PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eddy Maiden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitsuharu Misawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maiden comes to the cage accompanied by Walk. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Maiden
vs
Misawa

185 cm
21
181 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

184 cm
21
177 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

Empire Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eddy Maiden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mitsuharu Misawa!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maiden throws a low kick but it's checked well by Misawa.
Maiden connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maiden throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A big left from Maiden misses.
Maiden shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Misawa sprawls well. Misawa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maiden gets slowly back to his feet.
Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Maiden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Misawa tries to clinch but Maiden moves out of range.
Misawa tries to clinch but Maiden is having none of it.
Misawa tries to clinch there but Maiden circles away.
Maiden fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Misawa manages to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Misawa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maiden takes a swing at Misawa's ribcage but misses.
Maiden looks to land a combination but Misawa avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Misawa takes the fight into the clinch.
Misawa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maiden avoids a wild elbow strike from Misawa.
Maiden has Misawa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Misawa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Misawa throws an elbow but it misses.
Maiden tries to break the clinch but Misawa is controlling the position.
Maiden lands a nice uppercut.
Misawa throws an elbow but it misses.
Misawa lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Eddy Maiden has been cut.
Misawa misses with an elbow strike.
Nice body punch from Maiden.
Misawa throws an elbow that misses.
Maiden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Misawa lands a nice elbow.
Misawa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Misawa misses with an elbow over the top.
Maiden avoids a wild elbow strike from Misawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maiden goes for a takedown in the clinch but Misawa prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddy Maiden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maiden blocks the elbow strike.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike.
Misawa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maiden tries to work over Misawa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maiden looking for a takedown.
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!
Maiden blocks an elbow strike.
Misawa looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Misawa throws an elbow but it misses.
Misawa pushes off an throws an elbow but Maiden leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Misawa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Maiden lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maiden dodges an elbow strike from Misawa.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike from Misawa.
Misawa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maiden wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maiden takes an elbow to the temple.
Misawa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Misawa throws an elbow but it misses.
Maiden struggles to land a body shot inside as Misawa controls his hands.
Maiden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maiden tries to work over Misawa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maiden can't find room to land a body shot as Misawa controls the action.
Maiden misses with the head strike.
Misawa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Misawa misses with an elbow strike.
Misawa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Misawa throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Misawa throws an elbow that misses.
Maiden scores with a shot to the side of Misawa's head.
Misawa looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike.
Misawa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Misawa looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Misawa throws an elbow but misses.
A short right from Maiden on the inside.
Maiden blocks the elbow strike.
Misawa pushes off an throws an elbow but Maiden leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Misawa throws an elbow but misses.
Maiden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Misawa misses with an elbow strike.
Misawa misses with an elbow strike.
Maiden looking to stall.
Misawa blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Misawa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Maiden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike.
Misawa throws an elbow that misses.

Misawa is fighting off a takedown attempt but Maiden is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Misawa to the mat. Misawa regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Misawa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maiden is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mitsuharu Misawa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eddy Maiden's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Maiden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maiden keeps the fight on the outside.
Misawa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Maiden does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Maiden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maiden throws a head kick but Misawa moves out of range.
Misawa is looking to clinch but Maiden is avoiding it.
Misawa closes the distance but Maiden moves to the side
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
letting Maiden counter with a right hand.
Misawa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Maiden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Misawa doesn't manage to clinch there - Maiden circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misawa moves in looking to clinch but Maiden pushes him off.
Misawa is looking to clinch but Maiden is avoiding it.
Some wild striking there from Maiden.
Maiden misses with a body shot.
Misawa slips a jab and a cross from Maiden.
Misawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Misawa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maiden.
Maiden throws a right hand that Misawa ducks under and follows up with a left that Misawa also avoids with ease.
Misawa darts in trying to clinch
and Misawa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Misawa tries to clinch but Maiden moves away
and Maiden counters with an inside leg kick.
Misawa looks to clinch
and Maiden counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Misawa stuffs the takedown.
Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maiden paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maiden throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Misawa takes one to the chin there.
Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maiden paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maiden swings for the body but Misawa moves out of range.
Misawa tries to clinch up but Maiden circles away and keeps his distance.
Maiden scores with a jab to the body.
Misawa slips under a jab.
Mitsuharu Misawa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Misawa moves away from the strike by Maiden.
Eddy Maiden is winning the standup battle so far.
Misawa moves in looking to clinch but Maiden pushes him off.
Maiden misses with a low kick.
Misawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misawa moves to clinch but Maiden breaks away
and Maiden counters with a straight right hand.
Maiden fails with the takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Misawa blocks the leg kick.
Misawa tries to clinch but Maiden moves away
letting Maiden counter with a right hand.
Maiden throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maiden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maiden lands a nice shot that snaps Misawa's head back.
Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Maiden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Misawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maiden throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Maiden lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maiden does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Maiden misses with a kick to the body.
Misawa slips a straight right by Maiden.
Maiden swings widly with a right hand

and Misawa counters by moving into the clinch.
Misawa lands an elbow inside that Maiden shrugs off.
Maiden avoids the elbow strike from Misawa, against the cage.
Maiden misses with a punch to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Misawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maiden's brow.
Maiden avoids a wild elbow strike from Misawa.
Maiden misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maiden misses with a punch on the inside.
Maiden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maiden avoids the elbow strike from Misawa, against the cage.
Misawa takes a shot to the head.
Maiden misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike from Misawa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddy Maiden dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Eddy Maiden's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Misawa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Misawa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Maiden manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maiden thows a body shot but no joy.
Maiden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Maiden misses the target.
Maiden shoots in and drives through. Misawa sprawls well.
Misawa tries to clinch but Maiden moves away
and Maiden counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Misawa slips under a jab.
Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maiden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maiden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Misawa moves out of range as Maiden strikes.
Maiden throws a hook to the side of Misawa's head but Misawa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maiden throws a lazy right hand but Misawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maiden misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maiden motions for Misawa to come forward. Maiden throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maiden lands with an overhand left.
Misawa tries to clinch up but Maiden circles away and keeps his distance.
Misawa wants to clinch up but Maiden keeps it at a distance.
Maiden misses with a series of wild punches.

Misawa closes the distance and clinches.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Misawa.
Maiden lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Misawa throws an elbow but misses.
Misawa throws an elbow but it misses.
Maiden tries to work over Misawa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maiden avoids the elbow strike from Misawa, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Misawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maiden's brow.
Misawa misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maiden misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maiden avoids the elbow strike from Misawa, against the cage.
Misawa pushes off an throws an elbow but Maiden leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Misawa looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike from Misawa.

Maiden manages to break the clinch.

Misawa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Misawa lands an elbow that stopped Maiden in his tracks for a moment.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike from Misawa.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Misawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maiden's brow.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike from Misawa.
Misawa pushes off an throws an elbow but Maiden leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike from Misawa.
Misawa misses with an elbow over the top.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Maiden.
Misawa gets underhooks to prevent Maiden's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misawa looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maiden takes an elbow to the forehead.
Maiden avoids the elbow strike from Misawa, against the cage.
Maiden is looking to break free of the clinch but Misawa has double underhooks.
Maiden can't find room to land a body shot as Misawa controls the action.
Maiden avoids a wild elbow strike from Misawa.
Maiden misses with a punch on the inside.
Nice elbow from Misawa.

Eddy Maiden's cut is getting worse.
Misawa throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Maiden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maiden dodges an elbow strike from Misawa.
Maiden misses with a punch on the inside.
Misawa misses with an elbow strike.
Misawa lands an elbow inside that Maiden shrugs off.
Misawa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maiden takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maiden drops down looking for an ankle pick but Misawa pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddy Maiden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Misawa tries to clinch up but Maiden circles away and keeps his distance.
Maiden misses the jab.
Misawa ducks under a wild hook from Maiden.
Misawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maiden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Misawa doesn't manage to clinch there - Maiden circles away.
Maiden thows a left - swing and a miss!

Maiden gets tackled into the cage by Misawa. Misawa maintains the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the fighters up against the cage, Misawa throws an elbow but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maiden throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Maiden tries to work over Misawa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maiden blocks an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mitsuharu Misawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Misawa 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitsuharu Misawa!
After the big win, Mitsuharu Misawa made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Empire Threads and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.