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Added to Tampa card
Griffin will take on Alex Morono in a welterweight matchup at UFC Tampa on Oct. 12, John Morgan of MMAJunkie.coom reports.
ANALYSIS
Griffin was able to snap a two-fight losing streak against the debuting Zelim Imadaev his last time out, showing superior cardio en route to six takedowns (despite getting outlanded in the striking department). He'll now shift his focus to Morono, the winner of three of his last four bouts. Both average more than four significant strikes landed per minute, but Morono is statistically far superior defensively. On paper, Griffin has superior wrestling marks, though they were quite inflated by his last bout. Griffin will enter with a four-inch reach advantage.
Griffin was able to snap a two-fight losing streak against the debuting Zelim Imadaev his last time out, showing superior cardio en route to six takedowns (despite getting outlanded in the striking department). He'll now shift his focus to Morono, the winner of three of his last four bouts. Both average more than four significant strikes landed per minute, but Morono is statistically far superior defensively. On paper, Griffin has superior wrestling marks, though they were quite inflated by his last bout. Griffin will enter with a four-inch reach advantage.
Takes out debuting Zelim Imadaev
Griffin defeated Zelim Imadaev via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28) at UFC 236 on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
It was not a technical masterpiece on either end. In fact, Griffin likely would have been a whole heap of trouble if the debuting Imadaev displayed any cardio at all. Griffin is entertaining to watch because he's tough and comfortable in brawls, but his defensive game is highly suspect and it's difficult to defeat better fighters if you can't defend yourself properly. Griffin is still below .500 (3-4) for his seven-fight UFC career.
It was not a technical masterpiece on either end. In fact, Griffin likely would have been a whole heap of trouble if the debuting Imadaev displayed any cardio at all. Griffin is entertaining to watch because he's tough and comfortable in brawls, but his defensive game is highly suspect and it's difficult to defeat better fighters if you can't defend yourself properly. Griffin is still below .500 (3-4) for his seven-fight UFC career.
Added to UFC 236
Griffin will take on Zelim Imadaev in a welterweight matchup at UFC 236 on April 13, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Griffin has taken losses in four of his last six bouts, but he had been facing murderer's row in the 170-pound division, with that stretch including defeats to Colby Covington, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Curtis Millender. To help get him on track, the UFC will give Griffin a fighter in his UFC debut, but it's far from a simple task. Imadaev is a 24-year-old prospect that fights out of Russia, sporting an 8-0 professional record with all victories coming by way of KO/TKO. Griffin will be his toughest test to date, which shows the promotion thinks very highly of the prospect.
Griffin has taken losses in four of his last six bouts, but he had been facing murderer's row in the 170-pound division, with that stretch including defeats to Colby Covington, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Curtis Millender. To help get him on track, the UFC will give Griffin a fighter in his UFC debut, but it's far from a simple task. Imadaev is a 24-year-old prospect that fights out of Russia, sporting an 8-0 professional record with all victories coming by way of KO/TKO. Griffin will be his toughest test to date, which shows the promotion thinks very highly of the prospect.
Wins hard-fought unanimous decision
Griffin was defeated by Thiago Alves via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on ESPN+ on Saturday in Brazil.
ANALYSIS
Griffin rocked Alves early in the first. "Pitbull" recovered, but Griffin was clearly the superior fighter. At the end of the round Griffin rocked Alves once again and ended up knocking down the UFC veteran, but Alves was saved by the bell. Griffin took a lot of damage in the second. Alves began to move forward and Griffin couldn't deal with the pressure. He got wobbled on multiple occasions but survived the round. The third round brought more pressure from Alves. Griffin did a better job at not engaging in a brawl and was able to secure a takedown towards the end of the round. The takedown seemed to win the fight for Griffin, but the judges awarded the third round to Alves due to his forward pressure.
Griffin rocked Alves early in the first. "Pitbull" recovered, but Griffin was clearly the superior fighter. At the end of the round Griffin rocked Alves once again and ended up knocking down the UFC veteran, but Alves was saved by the bell. Griffin took a lot of damage in the second. Alves began to move forward and Griffin couldn't deal with the pressure. He got wobbled on multiple occasions but survived the round. The third round brought more pressure from Alves. Griffin did a better job at not engaging in a brawl and was able to secure a takedown towards the end of the round. The takedown seemed to win the fight for Griffin, but the judges awarded the third round to Alves due to his forward pressure.
Heads back to Brazil
Griffin added a fight against Thiago Alves on Feb. 2 in Fortaleza, Brazil, Marcelo Barone of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Griffin will take on the Brazilian after getting bested by Curtis Millender at UFC 226 in early July. That loss dropped his record in the promotion to just 2-3 after making his debut in 2016. Griffin previously fought in Brazil during his third appearance in the UFC, losing to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision in Sao Paulo last October. Alves is looking to stop a two-fight losing streak following losses to Millender and Alexey Kunchenko.
Griffin will take on the Brazilian after getting bested by Curtis Millender at UFC 226 in early July. That loss dropped his record in the promotion to just 2-3 after making his debut in 2016. Griffin previously fought in Brazil during his third appearance in the UFC, losing to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision in Sao Paulo last October. Alves is looking to stop a two-fight losing streak following losses to Millender and Alexey Kunchenko.