PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Devin Ecker (ranked 1698 p4p, 4210 weight class) and Julian Rourke (ranked 221 p4p, 507 weight class). Ecker's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Where The Hood At?. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Ecker
vs
Rourke

194 cm
22
205
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
21
205
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Devin Ecker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Julian Rourke!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Skip Squint and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rourke swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ecker counters with a low kick, right behind Rourke 's knee.
Rourke uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ecker has a takedown stuffed.
Devin Ecker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ecker misses with a takedown attempt
and Rourke counters with an outside leg kick.

Ecker clinches.
Rourke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rourke misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rourke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ecker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rourke has a couple of punches blocked by Ecker.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ecker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rourke's brow.
Ecker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rourke avoids it.
Ecker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rourke misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rourke.
Rourke avoiding damage as Ecker throws knees to the body.
Ecker takes a shot to the head.
We've been hearing reports that Ecker has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Rourke wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ecker blocks an uppercut.
Ecker missing with knees to the body.
Rourke blocks the elbow strike.
Ecker tries a knee to the head but Rourke blocks it.
Ecker lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Julian Rourke has been cut.
Rourke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ecker misses with a knee strike.
Rourke scores with a shoulder strike.
Ecker missing with knees to the body.
Rourke lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ecker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ecker prevents a body shot from Rourke.
Ecker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rourke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ecker tries to throw a body punch but Rourke avoids it by throwing Ecker back against the cage.
Rourke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ecker lands an elbow inside that Rourke shrugs off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ecker looking to throw knees to the head but Rourke is blocking nicely.
Ecker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rourke avoiding damage as Ecker throws knees to the body.
Rourke tries to break free but Ecker pushes him back against the cage.
Ecker tries to land a knee to the head but Rourke blocks with his arms.
Rourke takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rourke prevents a body shot from Ecker.
Ecker blocking some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ecker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rourke's brow.

Rourke manages to break the clinch.
Ecker throws a head kick but Rourke moves out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ecker or perhaps it was just good defense by Rourke, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devin Ecker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rourke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A clash of legs there as Rourke blocks the low kick.
Ecker shoots in for a takedown but Rourke shows good takedown defense.
Rourke counters with a body kick.
Ecker with a poor takedown
and Rourke counters with a low kick, right behind Ecker 's knee.
Ecker wants to clinch but Rourke slips to the side
and Rourke counters with an inside leg kick.
Rourke slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rourke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ecker.
Rourke avoids the body shot from Ecker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ecker moves in looking to clinch but Rourke pushes him off.
Ecker on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Julian Rourke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ecker fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rourke swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ecker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rourke tries to avoid it but Ecker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rourke to the ground. Rourke escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ecker wants to clinch
and Rourke counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rourke lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rourke tries a head kick but it misses.
Ecker tries to clinch but Rourke is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Rourke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Julian Rourke's cut.
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.

Rourke dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ecker. That did some damage!
Ecker shoots in for a takedown but Rourke shows good takedown defense.
Ecker doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rourke counters with a low kick, right behind Ecker 's knee.
Ecker closes the distance and clinches up with Rourke, looking for a takedown. Ecker pushes Rourke against the cage but Rourke circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devin Ecker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ecker blocks the body kick.
Ecker throws a sloppy head kick and Rourke moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ecker tries for a takedown but Rourke sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rourke fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rourke checks a low kick from Ecker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rourke with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rourke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ecker moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rourke with a nice calf kick.
Ecker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ecker closes the distance and pushes Rourke back into the cage.
Ecker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Devin Ecker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rourke working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rourke scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rourke working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ecker scores with a knee to the head.
Rourke tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ecker's elbow.

Rourke breaks from the clinch.
Rourke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ecker manages to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Ecker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ecker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ecker tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rourke scores with a head kick. Ecker tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Ecker throws a head kick but Rourke moves out of range.
It seemed like Rourke was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rourke stuffs the takedown.
It seemed like Rourke was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ecker on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ecker shoots in for a double leg but Rourke sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It seemed like Rourke was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rourke throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ecker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rourke's waist but Rourke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ecker off to one side.
Ecker walks into a left hand.
Ecker misses with a takedown attempt - Rourke sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rourke with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ecker with a poor takedown
and Rourke counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ecker is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ecker shoots in looking for a takedown. Rourke tries to sprawl out of it but Ecker keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rourke manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rourke swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rourke is looking to slow Ecker down with leg kicks.
Rourke scores with a hook to the body. Ecker takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ecker takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Rourke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Julian Rourke's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rourke lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rourke's corner calls for a 1-2. Rourke obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ecker has a takedown stuffed.
Rourke looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Rourke throws a leg kick which misses Ecker's front leg but catches the back leg as Ecker tries to avoid it.
Ecker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little jabbing left from Rourke on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ecker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devin Ecker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rourke jabs at Ecker's body.
Rourke lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ecker's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rourke tries to keep at a distance but Ecker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rourke lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rourke leaning against his opponent.
Ecker misses with a knee strike.
Ecker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rourke misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rourke misses with some punches.

Rourke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rourke looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rourke lands a really nice looking cross but Ecker seems unphased.
Ecker throws a head kick that misses
and Rourke counters with a good low kick that Ecker was not able to check.
Rourke slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rourke gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rourke is trying to control the position but Ecker postures up.
Rourke pulls Ecker in close to prevent any damage.
Rourke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ecker.
Ecker tries to stand but Rourke is controlling from the bottom.
Ecker throws a big elbow that misses.
Ecker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ecker tries to stand but Rourke is controlling from the bottom.
Rourke looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Devin Ecker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ecker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ecker wants to control from the top but Rourke keeps moving.
Ecker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ecker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rourke wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ecker with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rourke counters with an inside leg kick.
Rourke lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ecker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rourke circles away.
Rourke throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rourke connects with an inside leg kick.
Julian Rourke seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rourke throws a leg kick which misses Ecker's front leg but catches the back leg as Ecker tries to avoid it.
Rourke lands a leg kick that knocks Ecker off balance momentarily.
Ecker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rourke paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ecker shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ecker tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rourke defends well and Ecker ends up having to push Rourke into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ecker missing with knees to the body.
Rourke lands a left hand.

Rourke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A lazy left from Rourke finds it's target.
Julian Rourke is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ecker on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julian Rourke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rourke winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julian Rourke!
Devin Ecker was interviewed post fight and said 'I want to congratulate Julian Rourke for a hell of a performance. You were the better man today. But tomorrow, I go back to work.'.