PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Prince Funkyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Rua will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Funkyama
vs
Rua

170 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
23
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Prince Funkyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thiago Rua!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funkyama buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Funkyama.
A nice inside leg kick there by Funkyama. That's going to slow Rua down.
Rua has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Funkyama.
Funkyama moves away from the strike by Rua.
Rua tries for a takedown but Funkyama circles away easily

and Funkyama counters by moving into the clinch.

Funkyama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Funkyama pushes Rua up against the cage in a clinch.
Funkyama lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rua is working for takedown but Funkyama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Funkyama misses with some punches.
Funkyama lands a nice uppercut.
Funkyama misses with a punch on the inside.
Funkyama lands with a short shot to the head.
Funkyama scores with a shot to the side of Rua's head.
Funkyama has a couple of punches blocked by Rua.
Rua goes for a takedown attempt but Funkyama pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Prince Funkyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Rua.
A solid leg kick lands there for Funkyama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkyama cracks the inside of Rua's front leg.
Funkyama scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rua looks gassed!
Funkyama connects with an inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Funkyama. That's going to slow Rua down.
Prince Funkyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rua on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Funkyama. Funkyama obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick lands from Funkyama.
Funkyama lands with a nice body kick.

Funkyama pushes Rua up against the cage in a clinch.
Funkyama lands a right hand.
Funkyama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rua takes a shot to the head.
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 shot in the inside from Funkyama.
A short left from Funkyama.
Funkyama lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Funkyama scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Funkyama manages to break the clinch.
Funkyama throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Funkyama.
A head kick from Funkyama lands but Rua takes it in his stride.
Funkyama is looking to slow Rua down with leg kicks.

Funkyama takes the fight into the clinch.
Funkyama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rua can't get the takedown.
Rua's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Funkyama working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Funkyama fails to land.
Funkyama works on Rua's body with a couple of short punches.
Nice body punch from Funkyama.
Funkyama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Funkyama softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Funkyama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Funkyama lands with a right to the head.
Funkyama lands with a right to the head.
A hook to the body from Funkyama.
Funkyama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Funkyama lands a shoulder strike.
Rua blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama lands a right hand.
Funkyama scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Funkyama.
Funkyama scores with a shoulder strike.

Rua is rocked!
Funkyama scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rua is still on wobbly legs! Can Funkyama finish him?
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rua seems to have recovered his senses.
Funkyama lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Funkyama lands with a right to the head.
Funkyama pushes Rua back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Funkyama.

Funkyama breaks the clinch.
Funkyama cracks the inside of Rua's front leg.
An inside leg kick lands from Funkyama.

Funkyama has managed to clinch.

Funkyama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Funkyama moves into range and clinches up with Rua.
Funkyama tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Funkyama lands a nice uppercut.

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

Funkyama forces Rua back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua tries for a takedown. No joy.
Funkyama lands a left hand.
Funkyama lands a damaging elbow.
Funkyama scores with a shot to the side of Rua's head.
Funkyama lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rua backwards.
Funkyama lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rua backwards.
Funkyama has Rua pressed against the cage.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Funkyama for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Funkyama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rua backwards.
Rua is trying to drag Funkyama to the mat but Funkyama just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Funkyama lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Funkyama lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rua backwards.

Funkyama manages to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rua stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Funkyama.
A chopping leg kick lands by Funkyama.
A chopping leg kick lands by Funkyama.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Prince Funkyama dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Funkyama cracks the inside of Rua's front leg.
A nice leg kick lands there from Funkyama.

Rua gets tackled into the cage by Funkyama. Funkyama maintains the clinch.
Funkyama has a couple of punches blocked by Rua.
Funkyama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Funkyama lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rua or not.
Funkyama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rua can do to turn this around?
Funkyama scores with a nice hook to the head.
Funkyama leaning against his opponent.
Funkyama pushes Rua back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Funkyama takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Funkyama scores with a shoulder strike.
Funkyama working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Funkyama tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Funkyama misses with some punches.
Prince Funkyama has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Funkyama creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Funkyama lands an elbow inside that Rua shrugs off.
Funkyama swings wildly with an uppercut but Rua uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funkyama holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rua doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Funkyama pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Funkyama slowing the pace effectively.
A short right from Funkyama on the inside.

Funkyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A chopping leg kick lands by Funkyama.
Rua shoots in looking for a takedown but Funkyama manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rua's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Funkyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Funkyama pushes Rua back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Funkyama manages to break the clinch.
Funkyama fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rua has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Funkyama lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Funkyama scoring well with a low kick there.
That kick from Funkyama tenderised Rua's leg. Rua is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rua on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Funkyama. Funkyama obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Funkyama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rua.
Prince Funkyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Rua.
A good leg kick by Funkyama.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Funkyama lands a leg kick that knocks Rua off balance momentarily.

Funkyama fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rua, pushing him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Funkyama.
Funkyama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Funkyama lands with a short shot to the head.
Funkyama scores with a shot to the side of Rua's head.
Funkyama misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rua has Funkyama pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Funkyama manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Funkyama lands a left hand.
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Funkyama breaks from the clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Funkyama manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Funkyama.
Funkyama feints and then cracks Rua's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rua down.
Good leg kick by Funkyama there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A slapping leg kick lands for Funkyama.
Rua with a poor takedown
and Funkyama counters with a good low kick that Rua was not able to check.

Funkyama closes the distance and clinches.
Funkyama has Rua pushed against the cage.
Rua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rua's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Funkyama working aggressively here.
Funkyama lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua.
Funkyama throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Funkyama on the inside.
Funkyama misses with a hook from the clinch.
Funkyama lands a nice uppercut.
Funkyama throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ruas head.
Funkyama lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Funkyama creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rua goes for a takedown in the clinch but Funkyama prevents it.
Funkyama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Funkyama swings wildly with an uppercut but Rua uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Funkyama.
A short left from Funkyama.
Funkyama softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Funkyama to work.
Rua is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Funkyama pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Funkyama displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rua up against the cage.
Rua fails to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Prince Funkyama dominated that second round.
That's time! Funkyama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Funkyama lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rua.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Funkyama is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rua's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rua scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rua looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Funkyama with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Funkyama is pressing down on Rua's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Funkyama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rua is one step ahead there.
Rua lands a couple of elbows.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua cracks Funkyama with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rua working some strikes from top position.
Rua lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rua's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rua is working Funkyama over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rua postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Funkyama wants to sweep here but Rua controlling him for the moment.
Rua has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rua keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Funkyama's head.
Funkyama might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rua stopping the sweep attempt from Funkyama.
Rua scoring with punches to the head and body.
Funkyama on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Funkyama tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama trying to control the position.
Rua won't allow Funkyama to sweep him here.
Rua is in close to Funkyama's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rua scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rua postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rua is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rua scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rua stands up over Funkyama, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rua is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rua's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rua pushes down on Funkyama's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama is trying to stand back up but Rua is controlling him
Rua lands with a punch from half guard.
Rua working the head and body with strikes.
Funkyama wants to control but Rua is keeping busy.
Rua lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rua is nestled in close to Funkyama, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Funkyama has his hands clasped together around Rua's back. He's all about the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Funkyama is looking for a sweep. Rua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Funkyama has hold of Rua's hands but Rua slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Funkyama is trying to get back to full guard.
Rua is nestled in close to Funkyama, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Funkyama wants to control but Rua is keeping busy.
Rua working over Funkyama with some ground and pound. Funkyama looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Funkyama on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rua looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Funkyama with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Thiago Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Prince Funkyama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rua is looking for a kimura but Funkyama is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rua to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Rua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Funkyama 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:26
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:26
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Prince Funkyama!