PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gichin Funakoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saddam Hussain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Funakoshi's entrance music is Martial Art Drum Beat. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Funakoshi
vs
Hussain

168 cm
26
154 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

162 cm
31
148 lbs
21 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gichin Funakoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Saddam Hussain!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funakoshi stalks Hussain and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hussain's face. Hussain staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Saddam Hussain has been cut.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Funakoshi misses with an uppercut. Hussain saw that one coming.
Funakoshi loads up on a big right hand but Hussain slips the punch.
Hussain fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Funakoshi. No joy for Hussain on that attempt.
Funakoshi throws a right hand that misses

and Hussain counters with a single leg into guard. Funakoshi didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Funakoshi is trying to control the position but Hussain postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain preventing the sweep.
Funakoshi is working hard here to advance position.
Funakoshi is adopting a defensive guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Gichin Funakoshi wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hussain tries for a takedown but Funakoshi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gichin Funakoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saddam Hussain.
Funakoshi scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi swings for the body but Hussain moves out of range.
Gichin Funakoshi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hussain tries to move into range but Funakoshi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Funakoshi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funakoshi misses with a left hand

and Hussain counters with a single leg into guard. Funakoshi didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Funakoshi wants to improve his position but instead Hussain has moved into half guard.
Funakoshi is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi wants to get back to full guard but Hussain has passed into side control.
Funakoshi can't do much from the bottom here.

Hussain decides to stand back up.
Hussain doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Funakoshi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi just misses with a punch to the body.
Hussain takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hussain is trying hard to land a takedown here. Funakoshi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funakoshi misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funakoshi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gichin Funakoshi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Saddam Hussain's cut.
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.

Funakoshi misses with an uppercut

and Hussain counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hussain.
Hussain trying to stand up but can't free himself from Funakoshi's guard.
Funakoshi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Funakoshi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hussain can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Funakoshi wants to sweep here but Hussain controlling him for the moment.
Funakoshi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hussain!
Funakoshi wants to control the pace but Hussain is squirming around nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funakoshi scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hussain?
Funakoshi throws some wild stikes that Hussain manages to avoid easily.
Funakoshi lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hussain tries to lock up and control but Funakoshi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Funakoshi lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hussain hang on?

Hussain is rocked!
Funakoshi working Hussain over with strikes here.
Hussain is still in real trouble! Can Funakoshi finish him?
Funakoshi unloading with bombs!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oooh a big shot lands for Funakoshi! Hussain is out! The ref dives in to save him from more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Gichin Funakoshi!
Gichin Funakoshi seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.