PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Archie Griffiths (ranked 525 p4p, 64 weight class) and Monte Cassino (ranked 575 p4p, 73 weight class). Cassino has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Griffiths
vs
Cassino

175 cm
39
147 lbs
30 - 11 - 1

165 cm
32
150 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London
UnderGround Supplements

Altitude Clothing
Heavy Metal Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Archie Griffiths!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Monte Cassino!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassino displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Griffiths throws out the jab.
Cassino follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Griffiths does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Cassino throws a push kick but Griffiths slaps the foot to one side.
Griffiths dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cassino crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Griffiths - the referee stops the clock and Cassino gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Griffiths. Cassino manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Griffiths uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cassino.
A jab from Cassino does it's job there.
Cassino loads up on a big right hand but Griffiths slips the punch.
Cassino keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Griffiths.
Griffiths bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Griffiths uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassino.
Cassino goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Cassino throws a lazy right hand but Griffiths sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cassino scores with a punch to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffiths lands a body shot.
Cassino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Griffiths moves away.
Cassino chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Griffiths can pounce on him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cassino.
Cassino uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Griffiths.
Cassino throws out a counter right but Griffiths avoids it with no problem.
Cassino takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A clash of legs there as Griffiths blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths blocks a jab.
Griffiths has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cassino.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cassino moves out of range as Griffiths strikes.
Griffiths steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cassino.
Cassino takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cassino avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cassino waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Griffiths.
A counter left hand to the body from Griffiths misses its target.
Griffiths staying out of range there.
Cassino scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Griffiths doesn't seem bothered though.
Cassino looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cassino misses with a wild body shot.
Griffiths looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Cassino thows a left - swing and a miss!
Griffiths jabs Cassino to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Griffiths feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cassino's calf.
Griffiths scores with the left hand. Cassino knows he should have avoided that one.
Cassino takes a shot to the body in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Griffiths finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Griffiths defending well as Cassino loads up on a big left hand.
Cassino checks a low kick from Griffiths.
Griffiths backing away here, and Cassino unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Griffiths.
Griffiths thows a leg kick but Cassino checks it
and Cassino counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cassino lands with a hook. Griffiths tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cassino throws out a loose jab but Griffiths uses good head movement to avoid it.
Griffiths misses with a hook.
Griffiths looks for the body kick but Cassino saw that one coming.
Cassino takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cassino tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths throws a half hearted mid kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Griffiths.
Cassino misses with a body kick.
Cassino throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cassino scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Griffiths doesn't seem bothered though.
Griffiths pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cassino swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cassino scores with a crisp jab that stopped Griffiths in his tracks.
Cassino misses with an uppercut.
Cassino throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cassino ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Griffiths moves away.
Cassino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Griffiths sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Cassino coming out on top.
Griffiths scores with a hook.
Cassino scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Griffiths's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cassino under the eye.
Griffiths takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Cassino connects with a jab.
Cassino motions for Griffiths to come forward. Cassino throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths throws a right and a left that Cassino avoids nicely.
Cassino looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Griffiths staying out of range there.
Griffiths feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Griffiths misses the shot to the body.
Cassino is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Griffiths with a body shot.
Griffiths throws a body kick that misses.
Cassino tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths throws a body kick that misses.
Cassino lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nice body punch from Griffiths.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cassino throws a leg kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cassino. Griffiths does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cassino is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Griffiths had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Cassino checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Griffiths lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cassino walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Griffiths checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassino moves forwards but Griffiths connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Griffiths throws a leg kick but Cassino sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A big left from Cassino misses.
Cassino fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Griffiths throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice body kick there by Cassino.
Jab, jab by Cassino - just one landing.
Cassino scores with a leg kick.
Cassino staying out of range there.
Griffiths avoids the head kick by Cassino.
It looked like Griffiths was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cassino.
Nice body kick there by Griffiths.
Griffiths is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cassino connects with a good right hand that stumbles Griffiths. Griffiths circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cassino throws an overhand right that lands on Griffiths's shoulder, as Griffiths tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cassino stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cassino blocks a leg kick.
Cassino ducks under a wild hook from Griffiths.
Griffiths swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Griffiths takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Monte Cassino will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Griffiths works Cassino's body with a nice hook.
Griffiths looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Griffiths lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cassino has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cassino and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Griffiths connects with a single shot there.
Cassino lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cassino throws a nice head kick!
Griffiths ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cassino moves away.
Cassino lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cassino connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Griffiths momentarily.
Cassino lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Griffiths throws a chopping leg kick but Cassino manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Cassino looks to land a combination but Griffiths avoids it well.
Cassino digs a good body shot into Griffiths's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cassino loads up on a big right hand but Griffiths slips the punch.
Griffiths throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Griffiths moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Griffiths is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cassino lands a head kick!
Cassino listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassino misses with a straight left.
Cassino throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Griffiths.
Griffiths goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Griffiths bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cassino's head.
Cassino thows a left - swing and a miss!
Griffiths tries a head kick but it misses.
Griffiths avoids the body shot from Cassino.
Griffiths throws a wild body kick that Cassino sees coming a mile off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cassino. Griffiths does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griffiths swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Cassino was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Griffiths tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cassino is able to avoid easily.
Cassino only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Cassino drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Cassino tries to bum rush Griffiths with a series of wild strikes but Griffiths uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Griffiths might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Cassino looks to land a combination but Griffiths avoids it well.
Griffiths throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Cassino takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Griffiths just misses with a punch to the body.
Griffiths lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Griffiths wants to land a leg kick but Cassino is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Cassino misses.
Cassino walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Griffiths checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cassino misses with a body kick.
Griffiths misses with a low kick as Cassino jumps back.
Griffiths throws a front kick that sends Cassino stumbling back into the cage.
Griffiths walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cassino checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Griffiths misses with a head kick.
Griffiths throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monte Cassino seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cassino blocks the body kick.
Cassino throws a leg kick but Griffiths checks it.
Griffiths slips under a jab.
Cassino throws a body kick that misses.
Griffiths appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Griffiths uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cassino.
Griffiths takes a swing at Cassino's ribcage but misses.
Griffiths throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Griffiths drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Cassino just misses with a punch to the body.
Cassino throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths jabs Cassino to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Griffiths will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Griffiths lands with a slapping head kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cassino.
Griffiths walks into a straight right hand from Cassino.
Cassino throws a low kick but it's checked well by Griffiths.
Griffiths scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cassino in his tracks.
Cassino takes one to the side of the head.
Cassino moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cassino scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cassino takes a jab right on the kisser.
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!
Cassino pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cassino tries to work over Griffiths's front leg with a kick but Griffiths checks it.
Griffiths lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
An inside leg kick lands from Griffiths.
Cassino blocks a head kick by Griffiths.
Griffiths tries to land a leg kick but Cassino saw it coming and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Cassino tenderised Griffiths's leg. Griffiths is trying to keep his angry face on.
Griffiths lands a nice looking body kick.
Cassino buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Jab, jab by Griffiths - just one landing.
Griffiths throws a leg kick
and Cassino counters with a straight right hand.
Griffiths pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cassino is looking for the big counter here.
Griffiths throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cassino swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cassino misses with a looping left.
Griffiths throws the kick towards the body but Cassino avoids it.
Griffiths throws a low kick, looking for Cassino's leg but Cassino calmly moves out of range.
Cassino throws a lazy right hand but Griffiths sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cassino lands with a cross.
Griffiths moves forwards but Cassino connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cassino keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Griffiths.
Griffiths stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cassino.
Griffiths misses with an uppercut.
Cassino lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Monte Cassino will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Griffiths defending well as Cassino loads up on a big left hand.
Griffiths chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Griffiths with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cassino lands a glancing blow to the side of Griffiths's head.
A punch combination from Griffiths misses.
Cassino lands with an uppercut that bounces Griffiths off the cage and back into range.
Griffiths throws a head kick but Cassino moves out of range.
It seemed like Cassino was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cassino pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cassino steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Griffiths. That one must have hurt.
Cassino misses the shot to the body.
Griffiths throws a low kick but Cassino avoids it.
Cassino blocks a head kick by Griffiths.
Griffiths looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Griffiths darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Griffiths scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cassino doesn't seem bothered though.
Griffiths blocks a jab.
Cassino has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Griffiths.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cassino lunges at Griffiths with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Griffiths's hand.
Griffiths lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Griffiths throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassino takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cassino wants to slow Griffiths down by chopping away at his legs.
Cassino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Griffiths was well out of range. Poor timing from Cassino.
An inside leg kick lands from Cassino.
Griffiths avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cassino throws a body shot but no joy.
Griffiths misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cassino.
Griffiths walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cassino checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cassino stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Griffiths.
Griffiths ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed right hand from Cassino misses the target.
Griffiths displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cassino throws out the jab.
Griffiths feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Griffiths tries to land a front kick but Cassino steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Griffiths fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cassino manages to avoid it.
Griffiths throws a head kick but Cassino moves out of range.
Griffiths takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
An inside leg kick from Cassino misses.
Griffiths throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cassino.
Cassino tries to move into range but Griffiths moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Griffiths throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cassino doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cassino throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Griffiths was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Griffiths blocks a head kick by Cassino.
Cassino avoids a kick to the body.
Cassino slips under a jab from Griffiths.
Griffiths throws a head kick that Cassino semi-blocks.
Cassino misses with an uppercut.
Cassino is looking to slow Griffiths down with leg kicks.
Cassino throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cassino avoids the head kick by Griffiths.
Cassino takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cassino jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Griffiths pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cassino is out of range and Griffiths settles back down.
Griffiths throws a solid leg kick but Cassino takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Griffiths.
A little jabbing left from Cassino on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Archie Griffiths has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths throws the kick towards the body but Cassino avoids it.
Cassino scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cassino on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Griffiths fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cassino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice shot by Cassino.
Cassino moves away from the strike by Griffiths.
Cassino throws a series of punches but Griffiths avoids them all with ease.
Griffiths digs a good hook to Cassino's body.
Cassino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Griffiths sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Griffiths wants to land a leg kick but Cassino is out of range.
Cassino ducks under a wild hook from Griffiths.
Cassino throws a nice inside leg kick.
Griffiths looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cassino dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Griffiths. Cassino does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griffiths ducks right into an uppercut from Cassino.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cassino scores with a body shot.
Cassino throws a nice looking combination but Griffiths bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Griffiths fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cassino.
Some wild striking there from Griffiths.
Griffiths throws the kick towards the body but Cassino avoids it.
Griffiths scores with a jab.
Cassino digs a good hook to Griffiths's body.
Griffiths looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Griffiths misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cassino throws a nice inside leg kick.
Griffiths throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cassino keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cassino connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cassino with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Griffiths misses with an attempted mid kick.

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 Archie Griffiths.
Well Cassino has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Monte Cassino!
A very excited looking Monte Cassino rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.