PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Kato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stampe Eklund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eklund comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Troll - Trollberg kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kato
vs
Eklund

176 cm
33
167 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

168 cm
33
167 lbs
19 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenji Kato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Stampe Eklund!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eklund scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kato rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Eklund counter with a right hand.
Eklund lands a head shot.
Kato throws a jab but it's blocked by Eklund.
A little jabbing left from Eklund on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Eklund checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Eklund! But no joy.
Kato throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kato misses with an uppercut
and Eklund connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Eklund slips under a jab from Kato.
Kato misses the shot to the body.
Eklund keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Eklund looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab from Kato finds it's way through Eklund's defenses.
Eklund takes a body punch but keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kato throws a right hand that misses
and Eklund counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato misses with a hook. Eklund ducked under it nicely.
Kenji Kato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kato throws a poor cross that misses
and Eklund counters with a one-two to the body.
Kato misses with a lunging right hand
and Eklund counters with an inside leg kick.
Kato tried to score with a low kick but Eklund checks it.
Kato throws an off balance right hand
and Eklund counters with a straight right hand.
Kato throws a front kick aimed at Eklund's knee but Eklund avoids it well.
Eklund feints a counter leg kick.
Kato darts in trying to clinch
and Eklund counters with a stiff right hand.
Kato misses with a low kick.
Kato walks into a stiff left hand from Eklund.
Nice cross by Kato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato throws a hook but Eklund blocks it.
Eklund swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kato.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kato misses with a leg kick.
Eklund throws out a counter right but Kato avoids it with no problem.
Eklund throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kato on the side of the head.
Kato pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kato throws a lazy right hand but Eklund sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Eklund has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Eklund keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kato.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Eklund! But no joy.
Kato throws a combination that misses
and Eklund cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Eklund is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kato had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Kato throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Eklund sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Despite the aggression on Eklund's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kato throws a right hand that misses
letting Eklund counter with a right hand.
Kato throws a lazy right hand but Eklund sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Eklund throws a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kato looks to land a left hand but Eklund moved out of range nicely.
Eklund checks a low kick from Kato.
Kato throws an overhand right that lands on Eklund's shoulder, as Eklund tries to avoid the shot.
Kato throws a sloppy body shot
and Eklund counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kato swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Eklund slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kato will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kato is looking to slow Eklund down with leg kicks.
Kato rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Eklund counters with a one-two to the body.
Kato walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Eklund checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Eklund appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eklund moves out of range of the body kick from Kato.
Kato misses with a lunging right hand
and Eklund cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A shot to the body from Kato misses
enabling Eklund to counter with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eklund uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kato.
Despite the aggression on Eklund's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kato connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kato jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Eklund misses with a two punch combination.
Kato is looking to land body kicks.
As Kato backs off Eklund throws a huge counter combo but Kato manages to avoid it all.
The fighters circling - Kato throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kato lands with a shot to the body.
Eklund slips under a jab.
A punch combination from Kato misses.
Eklund throws out a counter right but Kato avoids it with no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Stampe Eklund will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Eklund avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Eklund might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Eklund takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kato lands the left hand.
Kato misses with an uppercut
and Eklund counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Kato misses.
Kato throws a lazy uppercut
and Eklund counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kato throws a hook to the side of Eklund's head but Eklund sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eklund lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kato rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Eklund counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato misses with a hook
and Eklund connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kato swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Eklund counters with a nice uppercut.
Eklund is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kato.
As Eklund backs away, Kato returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Eklund moves away from the strike by Kato.
Eklund looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato throws an off balance right hand
and Eklund counters with an outside leg kick.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Eklund throws out a counter right but Kato avoids it with no problem.
Kato fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Eklund has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Eklund! But no joy.
Kato lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Eklund throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kato misses with an uppercut
and Eklund counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kato checks a low kick from Eklund.
Kato misses with a combination
and Eklund counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kato throws a sloppy head kick and Eklund moves out of range easily.
Eklund throws out a counter right but Kato avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato scores with a spinning back kick!
Kato wants to clinch
and Eklund counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kato misses with an uppercut
and Eklund counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kato throws a looping overhand right but Eklund ducks down to avoid it.
Eklund lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kato throws a looping overhand right but Eklund ducks down to avoid it.
Kato wants to land a leg kick but Eklund is out of range.
Kato misses with a hook
and Eklund counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kato lands a head shot.
Kato looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kato takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kato thows a leg kick but Eklund checks it
and Eklund counters with a series of strikes. Kato will be more careful next time no doubt.
Eklund checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eklund cracks Kato with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kato scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Eklund doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice defenses there by Kato.
Kato throws a looping overhand right but Eklund ducks down to avoid it.
Eklund throws a counter combo.
Kato throws a leg kick
and Eklund counters with a one-two to the body.
Eklund moves away from the strike by Kato.
Kato cracks Eklund with a good jab.
Kato misses with a hook
and Eklund counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Eklund ducks under a wild hook from Kato.
Eklund throws a counter combo.
Eklund uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kato.
Eklund throws out a counter right but Kato avoids it with no problem.
Kato connects with a nice looking jab.
Eklund ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eklund blocks a jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Eklund lands a body shot.
Eklund lands with a hook. Kato tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kato swings for the body but Eklund moves out of range.
Kato throws a nice looking combination but Eklund bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stampe Eklund seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kato throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kato throws a leg kick but Eklund sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kato throws a poor cross that misses
letting Eklund counter with a right hand.
Eklund on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kato swings widly with a right hand
and Eklund counters with a stiff right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kato.
Eklund misses with a low kick.
Kato swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stampe Eklund showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kato misses with an uppercut
and Eklund counters with a nice uppercut.
Kato throws a leg kick
and Eklund counters with a straight right hand.
Kato throws an overhand right that lands on Eklund's shoulder, as Eklund tries to avoid the shot.
A little jabbing left from Eklund on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Eklund blocks a jab.
Kato misses with a left hand
and Eklund counters with a thumping low kick.
Eklund lands a nice shot that snaps Kato's head back.
Stampe Eklund is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kato connects with a body shot.
Kato throws a poor cross that misses
and Eklund counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato misses with a lunging right hand
and Kato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kato misses with a hook
and Eklund counters with a three punch combo that has Kato backing up. Kato nods at Eklund to acknowledge the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kato misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eklund slips a jab from Kato.
Kato throws a body punch but Eklund moves out of range.
Kato moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice jab there from Kato.
Eklund keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kato.
Eklund swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kato tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Eklund paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kato misses with a low kick.
Kato wants to slow Eklund down by chopping away at his legs.
Eklund on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kato misses with a body shot
letting Eklund counter with a right hand.
Eklund blocks a jab.
Eklund misses with a lunging right hand
and Kato counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato throws a hook to the side of Eklund's head but Eklund sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eklund misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kato misses with a left hand
and Eklund counters with a nice uppercut.
Eklund takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kato misses with a straight right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kato throws an off balance right hand
and Eklund counters with an inside leg kick.
Eklund looks to score with a jab to the body but Kato is just out of range.
Kato throws a hook but Eklund avoids it easily.
Kato misses with a hook
and Eklund counters with a right hand to the body.
Kato rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Eklund counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kato throws a right hand that misses
letting Eklund counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eklund keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A nice side step and Eklund releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Good standup being displayed there by Eklund as he connects with a hook.
Kato throws a lazy uppercut
and Kato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Good exchange - Kato coming out on top.
No joy there for Eklund, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Eklund staying out of range there.
Kato looks to throw the jab but Eklund is out of range.
Despite the aggression on Eklund's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kato looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kato looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Kato connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Eklund momentarily.
Eklund checks a leg kick.
Eklund looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kenji Kato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kato misses with a leg kick
enabling Eklund to counter with a crisp jab.
Kato throws a looping overhand right but Eklund ducks down to avoid it.
Kato connects with a single shot there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eklund moves out of range of the strikes.
Eklund with a nice cross.
Eklund checks a leg kick.
Eklund throws a front kick aimed at Kato's knee but Kato avoids it well.
Eklund throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kato misses with a body shot
and Eklund counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kato throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Eklund sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stampe Eklund is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kato.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stampe Eklund comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Eklund has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stampe Eklund!
Stampe Eklund looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Eat my shorts!'.
Kenji Kato was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll be back to put on a show for all you fans!!! I'll come back stronger with from support!!'.