PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Katsunori Kikuno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gichin Funakoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kikuno
vs
Funakoshi

173 cm
21
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

168 cm
19
154 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION
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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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Katsunori Kikuno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gichin Funakoshi!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kikuno tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kikuno fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kikuno moves in looking to clinch but Funakoshi pushes him off.
Kikuno tries to clinch up but Funakoshi circles away and keeps his distance.
Funakoshi swats away the attempt to clinch by Kikuno.
Kikuno moves in looking to clinch but Funakoshi pushes him off.
Funakoshi shoots in and drives through. Kikuno sprawls well.
Kikuno keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Funakoshi throws a looping overhand right but Kikuno ducks down to avoid it.
Funakoshi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kikuno sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Katsunori Kikuno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gichin Funakoshi.
Kikuno lands with a shot to the body.
Kikuno moves in looking to clinch but Funakoshi pushes him off.
Kikuno lands a slapping body shot.
Kikuno tries to close the distance and clinch but Funakoshi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kikuno closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Funakoshi looking for a takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kikuno.
Funakoshi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kikuno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kikuno scores with a hook to the body.
Funakoshi looks gassed!
Kikuno lands a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kikuno.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikuno lands an uppercut.
Kikuno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kikuno softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Kikuno - that landed with a thud.
Kikuno lands with a light punch inside.

Funakoshi is rocked!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kikuno.
Funakoshi is still on wobbly legs! Can Kikuno finish him?
Kikuno pushes Funakoshi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kikuno lands a shot to the body.
Kikuno lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kikuno lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kikuno lands a nice uppercut.
Funakoshi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kikuno lands a nice shot to the body.
Kikuno lands a right hand that snaps the head of Funakoshi backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kikuno creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kikuno prevents the takedown attempt.
Kikuno lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kikuno lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Funakoshi backwards.
Kikuno lands a shot to the body.
Kikuno lands a body shot.
Kikuno working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kikuno lands with a right to the head.
Kikuno lands with a right to the head.
Kikuno lands an uppercut.
Kikuno scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kikuno gets through Funakoshi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Kikuno.
Kikuno makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kikuno.
Funakoshi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Funakoshi wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kikuno.
A short right from Kikuno.
Kikuno prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Kikuno.
Funakoshi seems to have recovered his senses.
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kikuno pushes Funakoshi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kikuno scores with a shoulder strike.
Kikuno scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kikuno lands with a short shot to the head.
Funakoshi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kikuno avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kikuno throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kikuno softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short left from Kikuno.
Kikuno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kikuno scores with a nice hook to the head.
Funakoshi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kikuno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kikuno softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kikuno lands a hook that snaps the head of Funakoshi backwards.
Kikuno prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kikuno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Funakoshi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kikuno fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kikuno tries to clinch but Funakoshi is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kikuno doesn't manage to clinch there - Funakoshi circles away.
Funakoshi misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kikuno looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Funakoshi.
Kikuno stuffs the takedown attempt from Funakoshi. Funakoshi gets slowly back to his feet.
Funakoshi has a takedown stuffed.
Kikuno fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kikuno gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Funakoshi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kikuno pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kikuno gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Funakoshi.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kikuno.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kikuno lands with a left to the head.
Kikuno lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Funakoshi is trying to drag Kikuno to the mat but Kikuno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kikuno lands an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kikuno.
Kikuno gets underhooks to prevent Funakoshi's takedown attempt.
Kikuno lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Funakoshi backwards.
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Kikuno on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Kikuno.
Funakoshi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kikuno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kikuno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kikuno working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Kikuno.
Funakoshi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kikuno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kikuno lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kikuno prevents the takedown attempt.
Kikuno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kikuno throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kikuno lands an uppercut.
Kikuno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kikuno makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kikuno scores with a hook to the body.
Kikuno working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Funakoshi tries for a takedown but Kikuno manages to get underhooks.
Kikuno lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kikuno cracks Funakoshi with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsunori Kikuno dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kikuno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Funakoshi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kikuno moves in looking to clinch but Funakoshi pushes him off.
Kikuno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Funakoshi manages to avoid it.
Funakoshi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funakoshi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kikuno defends it nicely.
Funakoshi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kikuno moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kikuno wants to clinch.
Kikuno doesn't manage to clinch there - Funakoshi circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Funakoshi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kikuno pinned against the cage. Kikuno gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Katsunori Kikuno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gichin Funakoshi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funakoshi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kikuno is looking to clinch.
Katsunori Kikuno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Funakoshi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Funakoshi tries to bum rush Kikuno with a series of wild strikes but Kikuno uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kikuno doesn't manage to clinch there - Funakoshi circles away.
Kikuno is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kikuno closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Kikuno scores with a nice short uppercut.
Funakoshi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kikuno throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Funakoshis head.
A nice left hand lands by Kikuno.
Kikuno scores with a hook to the body.
Kikuno lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Kikuno on the inside.
Funakoshi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kikuno pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kikuno is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kikuno is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Funakoshi can do to turn this around?
Kikuno wants to clinch.
Kikuno fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kikuno is looking to clinch but Funakoshi is avoiding it.
Kikuno tries to clinch but Funakoshi moves out of range.
Kikuno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Funakoshi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kikuno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Funakoshi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kikuno tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Katsunori Kikuno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Funakoshi shoots in looking for a takedown. Kikuno tries to sprawl out of it but Funakoshi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kikuno manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kikuno swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funakoshi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kikuno misses with a shot to the body

and Funakoshi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kikuno won't be happy with that.

Funakoshi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kikuno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Funakoshi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kikuno is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Funakoshi throws a strike aimed at the side of Kikuno's head but Kikuno avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Funakoshi is trying to get an arm triangle but Kikuno is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Funakoshi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Funakoshi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Funakoshi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kikuno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gichin Funakoshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Funakoshi keeps the fight on the outside.
Kikuno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Funakoshi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kikuno drives through and clinches with Funakoshi against the cage.
Funakoshi is working for takedown but Kikuno is calmly controlling the position for now.
Funakoshi looking for a takedown.
Kikuno gets through Funakoshi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kikuno lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kikuno is pressed up against the cage. Funakoshi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kikuno down to the mat. Kikuno avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Katsunori Kikuno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gichin Funakoshi.
Kikuno wants to clinch up but Funakoshi keeps it at a distance.
Kikuno wants to clinch.
Kikuno tries to close the distance and clinch but Funakoshi 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.
Kikuno closes the distance but Funakoshi moves to the side

and Funakoshi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Funakoshi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Funakoshi drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Funakoshi as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Kikuno screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Funakoshi! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Gichin Funakoshi!