PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brak Maugøn (ranked 25 p4p, 5 weight class) and Iain Tower (ranked 3 p4p, 1 weight class). Maugøn comes to the cage accompanied by Save Yourself. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tower's choice of entrance music: Kanye - Power. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Maugøn
vs
Tower

189 cm
34
264
30 - 10 - 0

210 cm
32
275
33 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

HELLBENT
HELLS BALLS RECOVERY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brak Maugøn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Iain Tower!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maugøn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maugøn misses with a body kick.
Maugøn has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Maugøn misses with a hook.
A little jabbing left from Tower on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maugøn slips under a jab from Tower.
Maugøn moves away from the strike by Tower.
Maugøn is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Maugøn misses with a low kick.
Tower throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maugøn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maugøn tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tower manages to circle out of the way.
Maugøn takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tower looks to throw the jab but Maugøn is out of range.
Maugøn half committed to a counter leg kick.
Tower scores with a sloppy right hand. Maugøn should have avoided that one.
Tower looks to score with a jab to the body but Maugøn is just out of range.
A quick step to the side and Maugøn tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maugøn slips under a jab from Tower.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tower misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maugøn.
Maugøn swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Iain Tower seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maugøn throws a leg kick but Tower sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tower fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Maugøn checks it well.
Maugøn moves out of range of the leg kick from Tower.
Maugøn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tower misses with a kick to the body

and Maugøn counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Maugøn.
Maugøn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tower misses with a punch to the body.
Tower tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maugøn scores with a shoulder strike.
Maugøn lands a shoulder strike.
Tower misses with the head strike.
Tower digs a right hand underneath Maugøn's ribcage. Maugøn let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maugøn has a couple of punches blocked by Tower.
Good body shot from Maugøn.
Maugøn tries to work over Tower's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tower tries to throw a body punch but Maugøn avoids it by throwing Tower back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tower tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maugøn just stands there and leans against the cage.
Maugøn swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maugøn's elbow.
Tower struggles to land a body shot inside as Maugøn controls his hands.
Tower can't find room to land a body shot as Maugøn controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maugøn.
Maugøn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Maugøn can't find room to land a body shot as Tower controls the action.
Maugøn misses with a punch to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tower avoiding damage as Maugøn throws knees to the body.
Tower misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maugøn lands a nice uppercut.
Tower blocking some punches.
Maugøn digs a right hand underneath Tower's ribcage. Tower let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maugøn struggles to land a body shot inside as Tower controls his hands.
Maugøn lands a nice uppercut.
Tower misses with a body punch.
Tower tries to pull guard but Maugøn forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Maugøn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tower tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maugøn.
Maugøn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tower backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tower jumps guard and drags Maugøn to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Maugøn controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tower pulls Maugøn in close to prevent any damage.
Tower is trying to keep Maugøn in close.
Maugøn not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tower manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maugøn manages to get himself to full guard.

Maugøn has Tower pulled in close to control his posture.
Maugøn's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tower trying to control but Maugøn is working from the bottom.
Maugøn has control of Tower's left arm, preventing Tower from doing any damage.
Tower wants to pass the guard but Maugøn is keeping the position.
Tower is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tower stopping the sweep attempt from Maugøn.
Tower stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maugøn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maugøn looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brak Maugøn will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tower keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tower throws a jab when Maugøn was well out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Maugøn on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maugøn stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Iain Tower has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Maugøn.
Maugøn walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tower changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tower scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tower scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tower throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maugøn is looking to counter punch.
Maugøn just misses with a punch to the body.
Tower is looking to chop away at Maugøn's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tower lands a nice shot that snaps Maugøn's head back.
Maugøn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tower.
Tower misses with a looping left.
Maugøn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
That kick from Tower tenderised Maugøn's leg. Maugøn is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tower stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tower's corner calls for a 1-2. Tower obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Maugøn throws a jab when Tower was well out of range.
Tower appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A low kick from Tower misses
and Maugøn counters with a leg kick.
A big right from Tower misses.
Maugøn fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tower just manages to avoid it.
Maugøn lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Maugøn.
Tower takes a swing at Maugøn's ribcage but misses.
Tower cracks Maugøn with a good jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Tower misses.
Maugøn tries to clinch up but Tower circles away and keeps his distance.
Tower throws a solid leg kick but Maugøn takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tower.
Maugøn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
As Tower backs away, Maugøn returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Maugøn misses with the combination.
Maugøn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tower.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maugøn ducks under a wild hook from Tower.
Maugøn swings widly with a right hand
and Tower counters with a stiff right hand.
Tower motions for Maugøn to come forward. Tower throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maugøn takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tower is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Tower throws an overhand right that lands on Maugøn's shoulder, as Maugøn tries to avoid the shot.
Tower works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tower swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tower misses with a looping right.
Maugøn swings for the body but Tower moves out of range.
Tower fakes the leg kick and cracks Maugøn in the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tower throws a nice looking combination but Maugøn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tower has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tower swings for the body but Maugøn moves out of range.
Tower connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Maugøn with a nice calf kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Tower crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Maugøn - the referee stops the clock and Tower gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Maugøn. Tower manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Tower throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Tower lands a nice looking body shot.
Tower ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tower swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maugøn is looking to counter with a body kick.
Tower fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maugøn manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iain Tower showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Iain Tower's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A shot to the liver by Maugøn. Beautiful body shot.
A nice combination there by Tower.
Tower misses with a double jab
and Tower takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maugøn scores with a nice head shot.
Maugøn swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tower counters with a stiff right hand.
Tower misses with a lunging right hand
letting Maugøn counter with a right hand.
Tower works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tower misses with a wild body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Maugøn misses the target.
Tower lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tower misses with a leg kick.
Tower shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tower falls off balance throwing a combination
and Maugøn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maugøn connects with a nice looking jab.
Maugøn misses with a body punch
letting Tower counter with a right hand.
Tower lands with a slapping head kick.
Tower misses with a straight right.
Maugøn tries a head kick but it misses.
Tower avoids a kick to the body.
Iain Tower seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maugøn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tower breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tower misses with a straight right.
Maugøn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maugøn feints and then cracks Tower's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tower down.
Tower cracks Maugøn with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tower stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Maugøn throws a wild body kick that Tower sees coming a mile off.
Maugøn takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tower throws a leg kick which misses Maugøn's front leg but catches the back leg as Maugøn tries to avoid it.
Maugøn slips a straight right by Tower.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Tower.
Maugøn throws out a loose jab but Tower uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maugøn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Tower finds it's way through Maugøn's defenses.
Tower is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tower misses the jab.

Maugøn moves into the clinch.
Tower is working Maugøn over against the cage.
Maugøn can't find room to land a body shot as Tower controls the action.
Tower blocks a body shot from Maugøn.
Tower lands with a right to the head.
Tower throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tower misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Tower.
Tower lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maugøn backwards.
Tower misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maugøn struggles to land a body shot inside as Tower controls his hands.
Tower lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Tower manages to break the clinch.
Tower lands a head shot.
Tower throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maugøn counters with a nice uppercut.
Maugøn moves out of range of the strikes.
Maugøn doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Maugøn walks into a left hand.
Tower throws a hook but Maugøn avoids it easily.
Maugøn misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iain Tower really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Iain Tower'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.

Tower scores with a leg kick.
Maugøn moves out of range as Tower strikes.
Maugøn feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tower dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tower uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maugøn.
Tower fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Maugøn checks it well.
Maugøn takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tower feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Maugøns jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maugøn misses with a low kick as Tower jumps back.
Maugøn looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A jab from Tower does it's job there.
Tower connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maugøn. Maugøn circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maugøn sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Tower misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maugøn.
Maugøn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tower misses with a straight left.
Tower misses with a leg kick.
Tower looks for the body kick but Maugøn saw that one coming.
And Maugøn counters with a quick kick to the body but Tower blocks it.
Maugøn takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tower lunges at Maugøn with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maugøn's hand.
Tower looks to score with a jab to the body but Maugøn is just out of range.
Maugøn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tower.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maugøn moves away from the strike by Tower.
Decent striking displayed by Tower there.
Maugøn moves out of range as Tower strikes.
Tower tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maugøn jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Tower loads up on a big right hand but Maugøn slips the punch.
Maugøn appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Maugøn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tower takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice defenses there by Maugøn.
Tower throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maugøn throws a leg kick
and Tower counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tower steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maugøn.
A lazy body kick from Tower
and Maugøn counters with a straight right hand.
Tower rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Maugøn to counter with a crisp jab.
Tower keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tower misses with a hook to the body
and Maugøn counters with a thumping low kick.
Tower thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tower ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maugøn moves away.
Tower throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maugøn throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Tower on the side of the head.
Maugøn defending well as Tower loads up on a big left hand.
Maugøn takes one to the chin there.
Maugøn tries a head kick but it misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maugøn crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tower - the referee stops the clock and Maugøn gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tower. Maugøn manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
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!
Tower uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maugøn.
Tower throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Maugøn.
Maugøn throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Tower counters with a nice uppercut.
Tower works Maugøn's body with a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iain Tower dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Iain Tower's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tower bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tower works the jab nicely.
Maugøn looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Maugøn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tower.
Tower looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tower throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tower cracks a nice hook into Maugøn's ribs.
Tower misses with an uppercut
and Maugøn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tower lands a really nice looking cross but Maugøn seems unphased.
Donk. Tower catches Maugøn right on the button with a cross.
Tower avoids the body shot from Maugøn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maugøn chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maugøn needs to keep his hands up - Tower had a free shot at his head there.
Tower misses with a straight left.
Maugøn slips under a jab.
Maugøn throws a quick counter kick to the body but Tower avoids it.
Maugøn scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tower doesn't seem bothered though.
Tower scores with a hook to the body. Maugøn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tower lands a nice hook to Maugøn's body. Maugøn takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tower scores with a nice strike.
Tower swings widly with a right hand
and Maugøn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tower looks to land a body kick but Maugøn moved away.
Maugøn listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tower scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tower misses with a body punch
and Maugøn counters with a nice uppercut.
Tower misses the jab.
Tower swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Maugøn.
Tower throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Maugøn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
An inside leg kick from Tower misses.
Maugøn has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Maugøn there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maugøn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tower with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maugøn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maugøn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tower looks to score with a jab to the body but Maugøn is just out of range.
Maugøn throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maugøn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tower swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maugøn. Tower does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maugøn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tower.
It appears Maugøn was looking to counter with a kick there.
Tower looks to throw the jab but Maugøn is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tower buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maugøn throws a jab when Tower was well out of range.
Tower throws out a leg kick but Maugøn moves out of range and Tower only half commits.
Maugøn looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Brak Maugøn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab from Maugøn.
Tower moves out of range of the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Tower's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tower just misses with a punch to the body.
Tower moves out of range as Maugøn strikes.
Tower moves out of range of the body kick from Maugøn.
Tower throws out a counter right but Maugøn avoids it with no problem.
Tower throws a head kick but Maugøn moves out of range.
Maugøn is looking to counter punch.
Tower looks for the body kick but Maugøn saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iain Tower comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tower 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 46:50
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iain Tower!
Our winner, Iain Tower, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.