PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Griffiths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasiliy Khrapov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khrapov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rocky road to Dublin (RUS). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Griffiths
vs
Khrapov

170 cm
25
175 lbs
19 - 6 - 1

178 cm
34
170 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Stephen Griffiths!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vasiliy Khrapov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khrapov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Griffiths is trying to defend but Khrapov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Griffiths actively working from the bottom here.
Khrapov is trying to control. Griffiths wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Griffiths looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khrapov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Griffiths wants to improve his position but Khrapov is controlling well.
Griffiths is not content to let Khrapov control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffiths manages to get to full guard.
Khrapov tries to free his leg and advance position but Griffiths is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khrapov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Griffiths seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Khrapov wants to control from the top but Griffiths keeps moving.
Khrapov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Griffiths. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Griffiths has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Khrapov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Griffiths looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Griffiths had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Khrapov defends it easily.
Khrapov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Griffiths's head.

Griffiths is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Khrapov preventing the sweep.
Khrapov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Griffiths is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Khrapov preventing the sweep.

Khrapov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Griffiths has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Khrapov has managed to get both his arms back between Griffiths's legs - danger averted.
Khrapov stopping the sweep attempt from Griffiths.

Griffiths looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Khrapov landing with the ground and pound.
Khrapov postures up.
Khrapov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Griffiths tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khrapov looking to pass the guard.
Khrapov slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Khrapov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Khrapov's back!
Griffiths missing with punches from the back.

Griffiths looking to break Khrapov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Khrapov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Griffiths will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Griffiths is trying to stick to Khrapov's back but Khrapov is turning into Griffiths. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Griffiths's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Khrapov.
Khrapov slips nicely into half guard.
Khrapov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Griffiths regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Khrapov.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Griffiths is working hard here to advance position.

Khrapov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Khrapov stopping the sweep attempt from Griffiths.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Griffiths utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Khrapov is looking to work some ground and pound but Griffiths has wrist control.
Khrapov pushing down on Griffiths's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Griffiths actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Stephen Griffiths will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Khrapov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Griffiths on the side of the head.
Griffiths lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Khrapov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khrapov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Griffiths shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Khrapov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Griffiths has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Khrapov finds it's way round the side to connect with Griffiths's head.
Griffiths throws a sloppy head kick
and Khrapov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Griffiths fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Khrapov is out of range.
Griffiths uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khrapov.
Griffiths takes one to the chin there.
Griffiths pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khrapov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Griffiths scores with a head kick. Khrapov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Khrapov misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Griffiths gets a double leg takedown into Khrapov's guard.
Griffiths wants to control from the top but Khrapov keeps moving.
Griffiths throws a big right hand that misses.
Griffiths in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Griffiths drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Khrapov dives on top into guard.

Khrapov throwing strikes but missing.
Griffiths preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Griffiths working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Khrapov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Khrapov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Griffiths is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Khrapov trying to control but Griffiths is working from the bottom.
Griffiths working a defensive guard here.
Khrapov wants to control from the top but Griffiths keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths keeping moving, preventing Khrapov from controlling successfully.
Khrapov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Griffiths is trying to control the position but Khrapov postures up.
Khrapov with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Griffiths steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Khrapov. That one must have hurt.
Khrapov looks to land a right hand but Griffiths moved out of range.
Griffiths cracks Khrapov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Khrapov throws a leg kick but Griffiths checks it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Griffiths. Khrapov shrugs it off though.
Griffiths throws a head kick but Khrapov moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths has a takedown stuffed.
Griffiths connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Griffiths steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Khrapov.
Vasiliy Khrapov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Khrapov misses.

Griffiths shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Griffiths was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Khrapov is looking to reverse the position.

Griffiths swings around for an armbar but Khrapov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Griffiths's guard.
Khrapov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Khrapov looking to sit in guard and control but Griffiths gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Griffiths trying to control but Khrapov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stephen Griffiths will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Griffiths lands an overhand right.
Khrapov checks the leg kick.

Khrapov moves into the clinch successfully.
Khrapov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Khrapov.
Nice body punch from Khrapov.

Griffiths breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Griffiths throws a head kick that misses.
Griffiths swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Khrapov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Khrapov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khrapov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Griffiths moves away.
Griffiths cracks Khrapov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Khrapov avoids the head kick by Griffiths.
Khrapov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Griffiths keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Khrapov wants to counter with a clinch but Griffiths pushes him away.
Khrapov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Griffiths throws a sloppy head kick
and Khrapov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Griffiths thinking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Khrapov misses with a takedown attempt
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick.

Khrapov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Khrapov slips a nice elbow through Griffiths's hands, connecting with Griffiths's forehead.
Khrapov slips a nice elbow through Griffiths's hands, connecting with Griffiths's forehead.
Khrapov trying to control from half guard but Griffiths is working away.
Stephen Griffiths overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Griffiths wants to improve his position but Khrapov is controlling well.
Khrapov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov is looking to take a break and control but Griffiths is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Khrapov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Griffiths has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Khrapov is working away from the top position though.
Griffiths is looking for a sweep. Khrapov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Khrapov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Khrapov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Griffiths is pressing down on Khrapov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Griffiths has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Khrapov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Griffiths has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Khrapov should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Griffiths has tightened it up now! Khrapov should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Stephen Griffiths!
Stephen Griffiths is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Stephen Griffiths thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.