PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Takashi Matsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Griffin's choice of entrance music: Sail by AWOLNATION. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Matsui
vs
Griffin

165 cm
24
145 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

183 cm
19
147 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takashi Matsui!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Griffin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Matsui actively working from the bottom here.
Griffin tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Matsui.
Griffin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Matsui!

Griffin has hold of Matsui's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Matsui manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Griffin is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Matsui is desperately trying to improve his position but Griffin has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matsui tries to hold on but Griffin pushes him away.
Matsui is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Griffin is looking to work his way around to Matsui's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Matsui is working to get back to half guard.

Griffin is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Matsui has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsui regains half guard.

Griffin is working for an americana but Matsui has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Griffin was thinking about the submission.
Griffin tries to free his leg and advance position but Matsui is retaining full guard.
Matsui controlling the position.

Matsui is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Griffin is aware though and is defending well.
Griffin preventing the sweep.
Griffin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Matsui holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Matsui is defending against the submission attempts here by Griffin.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matsui is defending against the submission attempts here by Griffin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Matsui is defending against the submission attempts here by Griffin.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matsui regains full guard. Nicely done.

Matsui is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matsui manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Griffin looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsui just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Matsui doesn't have the hooks in and Griffin manages to turn into his guard.
Matsui controlling Griffin's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Griffin tries to free his leg and advance position but Matsui is retaining full guard.
Matsui seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Griffin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Griffin drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Griffin as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Matsui screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Griffin! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Chris Griffin!
A determined Chris Griffin didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!