PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Griggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Harris has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Harris
vs
Griggs

185 cm
30
222 lbs
17 - 15 - 1

190 cm
36
209 lbs
21 - 22 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Harris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chad Griggs!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griggs lands a jab to the nose.
Harris throws a good cross that connects.
Harris bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Harris.
Harris buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Griggs misses with a wild body shot.
Harris is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Griggs.
Griggs on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Harris. Harris obviously looking to wear him down.
Harris throws a body punch but Griggs moves out of range.

Harris instigates a clinch.
Our sources have told us that Harris has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Griggs has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Harris after a bit of a struggle.
Harris doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Griggs tries to break free but Harris pushes him back against the cage.
Griggs's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Harris lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Harris has Griggs pressed against the cage, preventing Griggs from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Harris lands a right hand.
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!

Griggs has clasped his hands together around Harris's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Harris struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griggs throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Griggs controlling the position from side mount.
Griggs landing strikes.
Harris tries to buck Griggs off but Griggs is having none of it.
Griggs lands a few punches from side control.
Harris is looking for a sweep.
Griggs working the head with strikes.
Harris managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Griggs.
Griggs working the ground and pound.
Griggs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harris keeps working.
Griggs looks up at the clock and then as Harris takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Griggs smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris is looking for a sweep.
Harris parries the strikes from Griggs easily there. Griggs is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Harris to escape.
Harris takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Harris is working to avoid the ground and pound but Griggs connects with a decent elbow.
Griggs looks up at the clock and then as Harris takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Griggs smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Griggs throws an elbow but Harris slips to the side and avoids it well.
Harris sneaks back into half guard.
Griggs working the head and body with strikes.
Griggs wants to pass to mount but Harris is defending the position.
Harris moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Griggs manages to get himself to full guard.

Griggs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harris.
Harris pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griggs is keeping the position for now.
Griggs 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.
Griggs keeping moving, preventing Harris from controlling successfully.
Harris is really struggling to control Griggs but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Griggs looking for a sweep. Not yet Griggs, not yet.
Griggs is pulling down on Harris's head. It's preventing any offense from Harris, at least for the moment.
Griggs lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Griggs tries to free his leg and advance position but Harris is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Harris is on top in guard.

Griggs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harris.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chad Griggs will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Griggs scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Griggs connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Paul Harris has been cut.
Griggs takes a kick to the side of the head.
Harris uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Griggs.
Harris is trying hard to land a takedown here. Griggs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Griggs avoids the body shot from Harris.
Harris is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Griggs.
Griggs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Harris ducks under a wild hook from Griggs.

Harris darts in and clinches Griggs up against the cage.

Harris breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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!
Griggs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Harris as he avoids it easily.
Griggs lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Harris at a distance.

Harris clinches up against the cage.
Harris has Griggs pressed against the cage, preventing Griggs from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Harris breaks the clinch.
Griggs changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harris tries to avoid it but Griggs manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harris to the ground. Harris escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Harris misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Griggs shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Harris's guard.
Harris looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Harris's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Harris keeping moving, preventing Griggs from controlling successfully.
Griggs scoring with punches to the head and body.
Harris wants to sweep here but Griggs controlling him for the moment.
Griggs postures up in Harris's guard and throws a big left but Harris blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griggs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Harris wants to sweep here but Griggs controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Griggs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Griggs must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Griggs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Griggs is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Griggs throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Harris works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Griggs wants to control from the top but Harris keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Griggs shoots in looking for a takedown. Harris tries to sprawl out of it but Griggs keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Harris manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Paul Harris has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Griggs.
Harris slips a straight right by Griggs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Harris.
Griggs is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harris.
Harris throws a big shot that misses.
Chad Griggs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Griggs looks to land a left hand but Harris moved out of range nicely.
Harris attempts a counter takedown but Griggs avoids it well and moves away.
Harris connects with a single shot there.

Griggs shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Griggs was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Harris is looking for a sweep.
Harris is working hard here to advance position.
Harris manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Chad Griggs has got the better of the ground game so far.
Harris wants to get back to full guard.
Griggs wants to pass the guard but Harris is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griggs scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Harris blocking the ground and pound attempt from Griggs.
Harris works his way to full guard. Good work.

Harris is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Harris has momentary wrist control but Griggs slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Griggs postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Harris looking for a sweep. Not yet Harris, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Griggs trying to control but Harris is working from the bottom.
Griggs stopping the sweep attempt from Harris.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Griggs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Harris's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Griggs misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harris.
Griggs scores with a hook.
A left lands for Harris.
Harris scores with a decent looking hook.
Griggs moves out of range of the body kick.
Griggs misses with a right hand
letting Harris counter with a right hand.
Griggs dives in and grabs Harris's left leg, looking for a takedown. Harris pushes down on Griggs's head and hops out.
Harris moves out of range as Griggs strikes.
Griggs takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Griggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harris chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Griggs swings for the body but Harris moves out of range.
Harris takes one to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harris displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Griggs throws out the jab.
Griggs lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Harris circles away quickly and effectively.
Harris loads up on a big right hand but Griggs slips the punch.
Griggs throws a nice looking combination but Harris bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris lands a head kick. Griggs smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A swing and a miss from Harris.
Harris bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Griggs bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Harris moves out of range of the strikes.
Griggs swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Griggs doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Griggs.
Griggs dives in and grabs Harris's left leg, looking for a takedown. Harris pushes down on Griggs's head and hops out.
Harris moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Griggs works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Harris sizes up Griggs with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Griggs looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Griggs gets caught napping as Harris dives in and scores a takedown. Griggs manages to retain guard.
Harris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griggs controlling the position.
Harris stays in close to Griggs's body and controls the position.
Harris preventing the sweep.
Harris wants to pass the guard but Griggs is keeping the position.
Harris working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Harris is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Griggs.
Paul Harris has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Griggs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris slaps away a takedown attempt from Griggs, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Harris scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Harris lands with a punch from half guard.
Harris thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Griggs's head.
Harris missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Griggs is pressing down on Harris's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Griggs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harris.
Griggs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harris is one step ahead there.
Griggs looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Griggs wriggles free and stands up.
A slow jab from Griggs misses its intended target.
Harris staying out of range there.
Chad Griggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harris throws a jab when Griggs was well out of range.
Griggs misses with a takedown
and Harris counters with a head kick. That will keep Griggs thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harris displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Griggs.
Harris misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Griggs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Griggs.
Griggs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Griggs misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Harris showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Griggs has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Paul Harris!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Paul Harris!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Paul Harris!

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