|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mate Orsic (ranked 1828 p4p, 207 weight class) and Masa Funaki (ranked 2665 p4p, 289 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.
 |
|
 |
| 185 cm
23
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 1 |
|
180 cm
22
159 lbs
4 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin |
|
BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
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
5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mate Orsic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Funaki!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funaki looks to throw the jab but Orsic is out of range.
Funaki tries to land a front kick but Orsic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Orsic feints a jab promting Funaki to slip. Orsic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Funaki slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Orsic misses with a jab to the body
and Funaki makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Orsic looks to land a right hand but Funaki moved out of range.
Funaki only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Funaki gets caught flat footed, as Orsic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Orsic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Orsic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Funaki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Funaki is adopting a defensive guard.
Orsic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Funaki is keeping the position for now.
Orsic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Orsic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki is trying to control the position but Orsic postures up.
Orsic looking to pass the guard.
Funaki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Funaki pulls Orsic in to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Orsic tries to free his leg and advance position but Funaki is retaining full guard.
Orsic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Orsic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Orsic drops back looking for a leg! Funaki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Funaki manages to kick Orsic off! Orsic jumps back into Funaki's guard.
Orsic wants to control from the top but Funaki keeps moving.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
We've been hearing reports that Orsic has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
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.
Orsic looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.
Orsic jabs Funaki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Funaki throws a good cross that connects.
Funaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Orsic.
Funaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funaki stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Orsic closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Funaki wants to get back to full guard.
Funaki is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Orsic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Orsic's back!
Funaki is hanging on to Orsic's back as he tries to escape.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsic prevents Funaki from getting a body triangle.
You can see the frustration on Orsic's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Orsic is working hard here to advance position.
Orsic rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Funaki not doing much here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Orsic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Funaki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Funaki advances position into side control!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki looking to control but instead Orsic has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Funaki tries to pass to full mount but Orsic defends it.
Orsic is looking for a sweep. Funaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Orsic actively working from the bottom here.
Funaki seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Orsic is staying active underneath Funaki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Funaki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Mate Orsic will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Orsic lands with a shot to the body.
Funaki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Orsic drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Orsic wants to pass the guard but Funaki is keeping the position.
Orsic passes Funaki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Orsic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Funaki knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Orsic is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Funaki still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Funaki has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Orsic sneaks back into half guard.
Orsic wants to improve his position but Funaki is controlling well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Funaki's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Funaki wants to control but Orsic is keeping him busy.
Orsic actively working from the bottom here.
Funaki stands up from half guard.
Orsic lands a lovely overhand right.
Orsic throws a nice looking combination but Funaki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Funaki throws out a counter right but Orsic avoids it with no problem.
Orsic shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Orsic was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Orsic is trying to get an arm triangle but Funaki is defending well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Funaki is trying to control Orsic's posture but Orsic avoids it.
Orsic goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Funaki rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Orsic's guard! Nice work there by Funaki!
Funaki forces his way into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orsic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Funaki pulls his head out easily.
Orsic manages to get to full guard.
Funaki trying to control but Orsic is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Orsic is trying to control Funaki's posture but Funaki avoids it.
Orsic is looking to regain half guard here but Funaki keeps moving and retains side control.
Orsic is letting Funaki control him for a moment.
Orsic is trying to get back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Orsic wants to control but Funaki postures up.
Orsic gets back to half guard.
Orsic wants to get back to full guard.
Orsic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Funaki trying to control but Orsic is working from the bottom.
Mate Orsic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Orsic keeping full guard, as Funaki tries to pass.
Funaki wants to control from the top but Orsic keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Orsic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Orsic keeping moving, preventing Funaki from controlling successfully.
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 Mate Orsic will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Orsic dives in for a single leg takedown but Funaki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Orsic backing away here, and Funaki unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Funaki looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Orsic shoots in and gets a takedown into Funaki's guard.
Funaki looking to control.
Funaki seems keen to control Orsic's posture.
Orsic passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Orsic is trying to get an arm triangle but Funaki is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orsic goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Funaki rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Orsic's guard! Nice work there by Funaki!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Orsic looking for a sweep. Not yet Orsic, not yet.
Orsic is looking for a triangle but Funaki pushes his legs off easily.
Funaki content to stall in guard here.
Orsic working for a triangle but Funaki defends it easily.
Funaki slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
More stalling from Funaki.
Mate Orsic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Orsic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Funaki is one step ahead there.
Funaki wants to control from the top but Orsic keeps moving.
Funaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Orsic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Funaki has managed to get both his arms back between Orsic's legs - danger averted.
Funaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Funaki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Masa Funaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Funaki is continuing to stall.
Funaki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Orsic is keeping the position for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsic is trying to control the position but Funaki postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Orsic has a closed guard, preventing Funaki from standing up.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Orsic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Funaki as he avoids it easily.
Orsic cracks Funaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Orsic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funaki.
Nice straight punches there by Orsic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Orsic.
Orsic misses with a body punch
and Funaki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A left lands for Orsic.
Orsic lands a right hook to the body.
Orsic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Orsic with a hook.
Orsic misses with a left hand
and Funaki counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed right hand from Funaki misses the target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mate Orsic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
A shot to the liver by Funaki. Beautiful body shot.
Orsic shoots and misses
and Funaki counters with a low kick, right behind Orsic 's knee.
Mate Orsic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orsic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Funaki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big right from Orsic misses.
Orsic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Masa Funaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crunch! Funaki slams his shin into Orsic's torso.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Orsic misses with a looping right.
Orsic throws a right hand that misses
and Funaki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Orsic misses with a straight left.
Funaki looks for the body kick but Orsic saw that one coming.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Masa Funaki.
Well Orsic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mate Orsic!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
40% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
