PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roy Whitaker (ranked 1335 p4p, 963 weight class) and Masa Funaki (ranked 176 p4p, 135 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Whitaker
vs
Funaki

177 cm
38
160
32 - 17 - 0

180 cm
34
154
19 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
HELLBENT

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roy Whitaker !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masa Funaki!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker misses with a straight left.
Funaki unleashes a big counter combination but Whitaker bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
Funaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Funaki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Roy Whitaker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Whitaker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Whitaker throws a good cross that connects.
Nice shot by Funaki.

It looks like Roy Whitaker has been cut.
Funaki takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
Whitaker lands a leg kick that knocks Funaki off balance momentarily.
Whitaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Funaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Whitaker throws a leg kick but Funaki moved away.
Funaki was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Funaki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Whitaker has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Whitaker and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Whitaker swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Whitaker looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker lands a head shot.
Whitaker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Funaki misses the jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Whitaker .
A slapping body kick lands there for Funaki.
Funaki misses with a takedown attempt - Whitaker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Whitaker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Funaki has taken the fight to the clinch.
Whitaker throws a punch but it's blocked by Funaki.
Funaki lands a shot to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Funaki.
Whitaker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Funaki lands with a short head shot on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki landing knees to the head.
Whitaker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Whitaker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Funaki's elbow.
Whitaker misses with the head strike.
Whitaker struggles to land a body shot inside as Funaki controls his hands.
Whitaker lands a right hand.
Funaki misses with a body punch.
Whitaker gets through Funaki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Whitaker swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Whitaker lands a left hand that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Funaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Whitaker lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Whitaker avoiding damage as Funaki throws knees to the body.
Funaki takes a shot to the head.
Funaki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Whitaker misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Whitaker fails to land.
Whitaker lands a left hand that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Whitaker takes an elbow to the temple.
Funaki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Whitaker or not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Funaki.
Funaki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Funaki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Whitaker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Funaki is leaning against Whitaker and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Whitaker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Funaki is keeping busy.
Funaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Whitaker .
Funaki lands with a light punch inside.
Funaki tries to land knees in the clinch but Whitaker avoids the damage to the body.
Funaki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Whitaker .
Funaki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Whitaker backwards.
Whitaker lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Whitaker blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Funaki blocks a body shot from Whitaker .
Funaki has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Whitaker seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Funaki can turn it around.
A nice right hand lands inside from Whitaker .
Funaki looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Whitaker trying to stall but Funaki improves his position.
Funaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Whitaker .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Funaki working aggressively here.
Whitaker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Funaki tries to throw a body punch but Whitaker avoids it by throwing Funaki back against the cage.
Funaki digs a right hand underneath Whitaker 's ribcage. Whitaker let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Funaki looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Funaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Funaki missing with knees to the body.
Funaki tries to land a knee to the head but Whitaker blocks with his arms.
A short uppercut from Funaki.
Funaki misses with a knee to the head.
Whitaker scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Funaki.
Funaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Funaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Whitaker backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Funaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Funaki working aggressively here.
Whitaker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Funaki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Whitaker 's face.
Funaki scores with a shoulder strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Masa Funaki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roy Whitaker 's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Funaki looks to land a combination but Whitaker avoids it well.
Whitaker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Funaki.
Nice defenses there by Funaki.
Whitaker misses with a hook. Funaki ducked under it nicely.
Whitaker looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Funaki on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Whitaker . Whitaker obviously looking to wear him down.
Funaki tries to close the distance and clinch but Whitaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Whitaker swings away with a body shot that misses
and Funaki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Whitaker misses with a body punch
and Funaki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Whitaker is rocked!
Funaki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Oh Whitaker is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Funaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Whitaker scoring well with a low kick there.
Whitaker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Roy Whitaker is winning the standup battle so far.
Funaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Whitaker appears to be looking for a big counter.
Whitaker misses with an uppercut

and Funaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Funaki.
Whitaker seems to have got his legs back now.
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!
A head punch on the inside from Funaki fails to land.
Whitaker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Funaki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Whitaker 's brow.
Funaki lands with a short shot to the head.
Funaki tries a knee to the head but Whitaker blocks it.
Whitaker has a couple of punches blocked by Funaki.
Funaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Whitaker 's elbow.
Whitaker leaning his opponent against the cage.
Funaki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Whitaker is defending well for now.
Funaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Whitaker lands a body punch in the clinch.
Whitaker effectively controlling the action here.
Funaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Funaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Whitaker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Funaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Whitaker tries to break the clinch but Funaki is controlling the position.
Good body shot from Funaki.
Whitaker throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker prevents a body shot from Funaki.
Funaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Whitaker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Whitaker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right from Funaki on the inside.
Funaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Whitaker .
Funaki tries to work over Whitaker 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Whitaker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Masa Funaki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Whitaker makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Whitaker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Whitaker working aggressively here.
Funaki scores with a knee to the head.
Whitaker makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Funaki pushes Whitaker back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Funaki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Funaki misses with a punch on the inside.
Whitaker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Funaki lands an elbow inside.
Whitaker avoiding damage as Funaki throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki blocking some punches.
Funaki misses with a punch to the body.
Whitaker throws a head punch that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Funaki.
Funaki tries to throw a body punch but Whitaker avoids it by throwing Funaki back against the cage.
Whitaker throws a head punch that misses.
Whitaker swings wildly with an uppercut but Funaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funaki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Whitaker avoids it.

Whitaker breaks from the clinch.
Funaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Whitaker . Funaki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Funaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Funaki misses with a low kick.
Funaki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Whitaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Whitaker looks to land a right hand but Funaki moved out of range.
Funaki closes the distance looking to clinch
and Whitaker counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Roy Whitaker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Whitaker scores with a jab.
Roy Whitaker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Whitaker . That's going to slow Funaki down.
Whitaker just misses with a punch to the body.
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!
Whitaker throws a quick inside leg kick.
Funaki slips under a jab.
Whitaker leaves Funaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Funaki ducks right into an uppercut from Whitaker .
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Roy Whitaker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roy Whitaker 's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Funaki throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Whitaker .
Funaki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Whitaker can pounce on him.
Whitaker blocks a head kick by Funaki.
It looked like Whitaker wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Whitaker throws a lazy right hand but Funaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Whitaker avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Funaki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Funaki slips a straight right by Whitaker .
Funaki lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Funaki scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice cross by Whitaker .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitaker lands with an overhand left.
Funaki's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Funaki throws a series of punches but Whitaker avoids them all with ease.
Whitaker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A low kick from Whitaker misses
and Funaki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Whitaker throws a leg kick
and Funaki counters with a straight right hand.
Funaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Funaki misses with a low kick.
Whitaker is looking to counter punch.
Whitaker misses with a straight right.
Funaki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Funaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Funaki ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker .
Funaki moves to clinch but Whitaker breaks away
letting Whitaker counter with a right hand.
Whitaker slips a jab from Funaki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Funaki.
Whitaker digs a good body shot into Funaki's ribs.
Whitaker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Whitaker misses with a hook.
Whitaker avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Whitaker feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Funaki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Whitaker is out of range and Funaki settles back down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Funaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Whitaker ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Whitaker lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Funaki at a distance.
Whitaker connects with a right hand. Funaki shakes it off.
Whitaker misses with a lunging right hand
and Funaki counters with an inside leg kick.
Masa Funaki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Funaki slips a straight right by Whitaker .
Nice uppercut lands for Whitaker . That snapped Funaki's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker throws the left hand but Funaki avoids the punch easily.
Funaki lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Funaki dodges the punch combination from Whitaker .
Whitaker misses with a low kick.
Funaki tries to counter by closing the distance.
Whitaker connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Whitaker tries to score with a low kick but Funaki moves his leg out of the way.
Whitaker misses with a head kick.
Despite the aggression on Funaki's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Funaki misses with an uppercut. Whitaker saw that one coming.
Funaki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Whitaker .
Funaki tries to counter with a clinch but Whitaker shakes him off and moves away.
Funaki lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Good exchange - Whitaker coming out on top.
Whitaker misses with a left hand
and Whitaker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki checks a leg kick nicely.
Funaki misses with a right hand
and Whitaker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A low kick from Whitaker misses

and Funaki counters by clinching up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Whitaker breaks the clinch.
Funaki with a hook.
Whitaker takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Funaki tries to move into range but Whitaker moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Whitaker rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Funaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Funaki misses with a wild body shot.
Whitaker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Funaki lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Whitaker at a distance.
Whitaker swings away with a body shot that misses
and Funaki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Funaki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Whitaker fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Funaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Roy Whitaker .
I think Whitaker has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Roy Whitaker !
Roy Whitaker took some time post fight to say the following; 'Well...the time where it doesn't matter if I win or not has come...I know I said I won't retire and keep it going, but the age really got to me. It's time to leave the gloves in the cage, thank you all!'.