PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Archie Griffiths (ranked 184 p4p, 25 weight class) and Dom Cruz (ranked 453 p4p, 55 weight class). Archie Griffiths has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Griffiths
vs
Cruz

175 cm
36
147 lbs
25 - 9 - 1

172 cm
33
144 lbs
24 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

UnderGround Supplements
Arcticus University: London

Urban Fighter
Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Archie Griffiths!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dom Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz misses with the combination.
Cruz checks a leg kick.
Cruz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Griffiths attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cruz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Griffiths thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cruz looks for a takedown but Griffiths sprawls well.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Griffiths throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cruz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Griffiths shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Archie Griffiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Cruz.
Griffiths moves out of range as Cruz strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Griffiths misses the target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffiths lands with a right hand.
Griffiths throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
An inside leg kick from Griffiths misses.
Griffiths jabs at Cruz's body.
Griffiths throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffiths misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cruz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cruz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Griffiths swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Griffiths avoids the head kick by Cruz.
Griffiths throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Cruz misses.
Griffiths scores with a body shot.
Cruz thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cruz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Griffiths throws a leg kick but Cruz checks it.
Griffiths scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Griffiths throws an overhand right that lands on Cruz's shoulder, as Cruz tries to avoid the shot.
Griffiths with a hook.
Griffiths scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Griffiths keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cruz sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffiths lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cruz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffiths is fending him off so far but Cruz persists. Nope, Griffiths circles away and we're back to standing.
Cruz misses with a takedown attempt - Griffiths sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Griffiths misses with a looping right.
Griffiths keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Griffiths circles away quickly and effectively.
Griffiths throws a quick counter head kick but Cruz was just out of range.
Griffiths misses with a hook.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown but Griffiths shows good takedown defense.
It looked like Griffiths wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A low kick from Griffiths is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Griffiths misses with an uppercut.
Archie Griffiths is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cruz shoots in and drives through. Griffiths sprawls well.
Griffiths throws a hook but Cruz blocks it.
Cruz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Griffiths misses the shot to the body.
Archie Griffiths seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Griffiths tests Cruz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Griffiths fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Griffiths moves out of range.
Cruz connects with an inside leg kick.
Cruz throws an overhand right that lands on Griffiths's shoulder, as Griffiths tries to avoid the shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cruz.
Griffiths fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cruz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Griffiths jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cruz slips under a jab.
Cruz tries to clinch up but Griffiths circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Griffiths.
Griffiths checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Griffiths ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cruz moves away.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Griffiths avoids nicely.
Griffiths throws a body punch but Cruz moves out of range.
Griffiths is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Griffiths changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Griffiths avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz checks a low kick from Griffiths.
Cruz stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cruz blocks a leg kick.

Cruz shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Cruz showed some decent athleticism there.
Griffiths preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cruz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Griffiths does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cruz missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cruz is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Griffiths wants to hold on but Cruz pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Griffiths dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Griffiths uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Griffiths moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Griffiths looks to throw the jab but Cruz is out of range.
A head kick misses from Griffiths.
Cruz wants to counter the offense by Griffiths and move into the clinch position.
Cruz misses with a right hand
and Griffiths counters with an inside leg kick.
Griffiths pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cruz just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffiths sprawls well. He's pushed Cruz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cruz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Griffiths sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cruz somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Cruz does no damage.
Cruz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Griffiths counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cruz misses with a low kick.
Cruz darts in trying to clinch
letting Griffiths counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz moves out of range as Griffiths throws a body kick.
Griffiths misses with a leg kick
and Cruz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cruz tries to clinch there but Griffiths circles away.
Cruz throws a leg kick
and Griffiths counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cruz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Griffiths dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
A swing and a miss from Griffiths.
Cruz digs a good hook to Griffiths's body.
Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Archie Griffiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Cruz.
Griffiths attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Griffiths lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Griffiths swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Griffiths uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cruz.
Cruz tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cruz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Griffiths there as he acknowledges the shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Griffiths swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz is looking for the big counter here.
Griffiths throws a solid leg kick but Cruz takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Griffiths.
Griffiths explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Griffiths is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cruz can do to turn this around?

Cruz drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cruz 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.

Cruz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Griffiths doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cruz.
Cruz is trying to control the action in half guard but Griffiths is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cruz seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Cruz looks to land a strike but Griffiths avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffiths is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cruz throws a big right hand that misses.
Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Griffiths is retaining full guard.
Griffiths is controlling Cruz's posture.
Cruz working some strikes from top position.
Cruz distracts Griffiths with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cruz throws an elbow that misses. Griffiths uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cruz's guard. Nice move by Griffiths!

Griffiths stopping the sweep attempt from Cruz.
Cruz pulls Griffiths in close to his closed guard and prevents Griffiths from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Griffiths puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Cruz has a hand on Griffiths's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Griffiths takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Griffiths trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Griffiths fails to move to back control.
Cruz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cruz might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Griffiths haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Griffiths dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Griffiths connects with a single shot there.
Griffiths misses with a wild body shot.
Griffiths keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Griffiths swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Griffiths connects with an inside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Griffiths.
Cruz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Archie Griffiths is winning the standup battle so far.
Griffiths connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Griffiths takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Griffiths throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Griffiths leaves Cruz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Griffiths is looking to counter punch.
Griffiths is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cruz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffiths misses with a straight left.
Cruz steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

Griffiths gets tackled into the cage by Cruz. Cruz maintains the clinch.
Cruz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head punch on the inside from Cruz fails to land.
Cruz lands a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffiths is pushing Cruz up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cruz jumps guard but Griffiths turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Cruz as the two fighters clinch.
Cruz looking for a takedown.
Archie Griffiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Cruz.
Cruz pushes Griffiths back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Griffiths manages to break the clinch.
Griffiths dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cruz. That did some damage!
Griffiths connects with a jab.
Griffiths is looking to slow Cruz down with leg kicks.
Cruz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cruz.
Cruz slips under a jab from Griffiths.
Griffiths feints and then cracks Cruz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cruz down.
Cruz works Griffiths's body with a nice hook.
Cruz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Cruz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths misses with a right hand
and Cruz counters with a left to the body.
Cruz on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Dom Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cruz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Griffiths has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Griffiths finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Griffiths looks to land a right hand but Cruz moved out of range.
Cruz fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Griffiths checks it well.
Griffiths tried to counter with a leg kick but Cruz avoided it.
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.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cruz crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Griffiths - the referee stops the clock and Cruz gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Griffiths. Cruz manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The fighters circling - Griffiths throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Griffiths tries a head kick but it misses.
Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Cruz shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cruz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Griffiths.
Cruz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Griffiths.
Griffiths explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Cruz swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Archie Griffiths is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails with the takedown.
Cruz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Griffiths is looking to slow Cruz down with leg kicks.
Griffiths tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cruz buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Griffiths digs a good hook to Cruz's body.
Cruz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Griffiths circles away from the clinch attempt.
And Griffiths counters with a quick kick to the body but Cruz blocks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Griffiths.
Cruz fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Griffiths lands with a thumping leg kick.
Griffiths scores with a leg kick.
Cruz wants to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Griffiths misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Griffiths throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cruz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Griffiths. Griffiths obviously looking to wear him down.
Griffiths throws a head kick that half lands.
Cruz swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cruz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cruz tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Griffiths cracks Cruz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Griffiths scores with a jab to the body.
Griffiths connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Griffiths fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cruz on the side of the head.
Cruz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Archie Griffiths showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Griffiths, 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Archie Griffiths!
Archie Griffiths seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.