PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zemli Funtov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Quinton Xavier Potterswheel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zemli Funtov had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.6lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Quinton Xavier Potterswheel will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Funtov
vs
Xavier Potterswheel

158 cm
32
224 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

190 cm
23
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zemli Funtov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Quinton Xavier Potterswheel!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Potterswheel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Funtov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Potterswheel wants to control for a moment but Funtov uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Potterswheel is just content to waste time from the top position. Funtov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Potterswheel stopping the sweep attempt from Funtov.
Potterswheel looking to sit in guard and control but Funtov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Funtov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funtov trying to control but Potterswheel is working from the bottom.
Potterswheel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Potterswheel managing to control the position.
Funtov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Funtov stopping the sweep attempt from Potterswheel.
Funtov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Potterswheel trying to control the position.
Potterswheel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Potterswheel is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Potterswheel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Funtov defends well and Potterswheel ends up having to push Funtov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Potterswheel goes for a takedown in the clinch but Funtov prevents it.
Potterswheel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Funtov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zemli Funtov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Quinton Xavier Potterswheel.

Potterswheel lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Potterswheel is working for a kimura but Funtov is defending it quite comfortably.
Funtov tries to roll over but Potterswheel keeps him under control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Potterswheel not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel is looking to take a break and control but Funtov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Potterswheel stalling away here and it's allowed Funtov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Potterswheel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Potterswheel throws an elbow that misses. Funtov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Potterswheel's guard. Nice move by Funtov!
Potterswheel looking for a sweep. Not yet Potterswheel, not yet.
Funtov scoring with some ground and pound.
Funtov with a flurry of punches that miss.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funtov with a flurry of punches that miss.

Potterswheel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Funtov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Funtov wants to pass the guard but Potterswheel is keeping the position.
Funtov stopping the sweep attempt from Potterswheel.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Potterswheel looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Funtov passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quinton Xavier Potterswheel dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Funtov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Potterswheel fails with the takedown.

Funtov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Potterswheel to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Potterswheel trying to control but Funtov is working from the bottom.
Funtov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Funtov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Potterswheel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
My spies in MMA Gods - 16 Elites! + Roger Gracie inform me that Potterswheel has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funtov is controlling Potterswheel's posture.
Funtov trying to keep a closed guard but Potterswheel is proving a slippery customer.
Potterswheel looking to sit in guard and control but Funtov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Potterswheel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Funtov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Funtov throwing strikes but missing.
Funtov throws an elbow that misses. Potterswheel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Funtov's guard. Nice move by Potterswheel!
Potterswheel throws a strike but Funtov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Potterswheel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Funtov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Potterswheel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Funtov's guard.
Potterswheel won't allow Funtov to get back to his feet.
Funtov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Potterswheel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Potterswheel wants to control from the top but Funtov keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Potterswheel wants to control from the top but Funtov keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Quinton Xavier Potterswheel was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Funtov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Potterswheel pinned against the cage. Potterswheel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Funtov as he jumps to the side.

Potterswheel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Funtov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Potterswheel working the ground and pound.
Potterswheel trying to control the position but Funtov is working away.
Quinton Xavier Potterswheel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Potterswheel tries to advance to mount but Funtov instead regains half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Potterswheel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quinton Xavier Potterswheel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Potterswheel dives in and grabs Funtov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Funtov pushes down on Potterswheel's head and hops out.
Potterswheel dives in for a single leg takedown but Funtov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Funtov is pressed up against the cage. Potterswheel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Funtov down to the mat. Funtov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zemli Funtov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Quinton Xavier Potterswheel.
Potterswheel with a poor takedown

so Funtov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Funtov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Potterswheel's head.
Funtov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Funtov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Funtov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Funtov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Potterswheel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Funtov is one step ahead there.
Funtov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Potterswheel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Potterswheel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Potterswheel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Funtov defends well.
Potterswheel trying to keep a closed guard but Funtov is proving a slippery customer.
Funtov looking to pass the guard.
Funtov chips away with some ground and pound.
Funtov postures up and lands a big shot to Potterswheel's brow.
Potterswheel is trying to control the position but Funtov postures up.
Potterswheel 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.
Funtov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Potterswheel is on top in guard.
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!
Funtov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Funtov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Potterswheel postures up in Funtov's guard and throws a big left but Funtov blocks it.
Funtov keeping moving, preventing Potterswheel from controlling successfully.
Potterswheel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel stands and throws Funtov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Funtov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Funtov is not content to let Potterswheel control the position.
Funtov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Funtov is trying to control Potterswheel's posture but Potterswheel avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Funtov is avoiding damage well.
Potterswheel is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Potterswheel trying to control the action but Funtov is working from the bottom.
Potterswheel working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Zemli Funtov did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Potterswheel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Funtov defends it nicely.

Funtov feints and as Potterswheel raises his hands in defense, Funtov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Potterswheel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Potterswheel keeping full guard, as Funtov tries to pass.
Funtov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Funtov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Funtov wanted to stand there but Potterswheel had control of the position.

Potterswheel looking for a guillotine here but Funtov defends easily.
Funtov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Potterswheel looking for a guillotine here but Funtov defends easily.
Potterswheel manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Potterswheel thowing shots but they're missing.
Potterswheel looking to control but Funtov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funtov is desperately trying to improve his position but Potterswheel has a good base and remains in mount.
Funtov blocking the ground and pound.
Potterswheel raining down hammerfists from mount.
Potterswheel pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Potterswheel can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Funtov is looking to escape.
The referee warns Funtov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Funtov is squirming around, avoiding Potterswheel's attempts to control the action.
Potterswheel throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Potterswheel lands a nice shot to the head.
Potterswheel throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Funtov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Potterswheel.
Potterswheel breaks from Funtov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potterswheel throws some wild stikes that Funtov manages to avoid easily.
Potterswheel punching from mount but Funtov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Funtov blocking the ground and pound.
Potterswheel lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Potterswheel thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funtov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Potterswheel tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Potterswheel throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Funtov because Potterswheel loaded up on that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quinton Xavier Potterswheel dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Potterswheel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Potterswheel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Funtov as he avoids it easily.
Funtov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Potterswheel swivels and escapes.
Nice sprawl there from Potterswheel as Funtov shoots in.
Potterswheel shoots for a takedown but Funtov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zemli Funtov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Quinton Xavier Potterswheel.
Funtov fails with the takedown.

Potterswheel shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Potterswheel was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Potterswheel is looking to take a break and control but Funtov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Potterswheel throwing strikes but Funtov manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potterswheel taking a bit of punishment here - Funtov scoring with strikes.
Potterswheel manages to work his way to half guard, despite Funtov's best efforts.

Potterswheel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Funtov pulls his head out easily.
Funtov is thwarting Potterswheel's attempts to control the position.
Potterswheel is looking to improve his position.
Funtov wants to stand but Potterswheel has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Potterswheel trying to control from the bottom.
Potterswheel desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funtov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Potterswheel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Funtov lands with a punch from half guard.

Potterswheel looking for submissions off his back.
Funtov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Funtov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Funtov drops an elbow to the side of Potterswheel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Potterswheel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Funtov misses with a head shot. Potterswheel uses the momentum to regain guard.
Funtov chips away with some ground and pound.
Potterswheel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Potterswheel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Funtov is aware though and is defending well.
Funtov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Funtov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Funtov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Potterswheel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funtov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Potterswheel seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Funtov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Potterswheel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Funtov landing with the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funtov is pushing down on Potterswheel's leg trying to pass to half guard. Potterswheel is fighting to maintain full guard but Funtov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Potterswheel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Potterswheel lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Funtov!
Zemli Funtov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Funtov blocking the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zemli Funtov.
Well Potterswheel has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Quinton Xavier Potterswheel!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Quinton Xavier Potterswheel!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Quinton Xavier Potterswheel!

Quinton Xavier Potterswheel wins by unanimous decision!
Quinton Xavier Potterswheel tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.