PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Satoshi Ekaku (ranked 671 p4p, 551 weight class) and Sone Fujimaro (ranked 61 p4p, 51 weight class). Fujimaro has chosen 焔 (Flame) + 暁ノ糸 (Thread of Dawn) by Wagakki Band as his entrance music. Sone Fujimaro has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Ekaku
vs
Fujimaro

173 cm
30
147
13 - 6 - 0

174 cm
31
155
15 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Conquer

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Satoshi Ekaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sone Fujimaro!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku lands a nice hook to Fujimaro's body. Fujimaro takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ekaku looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fujimaro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A left lands for Ekaku.
We've been informed that Fujimaro has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fujimaro swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Fujimaro lands with a straight right. Ekaku didn't see that one coming.
Fujimaro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ekaku does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ekaku tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fujimaro closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ekaku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Fujimaro tries to clinch there but Ekaku circles away.
Ekaku lands a jab to the head.
Fujimaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku thumps Fujimaro with a low kick.
Fujimaro is looking to land body kicks.
Ekaku throws a jab when Fujimaro was well out of range.
Good leg kick by Ekaku.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a low kick but Fujimaro moves out of range easily.
Ekaku's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fujimaro under the eye.
Fujimaro tries a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Ekaku throws a low kick but Fujimaro avoids it.
Ekaku lands a slapping body shot.
Ekaku lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fujimaro has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ekaku finds it's way round the side to connect with Fujimaro's head.
A big left from Fujimaro misses.
Fujimaro throws a jab when Ekaku was well out of range.
Ekaku swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fujimaro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ekaku darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ekaku thumps Fujimaro with a low kick.
Fujimaro misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Fujimaro avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ekaku looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ekaku tries to land a body kick
and Fujimaro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku misses with a hook.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Fujimaro's head but Fujimaro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Fujimaro's shoulder, as Fujimaro tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku cracks Fujimaro with an open hand slap.
A jab from Ekaku misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Fujimaro misses.
Ekaku throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Fujimaro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Ekaku swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Fujimaro looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fujimaro throws a body shot but no joy.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fujimaro crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ekaku - the referee stops the clock and Fujimaro gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ekaku. Fujimaro manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Fujimaro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ekaku checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ekaku lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fujimaro misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku throws a leg kick but Fujimaro sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ekaku gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fujimaro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ekaku connects with a body shot that sends Fujimaro's belly button to the back.
Fujimaro walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fujimaro throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku ducks down to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Fujimaro - just one landing.
Fujimaro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujimaro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Satoshi Ekaku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fujimaro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fujimaro tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fujimaro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku throws out the jab.
Fujimaro moves out of range of the body kick from Ekaku.
Ekaku displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fujimaro throws out the jab.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fujimaro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fujimaro checks it well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Fujimaro.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku throws out a leg kick but Fujimaro moves out of range and Ekaku only half commits.
Fujimaro throws a big shot that misses.
Ekaku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku throws out a leg kick but Fujimaro moves out of range and Ekaku only half commits.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
Fujimaro gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ekaku.
Fujimaro throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ekaku stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekaku bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fujimaro's head backwards.
Ekaku misses with a body kick.
Ekaku thows a left - swing and a miss!
That kick from Fujimaro tenderised Ekaku's leg. Ekaku is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ekaku is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Fujimaro stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ekaku.
Ekaku connects with a crisp jab.
Ekaku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Fujimaro's head but Fujimaro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fujimaro's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ekaku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro wants to slow Ekaku down by chopping away at his legs.
Fujimaro is looking to clinch but Ekaku is avoiding it.
Ekaku scores with a nice body kick.
Ekaku is looking to score with low kicks.
Fujimaro tries to land a leg kick but Ekaku saw it coming and moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku throws a jab when Fujimaro was well out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Fujimaro misses.
Ekaku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fujimaro.
Ekaku throws out a loose jab but Fujimaro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fujimaro uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Ekaku tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fujimaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Ekaku.
Fujimaro misses with a hook.
Fujimaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Fujimaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice cross by Ekaku.
Ekaku moves out of range as Fujimaro strikes.
Ekaku moves away from the strike by Fujimaro.
Decent striking displayed by Fujimaro there.
Fujimaro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku throws out the jab.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Fujimaro might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Ekaku has got the better of the exchanges.
Ekaku connects with a single shot there.
Ekaku takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Fujimaro moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fujimaro backwards.
Fujimaro lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fujimaro can't find room to land a body shot as Ekaku controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Fujimaro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fujimaro taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ekaku softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ekaku tries to stall but Fujimaro uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ekaku struggles to land a body shot inside as Fujimaro controls his hands.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fujimaro is stalling here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekaku.

Fujimaro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fujimaro misses with a looping left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ekaku.
Fujimaro misses with a straight right.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A nice side step and Fujimaro releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ekaku throws a body kick that misses.
Ekaku misses with a leg kick
and Fujimaro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fujimaro moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fujimaro throws the left hand but Ekaku avoids the punch easily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Fujimaro moves away from the strike by Ekaku.
Fujimaro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujimaro does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fujimaro darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fujimaro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fujimaro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Satoshi Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Fujimaro moves out of range of the leg kick from Ekaku.
Fujimaro misses with a straight right.
Ekaku lands a lovely overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fujimaro slips under a jab.
A little jabbing left from Fujimaro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A low kick from Ekaku is predictable there
and Fujimaro counters with a stiff right hand.
Fujimaro moves out of range of the body kick from Ekaku.
Sone Fujimaro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fujimaro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ekaku throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Fujimaro misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fujimaro throws a hook but Ekaku avoids it easily.
Ekaku has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Ekaku takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ekaku slips a jab from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro throws a leg kick but Ekaku sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fujimaro throws a hook but Ekaku avoids it easily.
Ekaku walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujimaro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fujimaro misses with a straight left.
Ekaku lands with an uppercut that bounces Fujimaro off the cage and back into range.
Ekaku looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fujimaro ducks right into an uppercut from Ekaku.
Fujimaro defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Fujimaro slips under a jab.
A nice leg kick from Ekaku, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ekaku slips a jab from Fujimaro.
Ekaku misses with a lunging right hand
and Fujimaro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ekaku throws the left hand but Fujimaro avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku backing away here, and Fujimaro unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Fujimaro lands with a good body shot.
A slow jab from Fujimaro misses its intended target.
Fujimaro drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Fujimaro.
Fujimaro fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fujimaro appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Ekaku misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fujimaro scores with a jab to the body.
Fujimaro is looking to score with low kicks.
Fujimaro throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ekaku throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fujimaro only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ekaku blocks a jab.
Fujimaro misses with a low kick.
A big right from Fujimaro misses.
Ekaku lands with a cross.
Fujimaro throws a wild body kick that Ekaku sees coming a mile off.
Fujimaro has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ekaku finds it's way round the side to connect with Fujimaro's head.
Fujimaro checks a leg kick.
Ekaku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fujimaro.
Ekaku attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekaku looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ekaku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sone Fujimaro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ekaku cracks Fujimaro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ekaku is looking to land body kicks.
Nice jab there from Ekaku.
An inside leg kick lands from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro misses with a hook. Ekaku ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fujimaro. Ekaku does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ekaku thows a left - swing and a miss!
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fujimaro! But no joy.
Fujimaro misses with a low kick.
Fujimaro misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ekaku slips under a jab from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro throws a push kick but Ekaku slaps the foot to one side.
A telegraphed right hand from Fujimaro misses the target.
Ekaku moves out of range as Fujimaro strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fujimaro lands a glancing blow to the side of Ekaku's head.
Ekaku missing with a left hand there. Fujimaro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fujimaro uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fujimaro! But no joy.
Fujimaro scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujimaro attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Fujimaro thumps Ekaku with a low kick.
Ekaku throws an off balance right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ekaku misses with a leg kick.
A solid body kick from Ekaku.
Fujimaro slips a jab from Ekaku.
Fujimaro throws a hook to the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ekaku lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Fujimaro has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fujimaro misses with a body shot.
Fujimaro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ekaku looks to score with a jab to the body but Fujimaro is just out of range.
Ekaku throws a poor cross that misses
and Fujimaro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fujimaro wants to land a leg kick but Ekaku is out of range.
Fujimaro throws a sloppy head kick and Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Nice cross by Ekaku.
Ekaku is looking to land body kicks.
Fujimaro steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Fujimaro moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku swings for the body but Fujimaro moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku misses with a body kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ekaku.
A leg kick checked by Fujimaro.
Fujimaro throws out a counter right but Ekaku avoids it with no problem.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ekaku checks a leg kick.
Fujimaro scores with a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Ekaku chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fujimaro throws the kick towards the body but Ekaku avoids it.
Fujimaro throws a sloppy head kick and Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Fujimaro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Ekaku scoring well with a low kick there.
Ekaku throws a hook but Fujimaro blocks it.
Fujimaro connects with an inside leg kick.
Fujimaro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fujimaro does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ekaku lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
Fujimaro's corner calls for a 1-2. Fujimaro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ekaku blocks a leg kick.
Ekaku chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fujimaro has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Ekaku.
Fujimaro slips under a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fujimaro.
Fujimaro has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ekaku finds it's way round the side to connect with Fujimaro's head.
Fujimaro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ekaku throws a hook but Fujimaro blocks it.
Ekaku loads up on a big right hand but Fujimaro slips the punch.
Good leg kick by Ekaku.
Fujimaro throws a lazy uppercut
and Ekaku counters with an inside leg kick.
Fujimaro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Good shot there by Ekaku.
Fujimaro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fujimaro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujimaro takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fujimaro moves out of range as Ekaku strikes.
Ekaku keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ekaku moves out of range as Fujimaro throws a body kick.
Ekaku half committed to a counter leg kick.
Fujimaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku connects with a single shot there.
Ekaku paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fujimaro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Ekaku tried to score with a low kick but Fujimaro checks it.
Ekaku throws a jab when Fujimaro was well out of range.
Fujimaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fujimaro.
Ekaku moves out of range as Fujimaro strikes.
Ekaku with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ekaku connects with a solid leg kick.
Ekaku throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fujimaro misses with a straight left.
It looked like Ekaku was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fujimaro.

And that's the end of the fight!
Satoshi Ekaku showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ekaku 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Satoshi Ekaku!
Satoshi Ekaku thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Sone Fujimaro was interviewed post fight and said 'So you DO fight like a coward! A disgrace on your family!'.