PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pile Driver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gichin Funakoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Driver kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is my way. Funakoshi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Martial Art Drum Beat. Pile Driver has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Driver
vs
Funakoshi

175 cm
30
147 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

168 cm
27
154 lbs
18 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

CEC Nutrition Q159

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 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Pile Driver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Gichin Funakoshi!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funakoshi misses with a body shot
enabling Driver to counter with a crisp jab.
Decent striking displayed by Driver there.
Driver throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Funakoshi throws a body punch but Driver moves out of range.
Driver takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Driver slips under a jab from Funakoshi.
Driver keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Funakoshi misses its intended target.
Nice jab there from Driver.
Funakoshi thows a body shot but no joy.
Driver throws a series of punches but Funakoshi moves out of range.
Driver slips under a jab from Funakoshi.
Driver with a jab.
Driver scores with a sloppy right hand. Funakoshi should have avoided that one.
Driver misses with a hook.
Driver jabs at Funakoshi's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driver doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Driver showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi throws a nice looking combination but Driver bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Driver walks into a stiff left hand from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Driver.

Driver shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Funakoshi tries to roll over but Driver keeps him under control.
Driver slips a nice elbow through Funakoshi's hands, connecting with Funakoshi's forehead.

Driver decides to return to a standing position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Driver uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Funakoshi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jab from Funakoshi.
Driver throws a big shot that misses.
Funakoshi's corner calls for a 1-2. Funakoshi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Driver misses with an uppercut.
Funakoshi moves away from the strike by Driver.
Funakoshi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Funakoshi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Driver counters with a straight right hand.
Funakoshi just misses with a punch to the body.
A big right from Funakoshi misses.
Funakoshi walks into a straight right hand from Driver.
A looping hook to the body misses from Driver. Funakoshi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Driver is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Driver lands the left hand.
Driver throws a big shot that misses.
Funakoshi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Driver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi ducks under a wild hook from Driver.
Funakoshi slips under a jab.
Funakoshi misses with a body shot.
Driver thows a body shot but no joy.
Gichin Funakoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Funakoshi slips under a jab from Driver.
Funakoshi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Driver throws an overhand right that lands on Funakoshi's shoulder, as Funakoshi tries to avoid the shot.
Funakoshi throws a right hand that Driver ducks under and follows up with a left that Driver also avoids with ease.
A big right from Driver misses.
Nice defenses there by Driver.
A telegraphed right hand from Driver misses the target.
Driver ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Funakoshi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Driver at a distance.

Driver shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Driver showed some decent athleticism there.
Driver throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Driver tries to pass the half guard into mount. Funakoshi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Driver uses his free foot to push down on Funakoshi's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Funakoshi.
Driver lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funakoshi is trying desperately to improve position.
Funakoshi wants to control but Driver is having none of it.
Driver trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Driver is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Funakoshi is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Driver is landing with some decent strikes but Funakoshi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Driver prevents Funakoshi from getting the reversal.
Driver is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Driver with shots to the head and body - Funakoshi looks very uncomfortable down there.

Funakoshi is rocked!
Funakoshi wants to hold on but Driver pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pile Driver dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Funakoshi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Driver throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funakoshi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Funakoshi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Driver staying out of range there.
Driver fails with the takedown.
Driver throws out a loose jab but Funakoshi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Driver tries to land a front kick but Funakoshi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Driver slips under a jab.
Driver shoots for a double leg takedown but Funakoshi sprawls well. He's pushed Driver's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Funakoshi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Funakoshi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Some wild striking there from Driver.
Driver blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driver takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gichin Funakoshi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Driver lands a nice shot to the body.
Driver misses with an uppercut. Funakoshi saw that one coming.
Funakoshi loads up on a big right hand but Driver slips the punch.
Driver lands a jab to the nose.
Funakoshi lands a nice hook to Driver's body. Driver takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Driver looks to land a right hand but Funakoshi moved out of range.
A combination from Driver does no damage.
Driver throws a jab when Funakoshi was well out of range.
Funakoshi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sloppy strikes from Funakoshi. Those never looked like landing.
Driver connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Driver throws out a loose jab but Funakoshi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driver looks to land a left hand but Funakoshi moved out of range nicely.
Funakoshi punishes Driver's body with a nice straight punch.
Funakoshi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Driver sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Driver misses with a looping right.
Funakoshi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Driver was well out of range. Poor timing from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Funakoshi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funakoshi looks to throw the jab but Driver is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Driver lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Driver, right into the meat.
Driver connects with a crisp jab.
Funakoshi throws a looping overhand right but Driver ducks down to avoid it.
Funakoshi connects with a nice looking jab.
Driver lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Driver misses with an uppercut.
Driver scores with a three punch combo!
A jab from Funakoshi misses.
Driver avoids the body shot from Funakoshi.
A jab from Driver does it's job there.
Funakoshi misses the shot to the body.
Jab, jab by Driver - just one landing.
Driver connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Funakoshi momentarily.
Good standup being displayed there by Funakoshi as he connects with a hook.
Driver dodges the punch combination from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Funakoshi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Driver.
Funakoshi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Driver takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Funakoshi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Driver looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Driver looks to land a left hand but Funakoshi moved out of range nicely.
Funakoshi throws a series of punches but Driver avoids them all with ease.
Funakoshi walks into a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Driver looks to throw the jab but Funakoshi is out of range.
Funakoshi misses with a straight left.
Driver ducks under a wild hook from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi checks a leg kick nicely.
Driver scores with a jab. Funakoshi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funakoshi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Funakoshi.
Driver ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Funakoshi moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gichin Funakoshi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Driver looks to throw the jab but Funakoshi is out of range.
Funakoshi lands a jab to Driver's midsection.
Funakoshi throws a jab when Driver was well out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Funakoshi as he connects with a hook.
Funakoshi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Funakoshi takes a swing at Driver's ribcage but misses.
Nice shot by Driver.
Driver avoids the body shot from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Driver looks to land a right hand but Funakoshi moved out of range.
A big right from Funakoshi misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Driver!
Driver scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Funakoshi swings for the body but Driver moves out of range.
Funakoshi takes a swing at Driver's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driver throws a right and a left that both miss.
Driver throws a big shot that misses.
Driver avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Driver shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Funakoshi as he jumps to the side.
Funakoshi looks to throw the jab but Driver is out of range.
Funakoshi defending well as Driver loads up on a big left hand.
Funakoshi swings for the body but Driver moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funakoshi. Driver does a little dance to reset his feet.
Funakoshi slips a jab from Driver.
Funakoshi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Driver connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A jab from Funakoshi does it's job there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Driver misses.
Funakoshi throws a big shot that misses.
Funakoshi throws a looping overhand right but Driver ducks down to avoid it.
Driver misses with a wild body shot.
Driver misses with a looping right.
Driver scores with a jab to the head.
Funakoshi blocks a jab.
Driver swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice body punch from Driver.
Funakoshi misses with a looping right.
Driver lands a lovely overhand right.
Funakoshi misses with a looping right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Driver thuds his right hand into Funakoshi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Funakoshi throws a nice looking combination but Driver bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Driver fails with the takedown.
Driver ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Funakoshi moves away.
Driver connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Funakoshi's hands.
Funakoshi throws a right hand that Driver ducks under and follows up with a left that Driver also avoids with ease.
Driver scores with a jab to the jaw.
Driver looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Funakoshi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Driver avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Funakoshi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Driver throws a right and a left that Funakoshi avoids nicely.
Driver shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Funakoshi but Funakoshi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pile Driver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Funakoshi ducks under a wild hook from Driver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Driver lands with a nice combination. Funakoshi backs away looking to recover.
Funakoshi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Driver cracks Funakoshi with an open hand slap.
Driver avoids the body shot from Funakoshi.
Funakoshi misses with a two punch combination.
Driver throws a right hand that Funakoshi ducks under and follows up with a left that Funakoshi also avoids with ease.
Funakoshi throws a body punch but Driver moves out of range.
Driver scores with a jab to the head.
Driver looks to land a left hand but Funakoshi moved out of range nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Driver scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Funakoshi doesn't seem bothered though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Driver misses with a straight right.
Driver looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A combination from Driver does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pile Driver showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Driver has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pile Driver!
Pile Driver gave a mention to GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).