PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Griffin comes to the cage accompanied by Killing In The Name. Forrest Griffin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jimmy Karlsson's chin.

Griffin
vs
Karlsson

190 cm
33
213 lbs
22 - 15 - 1

188 cm
33
223 lbs
23 - 13 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Forrest Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Griffin.
Karlsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Griffin was well out of range. Poor timing from Karlsson.
A decent looking cross lands there for Karlsson.
Griffin misses with a few strikes there.
Karlsson tests Griffin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Karlsson. Griffin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griffin throws a lazy right hand but Karlsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Karlsson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Griffin sprawls well initially but Karlsson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Griffin tries to roll over but Karlsson keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Karlsson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Karlsson is looking for a kimura but Griffin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Karlsson to get the leverage.
Griffin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karlsson.
Karlsson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Griffin defending well though.
Karlsson with the ground and pound but Griffin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Griffin keeping moving, preventing Karlsson from controlling successfully.
Griffin keeping full guard, as Karlsson tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griffin throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Griffin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Griffin pulls Karlsson in close to his closed guard and prevents Karlsson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Karlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffin is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson trying to control but Griffin is working from the bottom.
Karlsson with a flurry of punches that miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffin is keeping the position for now.
Griffin looking for a sweep. Not yet Griffin, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Karlsson moves out of range of the strikes.
Karlsson scores with a hook to the body. Griffin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Griffin misses with a few strikes there.
Forrest Griffin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Griffin looks to land a left hand but Karlsson moved out of range nicely.

Karlsson looking to score a takedown here. Griffin is defending well but Karlsson drives through and ends up in Griffin's guard.
Griffin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Griffin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Griffin trying to keep a closed guard but Karlsson is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Karlsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Griffin is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Forrest Griffin just wasn't active enough.
Griffin throws a hook but Karlsson blocks it.
Karlsson staying out of range there.
Karlsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Griffin.
Karlsson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Griffin finds it's way round the side to connect with Karlsson's head.
Karlsson takes a swing at Griffin's ribcage but misses.

Karlsson shoots in and bounces Griffin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Karlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffin is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson passes Griffin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Karlsson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karlsson is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Griffin reverses the position - he's now on top in Karlsson's guard.
Karlsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Karlsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Karlsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Griffin trying to control but Karlsson is working from the bottom.
Griffin working some strikes from top position.
Griffin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Griffin landing with the ground and pound.
Karlsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Griffin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Karlsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Griffin has managed to get both his arms back between Karlsson's legs - danger averted.
Griffin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karlsson is keeping the position for now.
Karlsson is trying to control the position but Griffin postures up.
Griffin preventing the sweep.
Griffin trying to control but Karlsson is working from the bottom.
Karlsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Karlsson, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Karlsson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Griffin passes into half guard.
Karlsson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Griffin prevents Karlsson from improving his position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Griffin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Karlsson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Griffin scores with a couple of nice shots.

Griffin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Karlsson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Karlsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Griffin wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karlsson is on top in guard.
Karlsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Griffin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Griffin controls Karlsson momentarily but Karlsson frees himself.
Griffin is looking to sweep but instead, Karlsson has passed into half guard.
Griffin moves into full guard.
Griffin has momentary wrist control but Karlsson slips an elbow through the middle.
Griffin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Karlsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Griffin trying to control but Karlsson flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

Griffin fending off the submission attempt from Karlsson.
Karlsson scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Karlsson tightening his grip on Griffin, looking for the choke.
Karlsson doesn't have the hooks in and Griffin manages to turn into his guard.
Karlsson looking to control.

Karlsson working for submissions but it's allowed Griffin to get to half guard.
Karlsson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Karlsson.
Karlsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Griffin wants to pass the guard but Karlsson is keeping the position.

Griffin has gone for a leg lock! Karlsson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Griffin's guard.
Griffin trying to keep a closed guard but Karlsson is proving a slippery customer.
Karlsson throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Griffin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Griffin looking for a sweep. Not yet Griffin, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Karlsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Griffin thows a body shot but no joy.
Karlsson throws a hook to the side of Griffin's head but Griffin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Karlsson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Forrest Griffin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Griffin misses with an uppercut

and Karlsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Karlsson thows a huge punch but Griffin dodges it nicely.

Karlsson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Griffin is just riding it out for now. Karlsson eventually gives up the hold.
Karlsson thows a huge punch but Griffin dodges it nicely.
Karlsson is nestled in close to Griffin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Griffin moves into full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Karlsson advances to half guard.
Karlsson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Griffin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Karlsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Griffin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Karlsson is looking for a kimura but Griffin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Karlsson to get the leverage.
Griffin is not content to let Karlsson control the position.
Griffin trying to control from the bottom.
Griffin gets full guard.
Griffin trying to control the position here.
Griffin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson manages to get to full guard.

Karlsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karlsson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Griffin manages to get himself to full guard.
Karlsson looking to sit in guard and control but Griffin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Karlsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Griffin wants to pass the guard but Karlsson is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Karlsson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Griffin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Griffin works his way into full mount!
Karlsson is trying to escape the mount.
Karlsson is breathing heavily.
Karlsson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Karlsson is not content to let Griffin control the position.
Griffin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Karlsson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Karlsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Griffin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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. Griffin connects with a nice short shot to Karlsson's temple.
Griffin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Karlsson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karlsson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Griffin scores with a couple of nice shots.
Karlsson gets back to full guard.
Griffin with a nice head shot there.

Karlsson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Griffin passes into half guard.
Griffin prevents Karlsson from improving his position.
Jimmy Karlsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karlsson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Griffin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Griffin's back!
Griffin has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Griffin trying to control but not successfully.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Griffin trying to get back to his feet but Karlsson is in full control for now.
Karlsson missing with punches from the back.
Karlsson controlling well, preventing Griffin from escaping the position.

Karlsson seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Griffin's chin but Griffin turns very nicely into Karlsson's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Griffin.
Karlsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Griffin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Griffin looking to sit in guard and control but Karlsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Karlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffin is keeping the position for now.
Karlsson trying to control but Griffin is working from the bottom.
Karlsson pushing down on Griffin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Griffin taking some punishment here, with Karlsson in his half guard.
Griffin is looking for a sweep. Karlsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Griffin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Karlsson is working away from the top position though.
Griffin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Forrest Griffin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Karlsson prevents Griffin from improving his position.
Karlsson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Karlsson is working for a kimura but Griffin is defending it quite comfortably.

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

Griffin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Karlsson wants to control but Griffin is keeping him busy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Griffin is doing well to control the position and prevent Karlsson from advancing to side control.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karlsson lands a nice short elbow.

Karlsson wants to work for an arm triangle but Griffin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Griffin is looking for a sweep. Karlsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Karlsson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Griffin's head.
Karlsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Griffin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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. Karlsson connects with a nice short shot to Griffin's temple.

Karlsson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Griffin is just riding it out for now. Karlsson eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Griffin pushes Karlsson off looking to stand but Karlsson dives back in and keeps control.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Griffin wants to improve his position but Karlsson is controlling well.

Karlsson is working for a submission of some sort.
Karlsson trying to mount his opponent but Griffin defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Griffin flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy Karlsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Karlsson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Jimmy Karlsson!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Jimmy Karlsson!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Jimmy Karlsson!

Jimmy Karlsson wins by unanimous decision!
Jimmy Karlsson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.