PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between CARMINE LACONA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forrest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

LACONA
vs
Griffin

188 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

191 cm
23
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, CARMINE LACONA!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Forrest Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffin throws an overhand right that lands on LACONA's shoulder, as LACONA tries to avoid the shot.
Griffin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
LACONA is looking to land body kicks.
Griffin throws a sloppy head kick and LACONA moves out of range easily.
Griffin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by LACONA.
LACONA fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Griffin.
LACONA throws a nice inside leg kick.
LACONA keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
LACONA throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Griffin.
LACONA misses with a head kick.
LACONA throws a leg kick but Griffin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Griffin throws a lazy head kick
and LACONA counters with a slapping leg kick.
LACONA lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from LACONA, right into the meat.
A nice inside leg kick there by Griffin. That's going to slow LACONA down.
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!
A shot to the body from Griffin misses
and LACONA counters with a low kick, right behind Griffin 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as LACONA blocks the leg kick.
LACONA slips under a jab from Griffin.
Griffin throws out a leg kick but LACONA moves out of range and Griffin only half commits.
LACONA fails with the takedown.
LACONA's corner calls for a 1-2. LACONA obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
LACONA scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
LACONA dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Griffin. That did some damage!
Griffin looks gassed!
Griffin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Griffin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
LACONA lands a slapping body shot.
LACONA connects with a solid leg kick.
LACONA stalks Griffin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Griffin's face. Griffin staggers backwards, shaken.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffin throws a head kick that misses.
LACONA lands a glancing blow to the side of Griffin's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
LACONA stuffs the takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from LACONA.
Griffin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from LACONA finds it's way round the side to connect with Griffin's head.

LACONA closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
LACONA content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Griffin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

LACONA pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LACONA closes this distance looking for a takedown but Griffin circles away.
LACONA goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Griffin ducks right into an uppercut from LACONA.
LACONA throws a leg kick which misses Griffin's front leg but catches the back leg as Griffin tries to avoid it.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown but LACONA shows good takedown defense.
CARMINE LACONA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forrest Griffin.
LACONA fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin slips a jab and a cross from LACONA.
A nice inside leg kick there by LACONA. That's going to slow Griffin down.

LACONA closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

LACONA gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Griffin regains guard.
LACONA wants to get up but he can't break Griffin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
LACONA trying to control but Griffin is working from the bottom.
Griffin pulls LACONA in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin keeping moving, preventing LACONA from controlling successfully.
Griffin doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
LACONA preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
LACONA wants to clinch.
Griffin throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A slapping leg kick lands for LACONA.
Griffin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent LACONA stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
LACONA steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Griffin.
Griffin throws a sloppy head kick
and LACONA cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
LACONA lands a head shot.
Griffin misses with a low kick as LACONA jumps back.
LACONA takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
LACONA walks into a left hand.
LACONA pivots, looking for a leg kick but Griffin is out of range and LACONA settles back down.
Griffin misses with a wild body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Griffin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and LACONA has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from LACONA and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
CARMINE LACONA is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
LACONA throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
LACONA throws a nice looking combination but Griffin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Griffin lands with a nice combination. LACONA backs away looking to recover.

It looks like CARMINE LACONA has been cut.
Nice straight punches there by Griffin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Griffin.
Griffin throws a quick inside leg kick.
Griffin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Griffin misses with a two punch combination.
Griffin misses with a leg kick
and LACONA counters with a solid body kick.
LACONA stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Griffin.
LACONA takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
LACONA takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Griffin connects with a jab.
Griffin lands a nice leg kick that just misses LACONA's sensitive parts.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Griffin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LACONA on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Griffin misses with a head kick.
LACONA misses with a takedown
and Griffin counters with a slapping leg kick.
LACONA has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
An inside leg kick from LACONA misses.
Griffin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Griffin shoots in and drives through. LACONA sprawls well.
Griffin is looking to slow LACONA down with leg kicks.
CARMINE LACONA is winning the standup battle so far.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with LACONA but LACONA pushes him off and we're back to square one.
CARMINE LACONA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forrest Griffin.
LACONA tries for a takedown but Griffin circles away easily
and Griffin finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Griffin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A good leg kick by LACONA.
LACONA gets cracked there but stands up to it.
LACONA blocks a head kick by Griffin.
LACONA scores with a head kick.
LACONA takes a kick to the side of the head.
LACONA looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Griffin throws a head kick that misses

and LACONA moves into the clinch.
Griffin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from LACONA.
Griffin tries to break the clinch but LACONA is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

LACONA breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Griffin jabs LACONA right on the nose. LACONA blinks but takes it well.
Griffin throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Griffin scores with a punch to the head.
Griffin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Griffin cracks the inside of LACONA's front leg.
Griffin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Griffin throws a head kick that misses
and LACONA makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Griffin throws a leg kick
and LACONA counters with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
LACONA stuffs the takedown attempt from Griffin. Griffin gets slowly back to his feet.
LACONA throws a quick inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Griffin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on CARMINE LACONA's cut.
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!

Griffin blocks a head kick by LACONA.
LACONA throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Griffin jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Griffin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. LACONA looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
LACONA shoots in and drives through. Griffin sprawls well.
Griffin throws a one two combo.
Nice sprawl there from Griffin as LACONA shoots in.
Griffin throws out a powerful jab.
Griffin thows a leg kick but LACONA checks it

and LACONA counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
It looks like LACONA is going to stand back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Griffin has one foot on LACONA's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin scores with a hook.
LACONA avoids the head kick by Griffin.
A slow jab from LACONA misses its intended target.
Jab by Griffin.
Jab, jab by Griffin - just one landing.
Griffin's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Griffin duly obliges.
Griffin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Griffin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Griffin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by LACONA.
LACONA walks into a left hand.
Griffin scores with a hook.
Griffin lands an overhand right.
Griffin lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Griffin.
Griffin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
LACONA avoids the head kick by Griffin.
LACONA keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Griffin.
LACONA tries to close the distance and clinch but Griffin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Griffin misses with the combination.
Griffin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Griffin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Griffin cracks a nice hook into LACONA's ribs.
LACONA scores with a leg kick.
LACONA looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LACONA takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Griffin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Griffin throws a sloppy head kick and LACONA moves out of range easily.
Griffin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Griffin.
Griffin falls off balance throwing a combination
and LACONA counters with a left and a right that stings Griffin.
Griffin looks to land a left hand but LACONA moved out of range nicely.
Griffin throws a lazy head kick
and LACONA counters with an outside leg kick.
Griffin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for CARMINE LACONA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Griffin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
LACONA tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Griffin swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin throws a sloppy head kick and LACONA moves out of range easily.
Griffin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and LACONA counters with a three punch combo that has Griffin backing up. Griffin nods at LACONA to acknowledge the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Griffin misses the target.
Griffin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Griffin throws out a loose jab but LACONA uses good head movement to avoid it.
Griffin avoids the head kick by LACONA.
LACONA throws a sloppy head kick and Griffin moves out of range easily.
LACONA takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
LACONA takes a head kick and keeps coming.
LACONA bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Griffin lands a head kick. LACONA smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
LACONA shoots in for a takedown but Griffin shows good takedown defense.

And that's the end of the fight!
Forrest Griffin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Griffin 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29

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