PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denis Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Shi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leo Shi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Griffin
vs
Shi

195 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Denis Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leo Shi!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, David Schapiro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shi shoots in looking for a takedown. Griffin tries to sprawl out of it but Shi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Griffin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shi.
Griffin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Griffin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Griffin misses with the combination.
Griffin misses with a wild combination.

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

Shi breaks the clinch.
Griffin misses with a few strikes there.
Griffin throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Griffin controlling the action here for a moment.
Shi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Griffin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Denis Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Shi.

Shi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Shi has Griffin up against the cage in a clinch.
Shi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Griffin lands a nice uppercut.
Shi fails to pull guard.
Griffin misses with a punch on the inside.

Shi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Griffin regains guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Shi trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Griffin is working an open guard so Shi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shi as he jumps to the side.
Griffin wants to clinch.
Griffin fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffin drops Shi with a beautiful combination! Shi stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Griffin is looking for the KO!

It looks like Leo Shi has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some wild striking there from Griffin.

Shi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Griffin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Griffin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Griffin managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Shi.
Griffin can't do much from the bottom here.
Shi tries to advance to mount but Griffin denies him.

Shi decides to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shi gets a double leg takedown into Griffin's guard.
Shi trying to control but Griffin is working from the bottom.
Shi scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shi trying to control but Griffin is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Shi gets to his feet. Griffin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Leo Shi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Leo Shi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Griffin throws a series of punches but Shi avoids them all with ease.

Shi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Shi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Griffin can't do much from the bottom here.
Shi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Griffin keeps working.
The referee asks Shi politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Shi prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shi postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Griffin seems a little lost for a moment, as Shi dominates the positioning.
Griffin is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
A lull in the action here.
Griffin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Griffin is looking to control Shi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Griffin avoid being mounted?
Griffin is trying to control but Shi manages to pass to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shi content just to control the position here.
Griffin taking shots to the head.
Shi wants to control the pace but Griffin is squirming around nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Shi has control of Griffin's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Griffin regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Griffin is looking to escape.
Shi landing punches.
Shi working Griffin over with strikes here.
Griffin tries to improve his position but instead Shi has taken his back!
Leo Shi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Griffin tries to escape but Shi has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shi biding his time, controlling Griffin.

Shi looking to break Griffin's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Griffin remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Shi will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Griffin is taking damage to the body and head.
Shi gets his hands free as Griffin looks to control.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Griffin trying to get back to his feet but Shi is in full control for now.
Griffin takes a big shot to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Shi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Leo Shi's cut.
That's time! Griffin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Griffin misses with a few strikes there.
Shi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Griffin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shi scrambles back to his feet.
Griffin stuffs the takedown attempt from Shi. Shi gets slowly back to his feet.
Griffin stalks Shi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shi's face. Shi staggers backwards, shaken.
Shi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Griffin connects with a stiff jab that staggers Shi - oh and he follows up with a huge uppercut that knocks him out cold! Man, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Denis Griffin!