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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steven Petersen (ranked 1641 p4p, 1381 weight class) and Masa Funaki (ranked 205 p4p, 175 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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| 177 cm
41
165
20 - 17 - 0 |
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180 cm
32
154
16 - 17 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steven Petersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Funaki!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Petersen checks a low kick from Funaki.
Petersen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funaki steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Petersen.
Petersen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Funaki.
Petersen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Funaki with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Funaki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Funaki rushes Petersen and presses him up against the cage.
Petersen blocks an uppercut.
Funaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Petersen.
I was talking to Petersen's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Petersen has Funaki pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Petersen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Funaki.
Petersen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Petersen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki misses with a body punch.
Petersen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Funaki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Funaki just leaning against Petersen, taking a breather.
Funaki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Funaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Petersen backwards.
Funaki lands a right hand.
Petersen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Petersen cracks Funaki with a nice body shot.
Petersen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Funaki's elbow.
Funaki told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Funaki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petersen takes a shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Funaki.
Funaki avoiding damage as Petersen throws knees to the body.
Petersen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Petersen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Funaki blocks it with crossed arms.
With the fighters up against the cage, Funaki throws an elbow but misses.
Funaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Petersens head.
Petersen trying to stall but Funaki improves his position.
Petersen misses with an elbow strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Funaki.
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!
Funaki lands an elbow inside that Petersen shrugs off.
It looks like Steven Petersen has been cut.
Petersen is struggling to control the position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Petersen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Funaki.
Petersen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Funaki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Petersen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Funaki lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Petersen.
Funaki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Funaki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Petersen's defenses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Funaki tries to work over Petersen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki blocks a body shot from Petersen.
Funaki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Petersen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Petersen scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petersen.
Funaki has Petersen pressed against the cage, preventing Petersen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Funaki comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Steven Petersen's cut is getting worse.
Funaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Petersen uses good head movement to avoid it.
A bit of stalling here from Petersen.
Funaki throws a punch but it's blocked by Petersen.
Funaki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Funaki gets through Petersen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Funaki utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Petersen pressing his opponent against the cage.
Funaki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petersen is trying to break the clinch but Funaki is controlling him.
Petersen scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petersen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Funaki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Petersen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Funaki has a couple of punches blocked by Petersen.
Petersen working aggressively here.
Petersen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Funaki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Petersen avoids it.
Petersen stalling in the clinch but Funaki improves position.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
Funaki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Petersen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Funaki content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Funaki works on Petersen's body with a couple of short punches.
Funaki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Petersen backwards.
Steven Petersen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Petersen trying to control the position but instead, Funaki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Petersen into the cage.
Petersen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Funakis head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Masa Funaki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steven Petersen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Funaki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Funaki in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Petersen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Funaki wants to land a leg kick but Petersen is out of range.
Funaki wants to slow Petersen down by chopping away at his legs.
Funaki with a nice calf kick.
Petersen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Petersen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Funaki tries to counter with a clinch but Petersen shakes him off and moves away.
Funaki misses with a body shot.
Funaki misses the shot to the body.
Funaki misses with a head kick.
Funaki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Funaki throws a body kick that misses.
Funaki jabs Petersen right on the nose. Petersen blinks but takes it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Funaki.
Funaki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Petersen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funaki.
A good leg kick by Funaki.
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!
Funaki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Petersen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen misses with a leg kick.
Funaki throws the kick towards the body but Petersen avoids it.
Petersen scores with a shot to the body.
Funaki lands a nice leg kick that just misses Petersen's sensitive parts.
A swing and a miss from Petersen.
Funaki is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Funaki lands a slapping body shot.
Petersen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Masa Funaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Funaki throws a leg kick
and Petersen counters with a low kick, right behind Funaki 's knee.
Petersen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Petersen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Funaki misses with a kick to the body.
Petersen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Funaki lands with a straight right. Petersen didn't see that one coming.
Funaki scores with a leg kick.
Funaki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Petersen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A swing and a miss from Petersen.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki wants to land a leg kick but Petersen is out of range.
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!
Funaki misses with a low kick.
Funaki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Funaki lands with a nice body punch.
Funaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Petersen checks the leg kick nicely there.
A jab from Petersen misses.
Funaki appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Masa Funaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Funaki misses with a left hand
and Petersen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Funaki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Petersen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
An inside leg kick lands from Funaki.
A clash of legs there as Petersen blocks the low kick.
Nice defenses there by Funaki.
A telegraphed right hand from Petersen misses the target.
Petersen sets himself, and Funaki steps forward looking for the clinch! Petersen avoids it this time.
Nice body kick from Funaki.
Petersen checks a leg kick nicely.
Funaki looks for the body kick but Petersen saw that one coming.
Funaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Funaki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki throws a quick inside leg kick.
Petersen swings for the body but Funaki moves out of range.
Funaki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Funaki tries to land a front kick but Petersen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Funaki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Funaki swings for the body but Petersen moves out of range.
Funaki defending well as Petersen loads up on a big left hand.
Funaki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Funaki misses with a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funaki. Petersen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Funaki digs a good body shot into Petersen's ribs.
Petersen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Petersen checks a low kick from Funaki.
Petersen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Funaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Petersen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Funaki. That one must have hurt.
Funaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petersen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Funaki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Funaki throws a push kick but Petersen slaps the foot to one side.
Petersen throws the left hand but Funaki avoids the punch easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Petersen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Petersen digs a good body shot into Funaki's ribs.
Good leg kick by Funaki.
Petersen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funaki misses with a body kick.
Funaki misses with an uppercut.
Petersen throwing a counter right hand but Funaki manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Funaki.
Funaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funaki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Funaki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Petersen misses the jab.
Funaki scores with a push kick.
Funaki throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Petersen on the side of the head.
Funaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Petersen moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Masa Funaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steven Petersen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Petersen swings for the body but Funaki moves out of range.
Funaki misses with a body shot.
Petersen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Funaki jabs Petersen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Funaki blocks a leg kick.
Funaki swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Funaki does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Funaki thumps Petersen with a low kick.
Petersen misses with a hook.
Petersen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A shot to the liver by Funaki. Beautiful body shot.
Crunch! Funaki slams his shin into Petersen's torso.
A big left from Petersen misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Funaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funaki scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Petersen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Funaki checks it well.
Funaki throws a lazy right hand but Petersen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Funaki swings for the body but Petersen moves out of range.
Petersen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Funaki.
Petersen throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen throws out a leg kick but Funaki moves out of range and Petersen only half commits.
Funaki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Petersen rather than just go for the knockout.
Funaki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Funaki misses with a low kick as Petersen jumps back.
Petersen lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Petersen looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.
Funaki throws a leg kick which misses Petersen's front leg but catches the back leg as Petersen tries to avoid it.
Petersen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Funaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Petersen was well out of range. Poor timing from Funaki.
Funaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Funaki.
Funaki scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A nice combination there by Petersen.
Petersen misses the shot to the body.
Petersen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A clash of legs there as Petersen blocks the low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Funaki.
Funaki misses with a telegraphed body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Petersen throws a lazy uppercut
and Funaki counters with an outside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petersen checks the leg kick.
Petersen half committed to a counter leg kick.
Masa Funaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Funaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Petersen.
Petersen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Petersen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Petersen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Funaki throws a lazy uppercut
and Petersen counters with a stiff right hand.
Petersen misses with a body kick.
Funaki fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Petersen on the side of the head.
Petersen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Funaki takes a step back to recover.
The fighters circling - Funaki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petersen looks to land a right hand but Funaki moved out of range.
Petersen looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.
Petersen checks a leg kick.
Petersen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Petersen pushes Funaki away with a front kick.
Petersen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Funaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Petersen is looking to slow Funaki down with leg kicks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A bone on bone clash there as Petersen blocks the leg kick.
Funaki throws a body punch but Petersen moves out of range.
A big right from Petersen misses.
Petersen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Funaki was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Funaki throws a lazy right hand but Petersen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Funaki is looking to land body kicks.
Funaki throws a leg kick but Petersen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Funaki throws a leg kick but Petersen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Funaki connects with a nice looking jab.
Funaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Funaki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Petersen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Petersen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Funaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Petersen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Funaki misses with a body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Funaki moves in looking to clinch but Petersen pushes him off.
Funaki throws a front kick aimed at Petersen's knee but Petersen avoids it well.
Petersen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Funaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Funaki lands a nice looking kick to the body. Petersen takes a step back to recover.
Both fighters circling a little - Funaki finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funaki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Petersen throws a big shot that misses.
Steven Petersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Petersen blocks the body kick.
Funaki fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Petersen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Funaki lands a slapping body shot.
Petersen loads up on a big right hand but Funaki slips the punch.
Petersen looks to throw the jab but Funaki is out of range.
Funaki throws a quick inside leg kick.
Petersen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Funaki.
Funaki lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Funaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Funaki 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Funaki!
After the fight, Masa Funaki was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
70% |
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