PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Riverson (ranked 395 p4p, 18 weight class) and Anthony Griffith (ranked 877 p4p, 41 weight class). Riverson's entrance music is J.Ralph - Kansas City Shuffle. A fine choice. Anthony Griffith will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Riverson
vs
Griffith

225 cm
37
296 lbs
17 - 21 - 0

225 cm
28
265 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 21 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Riverson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Griffith!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffith throws a push kick but Riverson slaps the foot to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Griffith. No joy for Riverson on that attempt.
Riverson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffith is fending him off so far but Riverson persists. Nope, Griffith circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffith is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
We've been hearing reports that Riverson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Riverson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Griffith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Riverson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Riverson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riverson fails with the takedown
and Griffith counters with a straight right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Riverson.
Riverson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Griffith throws a nice looking combination but Riverson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Riverson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffith scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Good leg kick by Griffith there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Griffith tests Riverson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Griffith tries to bum rush Riverson with a series of wild strikes but Riverson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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!
Riverson misses with a takedown
and Griffith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Riverson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Riverson lands a high kick to the side of Griffith's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Riverson dives into guard, looking to finish.

It looks like Anthony Griffith has been cut.
Riverson tries to free his leg and advance position but Griffith is retaining full guard.
Griffith looking for a sweep. Not yet Griffith, not yet.
Riverson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Griffith manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Griffith won't allow Riverson to sweep him here.
Griffith trying to control but Riverson is working from the bottom.

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

Riverson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Griffith is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Griffith content to stall in guard here.

Riverson has an active guard here but Griffith has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Riverson actively working from the bottom here.
Griffith trying to control the action but Riverson is working from the bottom.
Griffith not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Riverson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.
My spies in WildBoar's Private Pig Pen inform me that Griffith has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Riverson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Riverson keeps working.

Riverson actively working from the bottom here.

Riverson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Griffith pulls his head out easily.
Griffith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Riverson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Griffith pulls his head out easily.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.
Griffith trying to control the pace.

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.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.
Griffith is taking a breather. Riverson 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.

Riverson looking for submissions off his back.

Riverson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Griffith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Griffith not doing much here.

Riverson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Griffith trying to control from half guard but Riverson is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Griffith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anthony Griffith's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Riverson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Griffith throws a big counter head kick but Riverson avoids it with no problem.
Griffith lands a high kick!
Griffith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Griffith chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nice sprawl there from Griffith as Riverson shoots in.
Griffith leaves Riverson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Riverson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Griffith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Riverson shoots in looking for a takedown but Griffith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Riverson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Griffith lands a nice looking body shot.
Riverson misses with a head kick.
Riverson has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Riverson avoids a kick to the body.
Riverson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Griffith gets a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riverson is trying to break the clinch but Griffith is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riverson wants to break free but Griffith has control.
Griffith lands a body shot in the clinch.
Riverson is looking to break free of the clinch but Griffith has double underhooks.
Griffith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Riverson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Griffith misses with a body punch.
Griffith scores with a shoulder strike.
Riverson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Riverson is trying to push Griffith away but Griffith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short right from Griffith.
Riverson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Riverson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Griffith has him pressed against the cage.
Riverson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Griffith has him pressed against the cage.
Griffith stalling.

Griffith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Griffith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Riverson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Riverson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Griffith sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riverson shoots in for a double leg but Griffith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Griffith scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Griffith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Riverson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Griffith sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd cheers as Griffith lands an impressive looking overhand right. Riverson doesn't seem phased though.
Riverson keeps the fight on the outside.
Griffith batters Riverson with a massive right followed by a huge left! Riverson is out on his feet looking like a zombie as Griffith lands a final crushing right hand to drop Riverson to the mat with a gruesome thud! Griffith is running around like a mad man after that fight and for good reason!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Anthony Griffith!
During a confident post fight interview, Anthony Griffith thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.