PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evan Horizon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zemli Funtov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evan Horizon has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Horizon
vs
Funtov

201 cm
19
272 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

158 cm
25
224 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Horizon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zemli Funtov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horizon scores with a body shot.

Horizon darts in and clinches Funtov up against the cage.
Horizon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Funtov tries for a takedown but Horizon manages to get underhooks.
Funtov tries to score a body lock takedown but Horizon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A right handed body shot lands from Horizon.
Horizon taking a breather.
Horizon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Funtov is looking for a takedown.
Evan Horizon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zemli Funtov.
Horizon lands a hook that snaps the head of Funtov backwards.
A short left from Horizon.
A left hand lands to the body for Horizon.
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!
Horizon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Funtov.
Horizon lands a nice uppercut.
Horizon lands a left hand that snaps the head of Funtov backwards.
Horizon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Funtovs head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horizon stalling in the clinch but Funtov improves position.
Funtov has had enough of the clinch but Horizon keeps him there for the moment.
Horizon tries a body shot but Funtov blocks it.
Funtov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Horizon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Horizon pushes Funtov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Horizon lands a hook that snaps the head of Funtov backwards.
Horizon prevents a takedown attempt there.

Funtov lands a takedown into guard.
Horizon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Funtov trying to control the position from guard on top but Horizon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Funtov tries to free his leg and advance position but Horizon is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horizon trying to control the position.

Funtov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Horizon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Funtov has managed to get both his arms back between Horizon's legs - danger averted.
Horizon looking to control.
Funtov wants to pass the guard but Horizon is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Funtov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Funtov circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Funtov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Horizon gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Funtov drops an elbow to the side of Horizon's head.
Horizon is trying to stand up here but Funtov is controlling him well.
Horizon is looking for a sweep. Funtov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Horizon trying to hold on to Funtov's head to control him but Funtov postures up.
Horizon regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Funtov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funtov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Funtov works over Horizon with some ground and pound from guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funtov is stalling in the full guard.
Horizon looking for a sweep. Not yet Horizon, not yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horizon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Horizon 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.

Horizon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Funtov shoots in looking for a takedown but Horizon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Funtov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Horizon getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Funtov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zemli Funtov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Horizon trying to keep a closed guard but Funtov is proving a slippery customer.
Horizon keeping moving, preventing Funtov from controlling successfully.
Funtov throws a strike but Horizon rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Horizon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Funtov is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Horizon trying to control the position from guard on top but Funtov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Horizon looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Funtov tries for a takedown but Horizon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funtov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Evan Horizon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Funtov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Funtov shoots in but Horizon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Evan Horizon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zemli Funtov.

Horizon has closed the distance and engaged Funtov in a clinch.
Horizon misses with a punch to the body.
Horizon stops a takedown attempt from Funtov.
A body shot lands from Horizon.
Funtov has Horizon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Horizon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Horizon is leaning against Funtov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Horizon scores with a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Funtov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Horizon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Funtov is breathing heavily.
Horizon is pressed up against the cage. Funtov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Horizon down to the mat. Horizon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Horizon pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Funtov back to the cage. Horizon follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Zemli Funtov has been cut.
Funtov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horizon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Horizon's jab looks to have found its range, popping Funtov under the eye.
Horizon misses with a wild combination.
A head kick misses from Horizon.
Funtov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Horizon tries to bum rush Funtov with a series of wild strikes but Funtov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Horizon lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Horizon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Funtov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Horizon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Funtov.
Horizon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Horizon tries a head kick but it misses.
Horizon with a hook.
Horizon is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Funtov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
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!
Horizon lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Funtov is rocked!
Evan Horizon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horizon stuns Funtov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horizon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A combination from Horizon does no damage.
Horizon works Funtov's body with a nice hook.
Evan Horizon is winning the standup battle so far.
Horizon is looking to score with low kicks.
Horizon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Funtov momentarily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Funtov.
Funtov working the ground and pound.
Horizon is not content to let Funtov control the position.
Horizon struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Horizon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zemli Funtov'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!

Horizon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Horizon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Funtov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A shot to the liver by Horizon. Beautiful body shot.

Funtov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Funtov looking to pass the guard.
Funtov trying to control the position from guard on top but Horizon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Funtov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Funtov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funtov trying to control but Horizon is working from the bottom.
Funtov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Horizon's head.
Funtov trying to control the position from guard on top but Horizon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Zemli Funtov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Funtov shoots in for a takedown but Horizon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Horizon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Funtov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Funtov showed some decent athleticism there.
Horizon trying to control but Funtov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funtov is nestled in close to Horizon, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Horizon wants to control but Funtov is keeping busy.
Funtov is trying to control the action in half guard but Horizon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Funtov trying to pass the guard but Horizon defending well.
Horizon wants to control but Funtov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Funtov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evan Horizon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Evan Horizon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Funtov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Horizon lands with a good body shot.
Horizon lands a jab to Funtov's midsection.
Horizon tries to clinch but Funtov moves out of range.
Funtov shoots in for a double leg but Horizon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Evan Horizon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zemli Funtov.
Funtov fails with the takedown.

Horizon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Horizon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horizon lands a left hand that snaps the head of Funtov backwards.
Funtov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Horizon prevents it.
Funtov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Funtov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Horizon avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Horizon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Horizon lands a left hand that snaps the head of Funtov backwards.
Horizon works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right from Horizon.
Funtov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Horizon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Funtov goes for a takedown attempt but Horizon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Funtov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Horizon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evan Horizon.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Horizon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Horizon!