PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Caleb Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerald Hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Griffin
vs
Hightower

205 cm
18
193 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Caleb Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gerald Hightower!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Franklyn Lucas and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Hightower or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin, which made it look bad.
Some wild striking there from Hightower.
Hightower looks for a takedown but Griffin sprawls well.
Griffin is looking to counter the offense by Hightower and move into the clinch.
Hightower misses with a low kick.
Griffin is looking to counter the offense by Hightower and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hightower with a poor takedown

and Griffin counters by clinching up.
Caleb Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerald Hightower.
Griffin misses with some punches.

Hightower pulls guard successfully.
Hightower avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hightower keeping full guard, as Griffin tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hightower's head.
Griffin throws a big elbow that misses.
Hightower utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Griffin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Griffin postures up and lands a big shot to Hightower's brow.
Griffin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Griffin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Griffin cracks Hightower with a solid left hand.
Griffin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Griffin throwing strikes but missing.
Griffin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Griffin won't allow Hightower to sweep him here.
Griffin wanted to stand there but Hightower had control of the position.
Griffin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hightower working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hightower has his hands on Griffin's head, controlling the position.
Griffin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Griffin works over Hightower with some ground and pound from guard.
Griffin throws a big elbow that misses.
Griffin postures up in Hightower's guard and throws a big left but Hightower blocks it.
Hightower is trying to keep Griffin in close.
Griffin is in close to Hightower's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Griffin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hightower lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hightower looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffin is trying to keep Hightower in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffin has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hightower 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 Griffin.
Griffin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Griffin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hightower throwing strikes but missing.
Griffin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hightower manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin is working Hightower over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Griffin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hightower has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Griffin has managed to get both his arms back between Hightower's legs - danger averted.
Griffin works over Hightower with some ground and pound from guard.
Hightower throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Griffin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Griffin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Griffin working some strikes from top position.
Hightower is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Griffin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Griffin wanted to stand there but Hightower had control of the position.
Griffin working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Griffin 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.

Sloppy strikes from Hightower. Those never looked like landing.
Griffin seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hightower misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Griffin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hightower throws a hook but Griffin avoids it easily.
Hightower wants to clinch up but Griffin keeps it at a distance.
Griffin wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Caleb Griffin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hightower thuds a left hand into Griffin's body.
Hightower takes a kick to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hightower shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Griffin as he avoids it easily.
Hightower shoots in for a double leg but Griffin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hightower throws a head kick that misses.
Hightower is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin throws a body shot but no joy.
Griffin looks to score with a jab to the body but Hightower is just out of range.
Gerald Hightower seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hightower misses with a takedown attempt

and Griffin moves into the clinch.
Caleb Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerald Hightower.
Griffin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hightower has him pressed against the cage.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hightower closes this distance looking for a takedown but Griffin circles away.
Griffin throws a counter high kick but Hightower was just alert enough to avoid it.
Hightower shoots in for a takedown but Griffin shows good takedown defense.
Griffin attempts a counter takedown but Hightower avoids it well and moves away.
Caleb Griffin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hightower keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Griffin.

Griffin clinches up with Hightower and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin lands with a short shot to the head.
Hightower wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hightower drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hightower gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Griffin.
Griffin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hightower can do to turn this around?
Griffin swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower is trying to pull guard but Griffin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Griffin throws a head punch that misses.
Griffin is trying to force a seperation but Hightower has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Griffin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hightower gets underhooks to prevent Griffin's takedown attempt.
Hightower is trying to break the clinch but Griffin has him pressed against the cage.
Hightower is trying to pull guard but Griffin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Griffin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Griffin misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Griffin misses with a punch on the inside.
Hightower is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Griffin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Griffin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hightower swings for the body but Griffin moves out of range.

Griffin rushes Hightower and presses him up against the cage.
Hightower content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hightower tries to pull guard but Griffin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hightower jumps guard but Griffin turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Griffin dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hightower misses with the body kick

and Griffin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hightower has Griffin pressed against the cage, preventing Griffin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Griffin can't break the clinch.

Hightower breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hightower misses with a few strikes there.

Hightower closes the distance and clinches.
Hightower blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin is trying to break the clinch but Hightower is controlling him.
Hightower jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Griffin walks away with a smile on his face. Hightower gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hightower shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Griffin pinned against the cage. Griffin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Griffin is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hightower.
Hightower takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Griffin.
Hightower tries for a takedown but Griffin circles away easily

and Griffin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Caleb Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerald Hightower.
Griffin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hightower wants to stand but Griffin is controlling the position.
Griffin postures up and lands a big shot to Hightower's brow.
Griffin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Griffin works over Hightower with some ground and pound from guard.
Griffin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Griffin connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin landing with the ground and pound.
Griffin landing with the ground and pound.
Griffin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hightower has momentary wrist control but Griffin slips an elbow through the middle.
Griffin works over Hightower with some ground and pound from guard.
Griffin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
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!
Griffin landing with the ground and pound.
Caleb Griffin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hightower trying to keep a closed guard but Griffin is proving a slippery customer.
Griffin is working Hightower over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Griffin working some strikes from top position.
Griffin works over Hightower with some ground and pound from guard.
Griffin scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hightower wants to stand up but Griffin is controlling him.
Griffin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Griffin is in close to Hightower's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Griffin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Griffin postures up and lands a big shot to Hightower's brow.
Griffin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Griffin working some strikes from top position.

Hightower is rocked!
Griffin working some strikes from top position.
Hightower is still in real trouble! Can Griffin finish him?
Griffin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Griffin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Griffin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hightower tries to strike from the bottom.
Hightower seems to have recovered his senses.
Griffin lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin with a nice head shot there.
Griffin won't allow Hightower to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griffin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Griffin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Griffin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Griffin connects with a couple of short punches.
Hightower is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Griffin landing some decent shots from guard.
Griffin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Griffin landing with the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffin is working Hightower over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Caleb Griffin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Griffin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

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