PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Galloway Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Griffiths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sackett
vs
Griffiths

177 cm
32
180 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

170 cm
32
175 lbs
29 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Galloway Sackett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Stephen Griffiths!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffiths attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Griffiths cracks Sackett with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Griffiths takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Sackett throws a leg kick which misses Griffiths's front leg but catches the back leg as Griffiths tries to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Sackett. No joy for Griffiths on that attempt.
Griffiths looks for the body kick but Sackett saw that one coming.
Griffiths fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sackett with a nice cross.
Griffiths tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Griffiths tried to score with a low kick but Sackett checks it.

Griffiths takes the fight into the clinch.
Griffiths misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sackett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Griffiths fails to land.
A short right from Griffiths.
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 misses with a short punch on the inside.
Griffiths lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sackett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Sackett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths misses with a straight right.
Sackett avoids the body shot from Griffiths.
Sackett is looking to counter punch.
Griffiths connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Griffiths takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A slapping body kick lands there for Griffiths.
Griffiths tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sackett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Griffiths somewhat.
Sackett was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sackett connects with a crisp jab.
Sackett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Griffiths.
Sackett has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Herbs in the buildup to the fight.
A big right from Griffiths misses.
Sackett checks a leg kick.
Sackett misses with an uppercut. Griffiths saw that one coming.
Sackett throws a head kick that misses.
Griffiths takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Sackett. That snapped Griffiths's head back.
Sackett misses with a straight left.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffiths throws out a powerful jab.
Griffiths lands with an overhand left.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sackett darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sackett tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Griffiths is able to avoid easily.
Griffiths tries to clinch up.
Sackett throws a low kick but Griffiths avoids it.
Sackett jabs Griffiths to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sackett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sackett swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circle momentarily. Griffiths darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jab, jab by Griffiths - just one landing.
Griffiths throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sackett looks to land a right hand but Griffiths moved out of range.
Despite the aggression on Griffiths's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sackett throws a leg kick
and Griffiths counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Griffiths misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Griffiths.
Griffiths moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Griffiths tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sackett was well out of range. Poor timing from Griffiths.
Galloway Sackett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Griffiths throws a series of punches but Sackett avoids them all with ease.
Griffiths fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sackett.
Sackett misses with an uppercut. Griffiths saw that one coming.
Griffiths slips a straight right by Sackett.
Griffiths lands a glancing blow to the side of Sackett's head.
Sackett throws a big shot that misses.
Griffiths connects with a leg kick. Sackett looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sackett stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sackett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Griffiths.
Sackett misses with a wild body shot.
Griffiths only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Griffiths throws out a leg kick but Sackett moves out of range and Griffiths only half commits.
Sackett misses with a wild body shot.
Sackett backing away here, and Griffiths unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Donk. Griffiths catches Sackett right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Griffiths throws a front kick that sends Sackett stumbling back into the cage.
Griffiths shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Galloway Sackett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Griffiths.
Griffiths with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sackett tries to bum rush Griffiths with a series of wild strikes but Griffiths uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A shot to the liver by Griffiths. Beautiful body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Sackett. No joy for Griffiths on that attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Griffiths. That's going to slow Sackett down.
Griffiths takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Griffiths.
Decent striking displayed by Griffiths there.
Griffiths feints and then cracks Sackett's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sackett down.
Sackett blocks a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sackett lands a right hook to the body.
Sackett throws a looping overhand right but Griffiths ducks down to avoid it.
Sackett misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Galloway Sackett will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sackett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sackett dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sackett moves out of range of the strikes.
Griffiths slips under a jab.
Sackett misses with an uppercut. Griffiths saw that one coming.
Sackett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stephen Griffiths seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Griffiths ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Griffiths drops his hands momentarily and Sackett takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sackett takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Griffiths closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sackett did well to prevent Griffiths getting side control.

Sackett has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Griffiths is on him like a limpet, forcing Sackett back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Griffiths lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sackett backwards.
Griffiths lands an uppercut.
Griffiths prevents a body shot from Sackett.
A short right from Sackett on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Griffiths.
Sackett blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sackett backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sackett.
Griffiths makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Griffiths lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sackett.
Sackett has a couple of punches blocked by Griffiths.
Sackett blocking some punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Sackett.
Griffiths blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stephen Griffiths seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sackett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Griffiths tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Griffiths creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Griffiths.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Griffiths.
Griffiths lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sackett backwards.
Griffiths lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sackett has a couple of punches blocked by Griffiths.
Griffiths throws a head punch that misses.

Sackett breaks from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffiths throws a leg kick which misses Sackett's front leg but catches the back leg as Sackett tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett looks to throw the jab but Griffiths is out of range.
Sackett connects with a single shot there.
Griffiths fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sackett manages to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sackett darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sackett wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A shot to the liver by Sackett. Beautiful body shot.
Sackett misses with a body shot.
Sackett cracks Griffiths with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Griffiths tests Sackett's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Griffiths misses with a hook. Sackett ducked under it nicely.
Sackett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Griffiths connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
An inside leg kick lands from Sackett.
Griffiths avoids the body shot from Sackett.
Sackett takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A jab lands there for Griffiths.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sackett.
Sackett scores with a sloppy right hand. Griffiths should have avoided that one.
Griffiths slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Griffiths uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sackett.
Griffiths throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A big right from Sackett misses.
Sackett tries to move into range but Griffiths moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Griffiths lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sackett throws a hook but Griffiths avoids it easily.
Sackett throws a shot from downtown. Griffiths moves away and avoids it.
Sackett jabs at Griffiths's body.
Griffiths defending well as Sackett loads up on a big left hand.
Griffiths connects with a single shot there.
Griffiths throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
The fighters circling - Griffiths throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths tries to work over Sackett's front leg with a kick but Sackett checks it.
Sackett is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffiths looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Griffiths.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sackett can't do much from the bottom here.
Sackett is looking to regain half guard here but Griffiths keeps moving and retains side control.
Sackett manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sackett is taking a breather. Griffiths says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Galloway Sackett will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Griffiths uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sackett.
Sackett lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Griffiths dodges the punch combination from Sackett.
Griffiths lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sackett's sensitive parts.
Griffiths avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Griffiths! But no joy.
Griffiths lands a body shot.
Griffiths looks to land a left hand but Sackett moved out of range nicely.
A swing and a miss from Sackett.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Griffiths 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 Sackett has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sackett and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffiths scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Griffiths motions for Sackett to come forward. Griffiths throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths is looking to score with low kicks.
Griffiths connects with a single shot there.
Griffiths closes the distance but Sackett moves to the side
and Sackett counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths scores with a shot to the body.
Griffiths scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sackett stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Griffiths.
Sackett takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Griffiths fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sackett.
Sackett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Griffiths.
Griffiths misses with an uppercut. Sackett saw that one coming.
Griffiths is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sackett tries to clinch there but Griffiths circles away.
Griffiths takes one on the button.
Sackett looks to land a body kick but Griffiths moved away.
Griffiths on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A swing and a miss from Sackett.
Griffiths wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Stephen Griffiths has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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!
Griffiths throws a chopping leg kick but Sackett manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Jab by Sackett.
Galloway Sackett is winning the standup battle so far.
Sackett blocks a leg kick.
Griffiths uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sackett.
Sackett tries to bum rush Griffiths with a series of wild strikes but Griffiths uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Griffiths scores with a nice head shot.
Griffiths misses with a low kick as Sackett jumps back.
A combination from Griffiths does no damage.
Sackett fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sackett blocks a low kick nicely.
Sackett bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sackett throws the left hand but Griffiths avoids the punch easily.
Sackett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Griffiths.
Sackett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sackett throws a jab but it's blocked by Griffiths.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sackett throws a series of punches but Griffiths moves out of range.
Griffiths checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Griffiths feints and then cracks Sackett's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sackett down.
Sackett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sackett misses with a looping left.
Griffiths's corner calls for a 1-2. Griffiths obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Galloway Sackett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sackett takes a swing at Griffiths's ribcage but misses.
Griffiths looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sackett connects with a good right hand that stumbles Griffiths. Griffiths circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sackett thuds his right hand into Griffiths's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sackett lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Griffiths at a distance.
Griffiths is looking to chop away at Sackett's legs.
Griffiths throws a looping overhand right but Sackett ducks down to avoid it.
Griffiths connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sackett momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett throws a jab when Griffiths was well out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffiths uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sackett.
A big left from Sackett misses.
Sackett swings for the body but Griffiths moves out of range.
Sackett uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Griffiths has time to react.
A lazy body kick from Griffiths
and Sackett counters with a stiff right hand.
Griffiths dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Griffiths swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Griffiths on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Griffiths dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Griffiths works Sackett's body with a nice hook.
Griffiths displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sackett throws out the jab.
Griffiths goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sackett seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Griffiths connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Galloway Sackett.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sackett, 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Galloway Sackett!
Galloway Sackett decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.