PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Funk Rabbit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and frank Duncombe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rabbit
vs
Duncombe

194 cm
18
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
265 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Funk Rabbit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, frank Duncombe!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rabbit keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rabbit shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Duncombe counters with a head kick.
Rabbit misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rabbit slaps away a takedown attempt from Duncombe, before circling back to the center of the mat.
frank Duncombe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rabbit wants to clinch.

Rabbit shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rabbit looking for a guillotine from mount but Duncombe is having none of it.

Rabbit wants to finish this one by submission but Duncombe is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Rabbit.

Rabbit has hold of Duncombe's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Duncombe manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Duncombe has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Despite being in a bad position, Duncombe is controlling the hands, preventing any submission attempts.

Rabbit looking to break Duncombe's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Duncombe remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rabbit will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Rabbit is breathing heavily.
A lull in the action here.
Duncombe trying to get back to his feet but Rabbit is in full control for now.
Rabbit missing with punches from the back.
Duncombe is trying to get back to his feet but Rabbit has full control of the position and if anything, Duncombe has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Rabbit is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Duncombe is defending well though. Rabbit let's go of the attempt for now.
Duncombe trying to get back to his feet but Rabbit is in full control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rabbit lands a shot to the head.
Rabbit lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Duncombe looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Rabbit controlling well, preventing Duncombe from escaping the position.
Rabbit doesn't have the hooks in and Duncombe manages to turn into his guard.
Rabbit trying to keep a closed guard but Duncombe is proving a slippery customer.

Rabbit throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rabbit wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duncombe passes Rabbit's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rabbit trying to control but Duncombe postures up.

Duncombe stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Rabbit to get to his feet.
Duncombe throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Duncombe lands a with a good body shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Duncombe scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A left and a right from Duncombe both land. Nice combination.

Duncombe shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rabbit's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rabbit had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Duncombe defends it easily.
Duncombe won't allow Rabbit to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabbit wants to sweep here but Duncombe controlling him for the moment.
Duncombe postures up.

Rabbit is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Duncombe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Duncombe has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rabbit is proving hard to escape from.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rabbit has his takedown stuffed
and Duncombe counters with a series of strikes. Rabbit will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rabbit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

frank Duncombe dominated that round.
That's time! Rabbit's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rabbit blocks a head kick by Duncombe.
Rabbit fails with the takedown

and Duncombe counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Rabbit looking for a guillotine here but Duncombe defends easily.
Duncombe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rabbit is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rabbit has his foot on Duncombe's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Duncombe works his way back into a safe position though.
Rabbit wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duncombe won't allow Rabbit to get back to his feet.
Duncombe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rabbit. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rabbit trying to keep a closed guard but Duncombe is proving a slippery customer.

Rabbit working for a triangle but Duncombe defends it easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rabbit swats away the attempt to clinch by Duncombe.

Duncombe has managed to clinch.
Rabbit drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Duncombe breaks the clinch.
Rabbit shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Duncombe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Funk Rabbit. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Duncombe lands a body punch in the clinch.

Duncombe breaks from the clinch.

Duncombe has taken the fight to the clinch.

Duncombe ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Duncombe no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Duncombe trying to strike off his back.
Duncombe throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Rabbit drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Duncombe dives on top into guard.
Duncombe won't allow Rabbit to sweep him here.
Rabbit working a defensive guard here.
Duncombe distracts Rabbit with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Duncombe sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rabbit keeping moving, preventing Duncombe from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabbit looking to hit a scissor sweep but Duncombe is one step ahead there.

Duncombe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Duncombe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
frank Duncombe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Duncombe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Duncombe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Duncombe distracts Rabbit with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rabbit looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Duncombe wanted to stand there but Rabbit had control of the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Rabbit shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Duncombe napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabbit trying to control the action but Duncombe is working from the bottom.
Rabbit misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
You can see the frustration on Duncombe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Duncombe is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rabbit asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Duncombe takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Duncombe wants to get back to his feet but Rabbit drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

frank Duncombe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rabbit with a poor takedown

and Duncombe counters by clinching up.

Duncombe breaks from the clinch.
Rabbit shoots in but Duncombe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rabbit wants to clinch up but Duncombe keeps it at a distance.
Rabbit tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Duncombe swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Funk Rabbit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Duncombe.
Duncombe scoring well with a low kick there.
Duncombe lands the left hand.

Duncombe moves into the clinch.

Duncombe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Funk Rabbit is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Duncombe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rabbit tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Duncombe swivels and escapes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duncombe is leaning against Rabbit and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Duncombe just leaning against Rabbit, taking a breather.

Duncombe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rabbit shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Duncombe defends it nicely.

Duncombe feints and as Rabbit raises his hands in defense, Duncombe changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rabbit controls Duncombe momentarily but Duncombe frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rabbit looking to hit a scissor sweep but Duncombe is one step ahead there.

Rabbit working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Duncombe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Duncombe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Duncombe's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rabbit has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Duncombe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Duncombe stands and steps away. Rabbit gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Duncombe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rabbit, pushing him back against the cage.

Duncombe jumps into guard, dragging Rabbit to the mat.

Duncombe kicks Rabbit off and gets to his feet.
Rabbit throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Duncombe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Duncombe.
Duncombe throws a head kick that misses.
Rabbit misses with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Rabbit. No joy for Duncombe on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rabbit checks a leg kick.
frank Duncombe seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Rabbit darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rabbit is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Rabbit is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Duncombe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rabbit.
Duncombe punching from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabbit tries to pass the half guard into mount. Duncombe knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Duncombe trying to control here.
Rabbit trying to control the action but Duncombe is working from the bottom.
Duncombe pushes Rabbit off looking to stand but Rabbit dives back in and keeps control.
frank Duncombe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rabbit wants to work for an arm triangle but Duncombe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Duncombe can do anything to dispel that myth.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Duncombe pushes Rabbit up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Duncombe on the inside.
Rabbit drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Duncombe gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Duncombe unloads a knee to the mid-section.

And that's the end of the fight!
frank Duncombe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Duncombe 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... frank Duncombe!