PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hugo Eklund (ranked 2697 p4p, 3491 weight class) and Preston Foster (ranked 308 p4p, 384 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Eklund
vs
Foster

178 cm
19
176
4 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
182
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hugo Eklund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Preston Foster!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Foster.
Eklund scores with a kick to the midsection.
Both fighters circling a little - Eklund finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Eklund throws a head kick that Foster semi-blocks.

It looks like Preston Foster has been cut.
Foster tries a head kick but it misses.
And Eklund counters with a quick kick to the body but Foster blocks it.
Foster misses with a head kick.
Foster tries to clinch there but Eklund circles away.
Foster throws a low kick but Eklund moves out of range easily.
Foster 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.

Foster closes the distance and clinches.
Eklund definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Foster controlling the action here for a moment.
Eklund swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Eklund avoiding damage as Foster throws knees to the body.
Eklund is trying to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Eklund.
Eklund throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foster is trying to maintain a safe position but Eklund gets an underhook and turns Foster into the cage.
Foster tries to land knees in the clinch but Eklund avoids the damage to the body.
Eklund blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Eklund misses with a punch on the inside.
Eklund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Eklund misses with a punch on the inside.
Foster tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Foster is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Eklund is looking to break free of the clinch but Foster has double underhooks.
Foster missing with knees to the body.
Foster tries to land knees in the clinch but Eklund avoids the damage to the body.
Eklund tries to circle away but Foster has him pinned against the cage.

Foster breaks from the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Eklund.
Eklund turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Foster chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Eklund can pounce on him.
Eklund lands a nice leg kick that just misses Foster's sensitive parts.
Foster throws a sloppy head kick and Eklund moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eklund throws a leg kick but Foster moved away.
Foster is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Eklund looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Crunch! Eklund slams his shin into Foster's torso.
Foster 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Eklund throws a leg kick which misses Foster's front leg but catches the back leg as Foster tries to avoid it.
That kick from Eklund tenderised Foster's leg. Foster is trying to keep his angry face on.
Foster avoids a kick to the body.
Eklund throws a nice inside leg kick.
Eklund pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Foster's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Foster rushes Eklund and presses him up against the cage.
Eklund can't break the clinch.
Eklund working aggressively here.
Eklund misses with some punches.
Eklund swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Foster tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Eklund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Foster is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Eklund is defending well for now.
Eklund misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foster misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Eklund.
Eklund will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Foster up against the cage.

Foster breaks from the clinch.
Foster blocks a head kick by Eklund.
Eklund throws a leg kick but Foster sees it coming and moves out of range.
Eklund throws a low kick but Foster avoids it.
Foster pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eklund with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Foster throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Eklund throws the kick towards the body but Foster avoids it.
Foster 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.
Foster blocks a head kick by Eklund.
Foster checks the leg kick.
That kick from Eklund tenderised Foster's leg. Foster is trying to keep his angry face on.
Eklund avoids the head kick by Foster.
Eklund shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eklund misses with a low kick.
Eklund tries to score with a low kick but Foster moves his leg out of the way.
Eklund misses with a low kick.
Eklund throws a head kick that misses.
Eklund takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Foster takes the fight into the clinch.
Eklund throws a head punch that misses.
Foster with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Foster tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Eklund avoids it.
Eklund is trying to push Foster away but Foster has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Foster blocks a body shot from Eklund.
Eklund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Foster has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Eklund seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Foster can turn it around.
A head punch on the inside from Eklund fails to land.
Eklund tries to pull guard but Foster holds him up against the cage and eventually Eklund drops back down to his feet.
Foster is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Eklund is defending well for now.
Foster throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Eklund dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Preston Foster's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Foster lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Eklund has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Eklund and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Eklund takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Eklund 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.
Eklund throws a head kick that misses.
Eklund misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Foster replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Eklund blocks it well.
Foster throws a leg kick but Eklund checks it.
Foster checks a leg kick.
Foster lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Eklund pivots, looking for a leg kick but Foster is out of range and Eklund settles back down.
Foster checks the leg kick nicely there.
Foster tries a head kick but it misses.
Foster throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Eklund tries to land a front kick but Foster steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hugo Eklund is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foster tries to clinch there but Eklund circles away.
Eklund avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Eklund scoring well with a low kick there.
Eklund misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Foster blocks the low kick.
Foster tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eklund throws a low kick but Foster moves out of range easily.
Foster throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Eklund throws a low kick but Foster moves out of range easily.
Foster tries a quick counter leg kick but Eklund is wise to it.
Foster throws a head kick but Eklund moves out of range.
Foster on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Eklund connects with a leg kick.
Foster blocks a low kick nicely.
Eklund avoids the head kick by Foster.
Eklund swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Foster throws a sloppy head kick
and Eklund counters with an inside leg kick.
Eklund is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Foster can do to turn this around?
Eklund scoring well with a low kick there.
Foster takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice body kick from Eklund.

Foster moves into the clinch.
Eklund throws a punch but it's blocked by Foster.
Foster tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foster with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eklund misses with the head strike.
Eklund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Eklund throws a punch but it's blocked by Foster.
Foster blocking some punches.
Foster putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Eklund in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Eklund misses with a punch on the inside.
Eklund has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Foster is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Foster.
Foster blocking some punches.
Eklund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Foster tries a knee to the head but Eklund blocks it.
Eklund misses with the head strike.
Foster throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Eklund blocks it with crossed arms.
Foster is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Eklund is defending well for now.
Foster using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Eklund has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Eklund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Eklund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eklund has a couple of punches blocked by Foster.
Foster blocks an uppercut.
Foster tries to circle away but Eklund has him pinned against the cage.
Eklund working hard to break the clinch.
Eklund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Eklund throws a punch but it's blocked by Foster.
Foster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Eklund misses with a hook from the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Foster keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Eklund's efforts to push away.
Foster is trying to break free.
Foster keeps control of Eklund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Foster taking a breather.
Eklund throws a punch but it's blocked by Foster.
Eklund tries to throw a body punch but Foster avoids it by throwing Eklund back against the cage.
Foster keeps control of Eklund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Foster throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Eklund blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foster blocking some punches.
Eklund has a couple of punches blocked by Foster.

Foster's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Foster is looking to chop away at Eklund's legs.
Eklund appears to be looking for a big counter.
Eklund buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Foster pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eklund moves out of range of the body kick from Foster.
Eklund throws a quick counter head kick but Foster was just out of range.
Eklund pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Eklund pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Foster steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Eklund avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Eklund throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Eklund throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Eklund misses with a low kick.
Eklund misses with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eklund tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Eklund avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Eklund dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Preston Foster's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Foster lands a nice looking kick to the body. Eklund takes a step back to recover.
Eklund pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eklund throws a chopping leg kick but Foster manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Eklund throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Foster pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Foster tries a head kick but it misses.
Foster tries to clinch but Eklund is having none of it.
Foster checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hugo Eklund is winning the standup battle so far.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Eklund - that will leave a mark!
A head kick misses from Foster.
Eklund avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foster throws a head kick but Eklund moves out of range.
Eklund throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Foster.
Eklund swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Foster avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Foster throws a half hearted mid kick.
And Eklund counters with a quick kick to the body but Foster blocks it.
Eklund takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eklund throws a low kick but Foster avoids it.
A solid body kick from Eklund.
Foster takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A slapping body kick lands there for Eklund.
Eklund fakes the leg kick and cracks Foster in the body.
Eklund throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Eklund lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Foster finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Foster throws a sloppy head kick and Eklund moves out of range easily.
Foster misses with a head kick.
Eklund looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Foster tries to clinch but Eklund moves out of range.
A nice leg kick from Eklund, right into the meat of the thigh.
Eklund lands with a thumping leg kick.
Eklund throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Eklund misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eklund swats away the attempt to clinch by Foster.
Eklund looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Foster takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Foster tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Eklund.
Eklund throws a sloppy head kick and Foster moves out of range easily.
Eklund wants to slow Foster down by chopping away at his legs.
Eklund scoring well with a low kick there.
Foster checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Eklund blocks a head kick by Foster.
Eklund attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The fight stays on the outside here - Foster looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Eklund turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foster avoids the head kick by Eklund.
Foster throws a low kick but it's checked well by Eklund.
A nice leg kick lands there from Foster.
Foster throws a sloppy head kick
and Eklund counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Foster moves into range and clinches up with Eklund.
Foster using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Eklund has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Eklund is trying to break the clinch but Foster has him pressed against the cage.
Foster trying to land knees to the body.
Eklund goes for a takedown in the clinch but Foster prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Eklund fails to land.
Eklund misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Foster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Foster with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Eklund wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Foster has him pressed against the cage.
Eklund swings wildly with an uppercut but Foster uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eklund prevents Foster from breaking the clinch.
Eklund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Preston Foster seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Eklund has a couple of punches blocked by Foster.
Eklund blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Foster with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Foster looking to stall.
Foster has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Eklund.
Foster using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Eklund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Eklund throws a head punch that misses.
Eklund goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Eklund can't find room to land a body shot as Foster controls the action.
Foster tries to land knees in the clinch but Eklund avoids the damage to the body.
Eklund looking to stall.
Preston Foster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hugo Eklund is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Foster missing with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugo Eklund showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Eklund, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugo Eklund!