PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Saakuuraabaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forrest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saakuuraabaa's entrance music is Welcome To The Jungle . A fine choice. Griffin has chosen Big Punisher- Beware as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saakuuraabaa
vs
Griffin

185 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

191 cm
24
205 lbs
6 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kazushi Saakuuraabaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Forrest Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffin throws a head kick but Saakuuraabaa moves out of range.

Saakuuraabaa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Griffin manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Griffin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Saakuuraabaa passes Griffin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Saakuuraabaa works his way into full mount!
Griffin is looking to get to half guard.

Saakuuraabaa 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 is working to get back to half guard.

Saakuuraabaa has hold of Griffin's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Griffin manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Saakuuraabaa looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Griffin wants to control but Saakuuraabaa is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Griffin is looking to get to half guard.

Saakuuraabaa is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Griffin has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Griffin regains half guard.
Griffin won't allow Saakuuraabaa to pass to mount.
Saakuuraabaa blocks the strikes from Griffin.
Griffin wants to control but Saakuuraabaa is keeping busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Saakuuraabaa uses his free foot to push down on Griffin's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Griffin.
Griffin is looking to get to half guard.

Saakuuraabaa has isolated one of Griffin's arms. Griffin looking to fight him off but Saakuuraabaa twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kazushi Saakuuraabaa!