PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bennett Estes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marlon Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Griffin is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Don't Waste My Time" by Jim Johnston. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Estes
vs
Griffin

182 cm
19
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

177 cm
24
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bennett Estes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marlon Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Griffin darts in and clinches Estes up against the cage.
Estes tries to pull guard but Griffin won't allow it.

Griffin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Horrible takedown by Estes or perhaps it was just good defense by Griffin which made him look bad.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Griffin effectively controlling the action here.
Estes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Griffin to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bennett Estes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Griffin manages to pull guard.

Estes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Estes shoots for a takedown but Griffin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Griffin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Estes, pushing him back against the cage.

Griffin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Estes gets tackled into the cage by Griffin. Griffin maintains the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A left hand lands to the body for Estes.
Estes taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estes tries to throw a body punch but Griffin avoids it by throwing Estes back against the cage.
Griffin tries to break free but Estes pushes him back against the cage.
Griffin is trying to break free.
Griffin looking to stall.
Estes keeps control of Griffin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Griffin looks winded!
Griffin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Estes jumps into guard, dragging Griffin to the mat.
Griffin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Estes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Estes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Estes is working hard here to advance position.
Griffin tries to free his leg and advance position but Estes is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Estes has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Griffin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bennett Estes wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Griffin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Griffin darts in and clinches Estes up against the cage.

Griffin decides to pull guard.
Estes sitting in guard here, content to control.

Estes decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Estes shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Estes is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Griffin can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Estes stands up out of the half guard.
Estes throws a head kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Estes drives through and clinches with Griffin against the cage.
Griffin prevents a body shot from Estes.

Estes jumps guard and drags Griffin to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Estes has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Griffin should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Estes has tightened it up now! Griffin should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Bennett Estes!
Marlon Griffin was interviewed post fight and said 'The miracle is comin!'.