PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Hay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Maul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Paul Maul enters the cage!

Hay
vs
Maul

178 cm
29
158 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

180 cm
30
182 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nick Hay!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Maul!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Andrew Berry and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maul slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Maul wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A lazy left from Maul finds it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Hay 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hay shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maul manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maul has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Jab from Maul.
Maul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hay was well out of range. Poor timing from Maul.
Maul with a hook.
Maul keeps the fight on the outside.

Hay lands a left and a right that send Maul crashing to the mat, dazed. Hay thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Paul Maul has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maul lands a really nice looking cross but Hay seems unphased.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hay avoids the head kick by Maul.
Hay lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hay misses with a looping left.
Maul avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hay tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
Hay blocks a head kick by Maul.
Maul keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Maul avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hay tries to bum rush Maul with a series of wild strikes but Maul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hay moves in looking to clinch but Maul pushes him off.
Hay needs to keep his hands up - Maul had a free shot at his head there.
Maul connects with the punch.

Hay drops Maul with a beautiful combination! Maul stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Hay is looking for the KO!
Maul darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maul lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maul lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hay is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maul circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maul cracks Hay with an open hand slap.
Maul digs a good body shot into Hay's ribs.
Maul lands a jab to Hay's midsection.

Hay has managed to clinch.

Hay breaks the clinch.
Hay takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Maul connects with a single shot there.
Hay tries to clinch up.
Hay lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maul circles away quickly and effectively.
Hay throws a body kick that misses.
Hay slips a jab and a cross from Maul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hay gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Maul.

Hay moves into range and clinches up with Maul.
Maul lands with a light punch inside.
Hay is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Maul pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maul throws a good cross that connects.
Hay is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maul swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hay looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Maul misses with a series of wild punches.
Hay moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Maul with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Maul tests Hay's chin there with a solid looking shot.
No joy there for Hay, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maul throws a body shot but no joy.
Hay tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.
Maul scores with a nice head shot.
Hay keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hay fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maul, pushing him back against the cage.
Maul has Hay pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hay manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nick Hay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Maul.
Hay misses with a punch on the inside.

Hay pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maul is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hay sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maul fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hay looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hay fails to land with a series of punches.
Maul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hay.
Maul bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Maul avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maul thuds his right hand into Hay's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hay tries to clinch up.
Maul tries for a takedown but Hay sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Maul is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hay had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Hay walks into a jab.
Maul rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hay moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hay tries to clinch there but Maul circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maul! But no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maul lunges at Hay with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hay's hand.
Maul scores with the left hand. Hay knows he should have avoided that one.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maul paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hay misses with a series of wild punches.
Maul lands a body shot.
Maul fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hay looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hay looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Maul avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hay lands with a nice body kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maul lands with an overhand left.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hay looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hay looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maul scores with a hook to the body. Hay takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hay bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Maul rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hay moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hay drops Maul with a beautiful combination! Maul stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Hay is looking for the KO!

Maul is rocked!
Maul looks winded!
Hay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maul is still on wobbly legs! Can Hay finish him?
Maul swings for the body but Hay moves out of range.
Maul avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hay is looking to clinch.
A combination from Hay does no damage.
Maul scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Paul Maul will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paul Maul's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hay throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maul seems to have recovered his senses.
Hay is looking to clinch.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hay is looking to land body kicks.
Maul swats away the attempt to clinch by Hay.
Hay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maul lands with a straight right. Hay didn't see that one coming.
Maul feints a jab promting Hay to slip. Maul then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hay slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hay has a takedown stuffed.
Hay tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.
Maul lands with a cross.

Hay shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Maul manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Maul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hay takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hay fails with an attempt to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maul! But no joy.
Maul connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maul keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hay doesn't manage to clinch there - Maul circles away.
Maul lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Maul dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maul will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maul swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hay tries to clinch but Maul moves out of range.
Maul stuns Hay with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Maul moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hay is looking to clinch but Maul is avoiding it.
Maul connects with a nice looking jab.
Maul lands a jab to Hay's midsection.
Maul avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maul lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Hay moves into the clinch successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maul has Hay pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hay manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Hay escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maul lands with a cross.
Maul jabs Hay right on the nose. Hay blinks but takes it well.
Hay avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hay seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hay takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Hay gets a clinch.
Maul stalling.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hay as Maul tries to tie him up.

Hay breaks from the clinch.
Maul has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hay closes the distance and pushes Maul back into the cage.
Hay blocks a body shot from Maul.

Hay gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Maul has one foot on Hay's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Nick Hay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maul fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Maul connects with a right hand. Hay shakes it off.
Maul scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Maul uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hay has time to react.
Hay is looking to clinch.
Maul misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hay moves in looking to clinch but Maul pushes him off.

Hay gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hay dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Hay pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hay shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Hay rushes Maul and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Hay breaks from the clinch.
Hay lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maul circles away quickly and effectively.
Maul now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Maul throws a head kick that misses.
Hay looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Maul swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hay throws a body kick that misses.
Maul scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hay moves forwards but Maul connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maul lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Maul connects with a body shot.
Hay rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maul moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hay looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paul Maul seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hay throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maul throws a series of punches but Hay moves out of range.
Hay wants to clinch up but Maul keeps it at a distance.
Maul thuds a left hand into Hay's body.
Hay is looking to clinch.
Hay misses with a double jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maul, as that shot connected.
Maul misses with a wild combination.
Maul misses with a few strikes there.
Maul lands a nice shot to the body.
Hay fails to land with a series of punches.
Hay misses with a two punch combination.
Maul fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head kick misses from Maul.
Hay tries to clinch there but Maul circles away.
Maul looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maul scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hay misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Maul's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Hay looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maul unleashes a big counter combination but Hay bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Maul wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Maul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hay tries to clinch up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Maul!
Hay tries to clinch there but Maul circles away.
A head kick misses from Maul.
Maul scores with a nice right hand.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
Maul blocks the body kick.
Maul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hay swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hay fails to land with a series of punches.
Maul bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hay's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hay takes the fight into the clinch.

Maul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hay wants to clinch up but Maul keeps it at a distance.
Maul lands a nice looking body shot.
Maul moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hay on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Maul with a nice cross.
Maul comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Maul with a jab.
Maul will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Maul pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hay moves in looking to clinch but Maul pushes him off.
Hay falls off balance throwing a combination
and Maul counters with a two punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maul paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maul swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hay looks to land a combination but Maul avoids it well.
Hay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maul manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hay takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hay breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maul! But no joy.
Hay is looking to clinch but Maul is avoiding it.
Maul throws a sloppy head kick and Hay moves out of range easily.

Hay clinches up with Maul and pushes him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Maul.
Nick Hay has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hay is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hay lands a nice uppercut.
Maul misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maul stalling against the cage.
Maul misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hay.
The referee calls for Maul to work.
Maul drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hay pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hay throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A combination from Hay does no damage.
Hay takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maul manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hay tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.
Maul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A punch combination from Hay misses.
Hay is looking to clinch but Maul is avoiding it.
Maul works the jab nicely.
Nice body punch from Maul.
Hay works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Hay darts in and clinches Maul up against the cage.

Maul breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maul throws a head kick but Hay moves out of range.
Hay throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hay is looking to clinch.
Maul lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Maul keeps the fight on the outside.
Jab by Maul.
Maul throws a nice looking combination but Hay bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hay gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Maul breaks the clinch.
Hay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maul manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice cross by Maul.
Hay tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maul scores with a jab to the head.
Maul connects with a nice looking jab.
Maul connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hay. Hay circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hay is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maul.
Hay takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Hay takes the fight into the clinch.
Hay working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Maul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hay throws an elbow that misses.
Maul can't get the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Maul's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hay tries to clinch up
and Maul connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maul throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Hay forces Maul back against the cage and clinches.
Hay creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maul is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hay lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maul avoids the elbow strike from Hay, against the cage.

Maul breaks from the clinch.
Hay has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hay gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Hay drives through and clinches with Maul against the cage.
Maul is trying to push Hay away but Hay has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maul lands a left 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!

Maul breaks from the clinch.
Maul lands a lovely overhand right.
Hay goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Maul moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hay misses with a wild combination.
Hay wants to clinch up but Maul keeps it at a distance.
Hay will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hay tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Maul shoots in and gets a takedown into Hay's guard.
Maul trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maul throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Maul is pushing down on Hay's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hay is fighting to maintain full guard but Maul has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maul controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hay keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Maul sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hay defending well though.
Maul controlling the action here.
Maul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Maul misses with a few strikes there.
Maul swats away the attempt to clinch by Hay.
Maul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maul getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maul lands with a nice body punch.
Maul lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hay at a distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Maul. That snapped Hay's head back.
Hay tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.
Hay takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Hay gets a clinch.
Maul lands a nice shot to the body.
Maul struggles to land a body shot inside as Hay controls his hands.

Hay pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hay walks into a left hand.
Hay takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A cross from Maul lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hay tries to clinch up but Maul circles away and keeps his distance.
Maul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hay will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hay tries to close the distance and clinch but Maul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maul bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hay's head.

Hay moves into the clinch.
Maul has Hay pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hay manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Maul pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maul throws a right and a left that Hay avoids nicely.
Maul throws a good cross that connects.
Hay fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maul is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Maul dips to his left and cracks Hay with an uppercut!
Maul is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hay.
A left lands for Maul.
Maul moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Hay is rocked!
Maul keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Oh Hay is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hay tries to land a front kick but Maul steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good standup being displayed there by Maul as he connects with a hook.
Hay tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Maul counters with a big right hand! Oh Hay is in trouble here! Maul follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paul Maul!
Paul Maul is the new welterweight champion!
Paul Maul thanked the fans post fight for their support.