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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Griffiths (ranked 1650 p4p, 241 weight class) and Sparky Anderson (ranked 1302 p4p, 192 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.
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| 170 cm
37
175 lbs
37 - 19 - 1 |
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183 cm
34
162 lbs
29 - 18 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
37 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Stephen Griffiths!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
29 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Sparky Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and William Peck.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson cracks Griffiths with an open hand slap.
Anderson throws a leg kick but Griffiths moved away.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Griffiths is looking to counter punch.
Griffiths just misses with a punch to the body.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Anderson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Anderson throws a right hand that misses
and Griffiths counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Anderson dips to his left and cracks Griffiths with an uppercut!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Griffiths tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sparky Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anderson looks to throw the jab but Griffiths is out of range.
Griffiths attempts a counter takedown but Anderson avoids it well and moves away.
Griffiths scores with a shot to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffiths lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Anderson at a distance.
Anderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Griffiths moves away.
Anderson misses with a head kick.
Griffiths throws a quick counter head kick but Anderson was just out of range.
Griffiths finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Anderson misses with a shot to the body
and Griffiths counters with a left to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Anderson. Griffiths does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griffiths takes a jab right on the kisser.
Anderson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Griffiths can pounce on him.
Anderson misses with a jab to the body
and Griffiths counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Anderson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Griffiths.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Griffiths was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Griffiths ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Griffiths feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffiths drops back, looking for a kneebar! Anderson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Anderson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Anderson!
Griffiths is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Anderson off and has taken his back!
Griffiths is looking for the choke from the back position but Anderson is controlling his hands well.
Griffiths is looking for the choke from the back position but Anderson is controlling his hands well.
Griffiths is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Anderson has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson tries to break free.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Anderson has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Anderson fending off the submission attempt from Griffiths.
Anderson tries to escape but Griffiths has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The referee is taking a good look at Anderson as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Griffiths!
Griffiths is persistently looking for the submission but Anderson is defending it well.
Anderson is really stuck here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Anderson trying to control the action but Griffiths just sinks the hooks in.
Anderson rolls, trying to escape but Griffiths keeps control of the position.
Griffiths looking to hold on to the position here but Anderson rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Anderson can't keep his opponent in guard - Griffiths advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Griffiths scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Griffiths moves into full mount! Anderson won't be happy about that!
Griffiths trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Stephen Griffiths dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Anderson stuns Griffiths with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Anderson lands a right hook to the body.
Anderson misses the body punch
and Griffiths counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Griffiths scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Anderson scores with a sloppy right hand. Griffiths should have avoided that one.
Anderson thows a leg kick but Griffiths checks it
and Griffiths counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Griffiths throws a leg kick
and Anderson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Griffiths!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffiths tries to improve position but can't.
Griffiths is trying to control Anderson's posture but Anderson avoids it.
Anderson trying to control the action but Griffiths is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Griffiths's face as Anderson controls the position.
Griffiths is looking to regain half guard here but Anderson keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Griffiths's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Griffiths sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Anderson in particular looking to stall.
Stephen Griffiths overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Griffiths is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anderson pulls his head out easily.
Griffiths is looking for a sweep. Anderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's two 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.
Well, if Anderson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Griffiths looking for submissions off his back.
Anderson slips a nice elbow through Griffiths's hands, connecting with Griffiths's forehead.
Anderson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Griffiths sees it coming and defends easily.
Anderson prevents Griffiths from improving his position.
Anderson drops an elbow to the side of Griffiths's head.
Anderson trying to control the pace.
Griffiths wants to improve his position but Anderson is controlling well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Griffiths is trying to maintain the position but Anderson is very close to passing his half guard.
Anderson content to control rather than advance.
Griffiths manages to get to full guard.
Griffiths isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Anderson stacks Griffiths on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Anderson!
Griffiths is not content to let Anderson control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Griffiths tries to improve position but can't.
Griffiths sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Anderson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Anderson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Griffiths looking for a kimura from the bottom but Anderson passes into side control!
Griffiths tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Anderson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Griffiths is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Anderson connects with a nice short shot to Griffiths's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sparky Anderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!
Griffiths ducks under a wild hook from Anderson.
Anderson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Anderson throws a leg kick
and Griffiths counters with a single leg into guard. Anderson didn't expect that.
Griffiths won't allow Anderson to get back to his feet.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Griffiths from controlling successfully.
Griffiths drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Anderson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Griffiths has Anderson in his guard.
Griffiths looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffiths is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Anderson wants to pass the guard but Griffiths is keeping the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Griffiths had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Anderson defends it easily.
Griffiths looking for subs off his back but Anderson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Griffiths looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Anderson lands with a punch from half guard.
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.
Griffiths is trying to control but Anderson passes into side control!
Griffiths tries to buck Anderson off but Anderson is having none of it.
Anderson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Griffiths tries to bench press Anderson off him but Anderson keeps the position.
Anderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Griffiths keeps working.
Griffiths tries to buck Anderson off but Anderson is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths taking a bit of punishment here - Anderson scoring with strikes.
Griffiths manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Griffiths is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Anderson wants to get back to his feet.
Anderson tries to get to full guard but Griffiths has control of the leg.
Griffiths wants to pass to mount but Anderson is defending the position.
Anderson wants to control but Griffiths is keeping busy and won't allow it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffiths is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Griffiths passes the guard and advances to mount!
Griffiths wants to take Anderson's back but he can't do it this time.
Griffiths goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Anderson is on top in guard.
Griffiths might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Griffiths is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Anderson is aware though and is defending well.
Griffiths has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Anderson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sparky Anderson.
I think Anderson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Sparky Anderson!
A less than humble Sparky Anderson misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
39% |
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