PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Duff (ranked 4059 p4p, 383 weight class) and Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 4263 p4p, 404 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Duff
vs
Maanpohja

181 cm
26
180 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

171 cm
43
173 lbs
23 - 43 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Duff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 43 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Dillan Fox and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Duff as he jumps to the side.
Maanpohja has his takedown stuffed
and Maanpohja takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Duff scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Duff misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maanpohja.
Maanpohja tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Johannes Maanpohja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A right-left combo lands from Duff.
Duff rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maanpohja moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maanpohja shoots in but Duff avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A little feinted left hand from Duff on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tony Duff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
Maanpohja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Duff sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maanpohja somewhat.
Duff lands with a hook. Maanpohja tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
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!

Maanpohja fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Duff sprawls well initially but Maanpohja persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Duff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Duff actively working from the bottom here.

Duff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duff on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Duff actively working from the bottom here.

Maanpohja is working for a kimura but Duff is defending it quite comfortably.

Maanpohja seems to be working for a kimura but Duff defends the submission attempt.

Duff is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maanpohja pulls his head out easily.

Duff looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Duff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maanpohja is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Duff doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maanpohja.

Maanpohja seems to be working for a kimura but Duff defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Duff is defending against the submission attempts here by Maanpohja.
Maanpohja lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Duff looking for submissions off his back.
Maanpohja is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Duff!
Duff definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Duff regains half guard.

Maanpohja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Duff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Maanpohja.

Duff looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Maanpohja trying to mount his opponent but Duff defends it.

Maanpohja is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maanpohja takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Maanpohja looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Duff looking for submissions off his back.

Maanpohja is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Duff is just riding it out for now. Maanpohja eventually gives up the hold.

Duff actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja prevents Duff from improving his position.

Duff looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Maanpohja wants to work for an arm triangle but Duff is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Maanpohja is working for a kimura but Duff is defending it quite comfortably.

Duff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Maanpohja lands a nice short elbow.

Duff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maanpohja lands strikes from half guard.
Duff wants to get back to full guard.

Duff actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johannes Maanpohja will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maanpohja closes this distance looking for a takedown but Duff circles away.
Duff throws a quick counter kick to the body but Maanpohja avoids it.
Maanpohja fails to land the takedown.
Maanpohja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Duff counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tony Duff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
Duff scores with a sloppy right hand. Maanpohja should have avoided that one.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Duff lands a jab-cross combination.
Maanpohja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Duff avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duff lands with a nice body kick.
Maanpohja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Duff sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maanpohja somewhat.
Maanpohja is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duff misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maanpohja moves out of range as Duff throws a body kick.
And Maanpohja tries to counter it with a takedown but Duff pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tony Duff is winning the standup battle so far.
Duff throws a push kick but Maanpohja slaps the foot to one side.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt
and Duff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Duff leaves Maanpohja with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Duff.
Maanpohja on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Duff lands with a nice combination. Maanpohja backs away looking to recover.

Maanpohja is rocked!
Duff misses with a double jab.
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!
Duff throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maanpohja blocks the body kick.
Duff keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Duff leaves Maanpohja with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Duff.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Duff finds it's target.
Maanpohja is still on wobbly legs! Can Duff finish him?
Duff throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Maanpohja seems to have recovered his senses.
Duff connects with a body shot that sends Maanpohja's belly button to the back.
No joy there for Duff, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maanpohja dives in and grabs Duff's left leg, looking for a takedown. Duff pushes down on Maanpohja's head and hops out.
Tony Duff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Duff dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maanpohja fails with the takedown.
A nice combination there by Duff.
Maanpohja dives in for a single leg takedown but Duff sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Duff feints and then cracks Maanpohja's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maanpohja down.
Duff's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Duff duly obliges.
Duff fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Duff is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice combination there by Duff.
Tony Duff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maanpohja tries for a takedown but Duff circles away easily
and Duff counters with a huge uppercut, hook combination that drops Maanpohja! The ref has seen enough - he's dived in to stop the fight! Brutal strikes by Duff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tony Duff!
Tony Duff thanked the fans post fight for their support.