PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Griffiths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Just Roll (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Griffiths
vs
Roll

170 cm
21
175 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

182 cm
22
183 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ice Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Stephen Griffiths!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Just Roll!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffiths looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Griffiths misses with a head kick.
Roll tries for a takedown but Griffiths circles away easily
and Griffiths counters with a big head kick but Roll shrugs it off.
Roll shoots and misses
and Griffiths makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Roll really felt that one!
Roll tries for a takedown but Griffiths circles away easily
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick.
Stephen Griffiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Just Roll.
Roll with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with a body kick.
Griffiths with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Roll with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with an inside leg kick.
Griffiths misses with a body kick.
Roll has his takedown stuffed
and Griffiths counters with an inside leg kick.
Griffiths throws a head kick but Roll moves out of range.
Roll with a poor takedown
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick.
Roll with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with a big head kick but Roll shrugs it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roll tries for a takedown but Griffiths circles away easily
and Griffiths counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Griffiths looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Roll gets a double leg takedown into Griffiths's guard.

Roll drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Roll jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Roll being controlled here momentarily.
Roll looking to pass the guard.
Griffiths has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Griffiths pulls Roll in close to prevent any damage.

Griffiths is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Griffiths is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Roll defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Griffiths holds on and takes a little breather.
Roll stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Griffiths swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Griffiths looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Roll avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Roll missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Roll stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Griffiths swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Griffiths working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Roll wants to control from the top but Griffiths keeps moving.
Roll tries to free his leg and advance position but Griffiths is retaining full guard.
Roll trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffiths is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Roll drops back looking for a leg! Griffiths is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Griffiths manages to kick Roll off! Roll jumps back into Griffiths's guard.
Roll looking to pass the guard.

Griffiths has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Roll is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Griffiths.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths tries to buck Roll off but Roll is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Griffiths's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Roll looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Griffiths wants to control but Roll postures up.

Roll is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Griffiths knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Roll goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Griffiths has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Roll but great work by Griffiths.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Griffiths dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Roll has his takedown stuffed
and Griffiths counters with a nice leg kick.
Roll tries for a takedown but Griffiths circles away easily
and Griffiths counters with a low kick, right behind Roll 's knee.
Roll moves in looking to clinch but Griffiths pushes him off.
Roll misses with a takedown
and Griffiths counters with an inside leg kick.
Stephen Griffiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Just Roll.
Griffiths tries a head kick but it misses.
Roll shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Griffiths counters with a big head kick but Roll shrugs it off.
Griffiths scoring well with a low kick there.
Just Roll seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Roll misses with a takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with an outside leg kick.
Griffiths throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roll has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Griffiths.
Roll fails with the takedown
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths feints and then cracks Roll's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Roll down.
Roll gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Griffiths counters with a nice body kick.
Roll is breathing heavily.
Roll fails with the takedown
and Griffiths counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Roll is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Roll doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Griffiths counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Roll is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Roll doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Griffiths makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Stephen Griffiths is winning the standup battle so far.

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

Griffiths has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Roll clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffiths controlling well, preventing Roll from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Griffiths keeps control of the position easily here as Roll tries to buck him off.
Roll tries to break free.
Stephen Griffiths overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Griffiths looking for the choke but no joy.
Roll is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roll is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Roll tries to break free.
Roll has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Roll keeps trying to improve his position.

Roll is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Griffiths biding his time, controlling Roll.

Roll preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Griffiths.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Griffiths is looking for a choke. Roll gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Roll manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Griffiths controlling Roll's posture.
Roll pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffiths is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Griffiths is trying to control the position from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Griffiths looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Griffiths dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Roll gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Griffiths counters with an outside leg kick.
Roll misses with a takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with a nice kick to the body.
Griffiths pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Roll decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Griffiths is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are battling for position here. Griffiths manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Griffiths is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Griffiths has his hands on Roll's head, controlling the position.
Roll sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Griffiths's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roll seems to be looking for submissions.
Roll is looking to pass Griffiths's guard but actually Griffiths recovers to full guard.
Griffiths trying to control the position.
Griffiths seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Griffiths is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Roll drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Roll jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roll trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffiths is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Griffiths has his hands on Roll's head, controlling the position.

Griffiths has his foot on Roll's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Roll works his way back into a safe position though.
Roll wants to control from the top but Griffiths keeps moving.

Griffiths working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Roll doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Roll manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Roll looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Griffiths working for a triangle but Roll defends it easily.
Griffiths keeping moving, preventing Roll from controlling successfully.
Griffiths keeping full guard, as Roll tries to pass.
Griffiths is trying to control the position but Roll postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths keeping full guard, as Roll tries to pass.
Griffiths wants to control the position but Roll says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Griffiths looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Griffiths is looking for a sweep. Roll is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Roll is stalling here. Griffiths is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Roll seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Griffiths has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Griffiths is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Roll is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Roll gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Stephen Griffiths did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Roll fails with the takedown
and Griffiths counters with an inside leg kick.
Griffiths connects with a high kick.
Stephen Griffiths is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roll shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Griffiths makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Roll with a poor takedown
and Griffiths counters with a nice kick to the body.
Stephen Griffiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Just Roll.
Roll with a lazy takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with a nice low kick that buckles Roll's knee momentarily.
Roll's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Roll has his takedown stuffed
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Griffiths throws a head kick but Roll moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Griffiths.
Griffiths throws a push kick but Roll slaps the foot to one side.
Griffiths tries a head kick but it misses.
Roll fails with the takedown
and Griffiths counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Roll is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Roll is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Griffiths.
Roll has his takedown stuffed
and Griffiths counters with an outside leg kick.
Roll has his takedown stuffed
and Griffiths counters with a big head kick but Roll shrugs it off.
Griffiths lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Griffiths tries to sprawl but Roll drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Griffiths looking for submissions off his back.
Griffiths trying to hold on to Roll's head to control him but Roll postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Griffiths manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Griffiths looking for a guillotine here but Roll defends easily.
Griffiths keeping full guard, as Roll tries to pass.

Griffiths looking for a guillotine here but Roll defends easily.
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!
Griffiths controlling Roll's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roll looking to pass the guard.
Griffiths trying to keep a closed guard but Roll is proving a slippery customer.

Griffiths is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Roll is aware though and is defending well.

Roll drops back looking for a leg! Griffiths is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Griffiths manages to kick Roll off! Roll jumps back into Griffiths's guard.
Roll postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roll pushes down on Griffiths's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Roll is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Griffiths is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Griffiths is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Roll is tapping! Great win for Griffiths!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Stephen Griffiths!
Stephen Griffiths is the new welterweight champion!
Stephen Griffiths decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.