PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tiaoali Lvavatai (ranked 2433 p4p, 2400 weight class) and Dick Ekelund (ranked 240 p4p, 238 weight class). Tiaoali Lvavatai has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Lvavatai
vs
Ekelund

171 cm
22
151
3 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
150
1 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiaoali Lvavatai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dick Ekelund!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekelund thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ekelund lands with an uppercut that bounces Lvavatai off the cage and back into range.
Nice shot by Ekelund.

It looks like Tiaoali Lvavatai has been cut.
Ekelund throws a right hand that Lvavatai ducks under and follows up with a left that Lvavatai also avoids with ease.
Ekelund misses with a looping right.
Ekelund waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lvavatai .
Lvavatai appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ekelund looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
An attempted straight right counter from Lvavatai misses the target.
Ekelund throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lvavatai half committed to a counter leg kick.

Ekelund gets a clinch.
Lvavatai takes a shot to the head.

Ekelund pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ekelund ducks under a wild hook from Lvavatai .

Lvavatai has managed to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in the clinch, Ekelund scores with a nice short uppercut.

Lvavatai jumps guard.
Ekelund slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lvavatai working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekelund content to stall in guard here.
Lvavatai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ekelund is one step ahead there.
Ekelund must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lvavatai trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lvavatai looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jab by Ekelund.
Lvavatai slips a jab from Ekelund.
Lvavatai throws a low kick, looking for Ekelund's leg but Ekelund calmly moves out of range.
Lvavatai is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Ekelund misses the body punch
and Lvavatai counters with a nice uppercut.
Lvavatai misses with a hook
and Ekelund counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lvavatai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ekelund momentarily.
Ekelund looks to throw the jab but Lvavatai is out of range.
Lvavatai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekelund uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lvavatai .
Ekelund is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lvavatai .
Ekelund throws a right hand that misses
and Lvavatai counters with a leg kick.
Lvavatai loads up on a big right hand but Ekelund slips the punch.
Ekelund thows a left - swing and a miss!

Ekelund closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lvavatai trying to control the position but instead, Ekelund has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lvavatai into the cage.
Lvavatai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
Lvavatai is trying to maintain a safe position but Ekelund gets an underhook and turns Lvavatai into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ekelund breaks from the clinch.
Ekelund will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A little feinted left hand from Lvavatai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ekelund swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
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 catches Lvavatai with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Lvavatai wants to clinch.
Ekelund looks to score with a jab to the body but Lvavatai is just out of range.
Good shot there by Ekelund.
Ekelund uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lvavatai has time to react.

Ekelund has closed the distance and engaged Lvavatai in a clinch.
Ekelund blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lvavatai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Lvavatai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Ekelund dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tiaoali Lvavatai 's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ekelund tries to clinch
and Lvavatai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ekelund takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ekelund lands a glancing blow to the side of Lvavatai 's head.
Ekelund takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ekelund looks to throw the jab but Lvavatai is out of range.
Lvavatai misses with a body shot.
Ekelund throws a right hand that misses
and Lvavatai counters with a nice body shot.
Lvavatai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ekelund.
Lvavatai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dick Ekelund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekelund lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekelund fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lvavatai manages to avoid it.
Lvavatai was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lvavatai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekelund.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ekelund darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ekelund tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Lvavatai to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ekelund lands with a short shot to the head.
Lvavatai lands a nice shot to the body.
Ekelund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lvavatai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
Lvavatai digs a right hand underneath Ekelund's ribcage. Ekelund let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Ekelund breaks from the clinch.
Lvavatai misses the shot to the body.
Ekelund displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lvavatai throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Ekelund on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ekelund looks to throw the jab but Lvavatai is out of range.
Lvavatai slips under a jab.
Lvavatai bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ekelund's head.
Ekelund throws a jab but it's blocked by Lvavatai .
Ekelund misses with a combination
and Lvavatai counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund staying out of range there.
Ekelund throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lvavatai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lvavatai is looking to counter punch.
Lvavatai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekelund.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A punch lands to the side of Lvavatai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekelund is looking to clinch but Lvavatai is avoiding it.
Dick Ekelund seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ekelund throws a lazy right hand but Lvavatai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ekelund staying out of range there.
Lvavatai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Ekelund has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ekelund digs a right hand into Lvavatai 's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lvavatai 's gas tank.
Lvavatai tries to work over Ekelund's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lvavatai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.

Ekelund breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ekelund tests Lvavatai 's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai defending well as Ekelund loads up on a big left hand.
Ekelund lands a really nice looking cross but Lvavatai seems unphased.
Ekelund lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lvavatai at a distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lvavatai , as that shot connected.
Lvavatai punishes Ekelund's body with a nice straight punch.
Ekelund takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ekelund dips to his left and cracks Lvavatai with an uppercut!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ekelund throws a knee to the head but misses.

Ekelund pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ekelund throws a lazy right hand but Lvavatai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lvavatai misses with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekelund 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Ekelund catches Lvavatai right on the button with a cross.

Ekelund clinches.
Lvavatai struggles to land a body shot inside as Ekelund controls his hands.

Ekelund pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ekelund might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lvavatai staying out of range there.
Ekelund lands a head shot.
A slow jab from Ekelund misses its intended target.
Ekelund throws an overhand right that lands on Lvavatai 's shoulder, as Lvavatai tries to avoid the shot.
The fighters circling - Ekelund throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lvavatai is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ekelund fails to land with a series of punches.
Ekelund throws a hook to the side of Lvavatai 's head but Lvavatai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ekelund has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lvavatai slips a jab from Ekelund.
Lvavatai throws an overhand right that lands on Ekelund's shoulder, as Ekelund tries to avoid the shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Ekelund showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tiaoali Lvavatai '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!

Ekelund rushes Lvavatai and presses him up against the cage.
Ekelund's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Ekelund has him pressed against the cage.
Lvavatai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
Lvavatai lands an uppercut.

Ekelund manages to break the clinch.
Lvavatai cracks Ekelund with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A slow jab from Lvavatai misses its intended target.
Ekelund swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lvavatai slips a jab from Ekelund.
A slow jab from Ekelund misses its intended target.
Ekelund misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice jab there from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai lands a slapping body shot.
Ekelund tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lvavatai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A left lands for Ekelund.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekelund scores with the left hand. Lvavatai knows he should have avoided that one.
Ekelund tries to clinch but Lvavatai moves out of range.
Lvavatai appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ekelund misses with an uppercut. Lvavatai saw that one coming.
Lvavatai just misses with a punch to the body.
Ekelund moves out of range of the strikes.
A slow jab from Ekelund misses its intended target.
Lvavatai feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Ekelund avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lvavatai .

Ekelund clinches.
Ekelund lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ekelund working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lvavatai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ekelund prevents a body shot from Lvavatai .

Ekelund breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Ekelund.
Tiaoali Lvavatai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekelund.
A big left from Ekelund misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lvavatai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ekelund cracks Lvavatai with a good jab.

Ekelund darts in and clinches Lvavatai up against the cage.
Lvavatai swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekelund uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekelund can't break the clinch.
Ekelund wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lvavatai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dick Ekelund seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Ekelund's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekelund is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A jab from Lvavatai misses.
Ekelund throws out a loose jab but Lvavatai uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Ekelund has closed the distance and engaged Lvavatai in a clinch.
Ekelund wants to break the clinch but can't.
A shot in the inside from Ekelund.
Ekelund lands with a right to the head.
Ekelund prevents a body shot from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ekelund prevents a body shot from Lvavatai .
Dick Ekelund is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lvavatai tries to work over Ekelund's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ekelund lands with a left to the head.
Lvavatai is trying to stall.
A short uppercut from Lvavatai .
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ekelund lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lvavatai backwards.
Lvavatai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lvavatai is working Ekelund over against the cage.
Lvavatai misses with a punch to the body.
Lvavatai works on Ekelund's body with a couple of short punches.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Ekelund stands there with Lvavatai around his waist. Lvavatai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ekelund prevents a body shot from Lvavatai .
Ekelund blocks an uppercut.
Ekelund blocks a body shot from Lvavatai .

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dick Ekelund.
I've got Ekelund 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

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