PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Kuznetsov (ranked 1926 p4p, 216 weight class) and Masa Funaki (ranked 2932 p4p, 312 weight class). Masa Funaki has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kuznetsov
vs
Funaki

175 cm
20
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
159 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Funaki!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov blocks a low kick nicely.
Funaki misses with a body shot.
Funaki throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch successfully.
Funaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Funaki landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Funaki.
Kuznetsov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Funaki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuznetsov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Funaki smiles and moves away.
Funaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Funaki takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Funaki moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kuznetsov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Funaki throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Funaki wants to land a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Funaki throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Funaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Funaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Funaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
Kuznetsov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Funaki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab from Funaki.
Kuznetsov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Funaki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Funaki throws a predictable looking body shot

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

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Funaki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Funaki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuznetsov rather than just go for the knockout.
Kuznetsov feints and then cracks Funaki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Funaki down.

Kuznetsov forces Funaki back against the cage and clinches.
Funaki digs a right hand into Kuznetsov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuznetsov's gas tank.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Funaki throws a head punch that misses.
Funaki throws an elbow but it misses.
Kuznetsov dodges an elbow strike from Funaki.
Funaki lands an elbow inside that Kuznetsov shrugs off.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Funaki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki scores with a hook to the body.
Funaki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Funaki lands a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from Kuznetsov.
Funaki lands a nice knee to the body.
Funaki misses with a punch to the body.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Funaki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov rushes Funaki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Funaki connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Mikhail Kuznetsov has been cut.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Good work by Funaki as he checks the leg kick.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Funaki.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kuznetsov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Funaki throws out a powerful jab.
Kuznetsov walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov drops his hands momentarily and Funaki takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kuznetsov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Funaki takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Funaki throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Funaki up against the cage.
Kuznetsov cracks Funaki with a nice body shot.
Funaki is stalling here.
Kuznetsov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kuznetsov misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Funaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuznetsov.
Funaki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kuznetsov's defenses.
Kuznetsov blocks an elbow strike.
Funaki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Funaki creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Funaki misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov takes an elbow to the forehead.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kuznetsov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Funaki throws an elbow but misses.
Kuznetsov managing to block the knees to the body from Funaki.
Kuznetsov lands a body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Funakis head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short left from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov letting Funaki take a breather here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Funaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuznetsov.
Funaki blocks a body shot from Kuznetsov.
A nice left hand lands by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov wants to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Funaki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Kuznetsov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuznetsov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Funaki.
A shot to the liver by Kuznetsov. Beautiful body shot.
Masa Funaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kuznetsov lands with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to bum rush Funaki with a series of wild strikes but Funaki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kuznetsov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Funaki scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kuznetsov in his tracks.
Funaki checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kuznetsov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Funaki throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kuznetsov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Funaki misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kuznetsov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Funaki scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov tests Funaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Funaki's shoulder, as Funaki tries to avoid the shot.
Funaki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot
and Funaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuznetsov thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Funaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
A telegraphed right hand from Funaki misses the target.
A shot to the liver by Funaki. Beautiful body shot.
Funaki lands a front kick.
Funaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Funaki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kuznetsov works Funaki's body with a nice hook.
Kuznetsov scores with a body shot.
Good work by Kuznetsov as he checks the leg kick.
Funaki looks to throw the jab but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Funaki lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kuznetsov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Funaki misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Funaki now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kuznetsov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Funaki checks a low kick from Kuznetsov.
Funaki slips under a jab.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
Kuznetsov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Funaki up against the cage.
Kuznetsov pushes Funaki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov misses with some punches.
Kuznetsov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov scores with a shoulder strike.
Funaki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuznetsov is defending well for now.
Funaki scores with a hook to the body.
Funaki lands a damaging elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Funaki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki lands a nice knee to the body.
Kuznetsov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Funaki lands a good knee to the midsection. Kuznetsov won't want to take too many of those.
Funaki tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuznetsov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kuznetsov.
Funaki lands an elbow just above Kuznetsov 's eye.
Funaki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Funaki misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Kuznetsov blocks an elbow strike.
Funaki creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Funaki lands an elbow inside that Kuznetsov shrugs off.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Funaki tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Funaki misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch on the inside from Kuznetsov fails to land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kuznetsov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Funaki avoiding damage.
Funaki scores with a knee to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Funaki backwards.
Kuznetsov throws a head punch that misses.
Funaki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuznetsov avoids it.
A body shot lands from Funaki.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Funaki.
Funaki lands an elbow just above Kuznetsov 's eye.
Funaki lands an elbow just above Kuznetsov 's eye.
Funaki has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kuznetsov seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Funaki can turn it around.
Kuznetsov is trying to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mikhail Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Kuznetsov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Funaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kuznetsov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Funaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Funaki misses with a body kick.
Funaki motions for Kuznetsov to come forward. Funaki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Funaki lands a nice hook to Kuznetsov's body. Kuznetsov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Funaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kuznetsov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Funaki. Funaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kuznetsov lands the left hand.
Funaki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Funaki lands a nice hook to Kuznetsov's body. Kuznetsov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funaki throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Funaki slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Funaki throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Funaki avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
Funaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Funaki swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Funaki's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kuznetsov under the eye.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body. Funaki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Funaki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Funaki tests Kuznetsov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A shot to the liver by Funaki. Beautiful body shot.
Funaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Funaki connects with a body shot that sends Kuznetsov's belly button to the back.
A telegraphed right hand from Funaki misses the target.
A head kick misses from Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki misses with a body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Funaki taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is leaning against Funaki and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Funaki struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Kuznetsov stalling in the clinch but Funaki improves position.
Funaki throws an elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Funaki lands a body punch.
Funaki swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funaki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Kuznetsov to work.
Kuznetsov 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. Kuznetsov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Funaki tries to counter with a clinch but Kuznetsov shakes him off and moves away.
Funaki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Funaki loads up on a big right hand but Kuznetsov slips the punch.

Kuznetsov pushes Funaki up against the cage in a clinch.
Funaki prevents a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Funaki misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Funaki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kuznetsov's brow.
Kuznetsov trying to stall but Funaki improves his position.
Kuznetsov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kuznetsov has a couple of punches blocked by Funaki.
Funaki misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov looking to slow down the pace here.
Funaki throws an elbow that misses.
Funaki effectively controlling the action here.
Kuznetsov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Funaki fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funaki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Funaki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Funaki missing with a left hand there. Kuznetsov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Funaki throws a front kick aimed at Kuznetsov's knee but Kuznetsov avoids it well.
Kuznetsov tries to counter by clinching up but Funaki breaks away and moves out of range.
Funaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.
Funaki throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Funaki misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Funaki thinking.
Kuznetsov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov scores with a body shot.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Masa Funaki.
Well Funaki 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Funaki!