PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akihiro Gomi (ranked 615 p4p, 70 weight class) and Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 1255 p4p, 141 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gomi
vs
Ekaku

175 cm
34
148 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

173 cm
32
153 lbs
16 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction

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 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akihiro Gomi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Ekaku misses.
A big left from Ekaku misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ekaku.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ekaku.
Gomi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gomi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ekaku moves forwards but Gomi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
Ekaku throws a body kick that misses.
Ekaku feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gomis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A nice inside leg kick there by Gomi. That's going to slow Ekaku down.
Gomi throws a low kick but Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Ekaku misses with a head kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ekaku.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Decent striking displayed by Ekaku there.
Ekaku throws a chopping leg kick but Gomi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Gomi.
Ekaku avoids the body shot from Gomi.
Ekaku follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Gomi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
An inside leg kick lands from Gomi.
Ekaku throws a leg kick but Gomi sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ekaku momentarily.
Ekaku takes a swing at Gomi's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Gomi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gomi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gomi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Gomi.
Ekaku lands with a straight right. Gomi didn't see that one coming.
Ekaku throws a solid leg kick but Gomi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ekaku.
Ekaku stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gomi.
Gomi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gomi throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ekaku moves out of range of the strikes.
Ekaku throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Some bone on bone action there as Ekaku checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good exchange - Ekaku coming out on top.
Ekaku tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gomi.
Ekaku pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ekaku works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi connects with a body shot that sends Ekaku's belly button to the back.
Gomi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A big right from Gomi misses.
Ekaku throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gomi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gomi misses the jab.
Ekaku looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ekaku digs a good hook to Gomi's body.
Ekaku lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gomi at a distance.
Gomi misses with a looping right.
Ekaku moves away from the strike by Gomi.
Gomi backing away here, and Ekaku unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Gomi lands a nice looking body shot.
Gomi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ekaku. That did some damage!
Gomi tries to work over Ekaku's front leg with a kick but Ekaku checks it.
A countering left hand to the body from Ekaku misses.
Gomi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ekaku misses the shot to the body.
Gomi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A slow jab from Gomi misses its intended target.
Gomi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi throws a body punch but Ekaku moves out of range.
Gomi takes one to the side of the head.
Gomi misses with a body kick.
Gomi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ekaku lands a nice hook to Gomi's body. Gomi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ekaku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses.
Gomi throws an overhand right that lands on Ekaku's shoulder, as Ekaku tries to avoid the shot.
Gomi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ekaku punishes Gomi's body with a nice straight punch.
Ekaku lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ekaku lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomi misses with a hook. Ekaku ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku catches Gomi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A combination from Ekaku does no damage.
Gomi is looking to counter punch.
Ekaku is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gomi had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gomi throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku ducks down to avoid it.
Gomi lands a really nice looking cross but Ekaku seems unphased.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gomi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi lands a lovely overhand right.
Ekaku looks to throw the jab but Gomi is out of range.
Gomi throws a hook but Ekaku avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Ekaku on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ekaku feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gomis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ekaku on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gomi. Gomi obviously looking to wear him down.
Ekaku throws a front kick aimed at Gomi's knee but Gomi avoids it well.
Ekaku throws a body punch but Gomi moves out of range.
Gomi throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
Some wild striking there from Gomi.
Ekaku blocks a low kick nicely.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Gomi.
Gomi moves out of range as Ekaku throws a body kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ekaku.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gomi looks to land a right hand but Ekaku moved out of range.
Gomi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ekaku blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hiroshi Ekaku will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gomi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gomi misses with a hook.
Ekaku looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A good leg kick by Gomi.
Ekaku throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku walks into a straight right hand from Gomi.
Gomi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gomi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gomi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gomi misses with a right hand
and Ekaku counters with a good, hard body kick but Gomi shrugs it off.
Ekaku lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gomi at a distance.
Gomi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gomi scoring well with a low kick there.
Good shot there by Ekaku.
A shot to the body from Gomi misses
and Ekaku connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Gomi is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekaku digs a good body shot into Gomi's ribs.
Oh Gomi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gomi throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ekaku! But no joy.
Gomi seems to have got his legs back now.
Gomi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ekaku. That did some damage!
Ekaku lands a jab to Gomi's midsection.
Ekaku lands a really nice looking cross but Gomi seems unphased.
Ekaku dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Gomi swings for the body but Ekaku moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab, jab by Gomi - just one landing.
Jab by Gomi.
Ekaku fails to land with a series of punches.
Gomi appears to be looking for a big counter.
Gomi drops his hands momentarily and Ekaku takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ekaku.
Gomi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ekaku moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gomi cracks Ekaku with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gomi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ekaku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gomi.
Gomi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gomi throws a hook but Ekaku blocks it.
Gomi lands with an overhand left.
Ekaku misses with a low kick.
A jab from Gomi misses.
Gomi misses the shot to the body.
Gomi tries to land a leg kick but Ekaku saw it coming and moves away.
Ekaku is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Gomi with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Gomi.
Ekaku's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ekaku.
Hiroshi Ekaku seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gomi takes one to the chin there.
Ekaku throws a chopping leg kick but Gomi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gomi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ekaku misses with a hook.
Ekaku cracks the inside of Gomi's front leg.
Ekaku slips under a jab from Gomi.
Good leg kick by Ekaku there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ekaku walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Gomi.
Gomi throws a big shot that misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ekaku.
Nice uppercut lands for Ekaku. That snapped Gomi's head back.
Ekaku throws out a leg kick but Gomi moves out of range and Ekaku only half commits.
Ekaku waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gomi.
Gomi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ekaku takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ekaku attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi avoids a kick to the body.
Ekaku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Gomi.
Gomi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Gomi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gomi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ekaku.
A little jabbing left from Ekaku on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ekaku avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gomi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Gomi throwing a counter right hand but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Gomi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gomi misses with a kick to the body.
Ekaku thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gomi lands with a nice body punch.
Gomi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Gomi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ekaku looks to land a left hand but Gomi moved out of range nicely.
Ekaku throws a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku lands a nice shot that snaps Gomi's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi misses with a wild body shot.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gomi misses with a straight right.
It seemed like Ekaku was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ekaku thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gomi misses with a body shot.
Gomi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gomi throws a leg kick but Ekaku checks it.
Gomi is looking to slow Ekaku down with leg kicks.
Ekaku throws a right hand that misses
and Gomi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gomi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ekaku takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gomi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gomi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gomi.
A low kick from Ekaku misses
and Gomi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Ekaku is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Gomi stuns Ekaku with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
No joy there for Gomi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hiroshi Ekaku will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ekaku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gomi.
Ekaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gomi tried to counter with a leg kick but Ekaku avoided it.
Ekaku misses with a straight right.
Gomi throws a looping overhand right but Ekaku ducks down to avoid it.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut
and Gomi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ekaku throws a low kick, looking for Gomi's leg but Gomi calmly moves out of range.
Ekaku misses with a jab to the body
and Gomi counters with a stiff right hand.
Gomi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gomi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ekaku lands with a nice body punch.
Gomi throws the left hand but Ekaku avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gomi was well out of range. Poor timing from Ekaku.
Ekaku takes one to the side of the head.
Gomi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ekaku.
Gomi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ekaku.
Gomi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku blocks a low kick nicely.
Ekaku avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ekaku swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Gomi ducks down to avoid it.
Gomi feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ekaku has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ekaku changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ekaku scores with a nice head shot.
Ekaku gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ekaku fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gomi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gomi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Gomi looks to throw the jab but Ekaku is out of range.
Ekaku looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ekaku connects with a jab.
Ekaku walks into a straight right hand from Gomi.
Gomi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekaku keeps Gomi at a distance using the push kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gomi throws a jab when Ekaku was well out of range.
Gomi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ekaku fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gomi checks it well.
Gomi misses the shot to the body.
Ekaku takes a swing at Gomi's ribcage but misses.
Akihiro Gomi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
Ekaku was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ekaku throws a hook to the side of Gomi's head but Gomi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gomi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Ekaku misses.
Gomi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ekaku moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gomi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Gomi throws a sloppy head kick and Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Gomi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gomi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gomi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gomi takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ekaku sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ekaku scores with a kick to the body.
Ekaku moves out of range as Gomi throws a body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Gomi misses the target.
Ekaku scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gomi connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ekaku, right into the meat.
Ekaku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ekaku slips under a jab.
Ekaku works the jab nicely.
Ekaku cracks Gomi with an open hand slap.
Gomi throws out a loose jab but Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body kick there by Ekaku.
Gomi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekaku lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ekaku jabs Gomi right on the nose. Gomi blinks but takes it well.
Ekaku dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gomi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Gomi.
Gomi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku lands with a kick to the ribs.
Ekaku darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ekaku. Gomi shrugs it off though.
Gomi gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Ekaku.
Ekaku tries a head kick but it misses.
Ekaku takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A solid body kick from Ekaku.
Gomi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gomi throws a leg kick but Ekaku sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ekaku lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gomi throws a poor cross that misses
and Ekaku counters with a straight right hand.
Gomi misses with a straight left.
Ekaku drops Gomi with a straight right hand, right on the button! Ekaku follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hiroshi Ekaku!
Hiroshi Ekaku thanked the fans post fight for their support.