PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Holiday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Holiday
vs
Griffin

196 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Holiday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Forest Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holiday is trying hard to land a takedown here. Griffin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Griffin shoots in looking for a takedown. Holiday tries to sprawl out of it but Griffin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holiday manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holiday shoots in but no luck this time.
Holiday keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Holiday shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Holiday. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Griffin has a takedown stuffed.
Griffin shoots in looking for a takedown. Holiday tries to sprawl out of it but Griffin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holiday manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Griffin with that takedown attempt.

Griffin clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holiday tries a knee to the head but Griffin blocks it.
Holiday wants to break free but Griffin has control.
Holiday tries a knee to the head but Griffin blocks it.
Holiday with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Griffin gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Griffin throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Holiday to regain full guard.
Griffin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Holiday is keeping the position for now.
Holiday is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Griffin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Griffin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Holiday is breathing heavily.
Griffin is looking to stand up but Holiday won't let him.
Holiday seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Griffin throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin being controlled here momentarily.
Griffin postures up and lands a big shot to Holiday's brow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Griffin trying to control the position from guard on top but Holiday is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Griffin works over Holiday with some ground and pound from guard.
Holiday controls Griffin momentarily but Griffin frees himself.
Griffin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Griffin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Holiday has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Griffin has managed to get both his arms back between Holiday's legs - danger averted.
Griffin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Griffin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Griffin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holiday is looking to stand up but Griffin isn't so interested in that idea.
Holiday is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Griffin postures up in Holiday's guard and throws a big left but Holiday blocks it.

Griffin stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Griffin.
Griffin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holiday sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Holiday shoots for a takedown but Griffin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffin fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Holiday shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Griffin defends it nicely.
Griffin fails to land the takedown.
Holiday stuffs the takedown.
Holiday will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holiday ducks under a wild hook from Griffin.
Nice sprawl there from Holiday as Griffin shoots in.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holiday shoots in looking for a takedown but Griffin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holiday's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forest Griffin dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Griffin shoots in and drives through. Holiday sprawls well.
Griffin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Holiday.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Holiday as he jumps to the side.
Holiday shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Griffin as he avoids it easily.
Forest Griffin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holiday has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Holiday. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Griffin drives through with a takedown into Holiday's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Holiday looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Griffin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Griffin prevents Holiday from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Griffin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holiday is trying to control the position but Griffin postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin throws a big right hand that misses.
Holiday throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Holiday wants to stand but Griffin is controlling the position.
Griffin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holiday swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Griffin throwing strikes but missing.
Griffin trying to control but Holiday is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holiday sprawls well. Holiday wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Griffin gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin fails with a takedown attempt.
Holiday is looking to clinch but Griffin is avoiding it.
Holiday keeps Griffin at a distance using the push kick.
Griffin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Holiday. Holiday circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Griffin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffin is thwarting Holiday's attempts to control the position.
Griffin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Holiday does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin is thwarting Holiday's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holiday wants to improve his position but Griffin is controlling well.
Griffin is looking to take a break and control but Holiday is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Griffin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Holiday has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Griffin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Griffin misses with a head shot. Holiday uses the momentum to regain guard.
Holiday trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Holiday throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Griffin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Holiday manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Griffin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Holiday, pushing him back against the cage.
Griffin tries a knee to the head but Holiday blocks it.
Griffin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Holiday pulls his leg out and moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown but Holiday shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forest Griffin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Griffin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holiday but Holiday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Holiday shoots for a takedown but Griffin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holiday defends it nicely.

Griffin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Griffin trying to control the position from guard on top but Holiday is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holiday pulls Griffin in close to prevent any damage.
Holiday avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holiday looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Holiday wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Griffin tries for a takedown but Holiday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jack Holiday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forest Griffin.
Griffin misses with a shot to the body
and Holiday counters with a low kick, right behind Griffin 's knee.
No luck for Griffin with that takedown attempt.
Holiday lands a nice leg kick that just misses Griffin's sensitive parts.
Holiday is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holiday but Holiday pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Holiday is defended easily by Griffin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holiday as he avoids it easily.
Holiday tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Griffin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Holiday or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin which made him look bad.
Griffin shoots in and drives through. Holiday sprawls well.
Holiday is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Griffin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horrible takedown by Holiday or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin which made him look bad.
Forest Griffin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Holiday. No joy for Griffin on that attempt.
Holiday shoots in for a takedown but Griffin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Holiday wants to clinch but Griffin slips to the side

and Griffin counters by clinching up.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Holiday closes the distance but Griffin moves to the side

and Griffin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Holiday's guard now.
Griffin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holiday not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Griffin is fighting to break Holiday's control of his arms but Holiday is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Holiday trying to keep a closed guard but Griffin is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin throws a big right hand that misses.
Griffin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Jack Holiday has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Griffin shoots in but no luck this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holiday sprawls well. Holiday wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Griffin gets slowly back to his feet.
Holiday is looking to clinch.

Griffin closes the distance and pushes Holiday back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holiday is trying to break the clinch but Griffin is controlling him.
Holiday is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Holiday misses with a knee strike.
Jack Holiday has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holiday looking to throw knees to the head but Griffin is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Forest Griffin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Griffin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Forest Griffin!