PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zemli Funtov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Blood of Heroes!. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Funtov

168 cm
29
215 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

158 cm
31
224 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zemli Funtov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funtov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Funtov walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.
Funtov walks into a jab.
Funtov shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Johnson jabs Funtov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Johnson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Johnson feints a jab promting Funtov to slip. Johnson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Funtov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Johnson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Funtov backs up against the cage.
Funtov fails with a takedown attempt.
Funtov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Johnson with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Funtov.
Craig Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zemli Funtov.

Funtov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Johnson did well to prevent Funtov getting side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Johnson tries to roll over but Funtov keeps him under control.
Johnson is looking to control Funtov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Funtov throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Funtov.
Funtov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Funtov lands a nice short elbow.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Funtov there.
Johnson wants to control but Funtov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Funtov in his half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Funtov has control of the leg.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Funtov is controlling him
Funtov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Johnson trying to hold on to Funtov's head to control him but Funtov postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Funtov winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funtov lands with a punch from half guard.
Funtov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Funtov has control of the leg.
Johnson trying to hold on to Funtov's head to control him but Funtov postures up.
Funtov is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Johnson has hold of Funtov's hands but Funtov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Funtov lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Funtov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Funtov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Funtov slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funtov working the head and body with strikes.
Funtov trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Funtov in his half guard.
Johnson gets back to full guard.
Funtov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Funtov won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Funtov postures up.

Funtov stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.
Funtov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Funtov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Funtov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Funtov is now in Johnson's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson striking off his back but it's not causing Funtov any problems.
Funtov stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Funtov slips an elbow through the middle.
Funtov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Funtov is aware though and is defending well.
Funtov working some strikes from top position.
Funtov throws a big elbow that misses.
Funtov working some strikes from top position.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Funtov is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Funtov landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson wants to control but Funtov passes easily into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zemli Funtov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Funtov darts in looking for a takedown but Johnson gets double underhooks and turns Funtov into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Johnson.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Funtov wants a takedown but no success here.

Funtov lands a takedown into guard.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson wants to stand but Funtov is controlling the position.
Funtov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Funtov postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Funtov throwing strikes but missing.
Funtov is in close to Johnson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Funtov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Funtov wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Funtov has passed into half guard!
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson trying to hold on to Funtov's head to control him but Funtov postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Funtov lands a nice short elbow.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Funtov winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Johnson has hold of Funtov's hands but Funtov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

It looks like Craig Johnson has been cut.
Funtov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Funtov working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson is doing well to control the position and prevent Funtov from advancing to side control.
Funtov wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Funtov lands a couple of elbows.
Funtov landing some decent shots from guard.
Zemli Funtov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Funtov stands up from Johnson's guard - Funtov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Funtov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Johnson.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zemli Funtov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Funtov fails with a takedown attempt.
Craig Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zemli Funtov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Funtov moves away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Johnson enables Funtov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Johnson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Funtov scoring with some ground and pound.
Funtov prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Funtov wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Johnson is looking to stand back up but Funtov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Johnson.
Funtov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Johnson is looking to control Funtov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Johnson avoid being mounted?
Johnson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Funtov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Funtov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Johnson tries to roll over but Funtov keeps him under control.
Funtov is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Funtov is controlling him
Funtov slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.

Craig Johnson's cut is getting worse.
Funtov wants to pass to mount but Johnson is defending the position.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson is not content to let Funtov control the position.
Funtov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zemli Funtov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Craig Johnson'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.

Funtov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson misses with the combination.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Funtov fails with a takedown attempt.
We've been told by Johnson's head coaches at Midnight MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Funtov takes one to the side of the head.
Funtov shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Craig Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zemli Funtov.
Johnson scores with the left hand. Funtov knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funtov shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson tests Funtov's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Funtov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Funtov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Funtov stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Funtov stops Johnson from standing up.

Funtov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Funtov has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Funtov slips an elbow through the middle.
Funtov trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Funtov with a nice head shot there.
Funtov postures up and lands a big shot to Johnson's brow.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Funtov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funtov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Funtov wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson looking to control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Funtov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Johnson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Johnson throws out a powerful jab.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Nice uppercut there from Johnson.
Funtov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Funtov has a takedown stuffed.
Funtov has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Funtov gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson 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.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Funtov pushes his legs off easily.

Johnson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Funtov stacks Johnson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Funtov!
Johnson tries to improve position but can't.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Funtov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnson is trying to buck Funtov off.
Funtov grinds an elbow into Johnson's temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Funtov trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Funtov gets to mount! Johnson was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Funtov wants to control the pace but Johnson is squirming around nicely.
Johnson is bucking up trying to escape but Funtov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee warns Johnson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Jeez, Craig Johnson's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Craig Johnson's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Zemli Funtov!