PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dick Ekelund (ranked 23574 p4p, 2291 weight class) and Aranchai Kiatpatarphan (ranked 489 p4p, 231 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ekelund
vs
Kiatpatarphan

178 cm
21
150
0 - 1 - 0

169 cm
21
154
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dick Ekelund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aranchai Kiatpatarphan!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekelund throws a hook but Kiatpatarphan blocks it.
Ekelund rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kiatpatarphan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kiatpatarphan throws a shot from downtown. Ekelund moves away and avoids it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kiatpatarphan.
Kiatpatarphan misses with an uppercut. Ekelund saw that one coming.
Ekelund misses with an uppercut. Kiatpatarphan saw that one coming.
Ekelund misses the jab.
Kiatpatarphan misses with an uppercut. Ekelund saw that one coming.
Ekelund uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kiatpatarphan.
Kiatpatarphan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ekelund lunges at Kiatpatarphan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kiatpatarphan's hand.
Kiatpatarphan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a straight right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Kiatpatarphan.
A telegraphed right hand from Kiatpatarphan misses the target.
Kiatpatarphan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kiatpatarphan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Ekelund gets a clinch.

Ekelund escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ekelund misses with a lunging right hand
and Kiatpatarphan counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekelund is looking to clinch but Kiatpatarphan is avoiding it.
Ekelund takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ekelund throws a sloppy body shot
and Ekelund takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ekelund lunges at Kiatpatarphan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kiatpatarphan's hand.

It looks like Aranchai Kiatpatarphan has been cut.
Ekelund looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ekelund misses with a body shot.
Kiatpatarphan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kiatpatarphan scores with the left hand. Ekelund knows he should have avoided that one.
Aranchai Kiatpatarphan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kiatpatarphan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Donk. Kiatpatarphan catches Ekelund right on the button with a cross.
Ekelund throws a right hand that misses
enabling Kiatpatarphan to counter with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekelund thows a left - swing and a miss!

Ekelund has managed to clinch.
Ekelund blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Kiatpatarphan.
Kiatpatarphan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kiatpatarphan avoiding damage.

Ekelund escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A jab from Ekelund misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiatpatarphan wants to land a leg kick but Ekelund is out of range.
Ekelund looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kiatpatarphan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kiatpatarphan tries to throw a body punch but Ekelund avoids it by throwing Kiatpatarphan back against the cage.
Kiatpatarphan just leaning against Ekelund, taking a breather.

Ekelund escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ekelund is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Ekelund misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kiatpatarphan.
Ekelund scores with a sloppy right hand. Kiatpatarphan should have avoided that one.
Kiatpatarphan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ekelund seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kiatpatarphan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ekelund checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kiatpatarphan throws a shot from downtown. Ekelund moves away and avoids it.
Kiatpatarphan avoids the body shot from Ekelund.

Ekelund has Kiatpatarphan up against the cage in a clinch.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiatpatarphan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kiatpatarphan lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiatpatarphan keeps control of Ekelund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kiatpatarphan misses with the head strike.
Kiatpatarphan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
Kiatpatarphan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ekelund breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ekelund sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Jab by Kiatpatarphan.
Ekelund moves out of range of the body kick from Kiatpatarphan.
Ekelund lands a jab to the nose.
Ekelund tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kiatpatarphan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kiatpatarphan is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ekelund had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Kiatpatarphan throws a good cross that connects.
Ekelund fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kiatpatarphan on the side of the head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekelund.
A big right from Ekelund misses.
Kiatpatarphan scores with a nice head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekelund swats away the attempt to clinch by Kiatpatarphan.
Kiatpatarphan lunges at Ekelund with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ekelund's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a kick to the body.
Ekelund clobbers Kiatpatarphan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kiatpatarphan blocks a jab.

Kiatpatarphan clinches with his opponent.
Kiatpatarphan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kiatpatarphan tries to throw a body punch but Ekelund avoids it by throwing Kiatpatarphan back against the cage.
Kiatpatarphan swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekelund uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Kiatpatarphan fails to land.
Ekelund makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ekelund blocking some punches.

Ekelund breaks from the clinch.
Ekelund's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kiatpatarphan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ekelund scrambles back to his feet.
Ekelund checks the leg kick nicely there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kiatpatarphan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekelund manages to avoid it.
As Kiatpatarphan looks to move away, Ekelund throws a big counter combo but Kiatpatarphan just gets out of the way.
Ekelund wants to clinch up but Kiatpatarphan keeps it at a distance.
A slow jab from Ekelund misses its intended target.

Ekelund clinches.
Ekelund blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aranchai Kiatpatarphan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aranchai Kiatpatarphan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ekelund lands with a hook. Kiatpatarphan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kiatpatarphan throws a shot from downtown. Ekelund moves away and avoids it.
Ekelund scores with a jab. Kiatpatarphan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kiatpatarphan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ekelund looks to land a right hand but Kiatpatarphan moved out of range.
Kiatpatarphan throws a hook but Ekelund avoids it easily.

Ekelund has Kiatpatarphan up against the cage in a clinch.
Kiatpatarphan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Ekelund manages to break the clinch.
Kiatpatarphan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ekelund blocks a jab.
Ekelund throwing a counter right hand but Kiatpatarphan manages to avoid it.

Ekelund moves into range and clinches up with Kiatpatarphan.
Aranchai Kiatpatarphan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Ekelund breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kiatpatarphan blocks a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiatpatarphan lands with a thumping leg kick.

Kiatpatarphan closes the distance and clinches.
Kiatpatarphan keeps control of Ekelund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kiatpatarphan tries to work over Ekelund's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kiatpatarphan has a couple of punches blocked by Ekelund.
Kiatpatarphan throws a head punch that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Ekelund's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kiatpatarphan lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kiatpatarphan.

Ekelund breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekelund.
Ekelund throws a combination. Kiatpatarphan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ekelund throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Kiatpatarphan to counter with a crisp jab.
Kiatpatarphan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ekelund throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ekelund rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kiatpatarphan counters with a straight right hand.
Ekelund tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kiatpatarphan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
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!
Ekelund misses with a straight right.
Ekelund steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kiatpatarphan. That one must have hurt.
Kiatpatarphan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund loads up on a big right hand but Kiatpatarphan slips the punch.
Ekelund takes one to the chin there.
Kiatpatarphan looks to land a right hand but Ekelund moved out of range.
It looked like Ekelund wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ekelund throws a hook but Kiatpatarphan blocks it.
Kiatpatarphan has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a head kick.
Ekelund slips a straight right by Kiatpatarphan.
Ekelund with a hook.
Kiatpatarphan lands with a nice body punch.
Ekelund throws a shot from downtown. Kiatpatarphan moves away and avoids it.
Kiatpatarphan looks to land a body kick but Ekelund moved away.
Ekelund looks to throw the jab but Kiatpatarphan is out of range.
Ekelund takes one to the side of the head.
Ekelund misses with a hook
and Kiatpatarphan counters with a nice uppercut.
Ekelund misses with a left hand
letting Kiatpatarphan counter with a right hand.
Ekelund ducks under a wild hook from Kiatpatarphan.
Aranchai Kiatpatarphan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ekelund throws a series of strikes that have Kiatpatarphan backpedaling.
Ekelund tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Kiatpatarphan misses.
Ekelund lands a really nice looking cross but Kiatpatarphan seems unphased.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a head kick.
The fighters circling - Kiatpatarphan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice defenses there by Kiatpatarphan.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kiatpatarphan! But no joy.
Ekelund tries to clinch there but Kiatpatarphan circles away.
Ekelund throws a jab but it's blocked by Kiatpatarphan.

Ekelund clinches with his opponent.
Kiatpatarphan looking to stall.
Ekelund struggles to land a body shot inside as Kiatpatarphan controls his hands.
Ekelund is trying to push Kiatpatarphan away but Kiatpatarphan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ekelund looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Ekelund manages to break the clinch.
Ekelund is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kiatpatarphan.
Ekelund scores with a sloppy right hand. Kiatpatarphan should have avoided that one.

That has opened up Aranchai Kiatpatarphan's cut even more.
Kiatpatarphan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kiatpatarphan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ekelund moves into the clinch.

Ekelund breaks the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kiatpatarphan throws an off balance right hand
letting Ekelund counter with a right hand.
Kiatpatarphan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ekelund slips under a jab.
Kiatpatarphan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kiatpatarphan throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekelund.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ekelund.
Ekelund moves in looking to clinch but Kiatpatarphan pushes him off.

Ekelund rushes Kiatpatarphan and presses him up against the cage.

Ekelund manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Kiatpatarphan misses.
Kiatpatarphan throws a hook to the side of Ekelund's head but Ekelund sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekelund misses the target.
Kiatpatarphan lands a lovely overhand right.
Ekelund thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed right hand from Ekelund misses the target.
Ekelund moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dick Ekelund will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aranchai Kiatpatarphan's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kiatpatarphan lands a lovely overhand right.
A telegraphed right hand from Kiatpatarphan misses the target.
Ekelund throws out a loose jab but Kiatpatarphan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekelund tries to clinch up
and Ekelund takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ekelund throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kiatpatarphan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kiatpatarphan defending well as Ekelund loads up on a big left hand.
Kiatpatarphan's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kiatpatarphan duly obliges.
Ekelund lands a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Kiatpatarphan. That snapped Ekelund's head back.
Kiatpatarphan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kiatpatarphan.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kiatpatarphan pushes Ekelund up against the cage in a clinch.

Ekelund breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekelund connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kiatpatarphan's hands.
Ekelund connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiatpatarphan throws an overhand right that lands on Ekelund's shoulder, as Ekelund tries to avoid the shot.
Kiatpatarphan lands with a straight right. Ekelund didn't see that one coming.
Ekelund throws a hook to the side of Kiatpatarphan's head but Kiatpatarphan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kiatpatarphan tries a quick counter leg kick but Ekelund is wise to it.
Kiatpatarphan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ekelund counters with a nice uppercut.
Ekelund fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ekelund tries to clinch there but Kiatpatarphan circles away.
Kiatpatarphan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekelund misses the target.
A little jabbing left from Kiatpatarphan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ekelund on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ekelund with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kiatpatarphan to score with a decent uppercut.
Ekelund misses with a hook to the body
and Kiatpatarphan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kiatpatarphan throws a wild body kick that Ekelund sees coming a mile off.
Kiatpatarphan missing with a left hand there. Ekelund was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kiatpatarphan staying out of range there.
A slow jab from Kiatpatarphan misses its intended target.
A head kick by Kiatpatarphan misses
and Ekelund connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kiatpatarphan takes one to the chin there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiatpatarphan throws a lazy uppercut
letting Ekelund counter with a right hand.
Ekelund tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kiatpatarphan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kiatpatarphan throws a leg kick that misses.
Ekelund works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ekelund misses with a looping right.
Kiatpatarphan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ekelund throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ekelund throws a shot from downtown. Kiatpatarphan moves away and avoids it.
Ekelund scores with a nice head shot.
Kiatpatarphan scores with a jab to the body.

Kiatpatarphan instigates a clinch.
Ekelund tries to break free but Kiatpatarphan pushes him back against the cage.
Kiatpatarphan misses with some punches.
Ekelund lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kiatpatarphan or not.
Kiatpatarphan throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekelund.
Ekelund working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ekelund working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiatpatarphan swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekelund uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ekelund lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ekelund lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Ekelund pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kiatpatarphan looks to throw the jab but Ekelund is out of range.
Kiatpatarphan throws a solid leg kick but Ekelund takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kiatpatarphan.
Kiatpatarphan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ekelund looks to land a left hand but Kiatpatarphan moved out of range nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ekelund!
Ekelund lands a two punch combo.
Ekelund fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
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!
Kiatpatarphan connects with a crisp jab.
Kiatpatarphan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ekelund wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ekelund throws a combination that misses
and Kiatpatarphan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ekelund wants to clinch up but Kiatpatarphan keeps it at a distance.
Kiatpatarphan slips a jab from Ekelund.
Kiatpatarphan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kiatpatarphan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kiatpatarphan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kiatpatarphan scores with the left hand. Ekelund knows he should have avoided that one.
Kiatpatarphan misses with a right hand
and Ekelund counters with a stiff right hand.

The cut above Aranchai Kiatpatarphan's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Kiatpatarphan with a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekelund misses with a straight right.
Ekelund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A lazy left from Kiatpatarphan finds it's target.

Ekelund has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dick Ekelund.
Well Ekelund has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dick Ekelund!