PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Griffon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Calico James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Griffon comes into the arena with I'm Shipping out to Boston by Dropkick Murphys blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Griffon
vs
James

191 cm
22
218 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
218 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Tokyo Pharmaceuticals
Goodness You Nutrition

Berserker Nutrition
Fight King Nutrition

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Forrest Griffon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Calico James!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James shoots in for a double leg but Griffon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James blocks a low kick nicely.
James should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
James looks for a takedown but Griffon sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Griffon as James shoots in.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calico James.

James closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - James lands in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Griffon pushes James off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
James looks for a takedown but Griffon sprawls well.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Griffon pinned against the cage. Griffon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Griffon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James shoots in for a takedown but Griffon shows good takedown defense.
A chopping leg kick lands by Griffon.
Griffon swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Griffon stuffs the takedown.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffon is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Griffon circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffon throws a low kick but James avoids it.
Griffon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Griffon lands with a thumping leg kick.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James looks gassed!
James looks for a takedown but Griffon sprawls well.
Griffon scores with a kick to the midsection.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Calico James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Griffon stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffon keeps James at a distance using the push kick.
James shoots in for a takedown but Griffon shows good takedown defense.
Griffon throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nice takedown defense from Griffon. No joy for James on that attempt.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Griffon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Griffon can pounce on him.
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Griffon swivels and escapes.
James shoots for a takedown but Griffon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffon throws a front kick that sends James stumbling back into the cage.
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!
Griffon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
James closes the distance and clinches up with Griffon, looking for a takedown. James pushes Griffon against the cage but Griffon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
James has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Griffon.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Griffon throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
Griffon connects with a solid leg kick.
Griffon lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A chopping leg kick lands by Griffon.
Griffon throws a quick inside leg kick.
Griffon is looking to slow James down with leg kicks.
Griffon connects with a solid leg kick.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

James closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

James is trying to work for a kimura but Griffon is defending well.
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!
James winds up and cracks Griffon with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James wants to work for an arm triangle but Griffon is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Griffon punching from the bottom.
Griffon is trying to stand back up but James is controlling him

Griffon makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Griffon stuffs the takedown.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffon is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Griffon circles away and we're back to standing.
James misses with a takedown attempt - Griffon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Griffon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
James shoots in but no luck this time.
Griffon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Griffon scoring well with a low kick there.
James's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James shoots for a takedown but Griffon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffon is looking to slow James down with leg kicks.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.

James gets a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Griffon dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Griffon but Griffon pushes him off and we're back to square one.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calico James.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Griffon stuffs the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Griffon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James is breathing heavily.
James tries for a takedown but Griffon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Griffon as he avoids it easily.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - James has eaten all the pies!
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Griffon throws a nice outside leg kick.
James walks forward, straight into a front kick from Griffon.
Griffon misses with a low kick.
Griffon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Forrest Griffon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Griffon but Griffon pushes him off and we're back to square one.
James shoots for a takedown but Griffon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Griffon lands with a thumping leg kick.
Calico James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A good leg kick by Griffon.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Griffon's waist but Griffon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
James fails with the takedown.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Griffon as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Griffon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Griffon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Forrest Griffon is winning the standup battle so far.
James shoots in for a takedown but Griffon shows good takedown defense.
Griffon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Griffon throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

James shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. James showed some decent athleticism there.
James lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Griffon tries to kick James off but James keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
James drops an elbow to the side of Griffon's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. James connects with a nice short shot to Griffon's temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to pass the guard but Griffon defending well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. James lands a nice short elbow.

James is working for a submission of some sort.

James is looking for a kimura here.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

James is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Griffon defends it well.

James is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Griffon has managed to free his arm - good work.
Griffon is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Griffon with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
James looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
James trying to pass the guard but Griffon defending well.
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
James is nestled in close to Griffon, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
James tries to pass the half guard into mount. Griffon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
James thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Griffon knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.
Griffon is trying to stand up here but James is controlling him well.
James is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
James looks to land a strike but Griffon avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Griffon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James landing some decent shots from guard.
James content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
James chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Calico James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
James looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griffon tries to kick James off but James keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
James passes to side control.
Griffon is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
James lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Griffon on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Griffon sneaks back into half guard.
James uses his free foot to push down on Griffon's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Griffon.
Griffon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
James is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Griffon can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Griffon is trying desperately to improve position.
Griffon slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Griffon regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James won't allow Griffon to get back to his feet.
James preventing the sweep.
Griffon wants to stand but James is controlling the position.

Griffon looking for a guillotine here but James defends easily.
James postures up and lands a big shot to Griffon's brow.
Griffon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
James makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Griffon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Griffon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
James working some strikes from top position.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Griffon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands a couple of digs.
James passes into half guard.
Griffon is trying to defend against the ground and pound but James scores with a couple of nice shots.
James is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Griffon wants to get back to his feet.
James drops an elbow to the side of Griffon's head.
Griffon has hold of James's hands but James slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
James wants to pass the guard but Griffon is defending well.

James is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Griffon has managed to free his arm - good work.
Calico James has got the better of the ground game so far.
Griffon is trying to get back to full guard.
Griffon taking some punishment here, with James in his half guard.
James passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Griffon!
Griffon throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James punishing his opponent with strikes.
Griffon is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

James wants to finish this one by submission but Griffon is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from James.
James looking to finish Griffon with some ground and pound. This is bad for Griffon!
Griffon is trying to stand up.
James scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Griffon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
James dominating with strikes here.
James dominating with strikes here.

Griffon is rocked!
James putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Oh Griffon is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
James won't let Griffon get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Griffon seems to have got his legs back now.
James scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Griffon?
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!
James prevents Griffon from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Griffon is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Griffon somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Griffon lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Griffon, right into the meat.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Griffon, looking for a takedown. James pushes Griffon against the cage but Griffon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calico James.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Griffon tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Griffon to the ground. Griffon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Good leg kick by Griffon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Griffon throws a nice outside leg kick.
James takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Griffon tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Griffon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Calico James really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Griffon lets loose with a powerful body kick. James will feel that in the morning.
James misses with a takedown attempt - Griffon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Griffon throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Griffon.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calico James.
Griffon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Griffon lands with a nice body kick.
James has a takedown stuffed.
Griffon lands a head kick!
Griffon scoring well with a low kick there.
James is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Griffon throws a nice head kick!
James has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Griffon.
James stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Griffon.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Griffon as he jumps to the side.
James shoots in but no luck this time.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Griffon pinned against the cage. Griffon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Griffon is looking to slow James down with leg kicks.
Griffon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Griffon throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Griffon thuds his shin into the meat of James's side.
Nice sprawl there from Griffon as James shoots in.
Crunch! Griffon slams his shin into James's torso.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Griffon.
Griffon throws a head kick that half lands.
Griffon throws a front kick that sends James stumbling back into the cage.
James shoots in but Griffon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
James takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Griffon tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Griffon to the ground. Griffon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffon scores with a leg kick.
James shoots for a takedown but Griffon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffon sprawls well. He's pushed James's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Griffon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Griffon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
James has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Griffon.
Griffon connects with a solid leg kick.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Griffon tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Griffon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to James's calf.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Griffon as he jumps to the side.
Griffon stuffs the takedown attempt from James. James gets slowly back to his feet.

James changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Griffon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Griffon is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
James lands a nice forearm strike.
James lands some shots froms side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

James tries for a kimura but Griffon is defending well.
James working the head with strikes.
Griffon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Griffon is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James grinds an elbow into Griffon's temple.
Griffon manages to get back to half guard.
Griffon wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Griffon had his way with Calico James in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

James shoots for a takedown but Griffon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
James has a takedown stuffed.
Griffon throws a nice outside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Griffon.
James shoots in but no luck this time.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calico James.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Griffon tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Griffon to the ground. Griffon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Griffon tries to land a leg kick but James saw it coming and moves away.
Crunch! Griffon slams his shin into James's torso.

James looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
James takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. James connects with a nice short shot to Griffon's temple.
James is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

James is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Griffon doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time James.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Griffon!
Griffon is looking to get to half guard.
The referee warns Griffon that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Griffon working to try and regain half guard.

Griffon has left one of his arms exposed and James doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Griffon screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Calico James!
Calico James is the new light heavyweight champion!