The former professional wrestler probably wished this ending could've been scripted in his favor. It wasn't meant to be.

Lashley immediately went for the takedown and passed directly to side control. Lashley tried to step over the left arm of Griggs to set up a crucifix and even threatened mount passes, but was unable to "straddle" the position. Halfway through the round Griggs was able to get up, but Lashley immediately snatched him back down to the mat. Some loose positioning allowed Griggs to get back to his feet once again where the underdog landed a nice knee to Lashley's midsection. After refereeing Jon Schorle separated the two Lashley was nailed with an uppercut by Griggs on the way in for the double leg, which opened a nasty gash just below the eye. Lashley won, but didn't escape the first round unscathed.

Lashley opened the second round with a monster takedown. Lashley showed some decent ground and pound and even more impressive guard passing. Lashley eventually passed to mount halfway through the first round and unloaded many good punches on Griggs while maintaining control. Referee Jon Schorle asked the ringside doctor with 33 seconds left in the second round to inspect the cut with Lashley deciding to continue fighting. A last minute attempt at a takedown resulted in a hammerfist pounding that forced the ref to stop the fight at the end of the round.

There is a question, however, about the refereeing of Jon Schorle. After the cut was inspected, the referee did not put the fight back in mount where it was originally stopped. It was the desperate takedown that resulted in the hammerfisting that made the difference.