PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ramachandra Funske (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piet Kriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Funske
vs
Kriel

187 cm
26
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

171 cm
27
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ramachandra Funske!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Piet Kriel!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kriel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Funske comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kriel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Funske swings for the body but Kriel moves out of range.
Funske scores with a hook to the body. Kriel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kriel shoots for a double leg takedown but Funske sprawls well. He's pushed Kriel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kriel dives in and grabs Funske's left leg, looking for a takedown. Funske pushes down on Kriel's head and hops out.
Kriel's coach down at Barbell Brigade was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kriel's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kriel avoids the body shot from Funske.
Funske is looking to wear down Kriel with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Funske swings for the body but Kriel moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kriel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Funske half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ramachandra Funske has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Piet Kriel.
Funske swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Funske ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funske misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kriel.
Kriel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Funske sprawls well. Funske wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kriel gets slowly back to his feet.
Funske changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Funske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kriel manages to avoid it.
Funske swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kriel steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Funske.
Kriel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Funske is fending him off so far but Kriel persists. Nope, Funske circles away and we're back to standing.
Kriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kriel manages to avoid it.
Kriel shoots in looking for a takedown. Funske tries to sprawl out of it but Kriel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Funske manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kriel looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kriel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Funske stuns Kriel with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Funske throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funske takes a swing at Kriel's ribcage but misses.
Funske swings for the body but Kriel moves out of range.
Kriel avoids the body shot from Funske.
Kriel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Funske's waist but Funske gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kriel off to one side.
Kriel dives in and grabs Funske's left leg, looking for a takedown. Funske pushes down on Kriel's head and hops out.
Funske tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kriel was well out of range. Poor timing from Funske.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funske just misses with a punch to the body.
Funske misses the shot to the body.
Ramachandra Funske is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Funske tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kriel was well out of range. Poor timing from Funske.
Kriel tries to clinch up but Funske circles away and keeps his distance.
Funske changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Funske just misses with a punch to the body.
Kriel tries to counter with a clinch but Funske shakes him off and moves away.
Funske throws a body punch but Kriel moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Kriel misses.
Kriel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funske.
Funske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kriel moves away.
Funske takes a swing at Kriel's ribcage but misses.
Kriel doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Funske looks to score with a jab to the body but Kriel is just out of range.
Funske moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKriel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funske tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kriel was well out of range. Poor timing from Funske.

Kriel bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kriel wants to control but Funske is keeping him busy.
Kriel looking to control but instead Funske has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Kriel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Funske defends it well.

Kriel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Funske has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Funske keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramachandra Funske dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Funske tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kriel was well out of range. Poor timing from Funske.
Kriel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Funske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kriel moves away.
Funske swings for the body but Kriel moves out of range.
Funske throws a body shot but no joy.
Kriel is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kriel tries to clinch there but Funske circles away.
Funske lands with a shot to the body.
Kriel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Funske's waist but Funske gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kriel off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funske looks to score with a jab to the body but Kriel is just out of range.
Funske misses the shot to the body.
Funske throws a body shot but no joy.
Kriel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Funske feinted with a counter takedown.
Ramachandra Funske has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Piet Kriel.
Kriel is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Funske as Kriel shoots in.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kriel is defended easily by Funske.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funske. Kriel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kriel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Funske swats away the attempt to clinch by Kriel.
Funske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kriel moves away.
Kriel has his takedown stuffed

and Funske counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kriel trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Funske would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Funske won't allow Kriel to get back to his feet.
Kriel wants to control but Funske passes easily into half guard.

Funske decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Funske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kriel manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kriel dives in and grabs Funske's left leg, looking for a takedown. Funske pushes down on Kriel's head and hops out.
Funske changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Funske swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kriel misses with a takedown

and Funske counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kriel pulls Funske in close to prevent any damage.

Funske gets to his feet. Kriel looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kriel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funske. Kriel does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funske throws a body shot but no joy.
Kriel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Funske with a body shot.
Kriel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Funske throws a body punch but Kriel moves out of range.
Kriel avoids the body shot from Funske.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Funske cracks a nice hook into Kriel's ribs.
Funske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kriel moves away.
Funske throws a body shot but no joy.
Funske misses the shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kriel dives in and grabs Funske's left leg, looking for a takedown. Funske pushes down on Kriel's head and hops out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kriel avoids the body shot from Funske.
Funske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Despite the aggression on Kriel's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramachandra Funske dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Funske throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kriel moves to clinch but Funske breaks away

so Funske counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kriel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Funske stopping the sweep attempt from Kriel.
Funske wanted to stand there but Kriel had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kriel is trying to control the position but Funske postures up.

Kriel looking for subs off his back but Funske has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriel is trying to control but can't.
Kriel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Funske tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kriel controls his leg.
Kriel trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Funske misses with a body shot.
Ramachandra Funske is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kriel tries to clinch up but Funske circles away and keeps his distance.
Kriel tries to clinch but Funske moves out of range.
Funske misses with a wild body shot.
Funske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kriel manages to avoid it.
Piet Kriel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kriel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Funske's waist but Funske gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kriel off to one side.
Kriel avoids the body shot from Funske.
Kriel shapes to counter with a head kick.
Funske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funske misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kriel.
Ramachandra Funske seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kriel tries to clinch there but Funske circles away.
Funske swings for the body but Kriel moves out of range.
Funske misses with a body shot.
Ramachandra Funske is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kriel misses the shot to the body.
Funske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kriel moves away.
Kriel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kriel with a poor takedown

and Funske counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kriel!
Kriel bucks up and tries to throw Funske off but instead Funske has got his back!
Funske wants to stand back up.
Ramachandra Funske overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kriel looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Funske seems like he's trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funske really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Kriel.
Funske controlling well, preventing Kriel from escaping the position.
Piet Kriel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Funske wants to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ramachandra Funske showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Funske has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramachandra Funske!
A victorious Ramachandra Funske thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.