PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Genki Dama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mega Funkyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Funkyama has chosen Bon Jovi: Bad Medicine as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dama
vs
Funkyama

157 cm
36
156 lbs
33 - 17 - 0

168 cm
34
157 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Abraham\'s Laundry Services

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 33 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Genki Dama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mega Funkyama!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funkyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dama displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Funkyama throws out the jab.
Funkyama has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Dama is landing a low percentage of strikes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dama working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stalling in the clinch from Funkyama.
Funkyama tries to break free but Dama pushes him back against the cage.
Funkyama lands a body shot in the clinch.
Funkyama wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Funkyama blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Funkyama has Dama pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Funkyama pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Dama tumbling to the mat - Funkyama dives into Dama's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Funkyama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funkyama stays in close to Dama's body and controls the position.
Dama keeping moving, preventing Funkyama from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Dama is trying to keep Funkyama in close.
Funkyama preventing the sweep.
Dama is trying to keep Funkyama in close.
Dama keeping full guard, as Funkyama tries to pass.
Funkyama passes Dama's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dama moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Dama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Funkyama.

Dama looking for a guillotine here but Funkyama defends easily.
Dama keeping moving, preventing Funkyama from controlling successfully.
Funkyama scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Dama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Funkyama throws a series of punches but Dama moves out of range.
Dama misses the shot to the body.
Funkyama moves away from the strike by Dama.
Dama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Funkyama was well out of range. Poor timing from Dama.
Dama pivots, looking for a leg kick but Funkyama is out of range and Dama settles back down.
Funkyama shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dama as he jumps to the side.
Dama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Funkyama walks into a jab.
Funkyama takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funkyama.
Funkyama connects with a crisp jab.
Dama swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dama lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A slow jab from Funkyama misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama looks to score with a jab to the body but Dama is just out of range.
Funkyama's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dama connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Funkyama scrambles back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Funkyama is defended easily by Dama.
Funkyama misses with a hook. Dama ducked under it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funkyama swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Funkyama.
Funkyama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dama.
Dama misses with an attempted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dama. Funkyama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Funkyama displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dama throws out the jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dama swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dama takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dama looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Dama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mega Funkyama will probably get the nod.
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.

Dama shoots in but no luck this time.
Dama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Funkyama is defended easily by Dama.
Funkyama throws a poor cross that misses
and Dama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dama misses with a low kick.
Dama throws a leg kick but Funkyama sees it coming and moves out of range.
Funkyama misses with a looping right.
Dama pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Funkyama keeps the fight on the outside.
Dama blocks a jab.
Dama tried to score with a low kick but Funkyama checks it.
Funkyama misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dama looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Funkyama lands the left hand.
Funkyama tries to clinch but Dama is having none of it.
Funkyama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dama was well out of range. Poor timing from Funkyama.
Dama dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Funkyama. That did some damage!
Genki Dama is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkyama keeps the fight on the outside.
Dama lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Funkyama swinging wildly here.
Dama shoots in looking for a takedown. Funkyama tries to sprawl out of it but Dama keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Funkyama manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Funkyama shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Dama napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Funkyama happy to just control the position for now.
Funkyama lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dama manages to work his way to half guard, despite Funkyama's best efforts.
Dama has hold of Funkyama's hands but Funkyama slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Dama trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funkyama avoids the attempt from Dama to control.

Funkyama goes for an armbar but Dama turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Dama.
Dama is working Funkyama over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dama being controlled here momentarily.
Dama might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama keeping moving, preventing Dama from controlling successfully.
Dama connects with a couple of short punches.
Funkyama pulls Dama in close to prevent any damage.
Funkyama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dama wants to control from the top but Funkyama keeps moving.
Dama won't allow Funkyama to sweep him here.
Dama is fighting to break Funkyama's control of his arms but Funkyama is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Funkyama utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Funkyama wants to sweep but no luck.
Dama wants to control from the top but Funkyama keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fighters circling - Dama throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Funkyama's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dama under the eye.
Dama misses with a wild body shot.
A left lands for Funkyama.
Dama works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Dama scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dama lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Funkyama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Genki Dama will probably get the nod.
That's time! Dama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Funkyama throws a jab but it's blocked by Dama.
Funkyama moves out of range of the body kick from Dama.
Funkyama is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Funkyama scores with a body shot.
Funkyama takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Nice cross by Dama.
Funkyama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jab by Funkyama.
It looks like Dama has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Funkyama takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Dama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funkyama blocks a head kick by Dama.
Funkyama slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dama steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Funkyama.
A slow jab from Funkyama misses its intended target.
Funkyama is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
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!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Funkyama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama looks to throw the jab but Funkyama is out of range.
Funkyama moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dama tries to land a front kick but Funkyama steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Dama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Funkyama manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Funkyama looks to land a right hand but Dama moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Dama.
Dama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Funkyama rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dama moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dama swings for the body but Funkyama moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Dama.
Dama throws a body punch but Funkyama moves out of range.
Dama shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Funkyama pinned against the cage. Funkyama gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Funkyama works over Dama's head and body with a nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Funkyama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dama scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dama throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Funkyama sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sloppy strikes from Dama. Those never looked like landing.
Funkyama misses the jab.
Funkyama misses with an uppercut. Dama saw that one coming.
Funkyama closes the distance and clinches up with Dama, looking for a takedown. Funkyama pushes Dama against the cage but Dama circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Funkyama throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Funkyama scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Dama is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Funkyama tries for a kimura but Dama is defending well.
Dama tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Funkyama wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Dama sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Dama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Funkyama is thwarting Dama's attempts to control the position.
Funkyama is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Dama!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama looking to finish Dama with some ground and pound. This is bad for Dama!
BOOM! Funkyama connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Dama is trying desperately to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dama wants to control but Funkyama is having none of it.
Funkyama content just to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mega Funkyama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mega Funkyama!
After winning the bout, Mega Funkyama thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.