PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Onterrio Smith (ranked 1978 p4p, 3097 weight class) and Anthony Griffith (ranked 46 p4p, 110 weight class). Onterrio Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Griffith

189 cm
27
214
6 - 7 - 0

225 cm
39
265
25 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Vegan Gains

Vegan Gains
Voodoo Nutrition

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 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Onterrio Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 19 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Griffith!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Smith.
Griffith has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Griffith scores with a decent looking hook.

It looks like Onterrio Smith has been cut.

Griffith clinches.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Griffith's elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Griffith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Smith pushes Griffith back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Griffith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith tries a body shot but Griffith blocks it.
Griffith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smith prevents Griffith from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hook to the body lands for Smith.
Smith lands with a short shot to the head.

Smith gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Griffith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Griffith seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Griffith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Smith has his foot on Griffith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Griffith works his way back into a safe position though.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Griffith's guard.

Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Griffith is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffith looking for a sweep. Not yet Griffith, not yet.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith advances position into side control!
Griffith is not content to let Smith control the position.
Griffith is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Smith looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Smith misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Griffith is keeping him busy.
Griffith taking a bit of punishment here - Smith scoring with strikes.

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Griffith has escaped the position, nice work there.
Griffith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Griffith sneaks back into half guard.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Griffith is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Griffith controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Griffith is not content to let Smith control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Griffith is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Griffith is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Griffith is controlling Smith's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith tries to pass to full mount but Griffith defends it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Griffith's temple.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Onterrio Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Onterrio Smith's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Smith throws a lazy right hand but Griffith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Griffith can do to turn this around?
A combination from Griffith does no damage.
Smith pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Griffith throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Smith punishes Griffith's body with a nice straight punch.
Griffith bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Griffith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Smith does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
And Griffith responds with a good body kick, but Smith manages to step out the way in time.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Griffith manages to avoid it.
Griffith throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Onterrio Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick lands for Smith.
Smith misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Griffith slips under a jab.
Smith takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Griffith moves away from the strike by Smith.
The crowd cheers as Griffith lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smith doesn't seem phased though.
Griffith cracks a nice hook into Smith's ribs.
Griffith will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Griffith's head but Griffith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Griffith thumps Smith with a low kick.
Griffith just misses with a punch to the body.
Griffith leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A nice side step and Griffith releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Smith connects with a right hand. Griffith shakes it off.

It looks like Anthony Griffith has been cut.
Griffith takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Onterrio Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice shot lands for Griffith.
Smith is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Griffith's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith throws a head kick but Griffith moves out of range.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Griffith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Griffith thuds a left hand into Smith's body.
Smith throws a head kick that misses
and Griffith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Griffith was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Griffith looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Griffith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab from Griffith.
Griffith blocks a jab.
Griffith throws a sloppy head kick
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Griffith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Griffith shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Smith eats them both and turns towards Griffith to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Smith misses with a looping left.
Smith takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Griffith swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Griffith.
Smith takes a swing at Griffith's ribcage but misses.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Griffith swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Onterrio Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Griffith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
Griffith misses with a wild combination.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Griffith!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffith struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws an elbow but Griffith slips to the side and avoids it well.

Smith is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Griffith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Smith working away.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Griffith is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anthony Griffith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Griffith looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Griffith looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Griffith.
Griffith has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Griffith jabs Smith to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Griffith's head but Griffith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Griffith was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Smith attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Griffith counters with a body kick.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Griffith.
Griffith checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith shoots and misses
and Griffith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Griffith throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Griffith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Griffith throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Smith slams his shin into Griffith's torso.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Griffith!
Smith checks a low kick from Griffith.
Smith thinks about countering with a body kick.
Anthony Griffith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Griffith looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.
Griffith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith misses with an uppercut
and Griffith counters with a straight right hand.
Griffith is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Griffith throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.

Onterrio Smith's cut is getting worse.
Smith fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Griffith motions for Smith to come forward. Griffith throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Griffith needs to keep his hands up - Smith had a free shot at his head there.
Smith takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
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!
Smith lands a nice hook to Griffith's body. Griffith takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Griffith blocks a head kick by Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffith blocks the body kick.
Griffith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Griffith throws a sloppy head kick
and Smith counters with a nice leg kick.
Griffith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Griffith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Griffith is just out of range.
Griffith is looking to clinch.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith lands a body shot.
Griffith connects with the punch.
Griffith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Griffith.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
Griffith doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Griffith moves out of range of the strikes.
Griffith feints a counter leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
Griffith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smith looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Griffith appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Smith fails with the takedown
and Griffith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Griffith scores with a hook to the body. Smith takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Griffith moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Griffith throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Griffith lands with a nice body punch.

Griffith takes the fight into the clinch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Griffith has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Smith.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith tries to land a front kick but Griffith steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Griffith appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Griffith tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
A left lands for Griffith.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Griffith avoids the head kick by Smith.
Nice defenses there by Griffith.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Griffith shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Onterrio Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Griffith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Griffith connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Griffith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Griffith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith misses with a jab to the body
and Griffith counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anthony Griffith.
I think Griffith 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Anthony Griffith!
An out of breath Anthony Griffith thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.