PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luis deFunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richie Yang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

deFunes
vs
Yang

190 cm
29
204 lbs
15 - 7 - 1

178 cm
33
193 lbs
24 - 29 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Tokyo United Fightwear ($9 shirts)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Luis deFunes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 29 - 0, fighting out of London, Richie Yang!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Skip Squint and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yang misses the shot to the body.
Yang moves out of range as deFunes strikes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Yang swings for the body but deFunes moves out of range.
deFunes lands with a shot to the body.
deFunes tries a low kick but Yang avoids it.

deFunes clinches with his opponent.
Yang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. deFunes is defending well for now.
deFunes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
deFunes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Yang lands a shoulder strike.
Yang cracks deFunes with a nice body shot.
Yang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but deFunes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
deFunes swings wildly with an uppercut but Yang uses good head movement to avoid it.
deFunes scores with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yang is trying to break the clinch but deFunes is controlling him.
Yang being controlled against the ropes.
Yang blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
deFunes lands a hook to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Yang jumps guard and drags deFunes to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Yang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Yang is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and deFunes defends well.

deFunes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yang has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, deFunes has managed to get both his arms back between Yang's legs - danger averted.
deFunes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Yang has his foot on deFunes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. deFunes works his way back into a safe position though.

Yang working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. deFunes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. deFunes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Yang has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but deFunes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
deFunes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Yang throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Yang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Yang is looking for a triangle but deFunes pushes his legs off easily.
Yang not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Yang is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
deFunes definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Yang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
deFunes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yang swivels though and keeps the full guard.

deFunes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yang is trying to control the position but deFunes postures up.
deFunes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Luis deFunes wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
deFunes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Yang takes a swing at deFunes's ribcage but misses.
Yang thows a body shot but no joy.
Yang takes a swing at deFunes's ribcage but misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yang tries a knee to the head but deFunes blocks it.
deFunes working aggressively here.
deFunes has Yang pushed against the ropes.
deFunes is looking to control Yang's arms but Yang gets an underhook and turns him. Now deFunes has his back to the ropes.
Yang stalling in the clinch but deFunes improves position.
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!
Yang blocking some punches.
Yang blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from deFunes fails to land.
Yang taking a breather.
deFunes misses with a punch on the inside.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
deFunes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yang taking a breather.
Yang looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
deFunes is pushing Yang up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Yang throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but deFunes blocks it with crossed arms.
deFunes lands a shot to the body.
Yang looking to slow down the pace here.
Yang tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Still in the clinch, deFunes scores with a nice short uppercut.
deFunes managing to block the knees to the body from Yang.
Yang tries to break the clinch but deFunes is controlling the position.
Yang is trying to maintain a safe position but deFunes gets an underhook and turns Yang into the ropes.
Yang is trying to break free.
deFunes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
deFunes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
deFunes lands a shoulder strike.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
deFunes will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Yang up against the ropes.
deFunes misses with some punches.
deFunes lands with a left to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yang looking to stall.
Yang is trying to drag deFunes to the mat but deFunes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Yang misses with a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from deFunes.
Yang blocks a punch to the side of the head.
deFunes lands a body punch in the clinch.
Yang trying to control the position but instead, deFunes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yang into the ropes.
deFunes presses Yang against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Yang looks winded!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
deFunes lands a body shot in the clinch.
Yang blocks a punch to the side of the head.
deFunes misses with a punch on the inside.
Yang prevents a body shot from deFunes.
deFunes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Yang is looking to control deFunes's arms but deFunes gets an underhook and turns him. Now Yang has his back to the ropes.

Yang's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yang works over deFunes's head and body with a nice combination.
deFunes scores with a nice head shot.
Yang fails with the takedown.
deFunes ducks under a wild hook from Yang.
Yang has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from deFunes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
deFunes looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from deFunes. Yang shrugs it off though.
deFunes scores with a hook.

deFunes has closed the distance and engaged Yang in a clinch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
deFunes tries to throw a body punch but Yang avoids it by throwing deFunes back against the ropes.
deFunes is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
deFunes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
deFunes throws a punch but it's blocked by Yang.
Yang blocking some punches.
Yang tries to stall but deFunes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
deFunes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yang blocks a punch to the side of the head.
deFunes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
deFunes lands a body shot in the clinch.
deFunes managing to block the knees to the body from Yang.
deFunes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
deFunes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Yang backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from deFunes.
Yang is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
deFunes misses with a body punch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Yang taking a breather.
Yang stalling in the clinch.
deFunes misses with a hook from the clinch.
deFunes scores with a shot to the side of Yang's head.
deFunes misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from deFunes.
A right handed body shot lands from deFunes.
deFunes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
deFunes lands with a left to the head.
deFunes struggles to land a body shot inside as Yang controls his hands.
deFunes tries to work over Yang's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Yang tries to land knees in the clinch but deFunes avoids the damage to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
deFunes is trying to stall.
deFunes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
deFunes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luis deFunes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Yang. deFunes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yang tried to score with a low kick but deFunes checks it.
Yang misses with a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Yang.

deFunes tries to sprawl but Yang drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Yang wants to control but deFunes is keeping him busy.
Yang might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control deFunes haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
deFunes tries to roll over but Yang keeps him under control.
deFunes wants to control but Yang is keeping busy and won't allow it.
deFunes is trying to get back to full guard.
Yang is keen to just control but deFunes is a slippery customer.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Yang is looking to advance position but deFunes won't allow it.
Yang prevents deFunes from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
deFunes throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Yang moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yang ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
deFunes throws a series of punches but Yang moves out of range.
Donk. deFunes catches Yang right on the button with a cross.
Yang jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yang jabs deFunes right on the nose. deFunes blinks but takes it well.
deFunes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Yang avoids the body shot from deFunes.
Yang throws a sloppy body shot
and deFunes makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Yang lunges at deFunes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by deFunes's hand.
deFunes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
deFunes connects with a body shot that sends Yang's belly button to the back.
Yang is breathing heavily.
deFunes takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
deFunes lands with a kick to the temple. Yang shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

deFunes closes the distance and pushes Yang back into the ropes.
Yang lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
deFunes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Yang trying to land knees to the body.
Yang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but deFunes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Yang is looking to control deFunes's arms but deFunes gets an underhook and turns him. Now Yang has his back to the ropes.
Luis deFunes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Yang missing with knees to the body.
deFunes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Yang lands a good knee to the midsection. deFunes won't want to take too many of those.
deFunes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Yang blocks a body shot from deFunes.
Yang stalling in the clinch but deFunes improves position.
deFunes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from deFunes.
deFunes lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yang tries a body shot but deFunes blocks it.
deFunes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
deFunes swings wildly with an uppercut but Yang uses good head movement to avoid it.
deFunes misses with a hook to the ribs.
deFunes working aggressively here.
deFunes tries to work over Yang's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
deFunes throws a punch but it's blocked by Yang.
Yang is trying to stall.
A short right from deFunes.
deFunes misses with a short punch on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Yang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. deFunes is defending well for now.
deFunes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yang backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
deFunes lands a shoulder strike.
deFunes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yang's elbow.
deFunes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by deFunes as Yang tries to tie him up.
deFunes stalling in the clinch but Yang improves position.
deFunes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yang.
Yang misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by deFunes as Yang tries to tie him up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from Yang.
A right hand to the body from deFunes.
deFunes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yang tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and deFunes avoids it.
deFunes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Yang backwards.
Yang trying to land knees to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
deFunes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
deFunes pushes Yang back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
deFunes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
deFunes lands a body shot in the clinch.
deFunes lands a shot to the body.
deFunes misses with a punch to the body.
deFunes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
deFunes presses Yang against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
deFunes lands with a short punch from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, deFunes creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
deFunes can't find room to land a body shot as Yang controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Yang.
deFunes blocks a body shot from Yang.
Yang trying to land knees to the body.
deFunes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
deFunes tries a body shot but Yang blocks it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by deFunes.

Yang is rocked!
deFunes keeps control of Yang as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Yang is still on wobbly legs! Can deFunes finish him?

deFunes drops Yang onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Yang is propped up by the ropes and works his way back to his feet!
deFunes struggles to land a body shot inside as Yang controls his hands.
deFunes tries to throw a body punch but Yang avoids it by throwing deFunes back against the ropes.
deFunes pushes Yang back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Yang struggles to land a body shot inside as deFunes controls his hands.

Yang gets control of deFunes's arms and successfully pulls guard. Yang will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
deFunes content to stall in guard here.

Yang is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. deFunes is aware though and is defending well.
deFunes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Yang seems to have recovered his senses.
deFunes trying to control but Yang is working from the bottom.
Luis deFunes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Yang trying to keep a closed guard but deFunes is proving a slippery customer.
deFunes wants to control from the top but Yang keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Luis deFunes wasn't doing enough on the ground.
deFunes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
deFunes ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Yang shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. deFunes manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
deFunes is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Yang loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Yang wants to control from the top but deFunes keeps moving.
Yang throws a big elbow that misses.
Yang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. deFunes is keeping the position for now.
Yang postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yang won't allow deFunes to sweep him here.
deFunes is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Yang is looking to work some ground and pound but deFunes has wrist control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yang missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
deFunes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yang chips away with some ground and pound.
Yang works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Yang is thwarting deFunes's attempts to control the position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
deFunes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
deFunes is trying to control but can't.
deFunes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yang on the ground.
deFunes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yang.
deFunes wants to control but Yang is keeping busy.
Yang has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Yang working over deFunes with some ground and pound. deFunes looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
deFunes is not content to let Yang control the position.
Yang sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. deFunes defending well though.
Yang wants to take a breather but deFunes is having none of it.
Richie Yang has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
deFunes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yang.
Richie Yang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Yang trying to work for an americana but deFunes has managed to regain full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luis deFunes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think deFunes 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight for Luis deFunes!
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight for Luis deFunes!
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight for Luis deFunes!

Luis deFunes wins by unanimous decision!
Luis deFunes bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.