PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Ekaku (ranked 96 p4p, 204 weight class) and Akio Kurosaki (ranked 14 p4p, 27 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ekaku
vs
Kurosaki

173 cm
37
147
25 - 12 - 3

176 cm
33
155
12 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Conviction

Urban Fighter
KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 25 - 12 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshi Ekaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akio Kurosaki!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Kurosaki.
Ekaku tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Kurosaki ducks down to avoid it.
Kurosaki lands an overhand right.
Ekaku connects with a right hand. Kurosaki shakes it off.

It looks like Akio Kurosaki has been cut.
Ekaku seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Kurosaki loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku slips the punch.
Kurosaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kurosaki blocks a jab.
Kurosaki catches Ekaku with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kurosaki thumps Ekaku with a low kick.
Ekaku walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A head kick misses from Ekaku.
Ekaku keeps the fight on the outside.
Ekaku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurosaki.
Ekaku throws a leg kick that misses.
Ekaku throws a right and a left that both miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurosaki looks to land a right hand but Ekaku moved out of range.
Kurosaki staying out of range there.
Kurosaki lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ekaku looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kurosaki throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ekaku circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kurosaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Ekaku looks to land a body kick but Kurosaki moved away.
A head kick misses from Ekaku.
Kurosaki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kurosaki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ekaku attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Akio Kurosaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kurosaki moves into range and clinches up with Ekaku.
Kurosaki prevents a body shot from Ekaku.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ekaku.

Kurosaki breaks the clinch.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut. Kurosaki saw that one coming.
Kurosaki delivers a nice body kick.
Akio Kurosaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurosaki avoids the head kick by Ekaku.
Kurosaki ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
A lazy left from Kurosaki finds it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A leg kick checked by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki slips a jab from Ekaku.
Kurosaki loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku slips the punch.

Kurosaki takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki blocks an uppercut.
Kurosaki misses with the head strike.

Kurosaki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kurosaki tries to clinch but Ekaku is having none of it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ekaku.
Kurosaki tries to buck Ekaku off but Ekaku is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurosaki is trying to control Ekaku's posture but Ekaku avoids it.
Kurosaki tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ekaku wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku takes a little break here. Kurosaki wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kurosaki is trying to improve his position.

Ekaku goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kurosaki has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ekaku but great work by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki taking a breather here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki trying to control the action but Ekaku is working from the bottom.
Kurosaki taking a breather here.
Kurosaki tries to stand but Ekaku is controlling his head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Kurosaki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akio Kurosaki's cut.
That's time! Ekaku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ekaku keeps the fight on the outside.
Kurosaki lands with a cross.
Kurosaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ekaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Kurosaki.
Ekaku feinted with a counter takedown.
Kurosaki lands with a nice body kick.
Kurosaki throws a solid leg kick but Ekaku takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kurosaki.
Nice uppercut lands for Ekaku. That snapped Kurosaki's head back.
Kurosaki lands a jab to the nose.
Kurosaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kurosaki misses with a body kick.
Ekaku throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kurosaki jabs Ekaku right on the nose. Ekaku blinks but takes it well.
Ekaku on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kurosaki. Kurosaki obviously looking to wear him down.
Ekaku missing with a left hand there. Kurosaki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kurosaki gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ekaku lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku moves out of range of the body kick from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Ekaku appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kurosaki scores with a nice head shot.
Kurosaki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekaku tries to land a front kick but Kurosaki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kurosaki throws a low kick, looking for Ekaku's leg but Ekaku calmly moves out of range.
Kurosaki dips to his left and cracks Ekaku with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekaku takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kurosaki throws a low kick but Ekaku moves out of range easily.
Kurosaki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
It looked like Ekaku wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kurosaki lands with an uppercut that bounces Ekaku off the cage and back into range.
Ekaku ducks under a wild hook from Kurosaki.
Ekaku throws a lazy right hand but Kurosaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kurosaki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A big left from Kurosaki misses.
Kurosaki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ekaku misses with a body shot.
Ekaku will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kurosaki swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ekaku fails with the takedown.
Nice jab there from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kurosaki motions for Ekaku to come forward. Kurosaki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Ekaku on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kurosaki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurosaki lands a leg kick that knocks Ekaku off balance momentarily.
Akio Kurosaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku takes one to the chin there.
Jab, jab by Ekaku - just one landing.
Kurosaki lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ekaku throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kurosaki.
Ekaku throws out a leg kick but Kurosaki moves out of range and Ekaku only half commits.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Kurosaki's shoulder, as Kurosaki tries to avoid the shot.
Kurosaki lands a nice looking body kick.
Kurosaki scores with the left hand. Ekaku knows he should have avoided that one.
Ekaku tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ekaku fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekaku moves out of range as Kurosaki strikes.
Ekaku digs a good hook to Kurosaki's body.

Kurosaki has closed the distance and engaged Ekaku in a clinch.

Kurosaki breaks the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ekaku.
Kurosaki checks the leg kick.
Kurosaki lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kurosaki scores with the left hand. Ekaku knows he should have avoided that one.
Ekaku looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kurosaki misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
A good leg kick by Kurosaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ekaku dives in and scores a takedown into Kurosaki's guard.
Ekaku wants to control from the top but Kurosaki keeps moving.
Ekaku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kurosaki is on top in guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ekaku is on top in guard.

Ekaku tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurosaki is retaining full guard.
Ekaku is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kurosaki holds on and takes a little breather.
Kurosaki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ekaku is one step ahead there.
Ekaku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ekaku's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kurosaki has his hands on Ekaku's head, controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kurosaki looking to control but Ekaku passes into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Kurosaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Akio Kurosaki's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A big right from Ekaku misses.
Ekaku staying out of range there.
Kurosaki fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ekaku has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Good work by Ekaku as he checks the leg kick.
Kurosaki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kurosaki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A quick step to the side and Ekaku tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ekaku tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kurosaki defends well and Ekaku ends up having to push Kurosaki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ekaku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Kurosaki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kurosaki avoids a kick to the body.
Kurosaki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekaku.
Kurosaki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice uppercut there from Ekaku.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurosaki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Kurosaki clinches.

Kurosaki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Kurosaki tries to land a front kick but Ekaku steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ekaku shoots in for a double leg but Kurosaki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ekaku thuds his shin into the meat of Kurosaki's side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosaki is looking to clinch.
Nice body kick there by Kurosaki.
A slow jab from Kurosaki misses its intended target.
Kurosaki with a nice calf kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ekaku.
Kurosaki checks a leg kick.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut. Kurosaki saw that one coming.
Ekaku throws a looping overhand right but Kurosaki ducks down to avoid it.
Kurosaki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ekaku.
Kurosaki thuds his right hand into Ekaku's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ekaku throws a head kick but Kurosaki moves out of range.

Kurosaki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kurosaki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kurosaki throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kurosaki thuds his right hand into Ekaku's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Ekaku gets tackled into the cage by Kurosaki. Kurosaki maintains the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurosaki.
Ekaku is working Kurosaki over against the cage.
Hiroshi Ekaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Ekaku fails to land.
Ekaku tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Ekaku. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kurosaki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kurosaki scores with a jab. Ekaku acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ekaku misses the jab.
Kurosaki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kurosaki.
Ekaku throws a hook but Kurosaki blocks it.
Kurosaki is looking to slow Ekaku down with leg kicks.
Kurosaki takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Ekaku closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ekaku lands in his opponent's guard.
Kurosaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ekaku trying to control but Kurosaki is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Ekaku has gone for a leg lock! Kurosaki slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ekaku's guard.

Ekaku pulls Kurosaki in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kurosaki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ekaku is trying to escape the position but Kurosaki is controlling the position.
Ekaku is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kurosaki taking a breather here.
Hiroshi Ekaku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akio Kurosaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kurosaki 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akio Kurosaki!
Akio Kurosaki was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.