PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Renji Abarai (ranked 147 p4p, 663 weight class) and Dick Ekelund (ranked 16 p4p, 81 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Abarai
vs
Ekelund

175 cm
24
150
11 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
150
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Carnage Clothing
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Renji Abarai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dick Ekelund!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Abarai catches Ekelund right on the button with a cross.
Ekelund connects with a right hand. Abarai shakes it off.
Ekelund swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ekelund fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ekelund moves in looking to clinch but Abarai pushes him off.
Nice jab there from Ekelund.
Abarai gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ekelund.

Ekelund clinches up against the cage.
Abarai swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekelund uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ekelund tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abarai's elbow.
Ekelund lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Abarai fails to land.
Ekelund misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Abarai.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Ekelund.
Ekelund lands a left hand.
Ekelund lands with a left to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ekelund blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Abarai misses with a punch on the inside.
Abarai misses with some punches.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Ekelund tries a body shot but Abarai blocks it.
Abarai has a couple of punches blocked by Ekelund.
Ekelund swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ekelund scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Abarai misses with some punches.
Abarai leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ekelund letting Abarai take a breather here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Abarai for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Ekelund is trying to drag Abarai to the mat but Abarai just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Abarai scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abarai lands a body shot.
Abarai lands a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body punch from Abarai.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abarai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekelund misses with a punch to the body.
Ekelund has a couple of punches blocked by Abarai.
Ekelund has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Abarai seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ekelund can turn it around.

Abarai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ekelund tries to clinch up.
Ekelund throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Abarai was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ekelund.
Ekelund just misses with a punch to the body.
A big left from Abarai misses.
Ekelund wants to counter the offense by Abarai and move into the clinch position.
Abarai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekelund manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Ekelund.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ekelund takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice shot by Abarai.
Ekelund throws a series of punches but Abarai avoids them all with ease.
Ekelund is looking to clinch.
Ekelund misses with a looping right.
Abarai was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ekelund misses the body punch
and Abarai counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ekelund thinking.
Abarai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abarai throws a hook but Ekelund avoids it easily.
Abarai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Abarai looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ekelund lands a slapping body shot.
Abarai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Abarai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund throws a sloppy body shot
and Abarai counters with an inside leg kick.
Abarai connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekelund tries to clinch but Abarai is having none of it.
Abarai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ekelund.
Ekelund tries to clinch up but Abarai circles away and keeps his distance.
Ekelund bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ekelund throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Renji Abarai has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ekelund looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Abarai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ekelund.
Ekelund feints a jab promting Abarai to slip. Ekelund then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Abarai slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Dick Ekelund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ekelund. Abarai does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dick Ekelund will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Renji Abarai's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ekelund tries to clinch
and Abarai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Ekelund pushes Abarai up against the cage in a clinch.
Dick Ekelund seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ekelund is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abarai is defending well for now.
Abarai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Abarai prevents a body shot from Ekelund.
Ekelund scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ekelund misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai scores with a hook to the body.
Abarai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abarai trying to stall but Ekelund improves his position.
Ekelund lands a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Abarai.
A right hand to the body from Abarai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai stalling.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ekelund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ekelund swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
Abarai has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abarai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Abarai.
Ekelund struggles to land a body shot inside as Abarai controls his hands.
Abarai lands with a light punch inside.
Abarai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abarai lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Ekelund fails to land.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Ekelund controls his hands.
Ekelund blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekelund lands a right hand.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ekelund tries for a takedown but Abarai manages to get underhooks.
Abarai lands a nice uppercut.
Ekelund lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Abarai backwards.
Ekelund works on Abarai's body with a couple of short punches.
Abarai digs a right hand underneath Ekelund's ribcage. Ekelund let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ekelund fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abarai lands a hook that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
Ekelund takes a shot to the head.
Abarai blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Abarai.
Abarai lands with a light punch inside.
Ekelund tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ekelund's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ekelund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ekelund is looking to break free of the clinch but Abarai has double underhooks.
Abarai throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ekelund tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ekelund misses with some punches.
Ekelund tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abarai's elbow.
Abarai misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
Abarai lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai misses with the head strike.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Ekelund avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
Ekelund lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ekelund throws a head punch that misses.
Abarai throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekelund.
Ekelund tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abarai's elbow.
Abarai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ekelund tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abarai's elbow.
A shot in the inside from Ekelund.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ekelund.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
A body shot lands from Ekelund.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekelund is trying to stall.
Abarai lands a body punch.
Ekelund throws a punch but it's blocked by Abarai.
Ekelund lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ekelund misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abarai throws a head punch that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Abarai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Abarai.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekelund misses with a punch on the inside.
Ekelund misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai prevents a body shot from Ekelund.
A shot in the inside from Abarai.
Ekelund scores with a nice hook to the head.
Abarai misses with a punch to the body.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ekelund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Abarai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Abarai will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ekelund up against the cage.
Ekelund digs a right hand into Abarai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Abarai's gas tank.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Renji Abarai's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Abarai circles away from the clinch attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Abarai misses the target.
Ekelund lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ekelund fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Abarai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ekelund takes one on the button.
Ekelund tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abarai paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Ekelund clinches with his opponent.
Abarai misses with some punches.
Abarai taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai lands with a light punch inside.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Ekelund controls his hands.
Ekelund throws a head punch that misses.
Abarai working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Abarai fails to land.
A body shot lands from Ekelund.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekelund tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abarai's elbow.
A bit of stalling here from Abarai.
Abarai swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekelund uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abarai tries to work over Ekelund's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abarai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ekelund goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abarai lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Abarai.
Abarai misses with some punches.
Abarai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ekelund tries to work over Abarai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ekelund prevents a body shot from Abarai.
Abarai working aggressively here.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Abarai.
Ekelund lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abarai lands a body shot.
Ekelund misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ekelund misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abarai.

Abarai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekelund ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Abarai moves away.
Ekelund uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abarai.
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 tries to clinch
and Abarai counters with a good low kick that Ekelund was not able to check.
Ekelund tries to clinch there but Abarai circles away.
Abarai was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Ekelund has Abarai up against the cage in a clinch.
Abarai looking to stall.
Ekelund goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abarai lands a hook that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
Abarai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abarai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ekelund clinches up against the cage.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ekelund misses with a punch on the inside.
Ekelund working aggressively here.
Abarai controlling the action here for a moment.
Abarai working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ekelund gets through Abarai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Abarai is trying to break the clinch but Ekelund is controlling him.
Abarai digs a right hand underneath Ekelund's ribcage. Ekelund let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ekelund presses Abarai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Ekelund.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
Abarai throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund misses with a body punch.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Abarai.
Ekelund is leaning against Abarai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Abarai misses with the head strike.
Ekelund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ekelund swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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 throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ekelund stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ekelund lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Ekelund.
A head punch on the inside from Abarai fails to land.
Abarai working aggressively here.
Ekelund misses with a body punch.
Ekelund lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ekelund can't find room to land a body shot as Abarai controls the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Renji Abarai did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Renji Abarai's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Abarai. Ekelund does a little dance to reset his feet.
Abarai throws a shot from downtown. Ekelund moves away and avoids it.
Abarai takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ekelund closes the distance looking to clinch
and Abarai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ekelund doesn't manage to clinch there - Abarai circles away.

Ekelund closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai scores with a hook to the body.
Ekelund lands a nice uppercut.
Abarai scores with a shoulder strike.
Abarai wants to get back to striking at distance but Ekelund won't allow it.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abarai lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
Ekelund misses with a body punch.
Abarai misses with some punches.
Ekelund working aggressively here.
Abarai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abarai blocks an uppercut.
Ekelund can't find room to land a body shot as Abarai controls the action.
Ekelund misses with a body punch.
Abarai throws a head punch that misses.
Ekelund blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Ekelund missing with knees to the body.
Ekelund misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abarai.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abarai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Abarai has Ekelund pressed against the cage, preventing Ekelund from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ekelund's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Abarai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
Ekelund misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund lands an uppercut.
Ekelund works on Abarai's body with a couple of short punches.
Ekelund misses with the head strike.
Ekelund blocks an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ekelund lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ekelund blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Abarai struggles to land a body shot inside as Ekelund controls his hands.
Ekelund misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekelund.
Abarai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ekelund backwards.
Ekelund tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ekelund is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abarai is defending well for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekelund.
Abarai swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekelund uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from Ekelund.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ekelund creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai lands a shot to the body.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
Ekelund lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Abarai blocks a body shot from Ekelund.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Ekelund avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
Abarai misses with a body punch.
Ekelund pushes Abarai back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ekelund misses with some punches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ekelund lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Abarai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Abarai tries a body shot but Ekelund blocks it.
Ekelund tries to throw a body punch but Abarai avoids it by throwing Ekelund back against the cage.
Abarai tries to throw a body punch but Ekelund avoids it by throwing Abarai back against the cage.
Ekelund softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ekelund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ekelund misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abarai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Abarai scores with a shoulder strike.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ekelund tries to work over Abarai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Abarai tries to work over Ekelund's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ekelund cracks Abarai with a nice body shot.
Ekelund blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ekelund can't find room to land a body shot as Abarai controls the action.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekelund throws a head punch that misses.
Ekelund throws a punch but it's blocked by Abarai.
Abarai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Abarai.
Abarai tries to work over Ekelund's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Abarai blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Abarai.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Dick Ekelund will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Renji Abarai's cut.
That's time! Abarai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ekelund fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Abarai, pushing him back against the cage.
Abarai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Abarai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abarai throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
Ekelund tries to work over Abarai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ekelund misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ekelund tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abarai's elbow.
A short right from Abarai on the inside.
Abarai scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ekelund lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Abarai.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekelund.
Ekelund lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Abarai blocking some punches.
Ekelund working aggressively here.
Ekelund throws a punch but it's blocked by Abarai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Abarai.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ekelund.
Ekelund is looking for a takedown.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.

Abarai manages to break the clinch.
Ekelund tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abarai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abarai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Abarai is looking to slow Ekelund down with leg kicks.
Ekelund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ekelund looks to clinch
and Abarai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Ekelund gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Abarai wants to stall.
A right hook to the body lands for Abarai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekelund misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Ekelund blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abarai.
Ekelund lands a shoulder strike.
Abarai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ekelund's elbow.
Ekelund blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ekelund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ekelund lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Abarai has a couple of punches blocked by Ekelund.
Ekelund lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ekelund scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Abarai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekelund swings wildly with an uppercut but Abarai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekelund's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ekelund lands a hook that snaps the head of Abarai backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai misses with a body punch.
Abarai is leaning against Ekelund and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Abarai takes a shot to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Abarai.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Abarai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Abarai misses with a body punch.
Ekelund blocks a body shot from Abarai.
Ekelund tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abarai avoids it.
Ekelund throws a head punch that misses.
Abarai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Abarai can't find room to land a body shot as Ekelund controls the action.
Ekelund lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Abarai backwards.
Abarai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Abarai has a couple of punches blocked by Ekelund.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abarai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Abarai lands with a right to the head.
Ekelund's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ekelund lands a nice shot to the body.
Abarai throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekelund.
A head punch on the inside from Abarai fails to land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good body shot from Ekelund.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A short right from Ekelund.
Abarai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ekelund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abarai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ekelund tries to land knees in the clinch but Abarai avoids the damage to the body.
Abarai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ekelund lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Abarai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ekelund misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dick Ekelund.
I think Ekelund has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:48
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:49
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Renji Abarai!
Renji Abarai retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Renji Abarai thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.