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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manny Puno (ranked 20 p4p, 46 weight class) and Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 2 p4p, 7 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 180 cm
40
158
25 - 9 - 3 |
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173 cm
36
147
25 - 11 - 3 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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 25 - 9 - 3, fighting out of New York, Manny Puno!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and Daniel Bishop.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puno dives in and scores a takedown into Ekaku's 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.
Puno wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Puno preventing the sweep.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ekaku has his hands on Puno's head, controlling the position.
Ekaku wants to sweep but no luck.
We've been hearing that Puno has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekaku seems keen to control Puno's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ekaku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Puno is aware though and is defending well.
Ekaku keeping full guard, as Puno tries to pass.
Ekaku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Puno postures up in Ekaku's guard and throws a big left but Ekaku blocks it.
Puno throwing strikes but missing.
Puno trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
Puno pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Ekaku is trying to keep Puno in close.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ekaku has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Puno defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Puno attempts a counter takedown but Ekaku avoids it well and moves away.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Puno decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ekaku's guard.
Puno postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Puno throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ekaku works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Puno trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
Ekaku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Puno connects with a couple of short punches.
Ekaku preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Puno is pushing down on Ekaku's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ekaku is fighting to maintain full guard but Puno has managed to sneak the leg through.
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.
Puno controlling the action here.
Puno lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ekaku's head.
Puno wants to take a breather but Ekaku is having none of it.
Puno is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ekaku has hold of Puno's hands but Puno slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ekaku gets back to full guard.
Ekaku keeping full guard, as Puno tries to pass.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Puno throws a big right hand that misses.
Ekaku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Puno throws a big right hand that misses.
Ekaku trying to keep a closed guard but Puno is proving a slippery customer.
Puno advances position into side control!
Puno with the ground and pound but Ekaku regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ekaku slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ekaku is trying to keep Puno in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Manny Puno dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Puno slips a jab from Ekaku.
Puno feinted with a counter takedown.
Puno lands a jab to Ekaku's midsection.
Puno blocks a low kick nicely.
Puno misses the shot to the body.
Jab by Puno.
Ekaku misses with a kick to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Ekaku 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheers as Puno lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ekaku doesn't seem phased though.
Puno walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ekaku takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ekaku throws a lazy body kick
and Puno counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku is trying to keep Puno in close.
Puno looking to pass the guard.
Puno is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ekaku looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ekaku wants to sweep here but Puno controlling him for the moment.
Puno advances to half guard.
Puno thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Puno missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Puno thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ekaku's head.
That's two 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 wants to improve his position but Puno is controlling well.
Ekaku gets full guard.
Ekaku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Puno postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Puno pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Manny Puno overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Puno with a nice head shot there.
Puno pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Ekaku is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Puno postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Puno lands a couple of digs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Puno stopping the sweep attempt from Ekaku.
Puno wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Puno's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ekaku is on top in guard.
Ekaku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ekaku being controlled here momentarily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Puno is on top in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Puno scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ekaku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puno won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.
Ekaku is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Puno is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Puno gets back to full guard.
Ekaku looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Manny Puno dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Puno throws out a powerful jab.
Puno ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a shot from downtown. Puno moves away and avoids it.
Ekaku defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Puno.
Ekaku cracks Puno with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Puno lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ekaku looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Puno shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ekaku pinned against the cage. Ekaku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Puno throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Puno has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ekaku.
Ekaku doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Puno scores with a nice strike.
Ekaku takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku goes for a double leg but Puno avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Puno continues to drive forward.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a leg kick
and Puno counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Puno wants to pass to mount but Ekaku is defending the position.
Ekaku trying to control but Puno postures up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Puno in particular looking to stall.
Puno 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.
Puno is really struggling to control Ekaku but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Puno trying to control from Ekaku's half guard. Ekaku has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Puno won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.
Puno trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ekaku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Puno stays in close to Ekaku's body and controls the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ekaku is on top in guard.
Puno wants to sweep but no luck.
Ekaku trying to control the position from guard on top but Puno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puno controlling the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku looking to pass the guard.
Puno looking for a sweep. Not yet Puno, not yet.
Ekaku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Puno is keeping the position for now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Puno has control of Ekaku's left arm, preventing Ekaku from doing any damage.
Puno can't keep his opponent in guard - Ekaku advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Puno is trying is best to control the position here.
Puno is looking for a sweep. Ekaku is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Puno is working hard here to advance position.
Puno manages to get to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno keeping moving, preventing Ekaku from controlling successfully.
Puno controlling the position.
Puno is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ekaku looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Puno moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Puno wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Manny Puno did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
Jab from Ekaku.
Manny Puno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Puno fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ekaku sprawls well initially but Puno persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ekaku makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ekaku.
Puno trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Puno has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Ekaku keeping full guard, as Puno tries to pass.
Ekaku is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Puno defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ekaku is keeping the position for now.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Ekaku looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Puno cracks Ekaku with a solid left hand.
Puno looking to sit in guard and control but Ekaku gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Puno managing to control the position.
Puno trying to control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno is pulling down on Ekaku's head to control his posture.
Ekaku controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Puno looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ekaku is one step ahead there.
Puno is trying to keep Ekaku in close.
Ekaku trying to control the position from guard on top but Puno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku pushes down on Puno's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Puno slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Puno bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ekaku's guard.
Ekaku controls Puno momentarily but Puno frees himself.
Ekaku trying to control the position here.
Puno trying to control but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno is looking to work some ground and pound but Ekaku has wrist control.
Puno is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ekaku is pulling down on Puno's head. It's preventing any offense from Puno, at least for the moment.
Puno content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puno tries to free his leg and advance position but Ekaku is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puno throws a big right hand that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Manny Puno had his way with Hiroshi Ekaku in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
A punch combination from Puno misses.
Puno shoots in and gets a takedown into Ekaku's guard.
Ekaku wants to sweep here but Puno controlling him for the moment.
Ekaku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puno distracts Ekaku with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ekaku not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Puno trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ekaku lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku stopping the sweep attempt from Puno.
Puno is pulling down on Ekaku's head. It's preventing any offense from Ekaku, at least for the moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku controls from within his opponent's guard.
Puno managing to control the position.
Puno has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ekaku wants to control from the top but Puno keeps moving.
Ekaku stopping the sweep attempt from Puno.
Puno keeping moving, preventing Ekaku from controlling successfully.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Puno bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ekaku's guard.
Puno controlling from the top position.
Puno trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puno looking to sit in guard and control but Ekaku gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Puno pulls Ekaku in close to prevent any damage.
Ekaku wants to pass the guard but Puno is keeping the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno seems keen to control Ekaku's posture.
Ekaku in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ekaku wants to control from the top but Puno keeps moving.
Ekaku postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ekaku sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ekaku trying to control but Puno is working from the bottom.
Ekaku working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Donk. Puno catches Ekaku right on the button with a cross.
Puno lands a glancing blow to the side of Ekaku's head.
The fighters circling - Ekaku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Puno feinted with a counter takedown.
Puno checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Puno is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Puno swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Puno misses the shot to the body.
Ekaku thuds a left hand into Puno's body.
Puno lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ekaku.
A jab from Puno does it's job there.
Puno dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Puno appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Manny Puno is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ekaku looks to throw a body kick
and Puno counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ekaku had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Puno defends it easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Puno showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Puno has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Puno!
Manny Puno retains his featherweight title!
Post fight, an emotional Manny Puno said 'Love you Shamrock, you�re the man. A true Champion and happy to call you my great friend.. '.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
36% |
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