PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 707 p4p, 84 weight class) and Dom Cruz (ranked 452 p4p, 59 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ekaku
vs
Cruz

173 cm
30
153 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

172 cm
32
144 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Vegan Gains
Urban Fighter

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 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dom Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekaku.
Ekaku swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cruz thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Ekaku if he has to take too many more of those.
Cruz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ekaku fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cruz checks it well.
Ekaku walks into a left hand.
Ekaku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cruz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ekaku but Ekaku pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cruz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A right-left combo lands from Cruz.
Ekaku scores with a nice right hand.
Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cruz stalks Ekaku and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ekaku's face. Ekaku staggers backwards, shaken.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Some bone on bone action there as Ekaku checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ekaku wants to slow Cruz down by chopping away at his legs.
Cruz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cruz.
Cruz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've been hearing reports that Ekaku has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Cruz moves away from the strike by Ekaku.
Cruz connects with a body shot that sends Ekaku's belly button to the back.
Cruz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ekaku throws out the jab.
Cruz appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Ekaku ducks right into an uppercut from Cruz.
Ekaku with a nice cross.
Cruz takes a swing at Ekaku's ribcage but misses.
Ekaku throws a counter high kick but Cruz was just alert enough to avoid it.
Ekaku feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cruz's calf.
Cruz takes a swing at Ekaku's ribcage but misses.
Ekaku fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekaku throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Ekaku swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cruz.
Ekaku's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cruz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ekaku scrambles back to his feet.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Ekaku stuffs the takedown.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Cruz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Cruz.
Cruz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ekaku misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ekaku misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cruz.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Cruz lands a nice looking body shot.
Ekaku takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cruz defending well as Ekaku loads up on a big left hand.
Cruz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Cruz closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ekaku tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ekaku is working hard here to advance position.
Cruz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ekaku keeps working.
Cruz throws a strike aimed at the side of Ekaku's head but Ekaku avoids it well.
Cruz lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Ekaku avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cruz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ekaku, who protects the arm well.

Cruz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ekaku knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cruz in side control, throwing shots but Ekaku defends.
Ekaku can't do much from the bottom here.
Cruz lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz working the ground and pound but Ekaku is defending the strikes.

Cruz is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ekaku has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ekaku to see if he's OK.
Cruz working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Cruz is trying to control. Ekaku wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cruz wants to free his trapped foot but Ekaku is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cruz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cruz sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ekaku defending well though.
Cruz is trying to control the action in half guard but Ekaku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ekaku keeping control of the position.
Ekaku is looking for a sweep. Cruz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cruz missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cruz looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ekaku with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cruz not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cruz wants to free his trapped foot but Ekaku is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom Cruz dominated that round.
That's time! Ekaku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ekaku throws a push kick but Cruz slaps the foot to one side.
Cruz looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekaku is just out of range.
Ekaku looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ekaku rather than just go for the knockout.
Cruz lands a nice looking body shot.

Cruz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cruz not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cruz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cruz landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cruz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cruz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cruz drops an elbow to the side of Ekaku's head.
Ekaku is controlling Cruz's trapped leg to prevent Cruz from advancing to side control.
Cruz working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ekaku has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cruz is working away from the top position though.
Ekaku wants to improve his position but Cruz is controlling well.
Cruz missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cruz.
Cruz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cruz won't allow Ekaku to sweep him here.
Cruz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekaku keeping moving, preventing Cruz from controlling successfully.

Ekaku has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dom Cruz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cruz lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cruz lands a couple of elbows.
Ekaku controls Cruz momentarily but Cruz frees himself.
Cruz working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ekaku's head.
Cruz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cruz with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.
Cruz pushing down on Ekaku's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cruz is trying to control the action in half guard but Ekaku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cruz is pressing down on Ekaku's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ekaku is holding on for now.
Cruz is still trying to improve position.
Ekaku is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cruz scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cruz thows a huge punch but Ekaku dodges it nicely.
Ekaku trying to hold on to Cruz's head to control him but Cruz postures up.
Cruz takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cruz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ekaku does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cruz passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cruz's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ekaku moves into full guard.
Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cruz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ekaku preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ekaku pulls Cruz in to control the position.
Cruz distracts Ekaku with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Cruz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ekaku dives on top into guard.

Ekaku pushing down on Cruz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cruz trying to control here.

Ekaku is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku trying to control from half guard but Cruz is working away.
Ekaku is pressing down on Cruz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cruz is holding on for now.
Ekaku wants to take a breather but Cruz is having none of it.
Cruz gets back to full guard.
Cruz is trying to control the position but Ekaku postures up.
Ekaku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cruz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ekaku won't allow Cruz to sweep him here.
Ekaku wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Cruz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom Cruz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Cruz is looking to clinch but Ekaku is avoiding it.
Ekaku throws a front kick that sends Cruz stumbling back into the cage.
Cruz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ekaku's sensitive parts.
Good exchange - Ekaku coming out on top.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Cruz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cruz is defended easily by Ekaku.
Cruz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ekaku.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Ekaku sprawls well.
Hiroshi Ekaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekaku tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cruz is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ekaku connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cruz scrambles back to his feet.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Ekaku sprawls well.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Cruz.
Cruz connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ekaku jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cruz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cruz tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cruz at a distance.
Cruz on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ekaku lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cruz at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Cruz.
Ekaku lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cruz at a distance.

Cruz looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ekaku!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ekaku gets back to half guard.
Ekaku keeping hold of Cruz's head, controlling as best he can.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz wants to pass to mount but Ekaku is defending the position.
Ekaku works his way to full guard. Good work.

Ekaku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cruz is aware though and is defending well.
Ekaku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cruz wants to control from the top but Ekaku keeps moving.

Cruz has gone for a leg lock! Ekaku slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cruz's guard.

Cruz trying to control the position.
Ekaku stays in close to Cruz's body and controls the position.
Dom Cruz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cruz manages to get to full guard.
Cruz controls Ekaku momentarily but Ekaku frees himself.
Cruz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cruz holds on and takes a little breather.
Ekaku trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.

Cruz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ekaku defends it easily.
Ekaku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku trying to control but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Cruz looking to control but Ekaku passes into half guard.
Cruz preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Ekaku throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cruz trying to control here.
Cruz manages to get to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshi Ekaku showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cruz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dom Cruz!
Dom Cruz took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, CAGED CROW Clothings 50$ for their support in the buildup to the fight.