PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mr Funktastic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Whitehead (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Whitehead has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mr Funktastic's chin.

Funktastic
vs
Whitehead

180 cm
24
180 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

185 cm
25
170 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire
Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

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 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Mr Funktastic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Craig Whitehead!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitehead throws a hook but Funktastic blocks it.
Funktastic misses with a lunging right hand
and Whitehead counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Whitehead misses with a straight left.
Whitehead throws a predictable looking body shot

and Funktastic decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Whitehead's guard.
Funktastic forces his way into half guard.
Whitehead is staying active underneath Funktastic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Whitehead is looking for a sweep. Funktastic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Funktastic trying to control the action but Whitehead is working from the bottom.
Funktastic wants to pass to mount but Whitehead is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitehead tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Funktastic is looking to advance position but Whitehead won't allow it.

Funktastic is working for a submission of some sort.

Funktastic is trying to work for a kimura but Whitehead is defending well.
Funktastic is looking to advance position but Whitehead won't allow it.

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.

Funktastic is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Whitehead defends it well.
Whitehead is looking to control Funktastic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Whitehead avoid being mounted?
Whitehead connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Whitehead slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Funktastic tries to free his leg and advance position but Whitehead is retaining full guard.
Funktastic passes into half guard.
Funktastic prevents Whitehead from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic trying to advance position but Whitehead counters by regaining guard.
Funktastic wants to control from the top but Whitehead keeps moving.
Funktastic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Funktastic advances to half guard.
Whitehead trying to control but Funktastic postures up.

Funktastic is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Whitehead doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Funktastic.

Funktastic wants to work for an arm triangle but Whitehead is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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.

Whitehead looking for submissions off his back.
Whitehead is refusing to be controlled, as Funktastic sits in half guard.
Funktastic frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Whitehead is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Funktastic dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Funktastic throws a lazy head kick
and Whitehead counters with a straight right hand.
Funktastic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Whitehead was well out of range. Poor timing from Funktastic.
Funktastic lands the left hand.
Funktastic throws a lazy uppercut
and Whitehead counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Whitehead scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Funktastic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Funktastic is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitehead working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Funktastic manages to get back to half guard.
Funktastic works his way to full guard. Good work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Funktastic is on top in guard.
Funktastic advances position into side control!
Whitehead regains half guard.
Funktastic uses his free foot to push down on Whitehead's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Whitehead.

Funktastic moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Whitehead has worked his arm free - good work by Whitehead!
Whitehead manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Funktastic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Funktastic is looking to pass Whitehead's guard but actually Whitehead recovers to full guard.

Funktastic drops back, looking for a kneebar! Whitehead looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Whitehead looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Whitehead!
Funktastic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Whitehead is putting a hurting on Funktastic here, landing some big shots from side control.
Funktastic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Whitehead connects with a decent elbow.
Whitehead working the head with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whitehead cracks Funktastic with a big right hand but Funktastic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead landing a few strikes.
Funktastic gets back to half guard.

Funktastic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Funktastic trying to hold on to Whitehead's head to control him but Whitehead postures up.
Whitehead slips a nice elbow through Funktastic's hands, connecting with Funktastic's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whitehead is keen to just control but Funktastic is a slippery customer.
Funktastic tries to roll over but Whitehead keeps him under control.
Whitehead thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Funktastic's head.
Whitehead lands with a punch from half guard.
Funktastic is trying to get back to full guard.
Funktastic manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead wants to control from the top but Funktastic keeps moving.
Whitehead passes Funktastic's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Whitehead wants to free his trapped foot but Funktastic is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Funktastic tries to roll over but Whitehead keeps him under control.
Whitehead thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Whitehead missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nice strikes from Whitehead there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Whitehead drops an elbow to the side of Funktastic's head.
Whitehead is keen to just control but Funktastic is a slippery customer.
Funktastic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Whitehead's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Whitehead's back!

Whitehead defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Whitehead showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Funktastic looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Funktastic passes the guard and advances to mount!

Funktastic goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Whitehead is on top in guard.
Mr Funktastic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitehead keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Funktastic's head.
Whitehead trying to control but Funktastic is working from the bottom.
Whitehead thows a big elbow that misses.
Whitehead cracks Funktastic with a solid left hand.
Whitehead in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Whitehead with a nice head shot there.

Funktastic has his foot on Whitehead's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Whitehead works his way back into a safe position though.
Funktastic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Whitehead working some strikes from top position.
Funktastic wants to sweep here but Whitehead controlling him for the moment.
Whitehead trying to control but Funktastic is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Funktastic is on top in guard.
Funktastic tries to free his leg and advance position but Whitehead is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Funktastic's guard.
Whitehead working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Funktastic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Whitehead manages to get himself to full guard.
Whitehead keeping moving, preventing Funktastic from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Funktastic thows a big elbow that misses.

Whitehead looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Funktastic passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Funktastic is looking to advance position but Whitehead won't allow it.

Whitehead is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Funktastic pulls his head out easily.

Funktastic wants to work for an arm triangle but Whitehead is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Whitehead is looking to improve his position.

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.
Funktastic works his way into side control.
Whitehead manages to get back to half guard.
Whitehead slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Funktastic has gone for a leg lock! Whitehead slips out almost immediately though and dives into Funktastic's guard.
Funktastic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Funktastic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Whitehead missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mr Funktastic did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Funktastic thows a body shot but no joy.
Funktastic throws a sloppy body shot
and Whitehead counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Whitehead tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Whitehead fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funktastic loads up on a big right hand but Whitehead slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funktastic thows a body shot but no joy.

Funktastic scores a takedown into full mount!

Funktastic gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Funktastic shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Whitehead's guard.
Whitehead 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead trying to keep a closed guard but Funktastic is proving a slippery customer.
Funktastic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Whitehead is keeping the position for now.

Whitehead looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Funktastic won't allow Whitehead to sweep him here.
Funktastic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Whitehead is keeping the position for now.
Whitehead preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Funktastic stands and throws Whitehead's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Funktastic is trying to get an arm triangle but Whitehead is defending well.
Whitehead prevents Funktastic from moving into mount.
Whitehead gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Funktastic goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Whitehead turns into him and now he's in Funktastic's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Whitehead with a nice head shot there.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead trying to control but Funktastic is working from the bottom.
Whitehead lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Funktastic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Whitehead defends it easily.
Whitehead is in close to Funktastic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Whitehead lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Whitehead loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Whitehead lands a couple of elbows.
Whitehead chips away with some ground and pound.
Funktastic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Funktastic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Whitehead trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Funktastic had his way with Craig Whitehead in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Funktastic looks to land a left hand but Whitehead moved out of range nicely.
Whitehead walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A slow jab from Funktastic misses its intended target.
Whitehead throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mr Funktastic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whitehead moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funktastic throws a body punch but Whitehead moves out of range.
Funktastic lands with a hook. Whitehead tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A swing and a miss from Funktastic.
Funktastic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fighters circling - Funktastic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Whitehead uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Funktastic.
Funktastic thows a left - swing and a miss!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Funktastic.
Funktastic working away.
Funktastic advances nicely into full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitehead sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Funktastic works his way into side control.
Funktastic tries to advance to mount but Whitehead instead regains half guard.
Whitehead won't allow Funktastic to pass to mount.

Funktastic is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Funktastic is trying to work for a kimura but Whitehead is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funktastic wants to pass to mount but Whitehead is defending the position.
Whitehead is trying to get back to full guard.
Funktastic works his way into side control.
Whitehead gets back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Funktastic uses his free foot to push down on Whitehead's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Whitehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Funktastic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Funktastic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Mr Funktastic!

Mr Funktastic wins by unanimous decision!
Mr Funktastic is the new welterweight champion!