PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hakuin Ekaku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lightning Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ekaku comes to the cage accompanied by IV. Storm is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jay Z - Moment of Clarity. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ekaku
vs
Storm

173 cm
26
153 lbs
24 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Garra Suplementos (EnergyQ150 10$)
Garra Suplementos (EnergyQ150 10$)

Garra Suplementos (EnergyQ150 10$)

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 24 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hakuin Ekaku!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lightning Storm!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Storm goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Storm avoids the head kick by Ekaku.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ekaku.
Storm lands a nice shot that snaps Ekaku's head back.
Storm lands a jab to the nose.
Storm throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Storm sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku tries to work over Storm's front leg with a kick but Storm checks it.
Storm throws a lazy uppercut
and Ekaku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ekaku lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lightning Storm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Ekaku tenderised Storm's leg. Storm is trying to keep his angry face on.
Storm throws a leg kick which misses Ekaku's front leg but catches the back leg as Ekaku tries to avoid it.
A punch combination from Ekaku misses.
Storm misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ekaku throws a solid leg kick but Storm takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ekaku.
Storm throws a sloppy head kick and Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Storm throws a chopping leg kick but Ekaku manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Storm ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm cracks Ekaku with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Storm throws a series of strikes that have Ekaku backpedaling.
Storm throws a head kick that misses.
Ekaku goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Storm tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ekaku is able to avoid easily.
Storm moves out of range as Ekaku strikes.

Storm closes the distance and clinches.
Storm prevents the takedown attempt.
Ekaku tries for a takedown but Storm manages to get underhooks.
Storm tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Storm misses with a body punch.
A short right from Storm on the inside.
Storm misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Storm lands a shoulder strike.
Ekaku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Storm misses with a body punch.
Storm misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Storm.
Storm presses Ekaku against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Come on Ekaku - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm tries a body shot but Ekaku blocks it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Storm.
Storm fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Storm misses with a body punch.
Storm stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ekaku tries to score a body lock takedown but Storm shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakuin Ekaku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Storm misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Ekaku pulls guard.
Ekaku has a closed guard, preventing Storm from standing up.
Ekaku is trying to control the position but Storm postures up.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Storm is trying to get back to full guard.
Storm trying to hold on to Ekaku's head to control him but Ekaku postures up.
Ekaku throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

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.
Ekaku controlling the pace.
Storm is trying to get back to full guard.
Ekaku with the ground and pound but Storm uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ekaku tries to free his leg and advance position but Storm is retaining full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ekaku thows a big elbow that misses.
Ekaku trying to control the position from guard on top but Storm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hakuin Ekaku will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ekaku lands with an overhand left.
The fight stays on the outside here - Storm looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Storm thows a leg kick but Ekaku checks it
and Ekaku counters with a nice leg kick.
Storm misses with an uppercut.
Storm fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ekaku.
Storm misses with a lunging right hand
and Ekaku makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Ekaku scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ekaku is stalling here. Storm is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Ekaku seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Storm has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Ekaku gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ekaku manages to get to full guard.
Storm really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ekaku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku controlling Storm's posture.
Ekaku trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ekaku trying to control the position here.
Storm won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Storm misses with a looping left.
Storm misses with a double jab.
Storm avoids a kick to the body.
Storm takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ekaku shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Storm as he jumps to the side.
Ekaku uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Storm.
A low kick from Storm is predictable there
and Ekaku counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Storm tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ekaku swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Storm swinging wildly here.
Storm throws a nice looking combination but Ekaku bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Storm thuds his shin into the meat of Ekaku's side.
Storm throws an off balance right hand
and Ekaku counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ekaku closes the distance and clinches up with Storm, looking for a takedown. Ekaku pushes Storm against the cage but Storm circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Storm blocks a head kick by Ekaku.
Ekaku listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Storm stuffs the takedown attempt from Ekaku. Ekaku gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakuin Ekaku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Storm gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ekaku counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sloppy strikes from Ekaku. Those never looked like landing.
Ekaku scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ekaku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Storm throws a head kick but Ekaku moves out of range.
Storm staying out of range there.

Storm closes the distance and clinches.
Storm throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Ekaku is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Storm is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ekaku circles away from the clinch attempt.
Storm throws a right hand that misses
and Storm takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ekaku walks into a jab.
Ekaku misses with a wild combination.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
Ekaku swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Storm counters with a good, hard body kick but Ekaku shrugs it off.
Ekaku throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Storm counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Storm misses with a jab to the body
and Ekaku counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ekaku catches Storm with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ekaku thumps Storm with a low kick.
Storm throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ekaku counters with a nice double leg into side control. Storm won't be happy with that.
Ekaku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Storm keeps working.
Ekaku cracks Storm with a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm is not content to let Ekaku control the position.
Ekaku misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Storm is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Storm struggling a bit here.
Storm manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ekaku is looking for a sweep. Storm is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ekaku trying to control but Storm postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Storm rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ekaku connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ekaku uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm throws a poor cross that misses
and Ekaku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Storm cracks the inside of Ekaku's front leg.
Storm pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Ekaku thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Storm if he has to take too many more of those.
A telegraphed right hand from Storm misses the target.
A head kick misses from Storm.
Ekaku connects with a leg kick. Storm looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ekaku circles away from the clinch attempt.
Storm throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ekaku counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ekaku thuds his right hand into Storm's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ekaku bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Storm's head.
Ekaku moves out of range of the leg kick from Storm.
Storm wants to clinch.
Storm lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku keeps the fight on the outside.
Ekaku throws a low kick but Storm avoids it.
Hakuin Ekaku is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Storm fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ekaku tries for a takedown but Storm sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hakuin Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Storm rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ekaku counters with a leg kick.
A slow jab from Ekaku misses its intended target.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Storm sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku tries a head kick but it misses.

Storm gets caught flat footed, as Ekaku shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ekaku engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Storm keeping moving, preventing Ekaku from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Storm lands a jab to the nose.
Storm tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ekaku counters with a stiff right hand.
Ekaku takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ekaku looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Storm throws a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a low kick, right behind Storm 's knee.
Good exchange - Ekaku coming out on top.
Ekaku shoots in and drives through. Storm sprawls well.
Ekaku throws a one two combo.
Ekaku shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Storm but Storm pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Storm misses with a leg kick
and Ekaku counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Storm is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Storm 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 Ekaku misses the target.
Ekaku misses with a takedown attempt - Storm sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakuin Ekaku. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Ekaku.
Storm misses with a double jab
and Ekaku counters with a solid body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ekaku. That's going to slow Storm down.
Ekaku misses with the combination.
Storm fails with an attempt to clinch.
Storm sizes up Ekaku with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Storm throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Storm wants to clinch.
Storm thuds a left hand into Ekaku's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Storm with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Storm lands a glancing blow to the side of Ekaku's head.
Storm will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Storm is looking to clinch.
Storm scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Storm ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Storm lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ekaku at a distance.
Ekaku blocks a head kick by Storm.
Storm throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ekaku counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ekaku.
Ekaku is looking to work some ground and pound but Storm has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekaku passes Storm's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is looking to advance position but Storm won't allow it.
Ekaku works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ekaku controlling the pace for now.
Ekaku throwing strikes here but Storm is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ekaku working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ekaku looking to ground and pound but Storm is blocking nicely.
Storm takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ekaku punching from mount but Storm doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Ekaku in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Storm blocking the ground and pound.
Ekaku controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakuin Ekaku had his way with Lightning Storm 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!

Ekaku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Ekaku gets a takedown into half guard.

Ekaku is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Storm defends it well.
Ekaku not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Storm is trying to stand.
Ekaku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Storm tries to get to full guard but Ekaku has control of the leg.
Ekaku sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ekaku wants to free his trapped foot but Storm is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lightning Storm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ekaku throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ekaku trying to pass the guard but Storm defending well.
Ekaku slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ekaku looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Storm lands a high kick!
Storm misses with a looping left.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ekaku.
Ekaku looks for a takedown but Storm sprawls well.
Storm wants to clinch up but Ekaku keeps it at a distance.
Storm feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ekaku's calf.
Storm throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ekaku counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ekaku counters with a series of strikes. Storm will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ekaku lands with a kick to the ribs.
Storm misses with a lunging right hand
and Ekaku counters with a low kick, right behind Storm 's knee.
Ekaku scores with a body shot.
Ekaku thows a body shot but no joy.
Storm throws a head kick that misses.
Storm tries to move into range but Ekaku moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ekaku shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Storm sprawls well. Storm wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ekaku gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakuin Ekaku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Storm lands with a kick to the ribs.
Storm has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ekaku fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Storm manages to avoid it.
Hakuin Ekaku is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Storm throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ekaku counters with a nice double leg into side control. Storm won't be happy with that.
Ekaku trying to control the position but Storm is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hakuin Ekaku showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ekaku, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Hakuin Ekaku!

Hakuin Ekaku wins by unanimous decision!
Hakuin Ekaku retains his featherweight title!