PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malaki Lima (ranked 620 p4p, 63 weight class) and Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 434 p4p, 48 weight class). Lima comes to the cage accompanied by Tupac - Amibitionz Az A Ridah. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Hiroshi Ekaku enters the cage!

Lima
vs
Ekaku

167 cm
23
150 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

173 cm
24
153 lbs
11 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London

Conviction
Velocity Fightwear

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 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Malaki Lima!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Micheangelo Fripello and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lima counters with a straight right hand.
Hiroshi Ekaku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lima throws a jab when Ekaku was well out of range.
No joy there for Lima, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lima throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ekaku takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ekaku scores with a sloppy right hand. Lima should have avoided that one.
Lima lands with a shot to the body.
Ekaku scores with a nice right hand.
Ekaku avoids the body shot from Lima.
Lima definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
Lima scores with a decent looking hook.
Lima uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
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 jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ekaku moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lima moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ekaku misses the shot to the body.
Lima is looking to counter punch.
Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Lima moved out of range.

Lima decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ekaku tries to get to full guard but Lima has control of the leg.
Ekaku keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku is looking to control Lima's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ekaku avoid being mounted?
Ekaku desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Lima seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ekaku does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ekaku has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Lima working the head and body with strikes.
Ekaku trying to control from the bottom.
Ekaku regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lima stopping the sweep attempt from Ekaku.
Ekaku seems keen to control Lima's posture.
Lima working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ekaku's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku keeping full guard, as Lima tries to pass.
Ekaku is pulling down on Lima's head to control his posture.
Lima trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ekaku looking for a sweep. Not yet Ekaku, not yet.
Lima is working Ekaku over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.

Ekaku working for a triangle but Lima defends it easily.
Ekaku has his hands on Lima's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima postures up.
Ekaku tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lima wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Lima passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ekaku is trying to control Lima's posture but Lima avoids it.
Ekaku tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lima trying to control the action but Ekaku is working from the bottom.

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.

Lima is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ekaku is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ekaku struggling a bit here.
I wouldn't like to be where Ekaku is right now.
Ekaku manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekaku is trying to get back to full guard.
Lima wants to pass the guard but Ekaku is defending well.
Ekaku desperately trying to maintain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malaki Lima 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.

Good exchange - Lima coming out on top.
A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Lima swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Lima misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Lima scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lima is trying to control the action in half guard but Ekaku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lima thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ekaku's head.
Ekaku is looking to control Lima's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ekaku avoid being mounted?
Malaki Lima overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku is not content to let Lima control the position.
Ekaku manages to get to full guard.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Lima from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lima manages to get himself to full guard.

Lima looking for a sweep. Not yet Lima, not yet.

Lima has his foot on Ekaku's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ekaku works his way back into a safe position though.
Ekaku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lima swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lima trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ekaku tries to free his leg and advance position but Lima is retaining full guard.
Ekaku is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lima wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ekaku tries a head kick but it misses.
Lima scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ekaku in his tracks.
Ekaku swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lima counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice shot by Ekaku.
Lima lands with a nice body punch.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Lima's shoulder, as Lima tries to avoid the shot.
Lima throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ekaku enables Lima to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ekaku manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lima controls from within his opponent's guard.
Lima wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Lima has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ekaku can do to turn this around?
Ekaku is controlling Lima's posture.
Lima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Lima stopping the sweep attempt from Ekaku.
Ekaku is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Lima moved out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lima takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Lima misses.
Ekaku misses with a body shot.
Lima jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ekaku stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malaki Lima dominated that second round.
That's time! Lima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Lima ducks down to avoid it.
Lima throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lima wants to clinch up but Ekaku keeps it at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Lima.
Ekaku swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lima throws a hook to the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ekaku swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ekaku swings widly with a right hand
and Lima counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lima uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with a looping right.
Lima looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Lima waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku.
Lima moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku takes a swing at Lima's ribcage but misses.
Nice uppercut there from Ekaku.
Lima lands an overhand right.
Ekaku throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lima.

It looks like Malaki Lima has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekaku looks to throw the jab but Lima is out of range.
Ekaku fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lima manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lima listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ekaku shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A big right from Ekaku misses.
Lima was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lima throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Lima lands a nice shot to the body.
Ekaku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lima.
Ekaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lima misses with a takedown attempt - Ekaku sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lima ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ekaku moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ekaku! But no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Lima. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lima.
Lima digs a good body shot into Ekaku's ribs.
Lima throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ekaku throws a jab when Lima was well out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku jabs at Lima's body.
Lima moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Lima's shoulder, as Lima tries to avoid the shot.
Lima moves in looking to clinch but Ekaku pushes him off.
It seemed like Ekaku was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lima bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ekaku's head backwards.
Ekaku misses with a low kick as Lima jumps back.
Ekaku connects with a right hand. Lima shakes it off.
Lima drops his hands momentarily and Ekaku takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Lima uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekaku.
Lima fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As Lima backs off Ekaku throws a huge counter combo but Lima manages to avoid it all.
Lima ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Lima tries to move into range but Ekaku moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A jab from Ekaku misses.
Lima shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ekaku sprawls well. Ekaku wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lima gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malaki Lima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lima pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ekaku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ekaku might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A combination from Lima does no damage.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lima moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses.
Lima misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.

Lima is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ekaku's half guard.
Ekaku gets back to full guard.
Lima works over Ekaku with some ground and pound from guard.

Ekaku is looking for a triangle but Lima pushes his legs off easily.
Lima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Ekaku is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ekaku's head.
Ekaku wants to sweep here but Lima controlling him for the moment.

Ekaku looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lima won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.
Lima working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ekaku's head.
Lima working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ekaku's head.
Ekaku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lima showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Lima from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Malaki Lima did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Malaki Lima's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ekaku jabs Lima right on the nose. Lima blinks but takes it well.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
Malaki Lima is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ekaku. Lima does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab, jab by Lima - just one landing.
Ekaku displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lima throws out the jab.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lima was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ekaku ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ekaku comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ekaku tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lima was well out of range. Poor timing from Ekaku.
A jab from Lima misses.
Ekaku throws out a counter right but Lima avoids it with no problem.
Lima misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lima throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lima throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku ducks down to avoid it.
Lima throws a jab when Ekaku was well out of range.
Jab, jab by Lima - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lima throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ekaku stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lima has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lima there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ekaku jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A swing and a miss from Lima.
Ekaku keeps the fight on the outside.
A big right from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku slips under a jab.
Ekaku's corner calls for a 1-2. Ekaku obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lima on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Lima avoids the punch easily.
Lima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ekaku swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A big right from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lima.

Ekaku tries to sprawl but Lima drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lima working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Ekaku's thigh. Ekaku counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Ekaku wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Lima from controlling successfully.
Ekaku seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ekaku trying to control the position.
Ekaku is controlling Lima's posture.
Lima trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ekaku jabs Lima to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lima blocks a jab.
A little feinted left hand from Lima on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ekaku stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lima swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Lima takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lima swings for the body but Ekaku moves out of range.
Lima gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A jab from Lima misses.
Ekaku avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lima bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ekaku's head.
Ekaku misses with a head kick.
Ekaku looks to land a left hand but Lima moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
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!
Lima throws a hook to the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku throws out the jab.
Lima feinted with a counter takedown.
Lima misses with a straight left.
Lima takes a swing at Ekaku's ribcage but misses.
Lima misses with a body shot.
Lima looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lima sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lima ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lima misses with a hook. Ekaku ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku throws a hook but Lima avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Lima misses the target.
Lima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lima went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Lima throws a series of punches but Ekaku moves out of range.
Ekaku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ekaku throws out a leg kick but Lima moves out of range and Ekaku only half commits.
Lima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ekaku circles away quickly and effectively.
Lima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ekaku.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshi Ekaku dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Malaki Lima's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Ekaku.
Ekaku scores with a jab. Lima acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lima uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Lima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ekaku circles away quickly and effectively.
Ekaku takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ekaku avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lima swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Lima moved out of range.
Lima throws a nice looking combination but Ekaku bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lima thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lima lands a body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ekaku.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lima throws a big shot that misses.
Ekaku rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lima makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Lima jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lima throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Lima dives in and scores a takedown into Ekaku's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lima is looking to work some ground and pound but Ekaku has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku wants to control the position but Lima says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Lima is nestled in close to Ekaku, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ekaku is trying to control but can't.
Ekaku wants to get back to full guard.
Lima looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ekaku with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Lima looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lima is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lima wants to pass to mount but Ekaku is defending the position.
Lima scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ekaku trying to control from the bottom.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lima is trying to control the action in half guard but Ekaku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ekaku manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Ekaku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Ekaku is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Lima rolls with it to try and escape but Ekaku cranks on the arm and Lima is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hiroshi Ekaku!
Hiroshi Ekaku is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Hiroshi Ekaku thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.