PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jet Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aoki Funkyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes to the cage accompanied by Tourniquet by Evanescence. Funkyama has chosen as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Li
vs
Funkyama

167 cm
28
175 lbs
24 - 14 - 0

175 cm
39
175 lbs
32 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jet Li!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aoki Funkyama!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Funkyama was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Li tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Funkyama is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Li just misses with a punch to the body.
Funkyama feints the counter takedown.

Funkyama shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Li is trying to defend but Funkyama finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Funkyama sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Li defending well though.

Funkyama is looking for a kimura here.
Funkyama is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Li!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funkyama lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Li hang on?
Funkyama wants to control the pace but Li is squirming around nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkyama lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Funkyama cracks Li with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Funkyama wants to control but instead Li manages to regain half guard.
Funkyama trying to advance position but Li counters by regaining guard.
Funkyama looking to pass the guard.
Funkyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Li preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Li preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Li is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Funkyama!
Li prevents Funkyama from getting the reversal.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Li looking to control and managing it successfully.
Funkyama is desperately trying to improve his position but Li has a good base and remains in mount.
Li fails to advance to Funkyama's back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Funkyama is trying desperately to improve position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li wants to control the pace but Funkyama is squirming around nicely.
Funkyama regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Li trying to control but Funkyama is working from the bottom.

Funkyama has his foot on Li's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Li works his way back into a safe position though.
Li wants to pass the guard but Funkyama is keeping the position.
We've been hearing that Li has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Funkyama is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Li wants to control from the top but Funkyama keeps moving.

Funkyama has his foot on Li's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Li works his way back into a safe position though.
Our spies down at at Synergy Training Academy inform us that Funkyama has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Li controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Funkyama is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Li got a little sloppy there for a moment and Funkyama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Li has managed to get both his arms back between Funkyama's legs - danger averted.

Funkyama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Li defends well.
Funkyama is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Funkyama lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Funkyama throwing shots but Li is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aoki Funkyama dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Funkyama blocks the leg kick.
Funkyama keeps the fight on the outside.
Funkyama circles away from the clinch attempt.
Funkyama avoids the head kick by Li.
Li fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Funkyama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funkyama with the counter takedown but Li avoids it easily.
Funkyama shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Li sprawls well. Li wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Funkyama gets slowly back to his feet.
Li thuds his shin into the meat of Funkyama's side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li looks to land a right hand but Funkyama moved out of range.
Li works the jab nicely.

It looks like Aoki Funkyama has been cut.
Funkyama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Li circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a nice inside leg kick.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Funkyama feints the counter takedown.
Li throws a hook to the side of Funkyama's head but Funkyama sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Funkyama moves out of range of the body kick from Li.
Funkyama will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jet Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aoki Funkyama.

Funkyama looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Li keeping hold of Funkyama's head, controlling as best he can.
Funkyama lands with a punch from half guard.

Funkyama is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Li is just riding it out for now. Funkyama eventually gives up the hold.
Funkyama throwing shots but Li is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li taking some punishment here, with Funkyama in his half guard.

Funkyama is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Funkyama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Li is trying to control but can't.
Funkyama missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Li is concentrating on defense, preventing Funkyama from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Funkyama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Funkyama's back!
Li tries to keep control of the position but Funkyama is staying busy.

Li is persistently looking for the submission but Funkyama is defending it well.

Funkyama defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Li's arms.

Li is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Funkyama defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Li keeps control of the position as Funkyama tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama looking very determined here, making life difficult for Li.
Aoki Funkyama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Funkyama tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Funkyama really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Funkyama wants to control but Li is having none of it.
Funkyama stops Li from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Funkyama working to try and regain half guard.
Funkyama gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aoki Funkyama's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Funkyama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Funkyama closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Li's guard.
Funkyama won't allow Li to sweep him here.
Li preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Li looking to hit a scissor sweep but Funkyama is one step ahead there.
Funkyama postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Funkyama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Li has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Funkyama has managed to get both his arms back between Li's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funkyama throwing strikes but missing.
Li avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Funkyama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Funkyama postures up in Li's guard and throws a big left but Li blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Funkyama postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Funkyama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Funkyama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Funkyama won't allow Li to get back to his feet.
Funkyama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Funkyama with a nice head shot there.
Li has Funkyama pulled in close to control his posture.
Funkyama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to keep a closed guard but Funkyama is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Funkyama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Li looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Funkyama creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Li sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Funkyama is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Li is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Li's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Funkyama sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Li is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Li is trying to control Funkyama's posture but Funkyama avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Funkyama is working Li over with some ground and pound from side control.
Funkyama cracks Li with a big right hand but Li just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Funkyama tries to advance to mount but can't.
An elbow from Funkyama crashes against the mat.
Li is trying to control Funkyama's posture but Funkyama avoids it.
Funkyama cracks Li with a big right hand but Li just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Funkyama trying to control the position but Li is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama tries to move to full mount but Li actually manages to regain half guard.
Funkyama wants to pass to mount but Li is defending the position.

Funkyama is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Li still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Li has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Li wants to control but Funkyama is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Funkyama is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aoki Funkyama really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aoki Funkyama's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Li tries to close the distance and clinch but Funkyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Li throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Li is looking to score with low kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Li.
Funkyama staying out of range there.
Funkyama takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Funkyama shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aoki Funkyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Li tries to close the distance and clinch but Funkyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funkyama takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Li lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Li fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Funkyama manages to avoid it.
Funkyama slips under a jab.

Funkyama shoots in and gets a takedown into Li's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Li working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Funkyama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Funkyama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Funkyama postures up.

Funkyama thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Funkyama tries to free his leg and advance position but Li is retaining full 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.
Funkyama connects with a couple of short punches.
Li seems keen to control Funkyama's posture.

Li looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Funkyama works over Li with some ground and pound from guard.
Funkyama wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Funkyama scoring with some ground and pound.
Li preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Funkyama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funkyama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Li fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

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

Funkyama is trying to get an arm triangle but Li is defending well.
Funkyama misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Funkyama working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ground and pound from Funkyama seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Li has hold of Funkyama's hands but Funkyama slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Funkyama throwing shots but Li is blocking nicely.
Li is not content to let Funkyama control the position.
Funkyama trying to pass the guard but Li defending well.

Funkyama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aoki Funkyama dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Aoki Funkyama's cut.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Li as Funkyama shoots in.

Li closes the distance and pushes Funkyama back into the cage.

Funkyama is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Li can't fight it off and eventually Funkyama manages to take the fight to the floor. Li looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Funkyama is fighting to break Li's control of his arms but Li is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Li looking to control but Funkyama passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li is trying to control but Funkyama passes into side control!
Funkyama throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funkyama working away.
Li is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Funkyama cracks Li with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Funkyama postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Funkyama has hold of Li's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Li tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Funkyama cranks the arm and Li screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Li, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Aoki Funkyama!
Aoki Funkyama is the new welterweight champion!
After the fight, Aoki Funkyama was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.