[2018-09-02-GLADIATOR x DEMOLITION] Masakatsu Funaki vs Seichi Ikemoto

[Ma Stump Puller]

For the record this is a worked shoot: every major MMA site does not list this as a legitimate contest, which is a good thing because this like Takayama/Takahashi 2011 match (which is somehow on their records???) isn't trying to be one. It's instead a pretty robust 5-minute sprint in a cage at some random indie, starting off with a few minutes of the two wangling between side and full mount respectfully between the other. Nothing special here (especially given Ikemoto is a kickboxer, not a grappler at all) but Ike keeps his defence solid despite Funaki being a fiend with some of his snappy transitions. Funaki pulls guard and uses it as a way to try to wangle his opponent into some sort of arm submission, but Ike rolls out and throws out some slaps to escape. It's there that we get the better parts of the match as the two have some good back and forth striking exchanges: Ikemoto being the more eager guy to throw while Funaki bides his time for counter-strikes, landing flush with a good few shots to the face. Funaki beats his ass with some hard leg shots before landing some knees to the head in a clinch and kicking him for a knockdown. 

Funaki runs in to try to finish his opponent off as soon as possible, but Ike responds with a palm shot to the side of the head and some of his own strikes before doing one of the sickest cage-spots I've ever seen as he springs off the cage itself for a spinning spike-DDT into Guillotine. This spot alone is worth checking out, it's amazing. He cranks the submission as much as possible until Funaki wiggles out and slaps the guy in the face and eggs him on. Ironically Ikemoto is a lot more inclined to rein back his shots compared to his opponent, who just whacks him hard, and the finish comes fairly quick as Funaki lands a surprise rolling wheel kick to KO his opponent. It's definitely not a high-end for either man, but for a super quick pseudo-UFC outing, I thought it worked fairly solid. Outside of the incredible cage assisted DDT bit there's never anything truly great, albeit the match itself is still paced out super strongly and Funaki brings some good fire to this alongside Ikemoto, who is definitely one of those guys who really should have more footage on him because he's a immensely talented guy. Fun match all in all.