PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trenton Funkhouser (ranked 317 p4p, 45 weight class) and Zeph Frazier (ranked 542 p4p, 80 weight class). Frazier is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Apparently" by J. Cole. Trenton Funkhouser has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Funkhouser
vs
Frazier

196 cm
29
222 lbs
16 - 11 - 1

184 cm
27
210 lbs
12 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Red Light Coffeeshop

Reaper Combatwear
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Trenton Funkhouser!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zeph Frazier!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funkhouser connects with a nice looking jab.
Frazier misses with a hook
and Frazier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Funkhouser with a lazy takedown attempt
and Frazier counters with a good low kick that Funkhouser was not able to check.
A jab from Frazier finds it's way through Funkhouser's defenses.
Frazier throws a low kick but Funkhouser avoids it.
Funkhouser throws a quick counter kick to the body but Frazier avoids it.
Frazier misses with a right hand

and Funkhouser counters with a single leg into guard. Frazier didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Funkhouser wants to pass the guard but Frazier is keeping the position.
Funkhouser is working hard here to advance position.
Funkhouser won't allow Frazier to sweep him here.
Funkhouser trying to control the position from guard on top but Frazier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frazier is adopting a defensive guard.
Funkhouser trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Frazier can't keep his opponent in guard - Funkhouser advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Funkhouser trying to advance position but Frazier counters by regaining guard.
Frazier wants to get back to his feet but Funkhouser is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Funkhouser will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Funkhouser trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Frazier pulls Funkhouser in close to his closed guard and prevents Funkhouser from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Funkhouser trying to control the position from guard on top but Frazier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Funkhouser won't allow Frazier to sweep him here.
Frazier wants to get back to his feet but Funkhouser is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Funkhouser tries to free his leg and advance position but Frazier is retaining full guard.
Frazier is controlling Funkhouser's posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Frazier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Frazier throws a poor cross that misses
and Funkhouser counters with a straight right hand.
Frazier throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Frazier blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frazier misses with a straight left.
Funkhouser was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Frazier throws a hook but Funkhouser blocks it.
Funkhouser throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Frazier's waist but Frazier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Funkhouser off to one side.
Frazier let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A nice leg kick lands there from Frazier.
Funkhouser scores with a jab to the head.
Funkhouser works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Funkhouser looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Funkhouser will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trenton Funkhouser. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Funkhouser fails with the takedown
letting Frazier counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Frazier lands a left and a right that send Funkhouser crashing to the mat, dazed. Frazier thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Zeph Frazier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Frazier.
Frazier misses with a straight left.
Zeph Frazier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Frazier misses with a looping right.
Funkhouser takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Frazier misses with a two punch combination.
Funkhouser appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Funkhouser ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Frazier misses with the combination.
Funkhouser was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Frazier misses with a looping left.

Funkhouser looking to score a takedown here. Frazier is defending well but Funkhouser drives through and ends up in Frazier's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeph Frazier dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Frazier throws a leg kick

and Funkhouser counters with a shoot takedown. Frazier fights it but they end up in guard.
Funkhouser trying to control the position from guard on top but Frazier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Funkhouser stopping the sweep attempt from Frazier.
Frazier is still trying to improve position.
Frazier utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Funkhouser wants to pass the guard but Frazier is keeping the position.
Frazier lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Frazier controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frazier won't allow Funkhouser to sweep him here.

Funkhouser throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Frazier escapes and throws Funkhouser's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkhouser is trying to improve his position.
Funkhouser is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Funkhouser is trying to get back to full guard.
Funkhouser trying to control but Frazier postures up.
Frazier takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Funkhouser tries to get to full guard but Frazier has control of the leg.
Funkhouser is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Z-Force Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Frazier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Funkhouser keeping control of the position.
Still in half guard, Frazier seems content to control.

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.

Funkhouser actively working from the bottom here.
Frazier prevents Funkhouser from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Frazier seems content to control.
Frazier looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Funkhouser wants to get back to full guard.
Frazier trying to control from half guard but Funkhouser is working away.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Frazier misses with a left hand
and Funkhouser counters with a left to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Frazier throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Frazier cracks Funkhouser with a good jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Funkhouser or perhaps it was just good defense by Frazier, which made it look bad.
Frazier connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Funkhouser momentarily.
Frazier misses with an uppercut
and Funkhouser counters with a stiff right hand.
Funkhouser lands a jab to the head.
Frazier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Funkhouser sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Frazier displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Funkhouser.
Frazier looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkhouser blocks a head kick by Frazier.
Funkhouser throwing a counter right hand but Frazier manages to avoid it.
Funkhouser bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Funkhouser looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Frazier keeping full guard, as Funkhouser tries to pass.
Frazier preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Frazier wriggles free and stands up.
Frazier works over Funkhouser's head and body with a nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeph Frazier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Frazier scores with a sloppy right hand. Funkhouser should have avoided that one.
Frazier looks to land a left hand but Funkhouser moved out of range nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Frazier.
Zeph Frazier seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Funkhouser throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Frazier's waist but Frazier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Funkhouser off to one side.
Funkhouser shoots in for a takedown but Frazier shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Funkhouser misses with an uppercut
and Frazier counters with a nice uppercut.
That kick from Frazier tenderised Funkhouser's leg. Funkhouser is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frazier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Funkhouser drives through with a takedown into Frazier's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Frazier is controlling Funkhouser's posture.
Funkhouser wants to control from the top but Frazier keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frazier looking for a sweep. Not yet Frazier, not yet.
Funkhouser stops Frazier from standing up.
Funkhouser is looking to advance position but Frazier has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Frazier takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Frazier can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Funkhouser is looking to escape.
Funkhouser is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funkhouser tries to lock up and control but Frazier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Funkhouser can't escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Frazier wants to control the pace but Funkhouser is squirming around nicely.
Funkhouser tries to reverse the position but Frazier maintains control.
Funkhouser tries to lock up and control but Frazier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Funkhouser is in all sorts of trouble here.
Frazier tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Frazier has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Funkhouser is looking to get to half guard.
Frazier controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkhouser is desperately trying to improve his position but Frazier has a good base and remains in mount.
Frazier looking to control and managing it successfully.
Funkhouser is wriggling around trying to escape.
Funkhouser is squirming around, avoiding Frazier's attempts to control the action.
Frazier prevents Funkhouser from getting the reversal.
Frazier tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Frazier is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkhouser is in all sorts of trouble here.
Funkhouser slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Frazier wants to get back to his feet.
Funkhouser has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Frazier is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Frazier wants to pass to mount but Funkhouser is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Funkhouser uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Frazier.
Funkhouser attempts a counter takedown but Frazier avoids it well and moves away.
Frazier throws a jab when Funkhouser was well out of range.
Frazier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Funkhouser manages to avoid it.
Frazier misses with a lunging right hand
and Frazier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Frazier connects with a crisp jab.
Frazier falls off balance throwing a combination
and Funkhouser counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frazier throws a leg kick but Funkhouser moved away.
Frazier is looking to slow Funkhouser down with leg kicks.
Frazier misses with a lunging right hand
and Frazier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Funkhouser.
Frazier throws a big counter head kick but Funkhouser avoids it with no problem.
Frazier misses with a lunging right hand

and Funkhouser counters with a nice double leg into side control. Frazier won't be happy with that.
Zeph Frazier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Funkhouser tries to advance to mount but can't.
Frazier is looking to regain half guard here but Funkhouser keeps moving and retains side control.
Funkhouser in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Funkhouser wants to lay and pray for a moment but Frazier keeps working.
Frazier is trying to control Funkhouser's posture but Funkhouser avoids it.
Frazier is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Funkhouser is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Frazier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Funkhouser is trying to get an arm triangle but Frazier is defending well.
Funkhouser wants to lay and pray for a moment but Frazier keeps working.

Funkhouser tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Funkhouser has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Frazier tries to escape but Funkhouser is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frazier struggling a bit here.
Funkhouser working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

It looks like Zeph Frazier has been cut.
Frazier is trying to control Funkhouser's posture but Funkhouser avoids it.
Funkhouser tries to advance to mount but Frazier denies him.
Frazier is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Funkhouser takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Funkhouser not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Funkhouser wants to free his trapped foot but Frazier is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Frazier makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frazier takes one to the chin there.
Frazier misses with a right hand
and Funkhouser connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Frazier fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Funkhouser.
Funkhouser is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Frazier connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Funkhouser is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Frazier throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Funkhouser shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Frazier is not content to let Funkhouser control the position.
Frazier is pressing down on Funkhouser's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Trenton Funkhouser will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zeph Frazier's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Frazier takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Frazier displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Funkhouser.
Frazier looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Frazier thumps Funkhouser with a low kick.
Funkhouser slips a jab from Frazier.
Frazier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Funkhouser was well out of range. Poor timing from Frazier.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funkhouser takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Frazier misses with a jab to the body
and Funkhouser counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Frazier lands with a kick to the temple. Funkhouser shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frazier misses with an uppercut
and Funkhouser counters with a nice uppercut.
Funkhouser is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A low kick from Frazier is predictable there

and Funkhouser counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Frazier lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Frazier pushes down on Funkhouser's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Funkhouser wants to improve his position but Frazier is controlling well.
Frazier tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Frazier stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funkhouser is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Funkhouser is trying to control but can't.
Funkhouser is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Frazier is controlling the pace.
Funkhouser tries to get to full guard but Frazier has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frazier is controlling the pace.
Funkhouser is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Frazier perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Frazier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Frazier misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Frazier walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Funkhouser checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Funkhouser swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Funkhouser waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Frazier.

Funkhouser shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Frazier napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Frazier is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Frazier trying to control from the bottom.
Frazier keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Funkhouser trying to control from half guard but Frazier is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Funkhouser is working for a kimura but Frazier is defending it quite comfortably.
Trenton Funkhouser has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Funkhouser not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeph Frazier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Frazier 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zeph Frazier!
Zeph Frazier is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Zeph Frazier rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.