PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Griffin (ranked 2121 p4p, 2907 weight class) and Taistelu Jaska (ranked 318 p4p, 422 weight class). Jaska has chosen Taistelu Jaska Theme from youtube as his entrance music. Matthew Griffin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Griffin
vs
Jaska

189 cm
23
212
5 - 2 - 0

192 cm
22
217
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Fantasy Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matthew Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taistelu Jaska!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, John Mangel and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaska misses with a kick to the body.

Jaska drives through and clinches with Griffin against the cage.
Jaska keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Griffin's efforts to push away.
Griffin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jaska backwards.
Jaska throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Griffins head.
Jaska manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Griffin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jaska scores with a push kick.
Jaska tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Griffin was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jaska has taken the fight to the clinch.
Good body shot from Jaska.
Jaska stalling the fight.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Jaska has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Jaska stalling in the clinch.
Jaska has Griffin pressed against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaska is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Taistelu Jaska.
Jaska moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Matthew Griffin has been cut.
Griffin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jaska.
Griffin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jaska throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jaska blocks a leg kick.
Griffin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Griffin punishes Jaska's body with a nice straight punch.
Griffin shoots for a double leg takedown but Jaska sprawls well. He's pushed Griffin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jaska scores with a nice body kick.

Jaska feints and as Griffin raises his hands in defense, Jaska changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Griffin is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffin is trying to push Jaska away but Jaska has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jaska slowing the pace effectively.
Jaska unloads a knee to the mid-section. Griffin lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Griffin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jaska dives in for a single leg takedown but Griffin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Griffin throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A head kick misses from Jaska.
Jaska scores with a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Griffin.
Jaska lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Griffin tries to work over Jaska's front leg with a kick but Jaska checks it.
Jaska lands a high kick!
Jaska takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Griffin throws a nice looking combination but Jaska bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaska misses with a head kick.
It looked like Griffin was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Jaska.
Griffin throws a combination that misses

and Jaska counters with a left and a right that hurts Griffin! He wobbles and falls to the floor - he's in big trouble! Jaska jumps into full mount!

Griffin is rocked!

Matthew Griffin's cut is getting worse.
Jaska looking to finish with strikes here!
Jaska has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jaska landing shots from mount.
Griffin trying desperately to get to his feet.

Jaska is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Griffin can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Griffin holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Jaska tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Jaska looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griffin wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Jaska.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Jaska has control of Griffin's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Griffin regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Jaska thowing shots but they're missing.
Poor strikes thrown by Jaska there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Jaska looking to ground and pound but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Griffin wants to try and get back to his feet.
Griffin wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Jaska.
Griffin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Griffin tries to get out of the position.
Jaska looking to ground and pound but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Jaska sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Griffin tries to buck Jaska off but he can't manage it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Taistelu Jaska dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matthew Griffin's cut.
That's time! Griffin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jaska throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Griffin.
Jaska moves out of range of the strikes.
Jaska is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Jaska looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Griffin swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Griffin clinches up against the cage.
Jaska fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jaska scores with a knee to the head.
Griffin tries to break the clinch but Jaska is controlling the position.
Jaska trying to stall but Griffin improves his position.
A short left from Jaska.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Taistelu Jaska seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jaska throws a head kick that misses.
Jaska avoids the body shot from Griffin.
Jaska digs a good hook to Griffin's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffin blocks a head kick by Jaska.
Matthew Griffin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaska misses with a head kick.
Jaska uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Griffin.
Griffin has been working on his balance at Gumburcules Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Jaska.

Griffin clinches.
Griffin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jaska.
Griffin tries to break the clinch but Jaska is controlling the position.
Jaska is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Jaska forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Griffin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jaska was well out of range. Poor timing from Griffin.

Jaska scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Griffin has one foot on Jaska's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthew Griffin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Griffin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jaska, pushing him back against the cage.
Griffin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jaska to keep the fight standing.
Griffin is trying to push Jaska away but Jaska has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jaska throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Griffin blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice left hand lands by Jaska.

Griffin breaks from the clinch.

Griffin moves into the clinch.
Jaska has Griffin pressed against the cage, preventing Griffin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Jaska has Griffin pressed against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Jaska.
Jaska looking to slow down the pace here.
Taistelu Jaska seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jaska keeps control of Griffin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Jaska stalling against the cage.
Jaska drops down looking for an ankle pick but Griffin pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaska looks to score with a jab to the body but Griffin is just out of range.
Jaska throws the kick towards the body but Griffin avoids it.
Griffin is looking for a counter combo.
Jaska doesn't manage to clinch there - Griffin circles away.
Jaska shoots in looking for a takedown but Griffin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jaska's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Matthew Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taistelu Jaska.

Griffin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Griffin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Griffin lands a right hand.

Griffin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jaska throws a head kick that misses
and Griffin counters with a leg kick.
A shot to the body from Griffin misses
and Jaska counters with a series of strikes. Griffin will be more careful next time no doubt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Griffin, as that shot connected.
Jaska blocks a head kick by Griffin.

Jaska gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaska stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Griffin can't break the clinch.
Jaska has a couple of punches blocked by Griffin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Griffin.
Jaska is breathing heavily.

Griffin manages to break the clinch.
Jaska throws a head kick that half lands.

Matthew Griffin's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Griffin is looking to wear down Jaska with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Griffin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jaska drops his hands momentarily and Griffin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jaska walks into a straight right hand from Griffin.
Jaska tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Griffin misses the shot to the body.
Jaska pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jaska avoids the head kick by Griffin.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Griffin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matthew Griffin's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Griffin rushes Jaska and presses him up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Griffin as Jaska tries to tie him up.
Griffin can't break the clinch.
Jaska looking to stall.
Jaska has Griffin pressed against the cage, preventing Griffin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Griffin is trying to push Jaska away but Jaska has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Jaska jumps guard.
Jaska has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Jaska working for a triangle but Griffin defends it easily.
Griffin controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaska keeping moving, preventing Griffin from controlling successfully.
Griffin looking to pass the guard.
Griffin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jaska keeping moving, preventing Griffin from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A head kick misses from Jaska.
Griffin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Griffin instigates a clinch.
Jaska is stalling here.
Griffin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Jaska or not.
Jaska keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Griffin's efforts to push away.
Jaska tries to score a body lock takedown but Griffin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jaska prevents Griffin from breaking the clinch.

Griffin turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Griffin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Jaska to his feet.
Jaska throws a head kick but Griffin moves out of range.
Jaska takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffin gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Griffin breaks the clinch.
Jaska throws a head kick that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Griffin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jaska shoots in for a double leg but Griffin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jaska lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Griffin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jaska moves away.

Jaska pushes Griffin up against the cage in a clinch.

Griffin manages to break the clinch.
Griffin throws a right and a left that Jaska avoids nicely.
Jaska looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jaska throws a left and a right that both miss
and Griffin counters with a nice body kick.
Jaska throws a head kick that misses.
A combination from Griffin does no damage.
Jaska steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Griffin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Griffin moves into the clinch successfully.

Griffin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Griffin misses the shot to the body.
Jaska throws a head kick that misses.
Griffin appears to be looking for a big counter.
Griffin sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Griffin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Jaska to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Jaska lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Griffin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jaska is controlling him.
Jaska trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matthew Griffin.
I think Griffin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Matthew Griffin!
The defeated Taistelu Jaska had this to say: 'Well.. atleast I have h*es.'.