PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tucker Funk (ranked 5548 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohamedali Alibekov (ranked 4803 p4p, 449 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Funk
vs
Alibekov

178 cm
18
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tucker Funk!
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, Mohamedali Alibekov!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Dean Styles and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funk tries to bum rush Alibekov with a series of wild strikes but Alibekov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Alibekov shoots for a double leg takedown but Funk sprawls well. He's pushed Alibekov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Alibekov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Funk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Alibekov presses Funk against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Alibekov looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Alibekov jumps guard and drags Funk to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Funk is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Alibekov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Alibekov has escaped and now he's on top!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alibekov stops Funk from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alibekov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Alibekov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Funk's guard.

Funk is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Alibekov pulls his head out easily.
Alibekov controlling the action here.
Funk is trying to maintain the position but Alibekov is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Alibekov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Alibekov is nestled in close to Funk, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Alibekov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Funk. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Alibekov is controlling the pace.

Funk looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Funk regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alibekov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Alibekov won't allow Funk to get back to his feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Alibekov controlling from the top position.
Alibekov is looking to work some ground and pound but Funk has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alibekov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Funk with a poor takedown

and Alibekov moves into the clinch.

Alibekov manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Funk blocks a head kick by Alibekov.

Alibekov pushes Funk up against the cage in a clinch.
Funk is working for takedown but Alibekov is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tucker Funk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Funk tries to circle away but Alibekov has him pinned against the cage.

Alibekov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Funk shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alibekov but Alibekov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Alibekov fails with a takedown attempt.
Funk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Funk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamedali Alibekov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Some wild striking there from Funk.
Alibekov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Funk takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tucker Funk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Funk will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alibekov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Funk avoids it really well and circles away.
Funk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Funk shoots and misses

and Alibekov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Alibekov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alibekov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Funk throws a right hand that misses
enabling Alibekov to counter with a crisp jab.
Funk misses with a two punch combination.
Alibekov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tucker Funk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Funk crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Alibekov - the referee stops the clock and Funk gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Alibekov. Funk manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Funk shoots for a takedown but Alibekov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Alibekov dives in and grabs Funk's left leg, looking for a takedown. Funk pushes down on Alibekov's head and hops out.

Alibekov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alibekov jumps guard but Funk turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Funk wants to get back to striking at distance but Alibekov won't allow it.

Alibekov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Funk misses with a double jab

and Alibekov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Alibekov.

Alibekov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Funk goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Alibekov has a takedown stuffed.
Alibekov avoids a kick to the body.
Funk swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Alibekov counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Funk wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alibekov has him pressed against the cage.

Alibekov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Funk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funk swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Alibekov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Alibekov.
Funk tries to pull guard but Alibekov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Alibekov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Funk tries to circle away but Alibekov has him pinned against the cage.
Alibekov missing with knees to the body.
Funk wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alibekov has him pressed against the cage.

Alibekov decides to pull guard.

Funk drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Alibekov dives on top into guard.

Alibekov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alibekov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Alibekov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Funk escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alibekov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamedali Alibekov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Alibekov clinches.
Alibekov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alibekov prevents Funk from breaking the clinch.
Funk prevents the takedown attempt.
Alibekov has Funk pressed against the cage, preventing Funk from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Funk has a couple of punches blocked by Alibekov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alibekov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Funk slaps away a takedown attempt from Alibekov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Funk misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk misses with a series of wild punches.

Alibekov has managed to clinch.
Alibekov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alibekov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Funk pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tucker Funk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohamedali Alibekov.
Funk fails to land with a series of punches.
Funk looks to land a combination but Alibekov avoids it well.
Alibekov slips a jab and a cross from Funk.
Horrible takedown attempt by Funk or perhaps it was just good defense by Alibekov, which made it look bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alibekov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Funk avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk misses with a series of wild punches.

Funk gets tackled into the cage by Alibekov. Alibekov maintains the clinch.
Funk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Funk taking a breather.

Alibekov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Funk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Funk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Funk connects with a crisp jab.
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 Alibekov avoids it well.
Funk throws a right hand that Alibekov ducks under and follows up with a left that Alibekov also avoids with ease.
Funk displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Funk swinging wildly here.
Funk throws a left and a right that both miss

and Alibekov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Funk is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Alibekov breaks the clinch.
Funk tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Alibekov counters with a shoot takedown. Funk fights it but they end up in guard.

Funk looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Alibekov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alibekov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Funk works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alibekov is stalling in the full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alibekov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Funk's guard.
Alibekov not doing much here.
Funk is trying to stand back up but Alibekov is controlling him
Mohamedali Alibekov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alibekov trying to control the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tucker Funk showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Alibekov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohamedali Alibekov!