PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 432 p4p, 44 weight class) and Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 862 p4p, 93 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Desmond Fairbanks was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Ekaku
vs
Fairbanks

173 cm
22
153 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

173 cm
22
142 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Velocity Fightwear
Conviction

Velocity Fightwear
RAGS of a RONIN

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 10 - 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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Desmond Fairbanks!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Franklyn Lucas and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fairbanks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekaku, pushing him back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Fairbanks scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fairbanks misses with a punch on the inside.
Ekaku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Ekaku blocks it.
Fairbanks throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Fairbanks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ekaku lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ekaku.
Nice body punch from Ekaku.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ekaku.
Ekaku lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Ekaku fails to land.
Fairbanks throws a head punch that misses.
Ekaku digs a right hand into Fairbanks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fairbanks's gas tank.
A nice left hand lands by Ekaku.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ekaku blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekaku tries to throw a body punch but Fairbanks avoids it by throwing Ekaku back against the cage.
Fairbanks blocks an uppercut.
Ekaku blocking some punches.
Fairbanks misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fairbanks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fairbanks swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fairbankss head.
Fairbanks has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ekaku seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Fairbanks can turn it around.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Ekaku cracks Fairbanks with a nice body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fairbanks.
Ekaku blocks an uppercut.
Ekaku misses with a punch on the inside.

Ekaku breaks from the clinch.
A big right from Fairbanks misses.
Fairbanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fairbanks loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku slips the punch.
Fairbanks loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku slips the punch.
Fairbanks looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Fairbanks lands a jab to the nose.
Ekaku fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fairbanks throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Ekaku to counter with a crisp jab.
Fairbanks with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fairbanks digs a good hook to Ekaku's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku ducks right into an uppercut from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks jabs Ekaku to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Fairbanks throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku moves away and avoids it.
Ekaku takes one to the side of the head.
Good shot there by Ekaku.
Fairbanks moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fairbanks throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku throws a quick counter kick to the body but Fairbanks avoids it.
Ekaku fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekaku is looking to slow Fairbanks down with leg kicks.
Ekaku looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice body kick there by Ekaku.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
It looked like Ekaku wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut.
Fairbanks digs a good hook to Ekaku's body.
Fairbanks throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fairbanks fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks missing with a left hand there. Ekaku was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab from Fairbanks finds it's way through Ekaku's defenses.
Fairbanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Fairbanks.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Fairbanks's head but Fairbanks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fairbanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Fairbanks scores with a jab.
Fairbanks throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Fairbanks misses the jab.
Fairbanks takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fairbanks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Donk. Ekaku catches Fairbanks right on the button with a cross.
A shot to the body from Fairbanks misses
and Ekaku counters with a body kick.
A jab lands there for Ekaku.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku slips a straight right by Fairbanks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks throws a poor cross that misses
and Ekaku counters with an outside leg kick.
Fairbanks lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Fairbanks with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fairbanks connects with a right hand. Ekaku shakes it off.
Fairbanks lands with a nice body punch.
Fairbanks misses with a hook.
Fairbanks misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Fairbanks finds it's way through Ekaku's defenses.
Ekaku looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fairbanks throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ekaku counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fairbanks misses with a looping right.
Ekaku avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Desmond Fairbanks will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fairbanks keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fairbanks comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fairbanks just misses with a punch to the body.
Ekaku throwing a counter right hand but Fairbanks manages to avoid it.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ekaku blocks a jab.
Fairbanks misses with a left hand
and Ekaku counters with a nice uppercut.
Ekaku avoids the body shot from Fairbanks.
A left lands for Fairbanks.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ekaku.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Fairbanks as he checks the leg kick.
Fairbanks misses with a straight left.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut.
Fairbanks misses with a lunging right hand
and Ekaku counters with a low kick, right behind Fairbanks 's knee.
Ekaku connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fairbanks momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses with a lunging right hand
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
Jab by Fairbanks.
Ekaku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ekaku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut.
Desmond Fairbanks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fairbanks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku.
A telegraphed right hand from Fairbanks misses the target.
Ekaku was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ekaku fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fairbanks has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
Ekaku looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
That kick from Ekaku tenderised Fairbanks's leg. Fairbanks is trying to keep his angry face on.
A slow jab from Fairbanks misses its intended target.
Ekaku thinks about countering with a head kick.
Ekaku throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku tries to land a front kick but Fairbanks steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ekaku counters with an outside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fairbanks looks to land a right hand but Ekaku moved out of range.
Fairbanks throws an off balance right hand
and Ekaku counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fairbanks's knee momentarily.
Fairbanks swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ekaku.
Fairbanks connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Desmond Fairbanks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fairbanks uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ekaku has time to react.
Ekaku lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fairbanks connects with the punch.
Fairbanks misses with a right hand
and Ekaku makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ekaku scores with a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks misses with a combination
and Ekaku counters with a good low kick that Fairbanks was not able to check.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Ekaku fires out a quick counter leg kick but Fairbanks just manages to avoid it.
Fairbanks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ekaku throws a quick counter kick to the body but Fairbanks avoids it.
Fairbanks throws a body punch but Ekaku moves out of range.
Ekaku tried to score with a low kick but Fairbanks checks it.
Fairbanks misses the jab.
Ekaku feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ekaku.
Fairbanks feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ekakus jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fairbanks checks a low kick from Ekaku.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut
and Ekaku finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fairbanks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fairbanks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fairbanks swings widly with a right hand
and Ekaku counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fairbanks's knee momentarily.
Fairbanks is breathing heavily.
Ekaku lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku motions for Fairbanks to come forward. Ekaku throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Fairbanks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fairbanks misses with a hook. Ekaku ducked under it nicely.
As Fairbanks backs away, Ekaku returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Fairbanks checks the leg kick.
Fairbanks misses with a lunging right hand
and Ekaku connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fairbanks moves out of range as Ekaku strikes.
Fairbanks throws out a counter right but Ekaku avoids it with no problem.
Fairbanks looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Fairbanks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ekaku is looking to counter punch.
Fairbanks misses with a body shot.

Fairbanks moves into range and clinches up with Ekaku.
Fairbanks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ekaku tries to throw a body punch but Fairbanks avoids it by throwing Ekaku back against the cage.
Fairbanks working aggressively here.
Fairbanks scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Fairbanks fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Desmond Fairbanks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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 circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fairbanks throws a right hand that misses
and Ekaku counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fairbanks works the jab nicely.
Fairbanks misses with a straight left.
Fairbanks uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fairbanks throws a lazy uppercut
and Ekaku counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fairbanks's knee momentarily.
Fairbanks misses the body punch
and Ekaku counters with a body kick that stops Fairbanks in his tracks momentarily.
Fairbanks needs to keep his hands up - Ekaku had a free shot at his head there.
Fairbanks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fairbanks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick.
Fairbanks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Fairbanks throws a lazy uppercut
and Ekaku makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Fairbanks catches Ekaku with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ekaku looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ekaku lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ekaku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fairbanks throws a series of punches but Ekaku avoids them all with ease.
Fairbanks misses with a lunging right hand
and Ekaku counters with an inside leg kick.
Ekaku moves out of range of the strikes.
Fairbanks looks to throw the jab but Ekaku is out of range.
Fairbanks wants to clinch.
Ekaku half committed to a counter leg kick.
Fairbanks on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku. Ekaku obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks looks to throw the jab but Ekaku is out of range.
Ekaku feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Fairbanks.
Ekaku appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ekaku slips a jab from Fairbanks.
Ekaku defending well as Fairbanks loads up on a big left hand.
As Fairbanks backs away, Ekaku returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Fairbanks misses with a right hand
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Fairbanks fails in his attempt to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fairbanks misses with a hook
and Ekaku counters with a low kick, right behind Fairbanks 's knee.
A left lands for Ekaku.
Fairbanks tries to clinch but Ekaku is having none of it.
Ekaku looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fairbanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fairbanks throws a hook but Ekaku blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fairbanks's sensitive parts.
Fairbanks throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Fairbanks throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku ducks down to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Ekaku tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ekaku avoids the body shot from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks wants to clinch up but Ekaku keeps it at a distance.
Fairbanks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ekaku scores with a nice strike.
Fairbanks throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fairbanks misses with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Ekaku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fairbanks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Fairbanks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Fairbanks on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku. Ekaku obviously looking to wear him down.
Ekaku lands with a kick to the temple. Fairbanks shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Ekaku scores with a head kick.

Fairbanks is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku throws a leg kick which misses Fairbanks's front leg but catches the back leg as Fairbanks tries to avoid it.
Fairbanks is still on wobbly legs! Can Ekaku finish him?
Fairbanks wants to clinch.
You can see that Fairbanks has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Fairbanks looks to land a combination but Ekaku avoids it well.
Ekaku connects with a solid leg kick.
Fairbanks throws a poor cross that misses
and Ekaku counters with a huge left! Fairbanks is in big trouble! He's backing up but Ekaku isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Fairbanks from any more damage. A dominating finish by Ekaku!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hiroshi Ekaku!
Hiroshi Ekaku retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Hiroshi Ekaku thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.