A telegraphed right hand from Barbossa misses the target.
Barbossa looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku Jr is just out of range.
Barbossa connects with a body shot that sends Ekaku Jr's belly button to the back.
Ekaku Jr throws out a loose jab but Barbossa uses good head movement to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Barbossa! But no joy.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbossa misses with the combination.
Ekaku Jr connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barbossa. Barbossa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Barbossa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Barbossa swats away the attempt to clinch by Ekaku Jr.
Barbossa staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbossa fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ekaku Jr has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Barbossa connects with a nice looking jab.
Ekaku Jr is looking to clinch but Barbossa is avoiding it.
Barbossa tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbossa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ekaku Jr ducks under a wild hook from Barbossa.
Barbossa shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ekaku Jr eats them both and turns towards Barbossa to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbossa scores with a one two! Ekaku Jr had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Barbossa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekaku Jr throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barbossa unleashes a big counter combination but Ekaku Jr bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Ekaku Jr bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ekaku Jr throws an elbow but Barbossa slips to the side and avoids it well.
Ekaku Jr tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Barbossa wants to get back to his feet but Ekaku Jr drags him back down.
Ekaku Jr with the ground and pound but Barbossa regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ekaku Jr is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Barbossa reverses the position - he's now on top in Ekaku Jr's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barbossa stopping the sweep attempt from Ekaku Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
My spies in Forcefield Ludas inform me that Barbossa has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Ekaku Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barbossa is one step ahead there.
Barbossa wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.
Ekaku Jr is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ekaku Jr has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ekaku Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barbossa's guard.

Ekaku Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ekaku Jr tries to free his leg and advance position but Barbossa is retaining full guard.
Ekaku Jr throwing strikes from guard but Barbossa blocks nicely.
Ekaku Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Barbossa has wrist control.
Ekaku Jr is pushing down on Barbossa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Barbossa is fighting to maintain full guard but Ekaku Jr has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Barbossa is not content to let Ekaku Jr control the position.
Barbossa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr thows a huge punch but Barbossa dodges it nicely.
Barbossa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barbossa wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Barbossa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr controlling the action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ekaku Jr thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barbossa is in trouble now - Ekaku Jr has advanced to mount!
Ekaku Jr throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Ekaku Jr throws some wild stikes that Barbossa manages to avoid easily.
Barbossa avoids a series of strikes thrown by Ekaku Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Geoffrey Barbossa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Barbossa misses with a low kick as Ekaku Jr jumps back.
Nice body punch from Barbossa.
Barbossa takes one to the chin there.
Barbossa needs to keep his hands up - Ekaku Jr had a free shot at his head there.
Barbossa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Barbossa misses the target.
Ekaku Jr moves away from the strike by Barbossa.
Barbossa misses with a low kick.
Barbossa throws out a powerful jab.

Ekaku Jr shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Barbossa napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Barbossa sneaks out the side door and pushes Ekaku Jr away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbossa misses with a wild body shot.
Barbossa ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick but Barbossa sees it coming and moves out of range.
Barbossa looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku Jr is just out of range.
Ekaku Jr tries to clinch up.
Donk. Barbossa catches Ekaku Jr right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbossa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ekaku Jr at a distance.
A jab lands there for Ekaku Jr.
The fighters circle momentarily. Barbossa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Geoffrey Barbossa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbossa throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barbossa misses with a body shot.
Barbossa misses the shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr slips a straight right by Barbossa.
Ekaku Jr slips under a jab from Barbossa.
An inside leg kick from Barbossa misses.
Ekaku Jr throws the kick towards the body but Barbossa avoids it.
Ekaku Jr checks a leg kick.
Barbossa looks to throw the jab but Ekaku Jr is out of range.
Ekaku Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barbossa throws out the jab.
Barbossa lands a nice hook to Ekaku Jr's body. Ekaku Jr takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ekaku Jr scores with a shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr misses the shot to the body.
Barbossa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Geoffrey Barbossa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku Jr moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbossa missing with a left hand there. Ekaku Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barbossa looks to land a left hand but Ekaku Jr moved out of range nicely.
Barbossa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Ekaku Jr pushes Barbossa up against the ropes in a clinch.

Barbossa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Good leg kick by Barbossa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Barbossa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ekaku Jr's head backwards.
Barbossa missing with a left hand there. Ekaku Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ekaku Jr attempts a counter takedown but Barbossa avoids it well and moves away.
Barbossa throws a body punch but Ekaku Jr moves out of range.
Barbossa ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku Jr.
Barbossa throws a right hand that Ekaku Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Ekaku Jr also avoids with ease.
Ekaku Jr is looking to clinch but Barbossa is avoiding it.

Ekaku Jr has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ekaku Jr.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ekaku Jr as Barbossa tries to tie him up.
Ekaku Jr misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa working hard to break the clinch.
Barbossa is trying to break free.
Ekaku Jr throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barbossas head.
Ekaku Jr misses with the head strike.
Ekaku Jr misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Barbossa.
Ekaku Jr misses with a punch to the body.
Ekaku Jr lands a shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr blocking some punches.

Barbossa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ekaku Jr moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku Jr shoots in but no luck this time.

Ekaku Jr scores with a takedown into Barbossa's guard.
Barbossa wants to get back to his feet but Ekaku Jr is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ekaku Jr looking to sit in guard and control but Barbossa gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ekaku Jr is adopting a defensive guard.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the position.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barbossa not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barbossa wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Geoffrey Barbossa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Barbossa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Geoffrey Barbossa!
Geoffrey Barbossa seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Hakuin Ekaku Jr stepped up to the mic, saying 'God Bless all. Thank you to my inspiration, my father, THE GREATEST EVER Hakuin "Zen" Ekaku.'.