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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benson Whyte (ranked 165 p4p, 26 weight class) and Hakuin Ekaku Jr (ranked 185 p4p, 30 weight class). Whyte comes to the cage accompanied by Bob Marley - Jammin. Ekaku Jr has chosen Jiu Jitsu as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 183 cm
26
176 lbs
17 - 4 - 0 |
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175 cm
32
165 lbs
31 - 11 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Benson Whyte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
31 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku Jr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ekaku Jr looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ekaku Jr engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Ekaku Jr lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Whyte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Whyte keeping full guard, as Ekaku Jr tries to pass.
Whyte keeping moving, preventing Ekaku Jr from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whyte keeping full guard, as Ekaku Jr tries to pass.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Whyte is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ekaku Jr keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whyte controlling the pace.
Ekaku Jr trying to control from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Whyte is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Whyte moves nicely into side control.
Ekaku Jr is looking to reverse the position.
Whyte taking a breather here.
Ekaku Jr is looking to regain half guard here but Whyte keeps moving and retains side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whyte trying to control the position but Ekaku Jr is working away.
Ekaku Jr sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ekaku Jr trying to control here.
Ekaku Jr tries to roll over but Whyte keeps him under control.
Ekaku Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ekaku Jr.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ekaku Jr managing to control the position.
Whyte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ekaku Jr keeping moving, preventing Whyte from controlling successfully.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ekaku Jr has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Whyte is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Whyte throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ekaku Jr manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Whyte on his heels. He'll look to pass Whyte's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Whyte wriggles free and stands up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hakuin Ekaku Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Whyte takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ekaku Jr throws a nice outside leg kick.
Whyte on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku Jr. Ekaku Jr obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Hakuin Ekaku Jr will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Ekaku Jr closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Whyte's guard.
Ekaku Jr landing some decent shots from guard.
Ekaku Jr is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr wants to pass the guard but Whyte is keeping the position.
Ekaku Jr trying to control but Whyte is working from the bottom.
Ekaku Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr looking to sit in guard and control but Whyte gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ekaku Jr is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ekaku Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr is still trying to improve position.
Ekaku Jr working a defensive guard here.
Whyte stopping the sweep attempt from Ekaku Jr.
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.
Ekaku Jr is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ekaku Jr loads up on a big right hand but Whyte slips the punch.
Ekaku Jr throws a poor cross that misses
and Whyte counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ekaku Jr has his takedown stuffed
and Whyte counters with a left to the body.
Ekaku Jr ducks under a wild hook from Whyte.
Ekaku Jr swings widly with a right hand
and Whyte counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Whyte connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
It looks like Hakuin Ekaku Jr has been cut.
Ekaku Jr connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Whyte uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku Jr.
Whyte uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku Jr.
Whyte blocks a low kick nicely.
Whyte is looking to counter punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whyte takes one to the chin there.
Whyte walks into a jab.
A swing and a miss from Ekaku Jr.
Whyte fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ekaku Jr just manages to avoid it.
Whyte slips a straight right by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ekaku Jr throws a shot from downtown. Whyte moves away and avoids it.
Ekaku Jr thows a leg kick but Whyte checks it
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ekaku Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whyte displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr throws a lazy right hand but Whyte sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ekaku Jr throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Whyte takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Whyte throws the left hand but Ekaku Jr avoids the punch easily.
Whyte throws a head kick that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Whyte is able to avoid easily.
Whyte tried to counter with a leg kick but Ekaku Jr avoided it.
Whyte tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Whyte.
Ekaku Jr on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Whyte. Whyte obviously looking to wear him down.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ekaku Jr darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Whyte kicks Ekaku Jr off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benson Whyte is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Whyte throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ekaku Jr throws a right hand that Whyte ducks under and follows up with a left that Whyte also avoids with ease.
Whyte gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Whyte walks into a straight right hand from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Hakuin Ekaku Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Hakuin Ekaku Jr's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Jab, jab by Ekaku Jr - just one landing.
Whyte connects with a solid leg kick.
Ekaku Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Whyte but Whyte pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Whyte keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Whyte tries to score with a low kick but Ekaku Jr moves his leg out of the way.
Whyte pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ekaku Jr is out of range and Whyte settles back down.
Whyte lands a glancing blow to the side of Ekaku Jr's head.
Whyte seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Ekaku Jr thuds his right hand into Whyte's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr misses with a body shot.
Whyte tries a head kick but it misses.
Ekaku Jr tries to land a leg kick but Whyte saw it coming and moves away.
Ekaku Jr missing with a left hand there. Whyte was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ekaku Jr's jab looks to have found its range, popping Whyte under the eye.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Whyte napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ekaku Jr is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Whyte's shoulder. That is not cool.
Ekaku Jr cracks Whyte with a big elbow.
Ekaku Jr sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Whyte is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Ekaku Jr is looking to take a break and control but Whyte is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Whyte has one of Ekaku Jr's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Ekaku Jr throws a strike aimed at the side of Whyte's head but Whyte avoids it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekaku Jr throws a strike aimed at the side of Whyte's head but Whyte avoids it well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr grinds an elbow into Whyte's temple.
Ekaku Jr working the ground and pound.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the action but Whyte is working from the bottom.
Ekaku Jr with the ground and pound but Whyte regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ekaku Jr lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ekaku Jr seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Whyte does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Whyte is looking for a sweep. Ekaku Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ekaku Jr lands a nice short elbow.
Ekaku Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Whyte's head.
Whyte gets full guard.
Ekaku Jr is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Whyte preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ekaku Jr wants to pass the guard but Whyte is keeping the position.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ekaku Jr lands with a cross.
Whyte throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr jabs at Whyte's body.
Ekaku Jr shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Whyte napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ekaku Jr postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr misses with the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ekaku Jr advances to full mount.
Whyte is trying to escape the mount.
Whyte is squirming around, avoiding Ekaku Jr's attempts to control the action.
Ekaku Jr connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Whyte avoids a series of strikes thrown by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr with good strikes from the mount here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hakuin Ekaku Jr's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Whyte swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Whyte buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Whyte. No joy for Ekaku Jr on that attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Whyte misses the target.
Ekaku Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whyte missing with a left hand there. Ekaku Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Whyte.
Ekaku Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Whyte.
Ekaku Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Whyte's shoulder, as Whyte tries to avoid the shot.
Whyte staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whyte takes a swing at Ekaku Jr's ribcage but misses.
A punch combination from Whyte misses.
Ekaku Jr drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Whyte defends it well.
Ekaku Jr misses with a wild body shot.
As Ekaku Jr backs away, Whyte returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Whyte keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Whyte takes one on the button.
Ekaku Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
Ekaku Jr cracks Whyte with an open hand slap.
Ekaku Jr swings for the body but Whyte moves out of range.
Whyte takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ekaku Jr drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Whyte's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Whyte avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ekaku Jr.
Whyte prevents Ekaku Jr from moving into mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ekaku Jr landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the position but Whyte is working away.
Whyte struggling a bit here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Whyte tries to improve position but can't.
Ekaku Jr working the head with strikes.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Whyte is trying to improve his position.
Whyte takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whyte is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ekaku Jr connects with a decent elbow.
Ekaku Jr 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.
Ekaku Jr misses with the ground and pound.
Whyte defending against the ground and pound.
Whyte is trying to get back to half guard.
Ekaku Jr lands an elbow.
Whyte is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ekaku Jr off and has taken his back!
Ekaku Jr looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Whyte's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whyte keeps control of the position as Ekaku Jr tries to break free.
Whyte gets his hands free as Ekaku Jr looks to control.
Ekaku Jr wants to escape the position.
Whyte avoiding Ekaku Jr 's attempts to control his hands.
You can see the frustration on Ekaku Jr's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Whyte doesn't have the hooks in and Ekaku Jr manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Hakuin Ekaku Jr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Ekaku Jr looks to land a left hand but Whyte moved out of range nicely.
Whyte on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ekaku Jr. Ekaku Jr obviously looking to wear him down.
Whyte throws a chopping leg kick but Ekaku Jr manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ekaku Jr lands with a shot to the body.
Ekaku Jr moves out of range of the leg kick from Whyte.
Ekaku Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ekaku Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A left and a right from Ekaku Jr both land. Nice combination.
Ekaku Jr connects with a body shot.
Ekaku Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr goes for a double leg but Whyte avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Whyte continues to drive forward.
Whyte avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ekaku Jr walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Whyte checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ekaku Jr drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Whyte bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ekaku Jr's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Whyte is one step ahead there.
Ekaku Jr pulls Whyte in to control the position.
Whyte is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ekaku Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Whyte is fighting to break Ekaku Jr's control of his arms but Ekaku Jr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Whyte wants to control from the top but Ekaku Jr keeps moving.
Benson Whyte has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Whyte sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ekaku Jr wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ekaku Jr controls Whyte momentarily but Whyte frees himself.
Whyte trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekaku Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ekaku Jr moves out of range as Whyte strikes.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick
and Whyte connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Whyte uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku Jr.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ekaku Jr lands with a shot to the body.
Whyte is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr throws a series of punches but Whyte moves out of range.
Whyte dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ekaku Jr tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Whyte defends well and Ekaku Jr ends up having to push Whyte into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Both fighters circling a little - Whyte finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Whyte loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku Jr slips the punch.
Ekaku Jr is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ekaku Jr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Whyte chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ekaku Jr can pounce on him.
Whyte defending well as Ekaku Jr loads up on a big left hand.
A little feinted left hand from Whyte on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Whyte takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ekaku Jr jabs at Whyte's body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr lunges at Whyte with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Whyte's hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku Jr is looking to slow Whyte down with leg kicks.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ekaku Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Whyte, which made it look bad.
Whyte is looking to counter punch.
Benson Whyte has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakuin Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr misses with a looping left.
Nice uppercut lands for Ekaku Jr. That snapped Whyte's head back.
Sloppy strikes from Ekaku Jr. Those never looked like landing.
Whyte misses with a body kick.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Whyte enables Ekaku Jr to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Whyte manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Whyte scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Ekaku Jr throws a series of punches but Whyte avoids them all with ease.
Whyte tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Whyte.
Nice straight punches there by Ekaku Jr. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ekaku Jr.
And that's the end of the fight!
Hakuin Ekaku Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ekaku Jr 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 47:50
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 47:50
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
Hakuin Ekaku Jr made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'Thank you to my inspiration, my father, THE GREATEST EVER Hakuin "Zen" Ekaku.'.
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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
48% |
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