PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Will Thomas (ranked 25221 p4p, 798 weight class) and Pius Funar (ranked 5686 p4p, 0 weight class). Pius Funar will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Thomas
vs
Funar

180 cm
18
212 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

187 cm
18
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pius Funar!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funar swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Thomas.
Funar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Funar looks to throw the jab but Thomas is out of range.
Funar throws a good cross that connects.

Thomas has closed the distance and engaged Funar in a clinch.
Thomas could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Thomas ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Thomas no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Funar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.

Thomas controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thomas seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Funar for as long as he can get away with.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Funar is keeping the position.

Thomas drops back looking for a leg! Funar is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Funar manages to kick Thomas off! Thomas jumps back into Funar's guard.
Thomas slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas sitting and controlling from the half guard.

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.
Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thomas sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Funar is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Thomas trying to mount his opponent but Funar defends it.
Funar trying to control but Thomas postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Thomas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for Thomas with that takedown attempt.
Funar lands an overhand right.
Thomas needs to keep his hands up - Funar had a free shot at his head there.
Thomas needs to keep his hands up - Funar had a free shot at his head there.
Thomas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Thomas lands a head kick. Funar smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Funar avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funar. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thomas takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
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!
Funar misses the shot to the body.
Funar's jab looks to have found its range, popping Thomas under the eye.
Funar lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Funar lands with an uppercut that bounces Thomas off the cage and back into range.
Thomas takes a jab right on the kisser.
Funar tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Funar is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Thomas had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Thomas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Funar.
Thomas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thomas throws a wild body kick that Funar sees coming a mile off.
A decent looking cross lands there for Funar.
Funar lands with a straight right. Thomas didn't see that one coming.
Funar darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Funar connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thomas momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pius Funar dominated that round.
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.

Thomas dodges the punch combination from Funar.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funar. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pius Funar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Funar.
Funar looks to score with a jab to the body but Thomas is just out of range.
Thomas darts in looking for a takedown but Funar gets double underhooks and turns Thomas into the cage.
Funar dips to his left and cracks Thomas with an uppercut!
Funar misses with a lunging right hand

and Thomas counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Funar!
Funar tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Thomas is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Funar knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Funar for a finish.

Thomas working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas has good solid back control here.
Funar tries to escape but Thomas has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Will Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Funar preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Thomas.
Funar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thomas has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Funar's body.

Thomas working for the choke.
Funar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thomas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thomas biding his time, looking for the opening.
Thomas has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funar trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Funar covering up well and avoiding damage.

Thomas is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Funar defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Thomas keeps control of the position easily here as Funar tries to buck him off.
Funar trying to control the hands but Thomas won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Funar with him. Funar is trying to defend but Thomas has an arm under the chin now! Funar grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Will Thomas!