PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mbownka Eckson (ranked 6740 p4p, 25253 weight class) and Ricky LaFleur (ranked 661 p4p, 749 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Eckson
vs
LaFleur

185 cm
25
175
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
175
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mbownka Eckson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ricky LaFleur!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

LaFleur gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Eckson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
LaFleur takes a head kick and keeps coming.

LaFleur gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Eckson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've been hearing reports that Eckson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by LaFleur. That's going to slow Eckson down.
LaFleur tries to clinch but Eckson moves out of range.
A punch combination from Eckson misses.
LaFleur throws a combination. Eckson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
LaFleur lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Eckson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
LaFleur throws a sloppy head kick and Eckson moves out of range easily.

Eckson drives through and clinches with LaFleur against the cage.

Eckson manages to pull guard.

Eckson is working an open guard so LaFleur takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Eckson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Eckson showed some decent athleticism there.
LaFleur keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckson wants to pass to mount but LaFleur is defending the position.
LaFleur is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two 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.
LaFleur is concentrating on defense, preventing Eckson from advancing position.
LaFleur is trying to control but can't.

Eckson decides to stand and escape the position.
Eckson closes this distance looking for a takedown but LaFleur circles away.

Eckson gets tackled into the cage by LaFleur. LaFleur maintains the clinch.
Eckson is trying to pull guard but LaFleur has him pressed against the cage.
LaFleur is looking to break free of the clinch but Eckson has double underhooks.

Eckson breaks the clinch.
LaFleur throws a right and a left that both miss.
LaFleur misses with a few strikes there.
Eckson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has LaFleur pinned against the cage. LaFleur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbownka Eckson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur tries to clinch but Eckson moves out of range.
Eckson misses with a series of wild punches.
Eckson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
LaFleur uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ricky LaFleur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LaFleur throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As LaFleur looks to move away, Eckson throws a big counter combo but LaFleur just gets out of the way.
LaFleur swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
LaFleur throws a one two combo.
Eckson darts in looking for a takedown but LaFleur gets double underhooks and turns Eckson into the cage.
Ricky LaFleur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
LaFleur lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Eckson backs up against the cage.
LaFleur misses with a double jab
and Eckson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eckson shoots for a double leg takedown but LaFleur sprawls well. He's pushed Eckson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eckson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? LaFleur is fending him off so far but Eckson persists. Nope, LaFleur circles away and we're back to standing.
Eckson is breathing heavily.
LaFleur throws a right hand that Eckson ducks under and follows up with a left that Eckson also avoids with ease.
LaFleur scores with a crisp jab that stopped Eckson in his tracks.
LaFleur cracks Eckson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Eckson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Eckson gets tackled into the cage by LaFleur. LaFleur maintains the clinch.
LaFleur lands a nice knee to the body.

LaFleur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eckson wants to clinch up but LaFleur keeps it at a distance.

LaFleur pushes Eckson up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee calls for Eckson to work.

LaFleur breaks the clinch.

LaFleur has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky LaFleur dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

LaFleur keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
LaFleur stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Eckson looks for a takedown but LaFleur sprawls well.
Eckson shoots in and drives through. LaFleur sprawls well.
LaFleur scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
LaFleur tries to bum rush Eckson with a series of wild strikes but Eckson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Eckson slips a jab and a cross from LaFleur.
LaFleur throws a head kick but Eckson moves out of range.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Eckson lands a slapping body shot.
LaFleur is looking to clinch.
Eckson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LaFleur tries to clinch there but Eckson circles away.
LaFleur scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eckson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

LaFleur instigates a clinch.
Eckson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite LaFleur's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckson is trying to pull guard but LaFleur turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbownka Eckson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left hand lands to the body for Eckson.
Eckson is trying to drag LaFleur to the mat but LaFleur just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Decent striking displayed by LaFleur there.

Eckson shoots in and gets a takedown into LaFleur's guard.
LaFleur trying to control the position.
LaFleur managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eckson preventing the sweep.
LaFleur has his hands on Eckson's head, controlling the position.
Eckson postures up in LaFleur's guard and throws a big left but LaFleur blocks it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
LaFleur is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Eckson wants the takedown. LaFleur is fighting it off but Eckson persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in LaFleur's guard against the cage.

LaFleur has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Eckson is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
LaFleur is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Eckson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Eckson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. LaFleur manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Eckson looks to land a combination but LaFleur avoids it well.
LaFleur unleashes a big counter combination but Eckson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
LaFleur tries to close the distance and clinch but Eckson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eckson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A left lands for Eckson.
LaFleur lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by LaFleur.
This has been an exciting period of action!
LaFleur misses with a two punch combination.
Eckson throws a series of punches but LaFleur avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eckson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on LaFleur's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Eckson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LaFleur tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eckson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
LaFleur lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by LaFleur.

Eckson has closed the distance and engaged LaFleur in a clinch.
Eckson is stalling here.
Eckson jumps guard but LaFleur turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
LaFleur wants to break free but Eckson has control.
LaFleur wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Eckson has him pressed against the cage.

Eckson breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky LaFleur showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Eckson avoids the head kick by LaFleur.
Eckson tries to clinch but LaFleur moves out of range.
Eckson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but LaFleur paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Eckson is looking to clinch but LaFleur is avoiding it.
Eckson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
LaFleur has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Eckson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says LaFleur as he avoids it easily.
LaFleur pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eckson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
LaFleur throws a sloppy head kick and Eckson moves out of range easily.
Eckson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eckson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
LaFleur lands a jab-cross combination.
Eckson swats away the attempt to clinch by LaFleur.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eckson swats away the attempt to clinch by LaFleur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but LaFleur avoids it really well and circles away.
Eckson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
LaFleur walks into a straight right hand from Eckson.
Eckson throws a head kick that misses.
Eckson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Eckson shoots in for a double leg but LaFleur sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eckson backing away here, and LaFleur unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbownka Eckson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eckson tries for a takedown but LaFleur sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
LaFleur lands with a slapping head kick.
LaFleur ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eckson connects with a looping right hand.
LaFleur misses with a double jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
LaFleur moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Decent striking displayed by LaFleur there.
LaFleur scoring well with a low kick there.
LaFleur wants to clinch.
Eckson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ricky LaFleur seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Eckson slips a jab and a cross from LaFleur.
Mbownka Eckson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
LaFleur with the inside leg kick.

LaFleur gets caught flat footed, as Eckson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
LaFleur has control of Eckson's left arm, preventing Eckson from doing any damage.
LaFleur is continuing to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Eckson manages to pass to side control.
Eckson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. LaFleur manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
LaFleur has Eckson pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Eckson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eckson trying to control the position from guard on top but LaFleur is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eckson won't allow LaFleur to sweep him here.
Ricky LaFleur is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Eckson trying to control but LaFleur is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
LaFleur looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

LaFleur moves into the clinch.
LaFleur is trying to break free.
Mbownka Eckson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eckson goes for a takedown attempt but LaFleur pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
LaFleur tries to clinch but Eckson is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky LaFleur comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got LaFleur winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky LaFleur!