PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shon York (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tadhg Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

York
vs
Griffin

150 cm
18
150 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Shon York!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tadhg Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffin tries to clinch but York moves away

and York counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Griffin wants to sweep here but York controlling him for the moment.
Griffin is looking to stand up but York isn't so interested in that idea.
York controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
York landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Griffin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and York defends well.

York decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Griffin, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Griffin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for York!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griffin is looking to take a break and control but York is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Who's going to make the next move?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin laying and praying for a moment but York takes advantage and regains half guard.
Griffin wants to pass the guard but York is defending well.
Griffin is keen to just control but York is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffin is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from York as he works his way to full guard.
Griffin trying to control but York is working from the bottom.
York is pulling down on Griffin's head. It's preventing any offense from Griffin, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
York fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Griffin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Griffin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

York manages to escape and get back to his feet.
York really is a fat lump.
Griffin tries to clinch up but York circles away and keeps his distance.
York fails to land the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

York tries to sprawl but Griffin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shon York dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Griffin.

Griffin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
York tries to improve position but can't.
York regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
York trying to control but Griffin postures up.
Griffin stalling away here and it's allowed York to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
York is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Shon York overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
York looking to hit a scissor sweep but Griffin is one step ahead there.
York keeping moving, preventing Griffin from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Griffin closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into York's guard.

York uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Griffin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Griffin shoots in and bounces York off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

York kicks Griffin off and gets to his feet.
York is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Griffin can do to turn this around?
Griffin is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. York did well to prevent Griffin getting side control.
Griffin is trying to control. York wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
York misses with some strikes from the bottom.

York actively working from the bottom here.
Griffin trying to control from half guard but York is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
York missing with punches from the bottom.

Griffin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but York sees it coming and defends easily.
York works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
York seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
York has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shon York dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Griffin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. York did well to prevent Griffin getting side control.

Griffin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so York is just riding it out for now. Griffin eventually gives up the hold.
York is trying is best to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffin is trying to control. York wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
York keeping hold of Griffin's head, controlling as best he can.

Griffin is working for a submission of some sort.
York wants to improve his position but Griffin is controlling well.
York is working hard here to advance position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Griffin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
York seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Griffin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Griffin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Griffin has clasped his hands together around York's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Griffin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
York throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
York is trying to control Griffin's posture but Griffin avoids it.
York tries to improve position but can't.
York struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin trying to control the action but York is working from the bottom.
York gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
York is staying active underneath Griffin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
York controlling the position for now.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
York is pressing down on Griffin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Griffin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
York 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

York gets caught napping as Griffin dives in and scores a takedown. York manages to retain guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
York pulls Griffin in close to his closed guard and prevents Griffin from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tadhg Griffin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shon York is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tadhg Griffin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think York 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shon York!