PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Venum Tree Knee Dad (ranked 104 p4p, 20 weight class) and Hakuin Ekaku Jr (ranked 75 p4p, 16 weight class). Tree Knee Dad comes to the cage accompanied by Not Falling by Mudvayne. Ekaku Jr comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jiu Jitsu kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Venum Tree Knee Dad has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tree Knee Dad
vs
Ekaku Jr

170 cm
40
152 lbs
45 - 15 - 0

175 cm
31
165 lbs
31 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 45 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Venum Tree Knee Dad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hakuin Ekaku Jr!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left lands for Tree Knee Dad.
Ekaku Jr slips under a jab from Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a looping left.
Tree Knee Dad keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku Jr.
Tree Knee Dad looks to land a right hand but Ekaku Jr moved out of range.
Ekaku Jr misses with a low kick.
Tree Knee Dad throws a body punch but Ekaku Jr moves out of range.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a jab to the body.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a looping left.
Tree Knee Dad fails with the takedown.
Ekaku Jr keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ekaku Jr looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ekaku Jr swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tree Knee Dad drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ekaku Jr sprawls and moves away.
Ekaku Jr scores with a jab.
Ekaku Jr misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku Jr lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ekaku Jr tries to land a leg kick but Tree Knee Dad saw it coming and moves away.
Tree Knee Dad connects with an inside leg kick.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku Jr gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tree Knee Dad.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tree Knee Dad looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ekaku Jr moves away from the strike by Tree Knee Dad.
Ekaku Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tree Knee Dad with a poor takedown
enabling Ekaku Jr to counter with a crisp jab.
Ekaku Jr shoots in looking for a takedown but Tree Knee Dad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ekaku Jr's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A telegraphed right hand from Tree Knee Dad misses the target.
It seemed like Ekaku Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a looping right.
A jab from Tree Knee Dad finds it's way through Ekaku Jr's defenses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tree Knee Dad darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tree Knee Dad misses with a hook. Ekaku Jr ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku Jr feints the counter takedown.
Tree Knee Dad lands a right hook to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tree Knee Dad fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Venum Tree Knee Dad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ekaku Jr blocks a jab.
Tree Knee Dad throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tree Knee Dad ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr throws a leg kick but Tree Knee Dad moved away.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku Jr misses the target.
Ekaku Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Tree Knee Dad lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tree Knee Dad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tree Knee Dad scores with a hook.
Ekaku Jr looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ekaku Jr looks for a takedown but Tree Knee Dad sprawls well.
Ekaku Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Tree Knee Dad is just out of range.
Tree Knee Dad thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tree Knee Dad throws the left hand but Ekaku Jr avoids the punch easily.
Tree Knee Dad takes a swing at Ekaku Jr's ribcage but misses.
Tree Knee Dad throws a leg kick but Ekaku Jr sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Tree Knee Dad gets caught napping as Ekaku Jr dives in and scores a takedown. Tree Knee Dad manages to retain guard.

Ekaku Jr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tree Knee Dad trying to control the position.
Ekaku Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ekaku Jr scoring with punches to the head and body.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ekaku Jr's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Tree Knee Dad looking for a guillotine here but Ekaku Jr defends easily.
Ekaku Jr with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Tree Knee Dad throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Tree Knee Dad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tree Knee Dad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ekaku Jr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad keeping moving, preventing Ekaku Jr from controlling successfully.
Ekaku Jr wants to pass the guard but Tree Knee Dad is keeping the position.

Tree Knee Dad looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ekaku Jr controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ekaku Jr is working Tree Knee Dad over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Tree Knee Dad working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ekaku Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ekaku Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ekaku Jr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Venum Tree Knee Dad dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ekaku Jr loads up on a big right hand but Tree Knee Dad slips the punch.
Ekaku Jr connects with a crisp jab.
Ekaku Jr misses with a hook. Tree Knee Dad ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ekaku Jr takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Tree Knee Dad feints and as Ekaku Jr raises his hands in defense, Tree Knee Dad changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ekaku Jr wants to sweep here but Tree Knee Dad controlling him for the moment.
Ekaku Jr is trying to control the position but Tree Knee Dad postures up.
Tree Knee Dad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ekaku Jr can do to turn this around?
Ekaku Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekaku Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Ekaku Jr, not yet.
Ekaku Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tree Knee Dad's guard.

Ekaku Jr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tree Knee Dad has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ekaku Jr has managed to get both his arms back between Tree Knee Dad's legs - danger averted.
Ekaku Jr scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekaku Jr throws a big right hand that misses.
Tree Knee Dad controls Ekaku Jr momentarily but Ekaku Jr frees himself.
Ekaku Jr is working Tree Knee Dad over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Tree Knee Dad is looking for a triangle but Ekaku Jr pushes his legs off easily.
Ekaku Jr passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tree Knee Dad is not content to let Ekaku Jr control the position.
Ekaku Jr working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Tree Knee Dad tries to bench press Ekaku Jr off him but Ekaku Jr keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr is putting a hurting on Tree Knee Dad here, landing some big shots from side control.
Tree Knee Dad tries to bench press Ekaku Jr off him but Ekaku Jr keeps the position.
Tree Knee Dad is working hard here to advance position.
Ekaku Jr wants to control but Tree Knee Dad is keeping him busy.
Tree Knee Dad is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tree Knee Dad trying to control but Ekaku Jr postures up.
Ground and pound from Ekaku Jr.
Ekaku Jr looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Tree Knee Dad tries to roll over but Ekaku Jr keeps him under control.

Tree Knee Dad looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku Jr is keen to just control but Tree Knee Dad is a slippery customer.
Tree Knee Dad is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ekaku Jr's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ekaku Jr's back!
Can Ekaku Jr hold on?! Tree Knee Dad is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Tree Knee Dad has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Tree Knee Dad throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Ekaku Jr tries to break free.

Ekaku Jr preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Tree Knee Dad.
Ekaku Jr is trying to break free.

Ekaku Jr is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Tree Knee Dad gets his way!
Ekaku Jr is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Tree Knee Dad.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad misses with an elbow to the head.
Ekaku Jr is really stuck here.
Tree Knee Dad looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Ekaku Jr trying to control but not successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku Jr is in bad spot here.
Ekaku Jr trying to control the action but Tree Knee Dad just sinks the hooks in.

Ekaku Jr is trying to defend against the choke here but Tree Knee Dad has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Tree Knee Dad Tightens the hold and Ekaku Jr taps out furiously! Tree Knee Dad displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Venum Tree Knee Dad!
Venum Tree Knee Dad retains his lightweight title!
A victorious Venum Tree Knee Dad thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Hakuin Ekaku Jr spoke after the fight, saying 'God Bless all. Thank you to my inspiration, my father, THE GREATEST EVER Hakuin "Zen" Ekaku.'.