PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jabbar Omarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Austin Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Austin Griffin is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Omarov
vs
Griffin

184 cm
21
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
28
200 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jabbar Omarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Austin Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Omarov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Omarov trying to control the action but Griffin is working from the bottom.
Griffin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Omarov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Griffin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Omarov.
Griffin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Griffin trying to control but Omarov postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin is staying active underneath Omarov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Omarov thows a huge punch but Griffin dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omarov is thwarting Griffin's attempts to control the position.
Griffin tries to roll over but Omarov keeps him under control.
Omarov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Griffin defending well though.

Omarov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Griffin trying to control here.
Omarov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Omarov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Omarov is looking to advance position but Griffin won't allow it.
Griffin is looking to escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Omarov there.

Omarov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Griffin wants to get back to his feet but Omarov drags him back down.
Omarov cracks Griffin with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Griffin is trying to control Omarov's posture but Omarov avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Omarov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Griffin keeps working.
Omarov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin tries to buck Omarov off but Omarov is having none of it.
Omarov trying to control the position but Griffin is working away.
Griffin managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Omarov.
Omarov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Omarov landing strikes.

Omarov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Omarov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Griffin takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Omarov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Omarov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Griffin is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Omarov working the ground and pound from side control.
Omarov throws an elbow but Griffin slips to the side and avoids it well.
Griffin wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Omarov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Griffin sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
An elbow from Omarov crashes against the mat.
Omarov cracks Griffin with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Griffin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jabbar Omarov dominated that round.
That's time! Omarov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Griffin closes the distance and clinches.

Omarov has Griffin pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Omarov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Griffin tumbling to the mat - Omarov dives into Griffin's guard.

Griffin manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Omarov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Griffin can do to turn this around?
Griffin pushes off an throws an elbow but Omarov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Griffin.
Omarov takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Jabbar Omarov has been cut.
Omarov goes for a takedown attempt but Griffin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Omarov or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin, which made it look bad.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Griffin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Omarov throws out the jab.
Griffin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omarov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Griffin.
Griffin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Griffin gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Griffin kicks Omarov off and gets to his feet.
Griffin throws a lazy right hand but Omarov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Omarov shoots in for a double leg but Griffin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jabbar Omarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Omarov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Well, if Griffin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Omarov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Griffin is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Omarov is looking to control Griffin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Omarov avoid being mounted?
Omarov gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Omarov keeping moving, preventing Griffin from controlling successfully.
Griffin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Griffin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Omarov looking for a sweep. Not yet Omarov, not yet.

Omarov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

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.

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

Omarov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Griffin defends well.
Griffin wants to control from the top but Omarov keeps moving.
Jabbar Omarov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Griffin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Omarov working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Griffin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jabbar Omarov's cut.
That's time! Omarov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Omarov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Griffin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Omarov staying out of range there.
Griffin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nice straight punches there by Omarov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Omarov.
Jabbar Omarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Omarov avoids the body shot from Griffin.
Griffin throws a series of punches but Omarov avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Omarov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Griffin throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Griffin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin misses with a wild body shot.
Austin Griffin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Omarov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Griffin defends it nicely.
Griffin misses the jab.
Omarov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Omarov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Griffin scores with a shot to the body.
Griffin has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Omarov connects with a nice looking jab.
Omarov misses with a takedown attempt - Griffin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Griffin wants to counter the offense by Omarov and move into the clinch position.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jabbar Omarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Omarov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Griffin throws out the jab.
Omarov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Griffin.
Griffin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Griffin misses with a series of wild punches.
Omarov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Griffin takes a swing at Omarov's ribcage but misses.
Omarov attempts a counter takedown but Griffin avoids it well and moves away.
Griffin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Omarov shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffin sprawls well. He's pushed Omarov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Omarov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Omarov misses with a straight right.
Omarov cracks Griffin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Griffin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Omarov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Griffin swings for the body but Omarov moves out of range.
Omarov tries to counter with a takedown but Griffin is quick to defend against it.
Omarov shoots in but no luck this time.
Griffin stuffs the takedown.
Omarov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Griffin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Omarov.
Omarov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Griffin's waist but Griffin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Omarov off to one side.
Griffin tries to counter with a clinch but Omarov shakes him off and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Griffin misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Griffin enables Omarov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Griffin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Omarov prevents Griffin from getting back to his feet.
Omarov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Griffin wants to sweep here but Omarov controlling him for the moment.
Omarov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Griffin looking to control.
Omarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Griffin is trying to control the position but Omarov postures up.
Omarov is looking to work some ground and pound but Griffin has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Austin Griffin.
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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!