PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aramis Knox (ranked 988 p4p, 1614 weight class) and Masa Funaki (ranked 139 p4p, 214 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Knox
vs
Funaki

181 cm
33
167
23 - 11 - 0

180 cm
34
154
18 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
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Brooklyn Apothecary
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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 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aramis Knox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Masa Funaki!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Knox lands an impressive looking overhand right. Funaki doesn't seem phased though.
Knox connects with a good right hand that stumbles Funaki. Funaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Funaki uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Funaki.
Funaki throws a looping overhand right but Knox ducks down to avoid it.
Knox misses with a few strikes there.
Knox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Knox checks the leg kick nicely there.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.
Funaki tries to counter by closing the distance.
Knox swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Funaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Funaki.
Knox tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Knox is trying to pull guard but Funaki has him pressed against the cage.
Funaki throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Knox fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aramis Knox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Funaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Knox.
Funaki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Funaki lands an elbow just above Knox 's eye.

It looks like Aramis Knox has been cut.
Funaki lands a hook to the side of the head.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knox is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Funaki defends well.
Knox seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Funaki 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.

Knox looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Knox working for a triangle but Funaki defends it easily.
Knox can't keep his opponent in guard - Funaki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Funaki wants to take a breather but Knox is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Funaki controlling the action here.
Funaki prevents Knox from improving his position.
Funaki performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Knox is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Knox gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knox is looking for a triangle but Funaki pushes his legs off easily.
Funaki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Knox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Funaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knox has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Funaki has managed to get both his arms back between Knox's legs - danger averted.
Knox not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Knox manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Funaki manages to get himself to full guard.

Knox chips away with some ground and pound.
Knox being controlled here momentarily.
Knox with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki is trying to control the position but Knox postures up.
Knox trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Funaki is controlling Knox's posture.
Knox landing some decent shots from guard.
Knox wants to control from the top but Funaki keeps moving.
Funaki is adopting a defensive guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knox engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aramis Knox will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aramis Knox's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Knox throws a jab but it's blocked by Funaki.
A jab from Knox misses.
Funaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Knox checks a low kick from Funaki.
Knox scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Funaki doesn't seem bothered though.
Funaki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fighters circling - Knox throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Funaki throws out a counter right but Knox avoids it with no problem.
A big left from Knox misses.
Knox swings for the body but Funaki moves out of range.
Knox misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funaki digs a good body shot into Knox's ribs.
Knox lands a right hook to the body.
Funaki works Knox's body with a nice hook.

Knox has closed the distance and engaged Funaki in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox lands a nice shot to the body.

Knox pulls guard successfully.
Funaki 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.
Knox wants to sweep here but Funaki controlling him for the moment.

Knox has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Funaki is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Knox.
Knox tries to buck Funaki off but Funaki is having none of it.
Knox tries to strike but it doesn't land.

Funaki has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Knox connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knox wants to clinch up but Funaki keeps it at a distance.
Knox lands an overhand right.
Knox throws a body punch but Funaki moves out of range.
Funaki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Knox checks a leg kick.
Knox wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Knox jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knox throws a jab but it's blocked by Funaki.

Knox gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Funaki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knox fails to pull guard.
Knox jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Funaki walks away with a smile on his face. Knox gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Knox takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Knox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funaki.
Funaki scores with a sloppy right hand. Knox should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funaki appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A big right from Knox misses.
Knox throws a hook to the side of Funaki's head but Funaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Funaki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Knox misses with an uppercut

and Funaki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Funaki.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Funaki.
Knox takes an elbow to the temple.
Knox fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aramis Knox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knox tries to pull guard but Funaki won't allow it.
Funaki pushes Knox back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knox tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Funaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
Funaki pushes off an throws an elbow but Knox leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Funaki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Funaki.
Knox is trying to pull guard but Funaki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Knox tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Funaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knox jumps guard but Funaki stands there with Knox around his waist. Knox gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Knox fails to land.
Knox is trying to pull guard but Funaki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Funaki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Knox has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Funaki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Funaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Knox.
Funaki has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Knox seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Funaki can turn it around.
Knox tries to work over Funaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Funaki missing with knees to the body.
Knox tries to pull guard but Funaki forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Knox tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Knox tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Funaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knox throws a head punch that misses.
Knox takes an elbow to the forehead.
Funaki trying to land knees to the body.
Knox is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Funaki to keep the fight standing.
Funaki lands a shoulder strike.
Knox jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Funaki walks away with a smile on his face. Knox gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Knox scores with a jab to the head.
Knox slips under a jab from Funaki.
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 Aramis Knox'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Funaki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Knox is out of range and Funaki settles back down.
Funaki wants to land a leg kick but Knox is out of range.

Knox has taken the fight to the clinch.
Knox fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Funaki tries a body shot but Knox blocks it.
Nice body punch from Funaki.
Funaki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Funaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knox jumps guard but Funaki stands there with Knox around his waist. Knox gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Masa Funaki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Knox jumps guard.

Knox looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Funaki has picked Knox up and slammed him! Knox can't keep hold of the triangle and Funaki manages to pass to side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee asks Funaki politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Funaki prefers to stall for the moment though.
Funaki advances to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knox really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Funaki trying to control but Knox is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox is working to get back to half guard.
Funaki trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Knox is trying to escape the mount.
Funaki looking to control and managing it successfully.
Funaki trying to control but Knox is having none of it.
Funaki controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Funaki looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Knox wants to control but Funaki is having none of it.
Funaki throws some wild stikes that Knox manages to avoid easily.
Knox is looking to get to half guard.
Funaki takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Knox keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Funaki controlling the position easily from mount.

Funaki is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Knox misses the jab.
Knox slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Funaki swings for the body but Knox moves out of range.
Knox thows a left - swing and a miss!
Funaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knox.
Funaki looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Funaki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Knox connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Funaki scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox lands a glancing blow to the side of Funaki's head.
Funaki punishes Knox's body with a nice straight punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knox. Funaki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aramis Knox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Funaki lands a nice looking body kick.

Knox gets a clinch.
Funaki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Knoxs head.
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!
Knox tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Funaki just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aramis Knox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Funaki is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A short right from Funaki.
A right hook to the body lands for Funaki.
Funaki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Knox backwards.
Funaki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Knox backwards.
Funaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Funaki lands a shot to the body.
Knox tries to pull guard but Funaki holds him up against the cage and eventually Knox drops back down to his feet.
Funaki lands a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Funaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Funaki 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Funaki!
Masa Funaki decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
In defeat, Aramis Knox stepped up to the mic, saying 'Sheeeeeeeeit. '.