PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hakuin Ekaku Jr (ranked 113 p4p, 15 weight class) and Sparky Anderson (ranked 935 p4p, 135 weight class). Ekaku Jr comes to the cage accompanied by Jiu Jitsu. Sparky Anderson 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!

Ekaku Jr
vs
Anderson

175 cm
31
165 lbs
28 - 10 - 2

183 cm
34
162 lbs
30 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Venom Combat Sports

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Sparky Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr swings for the body but Anderson moves out of range.
A jab from Ekaku Jr misses.
Ekaku Jr looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Anderson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Anderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick that is checked
and Anderson counters with a leg kick.
Ekaku Jr misses with a hook
and Anderson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ekaku Jr misses with a lunging right hand
and Anderson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ekaku Jr motions for Anderson to come forward. Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Anderson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekaku Jr, pushing him back against the cage.
Anderson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ekaku Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson blocks an uppercut.
Anderson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ekaku Jr avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Anderson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Anderson tries for a takedown but Ekaku Jr manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr misses with some punches.
A frustrated look appears on Anderson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ekaku Jr lands a left hand.
Ekaku Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Anderson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Anderson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ekaku Jr working aggressively here.

Anderson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ekaku Jr clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Ekaku Jr looking to control the position.
Anderson biding his time, looking for the opening.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the hands but Anderson breaks the grip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ekaku Jr preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Anderson.
Ekaku Jr tries to roll but Anderson sticks to his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the hands but Anderson breaks the grip.
I really don't envy Ekaku Jr right now.
Well, with Anderson on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Ekaku Jr is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Anderson trying to control momentarily.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anderson is persistently looking for the submission but Ekaku Jr is defending it well.
You can see the frustration on Ekaku Jr's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Anderson controls the action.
Ekaku Jr is trying to break free.
Anderson is looking to control Ekaku Jr but Ekaku Jr is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ekaku Jr is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Ekaku Jr manages to reverse the position and now he's in Anderson's guard. Nice work there by Ekaku Jr.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Anderson pushes Ekaku Jr off and scrambles back to his feet.
Ekaku Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Ekaku Jr.
Anderson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ekaku Jr throws a big shot that misses.
Anderson throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku Jr moves away and avoids it.
Anderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ekaku Jr throws a quick inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Anderson.
Ekaku Jr is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Anderson.
Ekaku Jr keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick that is checked
and Anderson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr throws out a powerful jab.
Anderson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ekaku Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sparky Anderson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ekaku Jr misses with a hook.
Ekaku Jr scores with a jab.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ekaku Jr throws the left hand but Anderson avoids the punch easily.
Anderson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku Jr on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Anderson defending well as Ekaku Jr loads up on a big left hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ekaku Jr. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ekaku Jr avoids the body shot from Anderson.
Anderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ekaku Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice defenses there by Ekaku Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr throws a looping overhand right but Anderson ducks down to avoid it.
Anderson takes a swing at Ekaku Jr's ribcage but misses.
Anderson looks to land a right hand but Ekaku Jr moved out of range.
Anderson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Anderson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku Jr fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ekaku Jr throws a combination that misses
and Anderson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ekaku Jr can't find room to land a body shot as Anderson controls the action.
A left hand lands to the body for Anderson.
Anderson tries to stall but Ekaku Jr uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ekaku Jr throws a head punch that misses.
Ekaku Jr goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Anderson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ekaku Jr tries to throw a body punch but Anderson avoids it by throwing Ekaku Jr back against the cage.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Anderson tries to avoid it but Ekaku Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Anderson to the ground. Anderson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ekaku Jr jabs at Anderson's body.
Anderson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku Jr. Ekaku Jr obviously looking to wear him down.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Anderson feints the counter takedown.
Ekaku Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Anderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch up but Anderson keeps it at a distance.
Ekaku Jr wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sparky Anderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ekaku Jr punishes Anderson's body with a nice straight punch.
Anderson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ekaku Jrs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
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!
Anderson throws a low kick but Ekaku Jr moves out of range easily.
Ekaku Jr misses with a lunging right hand
and Anderson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ekaku Jr connects with a leg kick. Anderson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Anderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku Jr is just out of range.
Anderson throws a head kick but Ekaku Jr moves out of range.
Ekaku Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Anderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku Jr manages to avoid it.
Anderson misses the jab.
As Anderson tries to get set, Ekaku Jr tries to push him back and clinch up but Anderson manages to avoid the attempt.
Ekaku Jr is looking to clinch.
Ekaku Jr throws out a leg kick but Anderson moves out of range and Ekaku Jr only half commits.
Ekaku Jr misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr throws a low kick, looking for Anderson's leg but Anderson calmly moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ekaku Jr.
Anderson working hard to break the clinch.
Ekaku Jr takes a shot to the head.
Ekaku Jr scores with a shoulder strike.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr avoids the head kick by Anderson.
That kick from Ekaku Jr tenderised Anderson's leg. Anderson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ekaku Jr takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Anderson looks for a takedown but Ekaku Jr sprawls well.
Ekaku Jr misses the jab.
Anderson dodges the punch combination from Ekaku Jr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Anderson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ekaku Jr missing with a left hand there. Anderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ekaku Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
A big right from Anderson misses.
Ekaku Jr tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Anderson manages to circle out of the way.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ekaku Jr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Anderson's calf.
Anderson cracks a nice hook into Ekaku Jr's ribs.

Ekaku Jr bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ekaku Jr misses with the ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
You can see the frustration on Anderson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Anderson is pushing Ekaku Jr's head away, looking to escape. Ekaku Jr manages to hold on to the position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekaku Jr lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku Jr dominated that second 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.

Ekaku Jr throws a body shot but no joy.
Anderson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Anderson throws a low kick, looking for Ekaku Jr's leg but Ekaku Jr calmly moves out of range.
Ekaku Jr avoids the body shot from Anderson.
Anderson throws a head kick but Ekaku Jr moves out of range.
Ekaku Jr connects with a body shot.
Ekaku Jr fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Ekaku Jr has managed to clinch.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ekaku Jr cracks Anderson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Anderson misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson needs to keep his hands up - Ekaku Jr had a free shot at his head there.
Anderson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekaku Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Anderson.
Ekaku Jr misses the body punch
enabling Anderson to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson misses with a hook to the body

and Ekaku Jr holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Anderson is working for takedown but Ekaku Jr is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ekaku Jr tries a body shot but Anderson blocks it.
Ekaku Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Anderson controls his hands.
Anderson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ekaku Jr pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ekaku Jr fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Anderson.
Anderson throws a jab when Ekaku Jr was well out of range.
Ekaku Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ekaku Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A solid body kick from Anderson.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch up but Anderson keeps it at a distance.
Anderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku Jr is just out of range.
Anderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Good work by Ekaku Jr as he checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr misses with a straight left.

Anderson gets caught napping as Ekaku Jr dives in and scores a takedown. Anderson manages to retain guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Anderson wants to stand up but Ekaku Jr is controlling him.
Anderson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr won't allow Anderson to get back to his feet.
Anderson is adopting a defensive guard.
Ekaku Jr trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Ekaku Jr throws a strike but Anderson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.
Anderson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Anderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ekaku Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ekaku Jr is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ekaku Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Anderson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ekaku Jr lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ekaku Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice cross by Ekaku Jr.
Anderson throws a body shot but no joy.
Anderson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Anderson tries to move into range but Ekaku Jr moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ekaku Jr ducks under a wild hook from Anderson.
Anderson throws a leg kick but Ekaku Jr sees it coming and moves out of range.
Anderson slips a jab from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Anderson moves out of range of the leg kick from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr misses with a hook to the body
and Anderson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku Jr clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ekaku Jr thuds a left hand into Anderson's body.
Anderson throws a body punch but Ekaku Jr moves out of range.
Anderson throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku Jr moves away and avoids it.
Anderson misses with an uppercut.
Anderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Ekaku Jr, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Anderson flicks out a counter leg kick but Ekaku Jr steps away.
Ekaku Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Anderson throws the left hand but Ekaku Jr avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku Jr is looking to counter the offense by Anderson and move into the clinch.

Ekaku Jr rushes Anderson and presses him up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ekaku Jr creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Anderson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr digs a right hand into Anderson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Anderson's gas tank.
Anderson wants to break free but Ekaku Jr has control.

Anderson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ekaku Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Ekaku Jr, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the position.
Ekaku Jr is pulling down on Anderson's head to control his posture.
Anderson passes into half guard.
Ekaku Jr is controlling Anderson's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Anderson trying to control from half guard but Ekaku Jr is working away.
Ekaku Jr is trying to maintain the position but Anderson is very close to passing his half guard.
Ekaku Jr wants to improve his position but Anderson is controlling well.

That's two 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.
Anderson wants to control but Ekaku Jr is keeping him busy.
Anderson trying to pass the guard but Ekaku Jr defending well.
Ekaku Jr is pressing down on Anderson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ekaku Jr is pulling down on Anderson's head. It's preventing any offense from Anderson, at least for the moment.
Anderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ekaku Jr being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Anderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ekaku Jr clinches up with Anderson and pushes him back against the cage.
Ekaku Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Anderson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ekaku Jr prevents it.
Ekaku Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Anderson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku Jr jabs Anderson right on the nose. Anderson blinks but takes it well.

Anderson gets a takedown into half guard.
Ekaku Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Anderson is working for a kimura but Ekaku Jr is defending it quite comfortably.
Ekaku Jr works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ekaku Jr is on top in guard.

Ekaku Jr trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Anderson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anderson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Sparky Anderson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Ekaku Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Anderson checks a low kick from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr moves in looking to clinch but Anderson pushes him off.
A combination from Ekaku Jr does no damage.
Anderson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A combination from Ekaku Jr does no damage.

Ekaku Jr gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Anderson manages to break the clinch.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.
Anderson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Anderson's hands.
Ekaku Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr slips a straight right by Anderson.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ekaku Jr tries to score with a low kick but Anderson moves his leg out of the way.
Anderson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Anderson takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Anderson.
Anderson thuds his shin into the meat of Ekaku Jr's side.
Ekaku Jr wants to clinch up but Anderson keeps it at a distance.
Ekaku Jr connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ekaku Jr finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ekaku Jr lands with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku Jr misses the target.
Anderson misses with a body shot.
Ekaku Jr tries a low kick but Anderson avoids it.
Anderson looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Anderson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ekaku Jr throws a shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Anderson ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr loads up on a big right hand but Anderson slips the punch.
A swing and a miss from Anderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Anderson finds it's target.
Ekaku Jr avoids the head kick by Anderson.
Ekaku Jr lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Donk. Ekaku Jr catches Anderson right on the button with a cross.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Anderson misses with a takedown

and Ekaku Jr holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ekaku Jr drives through with a takedown into Anderson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ekaku Jr is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Anderson is controlling Ekaku Jr's posture.
Sparky Anderson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr landing with the ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr passes Anderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Anderson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ekaku Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Anderson's head.
Anderson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ekaku Jr lands a couple of elbows.
Ekaku Jr trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Ekaku Jr prevents Anderson from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ekaku Jr wants to improve his position but Anderson is controlling well.
Ekaku Jr is controlling Anderson's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Anderson trying to control the action but Ekaku Jr is working from the bottom.

Anderson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ekaku Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.
Anderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ekaku Jr keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hakuin Ekaku Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ekaku Jr 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 48:47
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
Hakuin Ekaku Jr retains his welterweight title!
Post fight, Hakuin Ekaku Jr took to the microphone: 'Thank you to my inspiration, my father, THE GREATEST EVER Hakuin "Zen" Ekaku.'.