PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 758 p4p, 94 weight class) and Chester Jones (ranked 627 p4p, 76 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ekaku
vs
Jones

173 cm
22
153 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
143 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Urban Fighter

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 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chester Jones!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Eddie Farnsworth and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku lands a nice hook to Jones's body. Jones takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jones throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jones scores with a shot to the body.
Ekaku throws a head kick but Jones moves out of range.
Ekaku uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Ekaku throwing a counter right hand but Jones manages to avoid it.
Jones slips a straight right by Ekaku.
Ekaku bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Jones defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Ekaku ducks right into an uppercut from Jones.
Jones uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ekaku has time to react.
Ekaku lands a head kick. Jones smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Chester Jones has been cut.
Ekaku throws a lazy body kick
letting Jones counter with a right hand.
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!
Jones throws a body punch but Ekaku moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekaku.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
Jones throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Jones.
Ekaku with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jones avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
Jones tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ekaku sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jones somewhat.
Ekaku lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jones has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Ekaku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones moves away from the strike by Ekaku.
Jones tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ekaku thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ekaku dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jones. That did some damage!
Hiroshi Ekaku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ekaku throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Jones counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jones.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ekaku is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ekaku looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is stalling in the full guard.
Jones pushing down on Ekaku's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ekaku won't allow Jones to pass to mount.
Ekaku tries to get to full guard but Jones has control of the leg.
Ekaku is working hard here to advance position.
Ekaku trying to hold on to Jones's head to control him but Jones postures up.
Well, if Jones is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jones trying to control the action but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
Jones tries to pass to full mount but Ekaku defends it.
Ekaku is refusing to be controlled, as Jones sits in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A big right from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku throws out a loose jab but Jones uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Ekaku does a little dance to reset his feet.
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 Hiroshi Ekaku will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chester Jones's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jones connects with a body shot.
Ekaku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jones.
Ekaku misses with the body kick
and Jones counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ekaku looks to score with a jab to the body but Jones is just out of range.
Ekaku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hiroshi Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Jones takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ekaku needs to keep his hands up - Jones had a free shot at his head there.
Jones takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekaku.
It appears Ekaku was looking to counter with a kick there.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jones throws a hook to the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekaku.
Ekaku fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jones has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones cracks a nice hook into Ekaku's ribs.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Jones ducks down to avoid it.
Jones drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ekaku defends it well.
Jones is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ekaku rather than just go for the knockout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jones. Ekaku does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ekaku is looking to counter punch.
Jones steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Jones keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Jones moves in looking to clinch but Ekaku pushes him off.
Ekaku misses with a looping right.
Jones dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jones takes one to the chin there.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jones sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku misses the jab.
Jones misses with a body shot.
Ekaku throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones scores with a hook to the body. Ekaku takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ekaku lands with an uppercut that bounces Jones off the cage and back into range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ekaku.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ekaku connects with a body shot.
Ekaku cracks Jones with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ekaku changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Jones misses.
Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Jones throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ekaku stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jones doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jones moves to clinch but Ekaku breaks away
enabling Ekaku to counter with a crisp jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ekaku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku swinging wildly here.
Ekaku scores with a jab.

Jones feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ekaku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ekaku pulls Jones in to control the position.
Ekaku controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
Ekaku seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ekaku is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones pushing down on Ekaku's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Jones controlling the action here.
Ekaku moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jones trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ekaku controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Ekaku dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chester Jones's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jones uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Jones lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ekaku at a distance.
Ekaku feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jones's calf.
Jones on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ekaku cracks the inside of Jones's front leg.
Jones staying out of range there.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Ekaku throws a big shot that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekaku.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekaku is trying to keep Jones in close.
Jones trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones being controlled here momentarily.
Ekaku has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Ekaku is keeping the position.
Ekaku trying to keep a closed guard but Jones is proving a slippery customer.
Jones trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jones might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ekaku haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jones with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ekaku to score with a decent uppercut.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Jones's head but Jones sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ekaku cracks Jones with an open hand slap.
Jones misses with a wild body shot.
Hiroshi Ekaku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones thuds a left hand into Ekaku's body.
A lazy body kick from Ekaku

and Jones counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Jones is trying to control. Ekaku wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ekaku wants to improve his position but Jones is controlling well.
Ekaku moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ekaku trying to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Jones trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jones uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku.
Jones feints the counter takedown.
Ekaku throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Jones counters with a takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Ekaku's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ekaku tries to improve position but can't.
Ekaku is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ekaku wants to control but Jones is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Jones in particular looking to stall.
Jones trying to control the action but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Chester Jones just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Chester Jones's cut.
That's time! Ekaku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jones throws a big shot that misses.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jones looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ekaku!
Ekaku wants to control but Jones postures up.
Jones trying to control the position but Ekaku is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Ekaku's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ekaku seems a little lost for a moment, as Jones dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ekaku is not content to let Jones control the position.
Ekaku gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ekaku has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jones is working away from the top position though.
Ekaku gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Jones trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
Ekaku is trying to keep Jones in close.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jones seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ekaku as he jumps to the side.
Jones takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ekaku moves out of range of the strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Ekaku misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Ekaku as he connects with a hook.
Ekaku throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ekaku takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jones lands a jab to Ekaku's midsection.
Jones's corner calls for a 1-2. Jones obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Jones misses the shot to the body.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Ekaku circles away.
Jones takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jones bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses

and Jones decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ekaku's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Ekaku has control of Jones's left arm, preventing Jones from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku trying to keep a closed guard but Jones is proving a slippery customer.
Jones stays in close to Ekaku's body and controls the position.

Ekaku looking for subs off his back but Jones has passed one foot through into half guard.
Ekaku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chester Jones dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Chester Jones's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jones.
Ekaku moves away from the strike by Jones.
Ekaku scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jones swings for the body but Ekaku moves out of range.
As Jones backs away, Ekaku returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Jones throws a jab when Ekaku was well out of range.
Ekaku takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ekaku lands a glancing blow to the side of Jones's head.
Jones uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Ekaku misses.
Jones takes a swing at Ekaku's ribcage but misses.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Jones's shoulder, as Jones tries to avoid the shot.
Ekaku scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones swings for the body but Ekaku moves out of range.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with a hook.
Jones has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jones there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ekaku stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ekaku wants it to stay on the feet.
Ekaku uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jones.
Ekaku fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Jones on the side of the head.

Jones is rocked!
Ekaku throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Jones counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Jones is still in real trouble! Can Ekaku finish him?

Ekaku is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ekaku looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ekaku is trying to control the position but Jones postures up.
Jones seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.

Ekaku throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jones slips nicely into half guard.
Ekaku is trying is best to control the position here.
Chester Jones has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is trying to get back to full guard.
Jones performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ekaku wants to control but Jones is keeping busy.
Ekaku manages to get to full guard.
Jones looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ekaku pulls Jones in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ekaku tries to land a body kick
and Jones makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ekaku punishes Jones's body with a nice straight punch.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Jones's head but Jones sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones misses the body punch
letting Ekaku counter with a right hand.
Jones is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jones displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku throws out the jab.
Jones is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Decent striking displayed by Ekaku there.
Jones works Ekaku's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Ekaku showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 48:47
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroshi Ekaku!
Hiroshi Ekaku is the new featherweight champion!
Hiroshi Ekaku seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.