PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nyquil Salazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trenton Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salazar's entrance music is Enter Sandman. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Salazar
vs
Griffin

183 cm
19
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
24
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nyquil Salazar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Trenton Griffin!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salazar wants to clinch up but Griffin keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salazar looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salazar tries to clinch up but Griffin circles away and keeps his distance.

Salazar has Griffin up against the cage in a clinch.
Griffin tries to score a body lock takedown but Salazar shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Salazar has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Griffin regains guard immediately.

Griffin had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Salazar is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Griffin Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Salazar's back instead.
Salazar tries to roll but Griffin sticks to his back.
Salazar turns into Griffin and is now in his guard.
Salazar trying to control but Griffin is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Salazar thows a big elbow that misses.

Salazar thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Griffin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Salazar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar with a flurry of punches that miss.

Salazar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Salazar thows a big elbow that misses.

Salazar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Griffin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Griffin can't keep his opponent in guard - Salazar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Griffin is pressing down on Salazar's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Griffin is trying to control the position but Salazar postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salazar throwing strikes from guard but Griffin blocks nicely.
Salazar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Griffin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Griffin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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.
Salazar thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salazar prevents Griffin from getting back to his feet.
Salazar stands up out of Griffin's guard for a moment - Griffin manages to land a nice upkick.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Griffin closes the distance looking to clinch

and Salazar holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Salazar tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Griffin gets control of Salazar's arms and successfully pulls guard. Griffin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Salazar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Salazar is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Griffin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salazar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Salazar throwing strikes from guard but Griffin blocks nicely.
Salazar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Griffin controls Salazar momentarily but Salazar frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar throwing strikes but missing.

Griffin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salazar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Salazar wants to control from the top but Griffin keeps moving.
Griffin wants to sweep but no luck.
Griffin trying to keep a closed guard but Salazar is proving a slippery customer.
Griffin looks gassed!
Griffin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Griffin throws a series of punches but Salazar avoids them all with ease.
Salazar tries to clinch but Griffin moves out of range.

Salazar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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.
Salazar is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Salazar holds him up against the cage and eventually Griffin drops back down to his feet.
Salazar scores with an uppercut up the middle.

It looks like Trenton Griffin has been cut.
Salazar lands a nice knee to the body.
Salazar landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Salazar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Griffin takes an elbow to the temple.
Salazar landing knees to the head.
Salazar crunches a lovely knee into Griffin's ribcage.
Griffin tries to break free but Salazar pushes him back against the cage.
Salazar stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Griffin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Salazar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Salazar creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Griffin's defenses.
Salazar utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Griffin can't get the takedown.
Nyquil Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trenton Griffin.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A knee to the head by Salazar.
Salazar landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Griffin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Salazar landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Griffin takes an elbow to the temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyquil Salazar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Trenton Griffin's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Salazar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Griffin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Trenton Griffin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Salazar tries to clinch up but Griffin circles away and keeps his distance.
Salazar tries to clinch there but Griffin circles away.
Griffin misses with a double jab.
Griffin shoots for a takedown but Salazar saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Griffin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Salazar gets back to full guard.
Salazar throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Salazar working for a triangle but Griffin defends it easily.

Salazar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin tries to free his leg and advance position but Salazar is retaining full guard.
Griffin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Salazar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Griffin stands up and waves to Salazar to follow him.
Griffin's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Griffin duly obliges.
Salazar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Griffin swats away the attempt to clinch by Salazar.
A swing and a miss from Griffin.

Salazar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Griffin, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Salazar connects with a knee to the head.
Salazar lands a nice knee to the body.
Salazar drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salazar lands an elbow that stopped Griffin in his tracks for a moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Salazar just misses with a elbow thrown towards Griffin's brow.
Salazar lands an elbow inside.
Griffin wants a takedown but no success here.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salazar is looking to clinch but Griffin is avoiding it.
Griffin closes the distance and clinches up with Salazar, looking for a takedown. Griffin pushes Salazar against the cage but Salazar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nyquil Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trenton Griffin.
Salazar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Salazar fails with an attempt to clinch.
Salazar is looking to clinch but Griffin is avoiding it.
Salazar moves in looking to clinch but Griffin pushes him off.
Griffin misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin keeps the fight on the outside.
Griffin tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Salazar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Griffin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Salazar connects with a nasty looking knee right to Griffin's face.
Salazar connects with a nasty looking knee right to Griffin's face.
Salazar putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Griffin in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Salazar with a knee to the head.
Salazar connects with a nasty looking knee right to Griffin's face.
Griffin is trying to break the clinch but Salazar has him pressed against the cage.
Griffin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Salazar connects with a knee to the head.
Salazar landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Griffin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salazar gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Griffin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Salazar throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Salazar lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Salazar lands an elbow just above Griffin 's eye.
Salazar lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin looking for a takedown.
Salazar lands a knee to the head.
Salazar tries to land knees in the clinch but Griffin avoids the damage to the body.
Griffin blocks the elbow strike.
Griffin tries for a takedown but Salazar manages to get underhooks.

Salazar has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Griffin clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Salazar working for a choke but Griffin is defending well.
Griffin rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Salazar lands with a punch from half guard.

Salazar is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Griffin sees it coming and defends easily.
Salazar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nyquil Salazar dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Trenton Griffin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Salazar circles away from the clinch attempt

and Salazar moves into the clinch.
Salazar scores with a nice hook to the head.
Salazar landing knees to the head.
Salazar misses with a knee to the head.
Salazar has Griffin pushed against the cage.
Griffin takes an elbow to the temple.
Salazar trying to control the position but instead, Griffin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Salazar into the cage.
Salazar gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Griffin can't break the clinch.

Griffin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Salazar looking to control.

Salazar has his foot on Griffin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Griffin works his way back into a safe position though.
Griffin wants to stand but Salazar has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salazar throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Salazar looking for subs off his back but Griffin has passed one foot through into half guard.
Salazar tries to get to full guard but Griffin has control of the leg.
Salazar misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Salazar is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Griffin pulls his head out easily.
Griffin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Salazar tries to roll over but Griffin keeps him under control.
Salazar won't allow Griffin to pass to mount.
Griffin drops an elbow to the side of Salazar's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Griffin controlling the action here.

Salazar is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Griffin pulls his head out easily.

Griffin seems to be working for a kimura but Salazar defends the submission attempt.
Salazar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Salazar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Griffin advances position into side control!
Salazar tries to buck Griffin off but Griffin is having none of it.
Trenton Griffin has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Salazar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Griffin scores with punches from side control.
Griffin trying to control the position but Salazar is working away.
Griffin is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Griffin swings around for an armbar but Salazar sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Griffin's guard.
Salazar preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Salazar clinches but Griffin breaks the clinch
and Salazar takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

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.
Salazar wants to clinch up but Griffin keeps it at a distance.
Griffin fails to land the takedown.
Griffin keeps the fight on the outside.

Salazar closes the distance and clinches.
Nyquil Salazar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Salazar drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salazar lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Griffin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salazar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Salazar lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Salazar jumps into guard, dragging Griffin to the mat.
Salazar controlling the position.
Trenton Griffin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Salazar trying to control the position.
Griffin passes Salazar's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Trenton Griffin.
I think Salazar 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nyquil Salazar!