PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 978 p4p, 103 weight class) and Peter Manuel (ranked 1366 p4p, 142 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ekaku
vs
Manuel

173 cm
30
153 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

163 cm
31
146 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Conviction
Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Peter Manuel!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manuel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ekaku.
Manuel throws a leg kick that misses.
Ekaku connects with a solid leg kick.
Hiroshi Ekaku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manuel misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku motions for Manuel to come forward. Ekaku throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Manuel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manuel throws a hook to the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A telegraphed right hand from Manuel misses the target.
Ekaku throws a quick counter head kick but Manuel was just out of range.
Manuel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Manuel.
Ekaku takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ekaku.
Manuel connects with a looping right hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ekaku is defended easily by Manuel.
Manuel misses with a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manuel slips a straight right by Ekaku.
Ekaku lands a nice leg kick that just misses Manuel's sensitive parts.
Ekaku takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Manuel misses.
Ekaku swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Manuel avoids a kick to the body.
Ekaku definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Manuel lands with an uppercut that bounces Ekaku off the cage and back into range.
Ekaku throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Manuel counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ekaku throws a series of punches but Manuel avoids them all with ease.
Ekaku fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Manuel is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Manuel cracks Ekaku with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Manuel throws a hook to the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circling - Ekaku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Manuel lands with a straight right. Ekaku didn't see that one coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manuel blocks the body kick.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Ekaku jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Manuel looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku throws a quick counter kick to the body but Manuel avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
A little jabbing left from Manuel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ekaku moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ekaku takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ekaku uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel connects with a right hand. Ekaku shakes it off.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manuel.
Ekaku attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It seemed like Manuel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ekaku connects with an inside leg kick.
Ekaku misses with a body kick.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Manuel ducks down to avoid it.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Hiroshi Ekaku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ekaku throws a body punch but Manuel moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Manuel.
A low kick from Ekaku is predictable there
and Ekaku takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Manuel digs a good hook to Ekaku's body.
Manuel avoids the body shot from Ekaku.
Manuel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ekaku misses with a kick to the body

and Manuel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ekaku is trying to maintain the position but Manuel is very close to passing his half guard.
Manuel wants to free his trapped foot but Ekaku is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is refusing to be controlled, as Manuel sits in half guard.
Manuel takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ekaku wants to improve his position but Manuel is controlling well.
Manuel stalling.
Manuel moves nicely into side control.

Manuel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ekaku, who protects the arm well.
Manuel trying to control the action but Ekaku is working from the bottom.

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.
Manuel tries to advance to mount but Ekaku denies him.
Ekaku is not content to let Manuel control the position.
Manuel tries to move to mount but Ekaku blocks the move with his legs.
Ekaku is trying to control Manuel's posture but Manuel avoids it.
Ekaku sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Manuel dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Manuel moved out of range.
Nice shot by Manuel.
Manuel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ekaku has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ekaku throws a hook but Manuel avoids it easily.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Manuel's shoulder, as Manuel tries to avoid the shot.
Manuel throws out a counter right but Ekaku avoids it with no problem.
Manuel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku. Ekaku obviously looking to wear him down.
Manuel looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A telegraphed right hand from Manuel misses the target.
Ekaku slips under a jab.
Ekaku takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ekaku walks into a left hand.
Ekaku misses with a leg kick.
Manuel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Manuel misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
Ekaku takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ekaku is looking to slow Manuel down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Manuel.
Ekaku on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Manuel scores with the left hand. Ekaku knows he should have avoided that one.
Manuel connects with a body shot.
Manuel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manuel throws an overhand right that lands on Ekaku's shoulder, as Ekaku tries to avoid the shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ekaku.
Ekaku fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Manuel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Manuel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ekaku to score with a decent uppercut.
Manuel throws a leg kick that misses.
Manuel ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Manuel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Manuel checks the leg kick.
Ekaku looks to land a left hand but Manuel moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ekaku slips a jab from Manuel.
Manuel throws a big shot that misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Manuel. That's going to slow Ekaku down.
Manuel looks to land a left hand but Ekaku moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Manuel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A good leg kick by Manuel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel staying out of range there.
Manuel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ekaku counters with a good low kick that Manuel was not able to check.
Ekaku throws a low kick but Manuel avoids it.
Manuel scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Manuel's head but Manuel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manuel is looking to land body kicks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Manuel, as that shot connected.
Ekaku misses with a body kick.
Manuel clobbers Ekaku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ekaku throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku throws an off balance right hand
and Manuel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Manuel throws a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Manuel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Nice defenses there by Manuel.
Ekaku connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ekaku falls off balance throwing a combination
and Manuel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manuel blocks a jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Manuel, as that shot connected.
Manuel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Manuel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Manuel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Manuel thows a left - swing and a miss!
An attempted straight right counter from Ekaku misses the target.
Manuel scores with a body shot.
Ekaku moves out of range of the body kick from Manuel.
A punch combination from Ekaku misses.
Manuel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice defenses there by Ekaku.
Manuel stuns Ekaku with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Manuel.
Manuel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ekaku, right into the meat.
Manuel throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku moves away and avoids it.
Ekaku scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku throws a leg kick
and Manuel counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ekaku thinking.
Manuel moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Manuel.
Nice sprawl there from Manuel as Ekaku shoots in.
Ekaku waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Manuel.
Ekaku throws a jab when Manuel was well out of range.
Ekaku looks to throw the jab but Manuel is out of range.
Ekaku misses with a right hand
and Manuel counters with a nice uppercut.
Manuel moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ekaku walks into a jab.
Peter Manuel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ekaku looks to land a body kick but Manuel moved away.
Manuel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Manuel connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ekaku. Ekaku circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Manuel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ekaku throws a lazy right hand but Manuel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
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.
A low kick from Ekaku misses
and Manuel counters with a low kick, right behind Ekaku 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Manuel throws an overhand right that lands on Ekaku's shoulder, as Ekaku tries to avoid the shot.
Manuel looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku lands a nice leg kick that just misses Manuel's sensitive parts.
Ekaku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Manuel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Manuel throws a body kick that misses.
Ekaku getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ekaku moves out of range as Manuel strikes.
Manuel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Manuel.
Manuel walks into a stiff left hand from Ekaku.

Manuel is rocked!
Manuel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku throws out the jab.
Ekaku misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
Manuel blocks the body kick.
Manuel lands a head shot.
Manuel takes a swing at Ekaku's ribcage but misses.
Ekaku takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ekaku takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Manuel checks a leg kick nicely.
Manuel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Manuel throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manuel thuds a left hand into Ekaku's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manuel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku.
Manuel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku throws out a powerful jab.
Manuel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice body punch from Manuel.
Manuel lands a leg kick that knocks Ekaku off balance momentarily.
Manuel misses with a looping left.
Manuel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Manuel.
Manuel misses with a hook.
Manuel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ekaku defending well as Manuel loads up on a big left hand.
Manuel scores with a body shot.
Ekaku throws an off balance right hand
and Manuel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Manuel throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ekaku misses with a hook. Manuel ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku slips a straight right by Manuel.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manuel throws a sloppy body shot
and Ekaku counters with a right hand to the body.
Manuel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Ekaku on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manuel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ekaku's head backwards.
Ekaku smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Manuel is still on wobbly legs! Can Ekaku finish him?
Ekaku throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice body punch from Ekaku.
Ekaku smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ekaku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Manuel darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Manuel looks to throw the jab but Ekaku is out of range.
Ekaku misses with a hook.
Ekaku displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Manuel throws out the jab.
Manuel misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
A big left from Manuel misses.
Manuel checks a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
Manuel throws an overhand right that lands on Ekaku's shoulder, as Ekaku tries to avoid the shot.
Manuel moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku backing away here, and Manuel unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Ekaku is looking to score with low kicks.
Ekaku uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manuel.
Manuel seems to have recovered his senses.
Manuel wants to land a leg kick but Ekaku is out of range.
Manuel tests Ekaku's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Manuel throws a body punch but Ekaku moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ekaku drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Manuel feints and then cracks Ekaku's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ekaku down.
Ekaku throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Manuel.
A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Ekaku jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A little jabbing left from Manuel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ekaku cracks Manuel with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Manuel tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Ekaku pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Manuel is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hiroshi Ekaku!
A relieved looking Hiroshi Ekaku thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.