PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ludvig Ericsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anders Funk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Anders Funk enters the cage!

Ericsson
vs
Funk

186 cm
27
212 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

184 cm
26
205 lbs
10 - 4 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ludvig Ericsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anders Funk!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funk connects with a body shot that sends Ericsson's belly button to the back.
Funk misses with a looping right.
Funk pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ericsson looks for the body kick but Funk saw that one coming.
Funk misses with a looping left.
Funk moves out of range of the strikes.
Funk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Funk connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ericsson's hands.
Funk throws a shot to the body.
Funk throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ericsson on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funk works Ericsson's body with a nice hook.
Funk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ericsson.
Funk appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Funk moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Funk throws a body shot but no joy.
Funk throws a sloppy head kick and Ericsson moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ericsson lands a head shot.
Ericsson throws a sloppy body shot
and Funk counters with a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funk. Ericsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ericsson is looking to counter punch.
Ericsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Funk.
It appears Ericsson was looking to counter with a kick there.
Funk with a jab.
Funk takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ericsson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Funk.
Funk has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A jab from Funk misses.
Funk misses the jab.
Ericsson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Funk misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Funk's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ericsson scores with a jab. Funk acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Funk scores with a jab. Ericsson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Funk ducks under a wild hook from Ericsson.
Funk throws out a counter right but Ericsson avoids it with no problem.
Funk lands a glancing blow to the side of Ericsson's head.
Funk misses with an uppercut. Ericsson saw that one coming.
Funk lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ericsson at a distance.
Funk swings for the body but Ericsson moves out of range.
It looked like Ericsson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ericsson shoots in for a double leg but Funk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Funk is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ericsson with a body shot.
Funk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Funk listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Funk throws an overhand right that lands on Ericsson's shoulder, as Ericsson tries to avoid the shot.
Ericsson throws a front kick aimed at Funk's knee but Funk avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Funk.
Funk looks to land a left hand but Ericsson moved out of range nicely.
Ericsson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Funk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ericsson moves away.
Funk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Funk throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ericsson.
Ericsson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Funk walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A low kick from Funk is predictable there

and Ericsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Funk won't be happy with that.
Ericsson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Funk is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ericsson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ericsson content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funk won't allow Ericsson to pass to mount.
Ericsson stalling.
Ericsson thows a huge punch but Funk dodges it nicely.
Ericsson thows a huge punch but Funk dodges it nicely.
Funk tries to roll over but Ericsson keeps him under control.
Ericsson is taking a breather. Funk says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anders Funk dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Funk misses with a wild body shot.
Ericsson throws a poor cross that misses
and Funk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Funk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Funk throws out a powerful jab.
Ericsson moves out of range of the strikes.
Ericsson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ericsson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ericsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Funk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ericsson walks into a jab.
The fighters circling - Ericsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funk throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ericsson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A swing and a miss from Funk.
Ericsson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Funk's sensitive parts.
Funk throws a big shot that misses.
Funk looks to land a right hand but Ericsson moved out of range.
Ericsson feinted with a counter takedown.
Funk misses with a looping left.
Funk scores with the left hand. Ericsson knows he should have avoided that one.
Ericsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Funk.
Funk throws a body punch but Ericsson moves out of range.
Funk looks to score with a jab to the body but Ericsson is just out of range.
Ericsson lands with a good body shot.

Ericsson clinches with his opponent.
Funk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ericsson misses with a punch on the inside.
Funk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk misses with a body punch.
Ericsson scores with a hook to the body.
Ericsson wants to take the fight to the mat but Funk manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Ericsson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short uppercut from Funk.
Funk scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ericsson fails to land.
Funk misses with the head strike.
Funk tries to throw a body punch but Ericsson avoids it by throwing Funk back against the cage.
Ericsson lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Ericsson on the inside.

Ericsson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Funk regains guard.
Ericsson throwing strikes but missing.
Ericsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ericsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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.
Ericsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Funk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ericsson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Funk is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ericsson connects with a decent elbow.
Ludvig Ericsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ericsson taking a break here but Funk is having none of it and regains half guard.
Funk wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson winds up and cracks Funk with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ericsson is nestled in close to Funk, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Funk gets full guard.
Ericsson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Funk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ericsson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anders Funk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Funk throws a looping overhand right but Ericsson ducks down to avoid it.
Ericsson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Anders Funk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ericsson scores with a decent looking hook.
Ericsson moves out of range of the body kick from Funk.
Funk misses with a looping right.
Ericsson throws a low kick but Funk avoids it.
That kick from Funk tenderised Ericsson's leg. Ericsson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Funk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Good exchange - Ericsson coming out on top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funk. Ericsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A leg kick checked by Ericsson.
Ericsson moves out of range as Funk throws a body kick.
Ericsson ducks under a wild hook from Funk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ericsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Funk.
Ericsson takes a swing at Funk's ribcage but misses.
Funk will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ericsson tries to counter by clinching up but Funk breaks away and moves out of range.
Ericsson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Funk takes a step back to recover.
Funk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ericsson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Funk throws a shot to the body.
Funk tries to clinch but Ericsson is having none of it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Funk, as that shot connected.
Funk throws out a loose jab but Ericsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Funk swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk throws a hook but Ericsson avoids it easily.
Funk misses with a head kick.
Ericsson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Ericsson. That snapped Funk's head back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice body punch from Funk.
Funk tries to land a front kick but Ericsson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Funk connects with a body shot.

Ericsson rushes Funk and presses him up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Ericsson - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Funk.
Funk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Funk has a couple of punches blocked by Ericsson.
Ericsson misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Funk breaks the clinch.
Ericsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Funk moves out of range as Ericsson strikes.
Funk pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Funk scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ericsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A combination from Ericsson does no damage.
Ericsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ericsson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Funk as he jumps to the side.
Funk tries to work over Ericsson's front leg with a kick but Ericsson checks it.
Ericsson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Funk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anders Funk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Funk misses with a wild body shot.
Funk misses with a wild body shot.
Ericsson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Funk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Funk throws a body shot but no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ericsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ericsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funk.
Funk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ericsson.
Ericsson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ericsson throws the left hand but Funk avoids the punch easily.
Ericsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Funk manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Anders Funk just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ericsson looks to throw the jab but Funk is out of range.
Funk scores with a hook.
Funk misses with a wild body shot.
Funk throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ericsson blocks a jab.
Funk swings widly with a right hand
and Ericsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ericsson moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Funk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Funk was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ericsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Funk.
Funk uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ericsson has time to react.
Funk throws a lazy uppercut

and Ericsson counters with a shoot takedown 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!
Ericsson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ericsson is looking to take a break and control but Funk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Funk is pressing down on Ericsson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Funk managing to control the position.
Ericsson trying to control but Funk is working from the bottom.
Ericsson throwing strikes from guard but Funk blocks nicely.

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.
Ericsson trying to control but Funk is working from the bottom.
Ericsson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Funk is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Funk looks to score with a jab to the body but Ericsson is just out of range.
Ericsson lands a head shot.
Funk misses with a low kick as Ericsson jumps back.
Ericsson tries to counter with a takedown but Funk is quick to defend against it.
Funk throws a hook but Ericsson blocks it.
As Funk backs away, Ericsson returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Funk. Ericsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ericsson checks a low kick from Funk.
Ericsson attempts a counter takedown but Funk avoids it well and moves away.
Ericsson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funk throws a right and a left that Ericsson avoids nicely.
Ericsson misses with a looping left.
Ericsson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Funk lands a nice hook to Ericsson's body. Ericsson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ericsson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ericsson connects with a single shot there.
Funk misses with an uppercut.
Funk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ericsson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Funk sprawls and moves away.
Ericsson tries a head kick but it misses.
Funk misses with a wild body shot.
Ericsson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ericsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Funk sprawls well. He's pushed Ericsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Funk misses its intended target.
That kick from Funk tenderised Ericsson's leg. Ericsson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Funk jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Funk throws a sloppy body shot
and Ericsson counters with a left to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ericsson shoots in and gets a takedown into Funk's guard.
Ericsson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ericsson stands up over Funk, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ericsson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Ericsson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ludvig Ericsson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ericsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Funk takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Funk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Funk misses with a wild combination.
Funk avoids the body shot from Ericsson.
Funk lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ericsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Funk.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ericsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Funk attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
It looked like Ericsson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ericsson lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Funk keeps the fight on the outside.
Ericsson throws a body shot but no joy.
Ericsson swings for the body but Funk moves out of range.
Funk tries to clinch up.
Funk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Funk misses with a looping left.
Funk lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ericsson throws a big shot that misses.
Funk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Funk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ludvig Ericsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funk tried to score with a low kick but Ericsson checks it.
A slow jab from Ericsson misses its intended target.
A jab from Ericsson misses.

Ericsson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ericsson is controlling the pace.
Ericsson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Funk defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ericsson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ericsson works his way into full mount!
Anders Funk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ericsson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Funk?
Funk is trying to escape the mount.
Ericsson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ericsson with shots to the head and body - Funk looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ericsson looking to finish with strikes here!
Ericsson throws some wild stikes that Funk manages to avoid easily.
Ericsson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Funk tries to hold on but Ericsson postures up.
Ericsson wants to control the action but instead Funk gets a body lock and reverses into Ericsson's guard! Nice work!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ericsson wants to hit a switch here but Funk passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ericsson there!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ericsson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ludvig Ericsson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Funk has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anders Funk!
Anders Funk is the new light heavyweight champion!
Anders Funk decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.