PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Khasm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Griffin comes to the cage accompanied by Wait and Bleed by Slipknot. Khasm has chosen Kickstart My Heart as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Griffin
vs
Khasm

195 cm
30
280 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

198 cm
32
270 lbs
22 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shane Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kevin Khasm!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khasm gets a double leg takedown into Griffin's guard.
Khasm throwing strikes but missing.
Khasm postures up.
Khasm working some strikes from top position.
Khasm in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Khasm working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Khasm throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Griffin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Khasm postures up in Griffin's guard and throws a big left but Griffin blocks it.
Khasm throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Griffin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Khasm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khasm forces his way into half guard.
Khasm thows a huge punch but Griffin dodges it nicely.
Griffin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Khasm.
Khasm missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Griffin's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khasm seems to be looking for submissions.
Griffin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Khasm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khasm not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Griffin is trying to get back to full guard.
Khasm misses with a head shot. Griffin uses the momentum to regain guard.
Khasm in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Griffin trying to control the position.
Khasm throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khasm throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Khasm has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Griffin is proving hard to escape from.
Khasm won't allow Griffin to sweep him here.
Khasm loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Khasm with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Khasm accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Khasm trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Khasm is working Griffin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Khasm trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khasm postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasm postures up in Griffin's guard and throws a big left but Griffin blocks it.
Khasm working some strikes from top position.
Khasm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffin is keeping the position for now.
Griffin controlling Khasm's posture.
Khasm throws an elbow that misses. Griffin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Khasm's guard. Nice move by Griffin!
Khasm looking to hit a scissor sweep but Griffin is one step ahead there.

Khasm working for a triangle but Griffin defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Griffin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Khasm has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Griffin has managed to get both his arms back between Khasm's legs - danger averted.
Griffin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Khasm has his foot on Griffin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Griffin works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khasm is trying to keep Griffin in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Khasm dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Khasm has a takedown stuffed.
Khasm shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffin sprawls well. He's pushed Khasm's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Khasm shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Griffin defends it nicely.
Shane Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Khasm.
Khasm moves forwards but Griffin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Khasm tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Khasm tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Griffin swivels and escapes.
Khasm uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Griffin.
Griffin connects with a body shot that sends Khasm's belly button to the back.
Griffin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice sprawl there from Griffin as Khasm shoots in.
Khasm shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Griffin defends it nicely.
Griffin tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khasm lands with an overhand left.
Khasm shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Griffin but Griffin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Khasm throws out a loose jab but Griffin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khasm looks to land a right hand but Griffin moved out of range.
Khasm misses with a hook
and Griffin counters with a nice leg kick.
Khasm misses with a takedown attempt
and Griffin counters with a left to the body.
Khasm closes this distance looking for a takedown but Griffin circles away.
Khasm is breathing heavily.
Khasm staying out of range there.
Griffin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Griffin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Khasm has time to react.
Khasm darts in looking for a takedown but Griffin gets double underhooks and turns Khasm into the cage.
Griffin lands a hook that snaps the head of Khasm backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasm drops down looking for an ankle pick but Griffin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Griffin looks to score with a jab to the body but Khasm is just out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Griffin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Khasm's sensitive parts.
Khasm misses with a hook
and Griffin counters with a leg kick.
Griffin throws a hook but Khasm avoids it easily.
Griffin stuffs the takedown.
Griffin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horrible takedown by Khasm or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin which made him look bad.
A decent looking cross lands there for Griffin.
Griffin looks to score with a jab to the body but Khasm is just out of range.
Griffin misses with a low kick as Khasm jumps back.
Griffin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasm looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Griffin is fending him off so far but Khasm persists. Nope, Griffin circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Khasm momentarily.

It looks like Kevin Khasm has been cut.
Khasm shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Griffin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Griffin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Khasm shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Griffin gets full guard.

Griffin has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Khasm is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Khasm wants to take the fight to the mat but Griffin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shane Griffin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Griffin's corner calls for a 1-2. Griffin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Khasm shoots and misses
and Griffin counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Khasm shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffin sprawls well. He's pushed Khasm's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Griffin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Shane Griffin is winning the standup battle so far.
Khasm shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Griffin defends it nicely.
Nice shot lands for Griffin.
Khasm fails with the takedown
and Griffin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Khasm thinking.
Griffin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Khasm.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Griffin throws a leg kick but Khasm sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Griffin misses with a head kick.
Khasm tries to score a power double leg takedown but Griffin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Khasm somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Griffin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Khasm's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Griffin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kevin Khasm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Griffin walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Khasm checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A right-left combo lands from Griffin.
Khasm shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Griffin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A leg kick checked by Khasm.
Khasm shoots for a takedown but Griffin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffin cracks Khasm with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Khasm shoots in looking for a takedown but Griffin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Khasm's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shane Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Khasm.
Griffin misses with the combination.
Griffin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khasm takes a swing at Griffin's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Griffin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Khasm doesn't seem bothered though.
Khasm takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Griffin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Khasm throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Griffin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Griffin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Khasm's head backwards.
Khasm fails to land the takedown.
Khasm shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Griffin pinned against the cage. Griffin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Griffin thumps Khasm with a low kick.
Khasm fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Khasm shoots in but Griffin avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Khasm looks for a takedown but Griffin sprawls well.
Khasm keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griffin tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Khasm avoids a punch combination nicely.
Khasm shoots in but Griffin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Griffin stuffs the takedown.
Donk. Griffin catches Khasm right on the button with a cross.
Khasm shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffin sprawls well. He's pushed Khasm's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Griffin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khasm looks for a takedown but Griffin sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasm on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Griffin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Khasm. That did some damage!
Griffin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Griffin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Griffin throws a leg kick but Khasm sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Griffin.
Griffin misses with a body shot.
Khasm takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Griffin misses with a series of wild punches.
Khasm avoids the head kick by Griffin.
A good leg kick by Griffin.
Griffin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Khasm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khasm with a poor takedown
and Griffin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Griffin thows a body shot but no joy.

Khasm looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Khasm throws an elbow that misses. Griffin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Khasm's guard. Nice move by Griffin!
Griffin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Griffin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Khasm lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Griffin!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Griffin clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Khasm's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Khasm shoots for a double leg takedown but Griffin sprawls well. He's pushed Khasm's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Griffin stuffs the takedown attempt from Khasm. Khasm gets slowly back to his feet.
Griffin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
No luck for Khasm with that takedown attempt.
Shane Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Khasm.
Griffin scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Griffin connects with an inside leg kick.
Khasm looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Khasm doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Griffin counters with a thumping low kick.
Khasm's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Khasm is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Griffin throws a leg kick but Khasm moved away.
No joy there for Griffin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khasm shoots in looking for a takedown. Griffin tries to sprawl out of it but Khasm keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Griffin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Griffin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Griffin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Khasm.
Griffin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Khasm shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Griffin scores with a nice body kick.
Griffin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Khasm.
Khasm is trying hard to land a takedown here. Griffin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Khasm shoots for a takedown but Griffin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Griffin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Khasm on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khasm. Griffin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Griffin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Griffin punishes Khasm's body with a nice straight punch.
The fighters circling - Griffin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Griffin lands a nice hook to Khasm's body. Khasm takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Griffin misses with a series of wild punches.
Griffin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Griffin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khasm darts in looking for a takedown but Griffin gets double underhooks and turns Khasm into the cage.
Khasm is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Griffin lands a hook that snaps the head of Khasm backwards.
Khasm is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Griffin pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Griffin.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Griffin digs a right hand underneath Khasm's ribcage. Khasm let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Khasm tries to score a power double leg takedown but Griffin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Khasm somewhat.
Khasm drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Khasm shoots in for a takedown but Griffin shows good takedown defense.
Griffin fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khasm sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khasm just misses with a punch to the body.
Khasm tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Griffin swivels and escapes.
Khasm has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Griffin throws a leg kick which misses Khasm's front leg but catches the back leg as Khasm tries to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Griffin thuds a left hand into Khasm's body.
Griffin lands a nice shot that snaps Khasm's head back.
Griffin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khasm.
Khasm shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Griffin misses with a low kick as Khasm jumps back.
Khasm shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Griffin pinned against the cage. Griffin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Griffin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Griffin swings for the body but Khasm moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Griffin had his way with Kevin Khasm in that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Khasm's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A good leg kick by Griffin.
Khasm fails with the takedown
and Griffin counters with a straight right hand.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Griffin!
Griffin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Khasm.

Khasm 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.
Griffin controls Khasm momentarily but Khasm frees himself.
Khasm throws a big right hand that misses.
Khasm throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Griffin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Khasm stopping the sweep attempt from Griffin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khasm is looking to work some ground and pound but Griffin has wrist control.
Griffin lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Khasm!
Khasm is in all sorts of trouble here.
Khasm has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Griffin wants to control the pace but Khasm is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasm can't escape the position.
Khasm is still trying to improve position.
Griffin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Khasm sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Griffin trying to control the action but Khasm is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shane Griffin wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Griffin scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin motions for Khasm to come forward. Griffin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Khasm is defended easily by Griffin.
Shane Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Khasm.
Khasm misses with a takedown attempt - Griffin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Khasm doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Griffin counters with a good low kick that Khasm was not able to check.
Khasm shoots in but Griffin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Khasm is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Khasm shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Griffin throws a lazy right hand but Khasm sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khasm takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Khasm walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khasm closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Horrible takedown by Khasm or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin which made him look bad.
Griffin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Griffin throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Griffin is looking to slow Khasm down with leg kicks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Khasm tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Griffin defends well and Khasm ends up having to push Griffin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Griffin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Griffin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Griffin misses with a straight left.
Khasm shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Griffin sprawls well. Griffin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Khasm gets slowly back to his feet.
Kevin Khasm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Griffin throws a combination that misses
and Khasm counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Griffin thinking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Griffin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Griffin 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Shane Griffin!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Shane Griffin!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Shane Griffin!

Shane Griffin wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Shane Griffin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.