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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Griggs (ranked 1162 p4p, 1155 weight class) and Maxim Ward (ranked 174 p4p, 173 weight class). Griggs comes to the cage accompanied by LL Cool J- Momma Said Knock You Out. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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| 185 cm
23
177
10 - 4 - 0 |
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185 cm
23
172
5 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frankie Griggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maxim Ward!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward shoots in and bounces Griggs off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ward working some strikes from top position.
Ward is looking to work some ground and pound but Griggs has wrist control.
Griggs is looking to stand up but Ward isn't so interested in that idea.
Griggs trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Ward trying to control the position from guard on top but Griggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Griggs is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ward is controlling him.
Ward throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Griggs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ward throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ward working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Ward wants to control from the top but Griggs keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward stops Griggs from standing up.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ward lands with an uppercut that bounces Griggs off the cage and back into range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Griggs wants to stand back up but Ward manages to pass into side control.
Griggs wants to get back to his feet.
Griggs is looking to get back to his feet here but Ward is keeping cool and he's managed to take Griggs's back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Ward punches Griggs on the ear.
Griggs trying to get back to his feet but Ward is in full control for now.
A lull in the action here.
Ward landing with strikes.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griggs is trying to stand back up.
Griggs knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ward on the ground.
Ward connects with a big shot to the side of Griggs's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward scores with punches and elbows.
Ward cracks Griggs with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Griggs from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Griggs covering up well under a series of strikes from Ward.
Griggs is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ward is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Griggs. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Griggs manages to stand up with Ward still on his back. Eventually Ward drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
A big left from Ward misses.
Ward lands a head shot.
Griggs takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Griggs as he avoids it easily.
Griggs swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've been told by Griggs's head coaches at Doom's Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ward. Griggs does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ward lands with a nice body punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward connects with a body shot that sends Griggs's belly button to the back.
Ward lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Frankie Griggs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Griggs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ward avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ward scores with a shot to the body.
Griggs doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ward throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Griggs was covering up waiting for the punch and Ward finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Griggs wants to stand up but Ward is controlling him.
Griggs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Griggs wants to stand and escape but Ward is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ward prevents Griggs from getting back to his feet.
Ward chips away with some ground and pound.
Ward working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Griggs's head.
Griggs wants to stand and escape but Ward is having none of it.
Ward distracts Griggs with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ward wants to pass the guard but Griggs is keeping the position.
Ward has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ward is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griggs wants to get back to his feet but Ward is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Griggs kicks Ward off and gets to his feet.
Maxim Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward lands a nice shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Maxim Ward dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Nice cross by Ward.
Ward swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ward takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ward lands a right hook to the body.
Ward closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Griggs to the mat! Griggs manages to get full guard.
Griggs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ward throws a big right hand that misses.
Griggs wants to get back to his feet but Ward is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Griggs kicks Ward off and gets to his feet.
Nice body punch from Ward.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ward scores with a hook.
Ward scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ward or perhaps it was just good defense by Griggs, which made it look bad.
A little feinted left hand from Griggs on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Griggs. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griggs throws an overhand right that lands on Ward's shoulder, as Ward tries to avoid the shot.
Ward lands a nice looking body shot.
Ward lands a jab to Griggs's midsection.
Ward moves out of range of the strikes.
Ward is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Griggs with a body shot.
Frankie Griggs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Griggs takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ward changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Griggs tries to avoid it but Ward manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Griggs to the ground. Griggs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ward throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Griggs to counter with a crisp jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ward darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ward misses with a hook
and Griggs counters with a left and a right that stings Ward.
Griggs throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ward.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward connects with a looping right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griggs throws a poor cross that misses
and Ward counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ward scores with a takedown into Griggs's guard.
Ward looking to pass the guard.
Griggs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Griggs wriggles free and stands up.
Ward throws a poor cross that misses
and Ward takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ward ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Griggs misses with the combination.
Ward takes a swing at Griggs's ribcage but misses.
Griggs misses with a wild combination.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward digs a good body shot into Griggs's ribs.
Ward looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Frankie Griggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Ward.
Ward lands a nice hook to Griggs's body. Griggs takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ward cracks Griggs with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ward with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ward throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Griggs misses with a hook. Ward ducked under it nicely.
Ward looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Griggs throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ward counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ward throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Griggs misses the target.
Ward lands with a nice body punch.
Sloppy strikes from Griggs. Those never looked like landing.
Ward lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ward fails with the takedown.
Griggs is looking to counter punch.
Ward drives through with a takedown into Griggs's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Griggs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ward.
Ward loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Griggs is wriggling around but Ward manages to pass to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Maxim Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Ward lands a body shot.
A jab from Griggs misses.
Ward scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ward scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ward is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Griggs rather than just go for the knockout.
Griggs pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ward takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ward moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maxim Ward seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward is trying hard to land a takedown here. Griggs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Griggs on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ward scores with a body shot.
Ward shoots for a takedown but Griggs saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
It looked like Griggs was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ward.
Ward misses with a jab to the body
and Ward takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
It looks like Maxim Ward has been cut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward digs a good body shot into Griggs's ribs.
Griggs throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Ward counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Griggs!
Griggs bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Ward fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ward scores with a takedown into Griggs's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Griggs keeping full guard, as Ward tries to pass.
Griggs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ward 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.
Griggs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward landing some decent shots from guard.
Ward trying to control but Griggs is working from the bottom.
Ward in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ward content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Frankie Griggs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Griggs is looking to stand up but Ward isn't so interested in that idea.
Ward sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Griggs's guard.
Ward is trying to control. Griggs wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Griggs is trying to stand back up but Ward is controlling him
Ward trying to mount his opponent but Griggs defends it.
Ward trying to control from half guard but Griggs is working away.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ward looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Griggs with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ward is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Griggs makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Griggs gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ward to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Griggs uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Griggs stuffs the takedown attempt from Ward. Ward gets slowly back to his feet.
Frankie Griggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Ward.
Nice jab there from Ward.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Griggs takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Maxim Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward lands a head shot.
Griggs looks to land a combination but Ward avoids it well.
Ward lands an overhand right.
Ward misses with a body shot
and Griggs counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Griggs misses the target.
Ward cracks a nice hook into Griggs's ribs.
Ward lands a nice shot to the body.
Ward scores with a shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ward darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ward lands a slapping body shot.
Griggs looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And Ward tries to counter it with a takedown but Griggs pushes his down on his head and steps out.
And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ward has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Ward!
Maxim Ward decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
Frankie Griggs was interviewed post fight and said 'It'll be back to the drawing board. This isn't the end. Everytime I lose I only come back the next fight much stronger.'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
66% |
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