PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Waleed Ayoub (ranked 3087 p4p, 343 weight class) and Tucker Funk (ranked 24801 p4p, 573 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ayoub
vs
Funk

181 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

178 cm
18
162 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Waleed Ayoub!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tucker Funk!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Steve Montenegro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ayoub lands a head kick!

It looks like Tucker Funk has been cut.
Funk fails to land with a series of punches.
Funk shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ayoub sprawls well. Ayoub wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Funk gets slowly back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Funk.
Funk misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A jab from Funk misses.
Ayoub misses with a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Ayoub. No joy for Funk on that attempt.
Funk avoids the head kick by Ayoub.
Funk misses with a two punch combination.
Ayoub throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Funk throws a right hand that Ayoub ducks under and follows up with a left that Ayoub also avoids with ease.
Funk avoids the head kick by Ayoub.
Funk shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Waleed Ayoub has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tucker Funk.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funk throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ayoub throws a head kick but Funk moves out of range.
Ayoub tries a head kick but it misses.
Ayoub is breathing heavily.
Funk lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayoub tries to bum rush Funk with a series of wild strikes but Funk uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Funk misses with a takedown attempt - Ayoub sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Funk throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ayoub moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ayoub lands a high kick!
Funk shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ayoub but Ayoub pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ayoub swats away the attempt to clinch by Funk.
A combination from Funk does no damage.
Funk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ayoub lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ayoub throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Funk.
Funk tries to clinch but Ayoub moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk throws a jab when Ayoub was well out of range.
Ayoub is looking to counter punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Funk.
Funk tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Funk blocks a head kick by Ayoub.
Funk looks for a takedown but Ayoub sprawls well.
Funk misses with a two punch combination.
Ayoub looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Funk tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ayoub manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ayoub avoids a kick to the body.
Ayoub misses with a head kick.
Funk lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ayoub backs up against the cage.
Funk cracks Ayoub with a right hand to the side of the head.
Waleed Ayoub seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Funk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ayoub sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Funk somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ayoub takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ayoub lands with a slapping head kick.
Ayoub pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Funk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ayoub is fending him off so far but Funk persists. Nope, Ayoub circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Funk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ayoub avoids it really well and circles away.
Ayoub lands a head kick. Funk smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Funk throws a right and a left that Ayoub avoids nicely.
Ayoub went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Funk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ayoub swivels and escapes.
Ayoub lands with a slapping head kick.
Ayoub throws a series of punches but Funk avoids them all with ease.
Funk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ayoub is fending him off so far but Funk persists. Nope, Ayoub circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ayoub tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As Ayoub backs off Funk throws a huge counter combo but Ayoub manages to avoid it all.
Waleed Ayoub is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funk throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Funk moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ayoub lands a head kick!
Ayoub tries a head kick but it misses.
Funk will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Funk takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ayoub doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Funk blocks a head kick by Ayoub.
Funk looks for a takedown but Ayoub sprawls well.
A head kick from Ayoub lands but Funk takes it in his stride.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Funk misses with a low kick.
Funk scores with a three punch combo!
Funk throws a series of punches but Ayoub avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waleed Ayoub dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tucker Funk's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ayoub misses with a head kick.
Ayoub avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ayoub misses with a double jab.
Funk misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Funk throws a series of punches but Ayoub avoids them all with ease.
Funk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ayoub as he avoids it easily.
Funk throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ayoub throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Funk's head.
Waleed Ayoub is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Funk throws a series of punches but Ayoub moves out of range.
Funk slips a jab and a cross from Ayoub.
The fight stays on the outside here - Funk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ayoub is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Funk can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ayoub throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Funk.
Ayoub throws a head kick but Funk moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ayoub misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk throws a series of strikes that have Ayoub backpedaling.
Funk closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Funk misses with a two punch combination.
Ayoub throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Funk does no damage.
Funk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ayoub pinned against the cage. Ayoub gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ayoub lands a high kick!
Funk tries to close the distance and clinch but Ayoub swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ayoub throws a head kick that half lands.
Waleed Ayoub is winning the standup battle so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Funk misses with a double jab.
A combination from Funk does no damage.
Ayoub is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ayoub stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ayoub wants it to stay on the feet.
Waleed Ayoub has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tucker Funk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ayoub throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Funk.
Funk shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ayoub defends it nicely.
Ayoub misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Funk is looking to clinch.
A punch combination from Funk misses.
Ayoub has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Ayoub throws a head kick but Funk moves out of range.
Ayoub misses with a double jab.
Funk throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Funk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ayoub lands a high kick!
Funk misses with a body shot.
Funk takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Funk is looking to clinch.
Ayoub is looking to counter with head kicks.
Funk looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ayoub is looking for a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funk misses with a few strikes there.
Ayoub throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Funk's head.
Funk is looking to clinch.
Funk changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ayoub tries to avoid it but Funk manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ayoub to the ground. Ayoub escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ayoub throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Funk.
Funk tries to close the distance and clinch but Ayoub swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Funk throws out a leg kick but Ayoub moves out of range and Funk only half commits.
Funk tries for a takedown but Ayoub sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ayoub throws a nice head kick!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Funk.
Funk shoots in but Ayoub avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Some wild striking there from Funk.
Funk takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Funk shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ayoub as he jumps to the side.
Funk lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ayoub circles away quickly and effectively.
Funk takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Funk lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Funk throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ayoub scores with a head kick.
Ayoub misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Funk misses with the combination.
Funk throws a series of punches but Ayoub avoids them all with ease.
Ayoub throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck for Funk with that takedown attempt.
Ayoub throws a nice head kick!
Funk lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ayoub backs up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waleed Ayoub dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tucker Funk's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ayoub throws a head kick but Funk moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Funk misses.
Ayoub misses with a head kick.
Funk misses with a few strikes there.
A nice combination there by Funk.
Funk tries to score with a low kick but Ayoub moves his leg out of the way.
Funk looks to land a combination but Ayoub avoids it well.
Ayoub throws a big counter combination but Funk scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ayoub pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Ayoub. Those never looked like landing.
Funk wants to clinch.
Funk shoots in but Ayoub avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ayoub showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Funk.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ayoub pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Funk back to the cage. Ayoub follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk shoots in but no luck this time.
Ayoub scores with a head kick. Funk tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Ayoub plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Ayoub stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ayoub wants it to stay on the feet.
Waleed Ayoub has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tucker Funk.
Funk scores with a one two! Ayoub had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ayoub lands with a slapping head kick.
Funk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ayoub seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ayoub stalks Funk and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Funk's face. Funk staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Funk throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Funk misses with a body kick.
Ayoub lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ayoub throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Funk lands with a nice combination. Ayoub backs away looking to recover.
Funk doesn't manage to clinch there - Ayoub circles away.
A head kick misses from Ayoub.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Funk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk doesn't manage to clinch there - Ayoub circles away.
Funk fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Funk.
Funk avoids the head kick by Ayoub.
Funk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Funk shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ayoub as he jumps to the side.
Funk shoots in for a takedown but Ayoub shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ayoub lands with a kick to the temple. Funk shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A cross from Ayoub lands.
Funk avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ayoub showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Funk.
Ayoub lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Funk circles away quickly and effectively.
Tucker Funk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funk looks to land a combination but Ayoub avoids it well.
Funk throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Funk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ayoub sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Funk somewhat.
Ayoub lands a high kick!
Funk throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ayoub throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Funk.
Funk moves in looking to clinch but Ayoub pushes him off.
Ayoub swats away the attempt to clinch by Funk.
Funk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ayoub.
Ayoub throws a right hand that Funk ducks under and follows up with a left that Funk also avoids with ease.
Ayoub uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Funk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funk misses with a series of wild punches.
Ayoub lands a head kick. Funk smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Funk misses with a series of wild punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ayoub scores with a head kick.
Waleed Ayoub is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ayoub misses with a head kick.
Funk attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Funk fails to land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Funk misses.
Ayoub lands a head shot.
Ayoub slips a jab and a cross from Funk.
A punch combination from Funk misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A punch combination from Ayoub misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waleed Ayoub showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ayoub 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waleed Ayoub!