PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chris Mayo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wes Ekwall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mayo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Super Furry Animals - Golden Retriever. Ekwall is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Linkin Park--One Step Closer. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mayo
vs
Ekwall

170 cm
36
142 lbs
22 - 19 - 0

170 cm
33
145 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chris Mayo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Wes Ekwall!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Micheangelo Fripello and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekwall with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mayo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice straight punches there by Mayo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mayo.

Mayo moves into range and clinches up with Ekwall.
Mayo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mayo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ekwall up against the cage.
Mayo misses with a knee strike.
Mayo tries a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks it.
Mayo crunches a lovely knee into Ekwall's ribcage.
Mayo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mayo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mayo has Ekwall pressed against the cage, preventing Ekwall from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mayo.
Mayo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Ekwall is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekwall wants a takedown.
Ekwall is still on wobbly legs! Can Mayo finish him?
Mayo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ekwall backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ekwall backwards.
The referee calls for Mayo to work.
Ekwall seems to have recovered his senses.
Mayo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mayo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mayo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ekwall tries to circle away but Mayo has him pinned against the cage.
Ekwall is looking to break free of the clinch but Mayo has double underhooks.
Mayo trying to land knees to the body.
Ekwall is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Chris Mayo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wes Ekwall.
Mayo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mayo is pressed up against the cage. Ekwall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mayo down to the mat. Mayo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mayo lands with a good body shot.
Mayo tests Ekwall's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Ekwall gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ekwall taking a breather.
Mayo stalling against the cage.
Mayo lands an elbow that stopped Ekwall in his tracks for a moment.
Mayo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ekwall in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
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!
Mayo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ekwall is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mayo.

Ekwall pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ekwall looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ekwall works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mayo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mayo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ekwall utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ekwall keeping full guard, as Mayo tries to pass.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mayo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekwall looking for a sweep. Not yet Ekwall, not yet.
Mayo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mayo throws a big elbow that misses.
Ekwall working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mayo.
Mayo pushes down on Ekwall's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ekwall trying to control but Mayo postures up.

Mayo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ekwall is just riding it out for now. Mayo eventually gives up the hold.
Mayo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ekwall knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mayo is working away from the top position though.
Ekwall blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mayo.
Mayo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ekwall defending well though.
Ekwall keeping control of the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mayo passes to side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mayo sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ekwall is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Mayo creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ekwall dodges the ground and pound from Mayo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Mayo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mayo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Chris Mayo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ekwall moves away from the strike by Mayo.
Mayo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ekwall counters with a straight right hand.
Ekwall keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mayo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mayo misses with a hook. Ekwall ducked under it nicely.
Mayo scores with a body shot.

Mayo shoots in and bounces Ekwall off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mayo trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekwall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mayo throws a big elbow that misses.
Mayo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Mayo with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekwall is trying to control the position but Mayo postures up.
Ekwall working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mayo.
Ekwall working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mayo.
Ekwall working a defensive guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mayo throwing strikes but missing.
Mayo stopping the sweep attempt from Ekwall.
Mayo trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekwall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mayo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ekwall's head.
Mayo trying to control the position from guard on top but Ekwall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mayo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall wants to sweep here but Mayo controlling him for the moment.
Mayo postures up in Ekwall's guard and throws a big left but Ekwall blocks it.
Mayo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mayo trying to control but Ekwall is working from the bottom.
Ekwall wants to sweep here but Mayo controlling him for the moment.
Mayo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ekwall wants to get back to his feet but Mayo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mayo pushing down on Ekwall's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ekwall tries to roll over but Mayo keeps him under control.
Mayo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall manages to get to full guard.
Mayo slips nicely into half guard.
Mayo wants to control but Ekwall is keeping him busy.
Mayo working Ekwall over with strikes.
Ekwall tries to get to full guard but Mayo has control of the leg.
Mayo is thwarting Ekwall's attempts to control the position.
Mayo trying to control the pace.
Ekwall is staying active underneath Mayo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ekwall blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mayo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mayo is looking to advance position but Ekwall won't allow it.
Mayo works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ekwall is working to get back to half guard.
Ekwall is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mayo postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ekwall looks a forlorn figure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekwall keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ekwall is in a horrible position here. Mayo smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Mayo punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Mayo dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mayo scores with a shot to the body.
Ekwall throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Mayo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ekwall moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mayo dips to his left and cracks Ekwall with an uppercut!
A clash of legs there as Mayo blocks the low kick.
Wes Ekwall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mayo looks to throw the jab but Ekwall is out of range.

Mayo has Ekwall up against the cage in a clinch.

Mayo drops Ekwall onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Ekwall is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mayo obliges.
Mayo dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mayo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ekwall backwards.
Mayo lands a shoulder strike.
Ekwall tries to stall but Mayo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mayo pushes Ekwall back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mayo avoiding damage.
Mayo is pressed up against the cage. Ekwall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mayo down to the mat. Mayo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayo misses with a jab to the body
and Ekwall counters with a slapping leg kick.
A slow jab from Mayo misses its intended target.
Mayo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ekwall momentarily.

Mayo moves into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mayo.
Mayo comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A right handed body shot lands from Mayo.
A knee to the head by Mayo.
Mayo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ekwall can do to turn this around?
The referee is keeping an eye on Mayo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Mayo is pressed up against the cage. Ekwall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mayo down to the mat. Mayo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mayo lands with a cross.
Mayo misses the jab.
Mayo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mayo clobbers Ekwall with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mayo scores with a jab to the head.
Ekwall ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Ekwall tries to keep at a distance but Mayo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mayo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ekwall.
Mayo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mayo scores with a hook to the body.
Mayo missing with knees to the body.
Mayo tries to land a knee to the head but Ekwall blocks with his arms.
Mayo missing with knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mayo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Mayo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mayo misses with a body punch.
Mayo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ekwall up against the cage.
Ekwall goes for a takedown attempt but Mayo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Chris Mayo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wes Ekwall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Mayo looking to score a takedown here. Ekwall is defending well but Mayo drives through and ends up in Ekwall's guard.
Mayo lands a couple of elbows.
Mayo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mayo won't allow Ekwall to sweep him here.
Ekwall pulls Mayo in close to prevent any damage.
Mayo with a nice head shot there.
Mayo trying to control but Ekwall is working from the bottom.
Ekwall working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mayo.
Mayo throws a big right hand that misses.
Wes Ekwall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mayo stands and throws Ekwall's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekwall can't do much from the bottom here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mayo lands a nice forearm strike.
Ekwall is looking to reverse the position.
Mayo lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Ekwall is not content to let Mayo control the position.
Ekwall is trying to control Mayo's posture but Mayo avoids it.
Ekwall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ekwall managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mayo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mayo scores with punches from side control.
Mayo scoring with punches and elbows.
Mayo cracks Ekwall with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Chris Mayo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mayo taking a breather here.
Ekwall throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Mayo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mayo 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Mayo!
An out of breath and clearly excited Chris Mayo thanked Crushed Designs (90% return on laundry service) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).