PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Griffon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Valverde (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Griffon comes to the cage accompanied by I'm Shipping out to Boston by Dropkick Murphys. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Griffon
vs
Valverde

191 cm
22
217 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
206 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Gifts of the Rainforest
Goodness You Nutrition

HARDCORE Fighting Brand

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Forrest Griffon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Valverde!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Valverde misses with a double jab.
Griffon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Griffon thows a body shot but no joy.
Valverde has a takedown stuffed.
Griffon throws a quick inside leg kick.
Valverde looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffon is fending him off so far but Valverde persists. Nope, Griffon circles away and we're back to standing.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Valverde.
Valverde looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffon is fending him off so far but Valverde persists. Nope, Griffon circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Griffon clinches up with Valverde and pushes him back against the cage.
Griffon landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Valverde looks gassed!
Griffon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Valverdes head.
Griffon lands an elbow inside.
Griffon works on Valverde's body with a couple of short punches.
A knee to the head by Griffon.
A nice right hand lands inside from Griffon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Griffon.
Valverde takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees in the clinch landing for Griffon.
Griffon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Griffon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Griffon working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Griffon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Griffon throws a head punch that misses.
Griffon prevents the takedown attempt.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.
Valverde fails to pull guard.
Griffon will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Valverde up against the cage.
Griffon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Griffon using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Griffon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Griffon misses with a knee strike.
Valverde avoiding damage as Griffon throws knees to the body.
Valverde tries to pull guard but Griffon won't allow it.
Griffon throws a head punch that misses.
Valverde tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Griffon smiles and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Valverde.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Griffon.
Valverde looks for a takedown but Griffon sprawls well.

Griffon rushes Valverde and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Griffon lands an elbow that stopped Valverde in his tracks for a moment.
A short right from Griffon.
Griffon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Griffon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Griffon lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Valverde or not.
Griffon lands an elbow that stopped Valverde in his tracks for a moment.
Griffon gets underhooks to prevent Valverde's takedown attempt.
Valverde blocks an uppercut.
Griffon lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Griffon trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Griffon fails to land.
Griffon lands a nice elbow.
Griffon has a couple of punches blocked by Valverde.
A short right from Griffon on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valverde tries to pull guard but Griffon holds him up against the cage and eventually Valverde drops back down to his feet.
Valverde blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Griffon crunches a lovely knee into Valverde's ribcage.
Griffon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.
Griffon landing knees to the body.
Griffon lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Griffon tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valverde wants to get back to striking at distance but Griffon won't allow it.
Griffon cracks Valverde with a nice body shot.
Griffon lands a damaging elbow.
Griffon crunches a lovely knee into Valverde's ribcage.
Griffon lands an elbow inside.
Griffon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Valverde has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Griffon avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valverde tries to pull guard but Griffon won't allow it.
Griffon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Griffon lands a body shot in the clinch.
Griffon lands an elbow just above Valverde 's eye.
Valverde on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Valverde blocks a body shot from Griffon.
Valverde wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Valverde managing to block the knees to the body from Griffon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffon is leaning against Valverde and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Griffon using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Griffon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valverde has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valverde drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valverde is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Griffon gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Valverde takes an elbow to the forehead.
A short body shot lands from Griffon as the two fighters clinch.
Griffon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Griffon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Griffon lands a body punch.
Valverde blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.
Griffon stops a takedown attempt from Valverde.
Griffon throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Valverde blocks it with crossed arms.
A right hook to the body lands for Griffon.
Griffon lands a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Griffon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Griffon gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Griffon fails to land.
Griffon throws a punch but it's blocked by Valverde.
Griffon lands a nice knee to the body.
Valverde avoiding damage as Griffon throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Griffon 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 bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Valverde fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Valverde takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Griffon stuffs the takedown.
Valverde tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Griffon swivels and escapes.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Valverde.
Griffon lands a two punch combo.
Nice takedown defense from Griffon. No joy for Valverde on that attempt.
Griffon has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Valverde 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 Valverde off to one side.
Valverde shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Griffon as he jumps to the side.
Valverde fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Valverde lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valverde throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Griffon counters with a nice low kick that buckles Valverde's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valverde with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffon counters with a leg kick.
Griffon moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Valverde stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Griffon.
Valverde throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Griffon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Griffon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Valverde. That did some damage!
Donk. Griffon catches Valverde right on the button with a cross.
Valverde throws a left and a right that both miss
and Griffon counters with a nice leg kick.
Valverde misses with a takedown
and Griffon counters with a good low kick that Valverde was not able to check.
Griffon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Valverde.
Mark Valverde seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valverde misses with a takedown
and Griffon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Griffon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Valverde shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Griffon counters with an inside leg kick.
Forrest Griffon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valverde shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Griffon counters with an inside leg kick.
Griffon throws a nice looking combination but Valverde bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Griffon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Valverde's calf.
A slapping leg kick lands for Griffon.
Valverde with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffon counters with a body kick that stops Valverde in his tracks momentarily.
Good leg kick by Griffon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Valverde misses with a combination

and Griffon counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Griffon.
Valverde fails to pull guard.
Griffon missing with knees to the body.
Griffon prevents the takedown attempt.
Griffon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Griffon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Valverde is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Griffon gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Griffon misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valverde wants to break free but Griffon has control.
A short body shot lands from Griffon as the two fighters clinch.
Griffon tries a knee to the head but Valverde blocks it.
Griffon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Valverde.
Griffon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Forrest Griffon has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Valverde tries to break the clinch but Griffon is controlling the position.
Griffon cracks Valverde with a nice body shot.
Valverde fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Griffon lands a nice knee to the body.
Valverde fails to pull guard.
A right handed body shot lands from Griffon.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valverde.
Griffon pushes Valverde back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Griffon.
Griffon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Griffon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Valverde's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Griffon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Griffon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Griffon tries to land a knee to the head but Valverde blocks with his arms.
Valverde takes an elbow to the forehead.
Valverde takes an elbow to the forehead.
Griffon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Griffon misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valverde.
Valverde tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Griffon just stands there and leans against the cage.
Griffon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valverde tries to score a body lock takedown but Griffon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.
Griffon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Valverde drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Griffon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Griffon looking to throw knees to the head but Valverde is blocking nicely.
Valverde tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Griffon just stands there and leans against the cage.
Valverde tries to stall but Griffon uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Griffon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Griffon is pressed up against the cage. Valverde has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Griffon down to the mat. Griffon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Griffon thuds his shin into the meat of Valverde's side.
Griffon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Valverde with a poor takedown

and Griffon moves into the clinch.
Griffon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valverde tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Griffon smiles and moves away.

Valverde shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Griffon's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Griffon dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Valverde misses with a takedown attempt

and Griffon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Griffon throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Valverde blocks it with crossed arms.
Griffon is leaning against Valverde and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Griffon lands a body shot in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Griffon.
Griffon scores with a shot to the side of Valverde's head.
Griffon connects with a nasty looking knee right to Valverde's face.
Griffon struggles to land a body shot inside as Valverde controls his hands.
Griffon cracks Valverde with a nice body shot.
Knees to the body from Griffon.
Valverde is working for takedown but Griffon is calmly controlling the position for now.
Griffon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Griffon.
Valverde tries to pull guard but Griffon holds him up against the cage and eventually Valverde drops back down to his feet.
Forrest Griffon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Valverde.
Griffon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valverde has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valverde.
Griffon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A nice right hand lands inside from Griffon.
Griffon stops a takedown attempt from Valverde.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Griffon is pressed up against the cage. Valverde has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Griffon down to the mat. Griffon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Griffon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Valverde has his takedown stuffed
and Griffon counters with a big head kick but Valverde shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valverde with a poor takedown
and Griffon counters with an outside leg kick.
Valverde tries for a takedown but Griffon circles away easily
and Griffon counters with an outside leg kick.
Valverde with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffon counters with a body kick that stops Valverde in his tracks momentarily.
Valverde shoots and misses
and Griffon counters with a low kick, right behind Valverde 's knee.
Valverde fails with the takedown
and Griffon counters with an inside leg kick.
Valverde has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Griffon.
Nice body kick there by Griffon.
Valverde misses with a takedown

and Griffon holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Griffon lands a body shot.
Griffon landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Valverde goes for a takedown in the clinch but Griffon prevents it.
Valverde tries for a takedown. No joy.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Griffon throws a punch but it's blocked by Valverde.

Valverde gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Griffon regains guard.
Valverde passes Griffon's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Griffon flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Griffon wants to get back to his feet.
Griffon tries to get to full guard but Valverde has control of the leg.
Valverde trying to control from half guard but Griffon is working away.
Griffon is trying to stand up here but Valverde is controlling him well.
Griffon works his way to full guard. Good work.

Griffon kicks Valverde off and gets to his feet.
Griffon throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Valverde fails with the takedown
and Griffon counters with a slapping leg kick.

Griffon closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Griffon.
Griffon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.
Griffon tries a knee to the head but Valverde blocks it.
Griffon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valverde can do to turn this around?
Griffon stops a takedown attempt from Valverde.
Griffon with a knee to the head.
Griffon tries to land knees in the clinch but Valverde avoids the damage to the body.
Griffon lands a nice elbow.
Griffon misses with a knee to the head.
Griffon throws an elbow that misses.
Griffon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Griffon.
Nice body punch from Griffon - that landed with a thud.
Griffon lands a knee to the body.
Griffon trying to land knees to the body.
Valverde blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Griffon.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valverde.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffon misses with a punch to the body.
Griffon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valverde has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valverde tries to pull guard but Griffon won't allow it.
Valverde prevents a body shot from Griffon.
Valverde jumps guard but Griffon stands there with Valverde around his waist. Valverde gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Griffon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valverde.

Valverde is trying to trip Griffon. He has hold of a leg but Griffon is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Valverde persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Griffon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Valverde stopping the sweep attempt from Griffon.

Griffon uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mark Valverde has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Griffon scores with a kick to the body.
Valverde tries for a takedown but Griffon circles away easily
and Griffon makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Valverde really felt that one!

And that's the end of the fight!
Forrest Griffon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Griffon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:26
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Forrest Griffon!