PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tappaja Hai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Griffiths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hai kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hai
vs
Griffiths

185 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tappaja Hai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Stephen Griffiths!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Griffiths gets a double leg takedown into Hai's guard.
Hai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Griffiths pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hai is keeping the position for now.
Hai seems keen to control Griffiths's posture.
Griffiths should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Griffiths is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Griffiths wants to control from the top but Hai keeps moving.
Hai is trying to keep Griffiths in close.
Griffiths trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.
Hai looking for a sweep. Not yet Hai, not yet.

Griffiths drops back looking for a leg! Hai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hai manages to kick Griffiths off! Griffiths jumps back into Hai's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Griffiths drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Griffiths jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hai trying to keep a closed guard but Griffiths is proving a slippery customer.
Hai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Griffiths's guard.
Hai works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hai wants to take a breather but Griffiths is having none of it.
Griffiths is looking for a sweep. Hai is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Griffiths is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hai pulls his head out easily.

Griffiths looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Griffiths is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hai pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hai is trying to control. Griffiths wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Griffiths is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hai pulls his head out easily.

Griffiths looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Griffiths trying to control but Hai postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griffiths gets full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Griffiths has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Griffiths keeping moving, preventing Hai from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths is trying to keep Hai in close.

Griffiths is looking for a triangle but Hai pushes his legs off easily.

Griffiths has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Griffiths wants to sweep but no luck.
Hai will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hai wants to control from the top but Griffiths keeps moving.

Griffiths is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hai won't allow Griffiths to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hai is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Griffiths is looking for a triangle but Hai pushes his legs off easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hai wants to pass the guard but Griffiths is keeping the position.
Hai trying to control but Griffiths is working from the bottom.

Griffiths pushes a forearm under Hai's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Hai is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Stephen Griffiths!
After the fight, Stephen Griffiths was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.