PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Kuklinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kuklinski
vs
Griffin

188 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Malicious Intent Fight Gear
Malicious Intent Fight Gear

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 Las Vegas, Richard Kuklinski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Forest Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuklinski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Griffin tries to avoid it but Kuklinski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Griffin to the ground. Griffin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Griffin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kuklinski trying to control the position here.
Griffin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Griffin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Griffin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuklinski looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuklinski looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuklinski!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kuklinski has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Griffin has closed the distance and engaged Kuklinski in a clinch.
Kuklinski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuklinski scores with a knee to the head.

Kuklinski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Griffin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuklinski sprawls well initially but Griffin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Griffin escapes and gets back to his feet.
Griffin blocks a head kick by Kuklinski.

Kuklinski 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Griffin has control of Kuklinski's left arm, preventing Kuklinski from doing any damage.
Griffin looking for a sweep. Not yet Griffin, not yet.
Kuklinski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Griffin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Griffin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kuklinski throwing strikes from guard but Griffin blocks nicely.

Kuklinski stands and steps away. Griffin gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin shoots in but no luck this time.
Kuklinski tries to clinch

and Griffin counters with a takedown into side control.
Griffin looks gassed!
Kuklinski is looking to reverse the position.
Griffin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kuklinski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Griffin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kuklinski can't do much from the bottom here.
Kuklinski wants to get back to his feet but Griffin is dominant here and he's now got Kuklinski's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuklinski covers up after that shot from Griffin.
Griffin throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Griffin is trying to stick to Kuklinski's back but Kuklinski is turning into Griffin. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Griffin's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kuklinski.
Griffin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Kuklinski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Griffin, up you get!
Kuklinski lands a head kick. Griffin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kuklinski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kuklinski scores a takedown into full mount!

Kuklinski is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Kuklinski extends the arm and Griffin is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Richard Kuklinski!