PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pawel Ufcowski jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aoki Funkyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ufcowski jr's entrance music is Slipknot - Duality . A fine choice. Funkyama is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by . 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.

Ufcowski jr
vs
Funkyama

183 cm
28
166 lbs
24 - 8 - 1

175 cm
34
169 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

$300

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Pawel Ufcowski jr!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aoki Funkyama!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ufcowski jr connects with a jab.
Ufcowski jr throws a right hand that misses
and Ufcowski jr takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Funkyama closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ufcowski jr quickly recovers to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ufcowski jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Funkyama is trying to control the action in half guard but Ufcowski jr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Funkyama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ufcowski jr's head.
Funkyama trying to control the action but Ufcowski jr is working from the bottom.
Ufcowski jr wants to get back to full guard.
Ufcowski jr is working hard here to advance position.
Funkyama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Funkyama is looking to take a break and control but Ufcowski jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr wants to improve his position but Funkyama is controlling well.
Funkyama wants to free his trapped foot but Ufcowski jr is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ufcowski jr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Funkyama.
Funkyama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ufcowski jr keeps working.
Funkyama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ufcowski jr's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr is staying active underneath Funkyama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Still in half guard, Funkyama seems content to control.

Aoki Funkyama has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ufcowski jr tests Funkyama's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Funkyama works over Ufcowski jr's head and body with a nice combination.
Funkyama fails with the takedown
and Ufcowski jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ufcowski jr throws a series of punches but Funkyama avoids them all with ease.
Funkyama throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ufcowski jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funkyama looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Funkyama misses with a wild combination.
Ufcowski jr tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ufcowski jr looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Funkyama shoots in but no luck this time.
Pawel Ufcowski jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aoki Funkyama.
Ufcowski jr lands with a nice combination. Funkyama backs away looking to recover.
Ufcowski jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Funkyama.
Ufcowski jr with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ufcowski jr looks to land a combination. Funkyama sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Funkyama misses with a series of wild punches.
Pawel Ufcowski jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ufcowski jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Funkyama sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Funkyama fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ufcowski jr's waist but Ufcowski jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Funkyama off to one side.
Ufcowski jr connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ufcowski jr connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Funkyama is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ufcowski jr's half guard.
Ufcowski jr controlling the position well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ufcowski jr tries to roll over but Funkyama keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pawel Ufcowski jr will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ufcowski jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ufcowski jr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Funkyama momentarily.
Funkyama with a poor takedown
and Ufcowski jr counters with a nice body shot.

Funkyama looking to score a takedown here. Ufcowski jr is defending well but Funkyama drives through and ends up in Ufcowski jr's guard.
Ufcowski jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Funkyama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Funkyama wants to control from the top but Ufcowski jr keeps moving.
Ufcowski jr has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Funkyama with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkyama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Funkyama postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Funkyama sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Funkyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ufcowski jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Funkyama fails with the takedown.

Funkyama looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Funkyama.
Ufcowski jr wants to control but Funkyama is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ufcowski jr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Funkyama wants to control from the top but Ufcowski jr keeps moving.
Funkyama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Funkyama not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ufcowski jr is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ufcowski jr wants to stand and escape but Funkyama is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama is looking to work some ground and pound but Ufcowski jr has wrist control.
Funkyama seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Funkyama wants to control from the top but Ufcowski jr keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Aoki Funkyama was stalling too much, according to the referee.
No luck for Funkyama with that takedown attempt.
Pawel Ufcowski jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aoki Funkyama.
Ufcowski jr slips a jab and a cross from Funkyama.
Funkyama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Funkyama shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ufcowski jr napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ufcowski jr is not content to let Funkyama control the position.
Ufcowski jr manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Funkyama wants to pass the guard but Ufcowski jr is defending well.
Funkyama prevents Ufcowski jr from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funkyama throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aoki Funkyama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

A nice combination there by Funkyama.

Funkyama looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ufcowski jr!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Ufcowski jr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Funkyama working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ufcowski jr is not content to let Funkyama control the position.
What's Ufcowski jr going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkyama trying to control the position but Ufcowski jr is working away.
Aoki Funkyama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Funkyama throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Funkyama content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Ufcowski jr parries the strikes from Funkyama easily there. Funkyama is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ufcowski jr to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ufcowski jr keeps working.
Ufcowski jr is looking to reverse the position.

Funkyama is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ufcowski jr is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ufcowski jr struggling a bit here.
Ufcowski jr is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Funkyama off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama trying to control the action but Ufcowski jr just sinks the hooks in.
I really don't envy Funkyama right now.
Ufcowski jr lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Funkyama controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Ufcowski jr lands punches and elbows.
Funkyama is trapped and Ufcowski jr is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Ufcowski jr is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama is in bad spot here.
Funkyama is still trying to improve position.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Ufcowski jr. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ufcowski jr is not going to allow Funkyama to sit and survive in this position.
A lull in the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Aoki Funkyama just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Funkyama checks a leg kick.
Ufcowski jr defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Funkyama.
Ufcowski jr is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ufcowski jr rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Funkyama counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ufcowski jr's guard now.
Funkyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Ufcowski jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Funkyama throws a strike but Ufcowski jr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ufcowski jr preventing the sweep.
Funkyama is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr stays in close to Funkyama's body and controls the position.
Funkyama is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ufcowski jr looking to pass the guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Funkyama has his takedown stuffed
letting Ufcowski jr counter with a right hand.
Funkyama shoots in for a takedown but Ufcowski jr shows good takedown defense.
Pawel Ufcowski jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aoki Funkyama.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Funkyama is defended easily by Ufcowski jr.
Ufcowski jr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Funkyama's calf.
Funkyama is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr misses with a looping left.
Funkyama takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ufcowski jr misses with a looping right.
Ufcowski jr cracks a nice hook into Funkyama's ribs.
Funkyama tries for a takedown but Ufcowski jr circles away easily
and Ufcowski jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Funkyama looks for a takedown but Ufcowski jr sprawls well.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ufcowski jr darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aoki Funkyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ufcowski jr uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Funkyama has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama misses with a hook.

Funkyama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ufcowski jr looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Funkyama taking a break here but Ufcowski jr is having none of it and regains half guard.
Funkyama is looking to advance position but Ufcowski jr won't allow it.
Ufcowski jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Funkyama is keen to just control but Ufcowski jr is a slippery customer.
Funkyama not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Funkyama wants to free his trapped foot but Ufcowski jr is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ufcowski jr trying to control here.
Funkyama missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Funkyama throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Funkyama is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funkyama is thwarting Ufcowski jr's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Aoki Funkyama 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!

Funkyama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ufcowski jr tries to avoid it but Funkyama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ufcowski jr to the ground. Ufcowski jr escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Funkyama on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ufcowski jr. Ufcowski jr obviously looking to wear him down.
Ufcowski jr misses with a straight right.
Ufcowski jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Funkyama.
Ufcowski jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Funkyama circles away quickly and effectively.
Ufcowski jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funkyama.
Funkyama misses with a takedown
letting Ufcowski jr counter with a right hand.
Funkyama slips a jab from Ufcowski jr.
Pawel Ufcowski jr is winning the standup battle so far.
A combination from Funkyama does no damage.
Ufcowski jr lands a jab to Funkyama's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Funkyama fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ufcowski jr to the ground. Funkyama is now in Ufcowski jr's guard.
Funkyama scoring with some ground and pound.
Funkyama trying to control but Ufcowski jr is working from the bottom.
Ufcowski jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ufcowski jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Funkyama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ufcowski jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama wants to control from the top but Ufcowski jr keeps moving.
Funkyama is looking to pass into half guard but Ufcowski jr pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ufcowski jr is in guard.

Funkyama looking for subs off his back but Ufcowski jr has passed one foot through into half guard.
Funkyama is looking to improve his position.
Funkyama trying to get back to full guard but Ufcowski jr takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Pawel Ufcowski jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aoki Funkyama is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr trying to control but Funkyama is having none of it.
Funkyama tries to hold on but Ufcowski jr postures up.
Ufcowski jr takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Funkyama working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ufcowski jr throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Funkyama regains half guard.
Ufcowski jr missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Funkyama is looking for a sweep. Ufcowski jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Funkyama controlling the position well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Funkyama stalks Ufcowski jr and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ufcowski jr's face. Ufcowski jr staggers backwards, shaken.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aoki Funkyama.
I think Funkyama 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 46:49
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 46:49
Judge William Peck scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aoki Funkyama!
Aoki Funkyama is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Aoki Funkyama thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.