PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Buster Vessel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Funktastic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vessel comes to the cage accompanied by Graveyard Symphony. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vessel
vs
Funktastic

180 cm
20
182 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
180 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Elite Golden Nutrition
Elite Golden Nutrition

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire
Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Buster Vessel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Mr Funktastic!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Funktastic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vessel is looking for a sweep.

Funktastic looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Funktastic fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Vessel sneaks out the side door and pushes Funktastic away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Vessel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Funktastic thows a body shot but no joy.
Sloppy strikes from Funktastic. Those never looked like landing.
Funktastic tries to bum rush Vessel with a series of wild strikes but Vessel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Funktastic works over Vessel's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Buster Vessel has been cut.
Funktastic tries to clinch there but Vessel circles away.
Funktastic just misses with a punch to the body.
Funktastic has a takedown stuffed.

Funktastic closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Funktastic in particular looking to stall.

Funktastic is looking for a kimura but Vessel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Funktastic to get the leverage.

Funktastic is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Vessel defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Funktastic trying to control from half guard but Vessel is working away.

Funktastic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Vessel looking for submissions off his back.
Funktastic tries to pass to full mount but Vessel defends it.

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.

Funktastic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Vessel has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Funktastic escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Funktastic!
Vessel tries to escape but Funktastic is in control.
Funktastic works to advance to full mount. Vessel defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Funktastic prevents Vessel from getting the reversal.

Funktastic working for a submission but Vessel is keeping him at bay.

Funktastic has control of Vessel's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Vessel regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Funktastic working for a guillotine from mount but Vessel is in no mood to give up.
Funktastic forces the positional change into back control.
Vessel covering up well under a series of strikes from Funktastic.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vessel is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Vessel fending off the submission attempt from Funktastic.

Funktastic is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Vessel has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Funktastic working for a choke but Vessel reverses nicely into Funktastic 's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Funktastic is looking for a triangle but Vessel pushes his legs off easily.
Funktastic looking for a sweep. Not yet Funktastic, not yet.

Funktastic is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vessel defends well.
Vessel wants to stand and escape but instead Funktastic has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Funktastic has gone for a leg lock! Vessel slips out almost immediately though and dives into Funktastic's guard.
Vessel stopping the sweep attempt from Funktastic.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Funktastic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Buster Vessel's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Funktastic just misses with a punch to the body.
Funktastic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vessel.
Funktastic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Buster Vessel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Funktastic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Funktastic tries to clinch but Vessel moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funktastic. Vessel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Funktastic shoots in but no luck this time.
Funktastic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vessel as he avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Funktastic. That snapped Vessel's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funktastic swings for the body but Vessel moves out of range.
Buster Vessel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vessel checks a low kick from Funktastic.
Funktastic scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Vessel.
Funktastic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vessel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Funktastic scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Vessel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Funktastic.
Nice body punch from Funktastic.
Funktastic lands with a hook. Vessel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice shot by Funktastic.
Funktastic fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic shoots in for a double leg but Vessel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Buster Vessel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Funktastic.
Vessel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Funktastic throws out the jab.
Funktastic looks to land a combination but Vessel avoids it well.
Vessel takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Funktastic wants to clinch.
Funktastic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Funktastic scores with a hook to the body. Vessel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Funktastic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vessel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Funktastic circles away quickly and effectively.
Funktastic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vessel counters with a series of strikes. Funktastic will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vessel.
Funktastic takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A nice combination there by Funktastic.
A shot to the liver by Funktastic. Beautiful body shot.
Funktastic throws out a loose jab but Vessel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funktastic misses the shot to the body.
Funktastic tries to clinch up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Funktastic.
Vessel pushes Funktastic away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Funktastic gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic working the head and body with strikes.

Funktastic tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Funktastic is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vessel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vessel wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

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

Funktastic is trying to get an arm triangle but Vessel is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Funktastic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Buster Vessel'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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vessel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Vessel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good shot there by Funktastic.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funktastic. Vessel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Funktastic misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vessel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Funktastic's hands.
Vessel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vessel ducks under a wild hook from Funktastic.
Funktastic tries to close the distance and clinch but Vessel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vessel connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vessel closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from Funktastic does it's job there.
Funktastic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Funktastic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vessel defends it nicely.
Mr Funktastic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Funktastic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Vessel enables Funktastic to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Vessel manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Vessel wants to stand and escape but Funktastic is having none of it.

Funktastic drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Vessel manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Funktastic has Vessel in his guard.
Vessel stopping the sweep attempt from Funktastic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic has his hands on Vessel's head, controlling the position.
Vessel wants to get up but he can't break Funktastic's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vessel preventing the sweep.
Vessel tries to stand but Funktastic is controlling from the bottom.

Vessel stands up from Funktastic's guard - Vessel perhaps looking for a knockout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Funktastic lands a jab to Vessel's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vessel walks into a straight right hand from Funktastic.
Funktastic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vessel looks to land a right hand but Funktastic moved out of range.
Funktastic throws a jab when Vessel was well out of range.
Funktastic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vessel.
Funktastic scores with a nice strike.
Vessel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Vessel looks to land a right hand but Funktastic moved out of range.
Funktastic lands a head shot.
Funktastic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic shoots for a double leg takedown but Vessel sprawls well. He's pushed Funktastic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Funktastic looks to clinch
and Vessel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Funktastic lands the left hand.
Funktastic tries to clinch up.
Mr Funktastic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vessel keeps the fight on the outside.
Funktastic looks for a takedown but Vessel sprawls well.
Buster Vessel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Funktastic.
Funktastic jabs Vessel to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Funktastic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vessel on the side of the head.
Horrible takedown by Funktastic or perhaps it was just good defense by Vessel which made him look bad.
Buster Vessel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Funktastic tries to clinch but Vessel is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mr Funktastic.
Well Funktastic 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!

Mr Funktastic wins by unanimous decision!