PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bradley Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gichin Funakoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bradley Johnson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Johnson
vs
Funakoshi

181 cm
27
211 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

189 cm
20
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Good takedowns
World class MT
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Bradley Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gichin Funakoshi!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Russell Pearce and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funakoshi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Funakoshi is out of range.
Funakoshi wants to counter with a clinch but Johnson pushes him away.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Funakoshi moves out of range of the body kick from Johnson.

Johnson gets caught napping as Funakoshi dives in and scores a takedown. Johnson manages to retain guard.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Funakoshi controls the pace.
Johnson is controlling Funakoshi's posture.
Funakoshi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Funakoshi controlling him for the moment.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funakoshi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funakoshi controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Funakoshi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Johnson is trying to keep Funakoshi in close.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Funakoshi ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Johnson is looking to clinch.

Funakoshi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Funakoshi moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Johnson is trying to control Funakoshi's posture but Funakoshi avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to remain calm as Funakoshi controls from the top position.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnson tries to improve position but can't.
Funakoshi tries to advance to mount but Johnson denies him.
Funakoshi advances to mount.
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is desperately trying to improve his position but Funakoshi has a good base and remains in mount.
Funakoshi controlling the pace for now.
Johnson wants to hold on but Funakoshi pushes him away.
Funakoshi controlling the pace for now.
Johnson tries to hold on but Funakoshi postures up.
Johnson is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at School of Hard Knocks (Elite Training for $225), so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Johnson is desperately trying to improve his position but Funakoshi has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi controlling the pace for now.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Funakoshi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson wants to hold on but Funakoshi pushes him away.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Funakoshi content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gichin Funakoshi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Funakoshi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Funakoshi moves into full mount! Johnson won't be happy about that!
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gichin Funakoshi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
Funakoshi controlling his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Funakoshi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson regains half guard.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Funakoshi is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Johnson holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Funakoshi in particular looking to stall.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Funakoshi has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Funakoshi frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson tries to hold on but Funakoshi postures up.
Funakoshi controlling the pace for now.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi controlling the pace for now.
Let's hope that Funakoshi 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.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Funakoshi controlling from mount.
Funakoshi prevents Johnson from getting the reversal.
Funakoshi controlling from the full mount.
Johnson wants to control but Funakoshi is having none of it.
Funakoshi looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Johnson tries to hold on but Funakoshi pushes him away.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but Funakoshi isn't that keen on the idea.
Funakoshi content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gichin Funakoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Johnson swinging wildly here.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Funakoshi circles away.

Funakoshi closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Funakoshi pressing his opponent against the cage.
Funakoshi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Funakoshi connects with a knee to the head.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funakoshi lands a body shot.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Funakoshi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Funakoshi lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.

It looks like Bradley Johnson has been cut.
Johnson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funakoshi lands an elbow inside.
Funakoshi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Funakoshi has Johnson pressed against the cage, preventing Johnson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Funakoshi.
Funakoshi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Funakoshi lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.

Funakoshi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Funakoshi has taken the fight to the clinch.

Funakoshi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Funakoshi not doing much here.
Funakoshi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Johnson.
Johnson controls Funakoshi momentarily but Funakoshi frees himself.
Funakoshi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Funakoshi is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Funakoshi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.
Funakoshi won't let Johnson get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Funakoshi controlling his opponent.
Bradley Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gichin Funakoshi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Funakoshi controlling from the full mount.
Johnson tries to lock up and control but Funakoshi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Funakoshi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Johnson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gichin Funakoshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Funakoshi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gichin Funakoshi!
Gichin Funakoshi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.