PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juha Maenpaa (ranked 25027 p4p, 6704 weight class) and Cathal Doherty (ranked 715 p4p, 683 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maenpaa
vs
Doherty

188 cm
19
185
0 - 4 - 0

188 cm
19
193
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Neon Zombie
SMESH Nutrition 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Maenpaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cathal Doherty!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Roberts and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Doherty waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maenpaa.
Maenpaa throws a body shot but no joy.
Doherty lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Maenpaa moves away from the strike by Doherty.
Maenpaa slips a jab from Doherty.
Doherty thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maenpaa connects with a looping right hand.
Maenpaa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Doherty looks to score with a jab to the body but Maenpaa is just out of range.
Maenpaa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Maenpaa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maenpaa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Doherty is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maenpaa.
Maenpaa throws a jab when Doherty was well out of range.
Doherty swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Doherty throws a body punch but Maenpaa moves out of range.
Doherty dips to his left and cracks Maenpaa with an uppercut!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Doherty is looking to clinch.
A big left from Doherty misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doherty keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maenpaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Doherty.
Maenpaa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Doherty moves forwards but Maenpaa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A jab from Doherty misses.
Maenpaa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maenpaa seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Maenpaa definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Doherty thuds a left hand into Maenpaa's body.
Doherty moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Doherty uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maenpaa.
Doherty with a nice cross.
Doherty looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Doherty on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Doherty punishes Maenpaa's body with a nice straight punch.
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!
Maenpaa lands a jab to the nose.
Maenpaa misses with a body punch
enabling Doherty to counter with a crisp jab.
Maenpaa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doherty throws a hook to the side of Maenpaa's head but Maenpaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maenpaa just misses with a punch to the body.
A big right from Doherty misses.
Maenpaa misses the shot to the body.

Doherty clinches up with Maenpaa and pushes him back against the cage.
Maenpaa working aggressively here.
Doherty tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maenpaa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maenpaa struggles to land a body shot inside as Doherty controls his hands.

Doherty pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maenpaa cracks Doherty with a right hand to the side of the head.

Doherty clinches up with Maenpaa and pushes him back against the cage.
Doherty swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Doherty scores with a shoulder strike.
Doherty lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Maenpaa.
Doherty is trying to push Maenpaa away but Maenpaa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Doherty escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Doherty.
Nice uppercut there from Maenpaa.
Doherty throws a lazy uppercut

and Maenpaa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Maenpaa.
Doherty lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maenpaa.
Doherty tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maenpaa lands with a right to the head.
Maenpaa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Doherty misses with the head strike.
Doherty lands with a light punch inside.
Doherty misses with a short punch on the inside.
Doherty lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Maenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Doherty avoids it by throwing Maenpaa back against the cage.
Doherty is leaning against Maenpaa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Maenpaa can't find room to land a body shot as Doherty controls the action.
Doherty pushes Maenpaa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maenpaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Doherty breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maenpaa misses with a body shot.
Doherty lands a slapping body shot.
Maenpaa connects with a body shot.
Maenpaa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Doherty takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maenpaa connects with the punch.
Doherty misses with a straight right.
Maenpaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Doherty loads up on a big right hand but Maenpaa slips the punch.
Jab by Doherty.
Doherty ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maenpaa moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slow jab from Doherty misses its intended target.
Doherty displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maenpaa throws out the jab.
Maenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Doherty moves away.
Doherty throws out a counter right but Maenpaa avoids it with no problem.
Maenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Doherty.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cathal Doherty dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Doherty misses with a looping right.
Maenpaa misses with an uppercut
and Doherty cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maenpaa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Doherty.
Maenpaa misses with a straight right.
Maenpaa misses with a looping right.
Doherty throws the left hand but Maenpaa avoids the punch easily.
Doherty uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maenpaa.
Maenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Doherty.
Maenpaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maenpaa swings for the body but Doherty moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maenpaa misses with a straight right.
Maenpaa throws a looping overhand right but Doherty ducks down to avoid it.
Doherty is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Maenpaa with a body shot.
Maenpaa slips under a jab.
Doherty throws a body punch but Maenpaa moves out of range.
Doherty misses the jab.
Maenpaa seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Doherty looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Doherty catches Maenpaa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maenpaa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Doherty swats away the attempt to clinch by Maenpaa.
Doherty takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Doherty throws out a powerful jab.
Doherty has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maenpaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Doherty.
Maenpaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Doherty moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Doherty takes one to the side of the head.
Maenpaa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Doherty.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Doherty takes the fight into the clinch.
Maenpaa tries a body shot but Doherty blocks it.
Maenpaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Doherty scores with a hook to the body.

Doherty breaks the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maenpaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Doherty paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Doherty tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Doherty.
Maenpaa tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Doherty manages to circle out of the way.
Nice defenses there by Maenpaa.
A big right from Doherty misses.
Maenpaa is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Doherty.
A swing and a miss from Doherty.
Maenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Maenpaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Doherty moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Doherty.
A body shot lands from Maenpaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maenpaa can't find room to land a body shot as Doherty controls the action.
Doherty lands an uppercut.
Doherty blocking some punches.
Cathal Doherty seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Doherty breaks the clinch.
Maenpaa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Doherty is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maenpaa.
Doherty looks to land a right hand but Maenpaa moved out of range.
Doherty steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maenpaa.
Maenpaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Doherty closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maenpaa throws a head punch that misses.
Maenpaa working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Doherty misses with a short punch on the inside.
Doherty misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maenpaa tries to work over Doherty's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Doherty scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Maenpaa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Doherty misses with a hook to the ribs.
Doherty throws a head punch that misses.
Maenpaa has a couple of punches blocked by Doherty.
Doherty scores with a nice hook to the head.
Maenpaa misses with a punch on the inside.
Maenpaa tries a body shot but Doherty blocks it.
Maenpaa swings wildly with an uppercut but Doherty uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maenpaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Doherty's elbow.
Maenpaa scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Doherty breaks from the clinch.
Maenpaa misses with a wild body shot.
Doherty looks to land a right hand but Maenpaa moved out of range.
Maenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big left from Doherty misses.
Doherty misses with a looping left.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cathal Doherty will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Doherty throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maenpaa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maenpaa scores with a punch to the head.
Doherty might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Maenpaa moves forwards but Doherty connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Maenpaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Doherty looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maenpaa throws a body punch but Doherty moves out of range.
Doherty scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Doherty misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maenpaa.
Maenpaa moves out of range as Doherty strikes.
A cross from Maenpaa lands.
Maenpaa throws an overhand right that lands on Doherty's shoulder, as Doherty tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Doherty tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Doherty.
Doherty throws a jab but it's blocked by Maenpaa.
Maenpaa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Doherty rushes Maenpaa and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maenpaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doherty tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Doherty scores with a shot to the side of Maenpaa's head.
Doherty is trying to break the clinch but Maenpaa has him pressed against the cage.
Maenpaa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Doherty tries to throw a body punch but Maenpaa avoids it by throwing Doherty back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Doherty.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Doherty.
Maenpaa throws a head punch that misses.
Doherty scores with a nice hook to the head.
Doherty tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maenpaa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short left from Doherty.
Maenpaa lands with a light punch inside.

Doherty breaks from the clinch.
Maenpaa throws a hook but Doherty avoids it easily.
Doherty bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Doherty lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doherty throws a hook to the side of Maenpaa's head but Maenpaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Doherty pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Doherty misses with a looping left.
Maenpaa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Maenpaa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Doherty has Maenpaa up against the cage in a clinch.
Maenpaa throws a punch but it's blocked by Doherty.
Maenpaa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Doherty lands a hook that snaps the head of Maenpaa backwards.
Doherty lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maenpaa backwards.
Maenpaa blocking some punches.
Doherty lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maenpaa backwards.
Doherty tries to throw a body punch but Maenpaa avoids it by throwing Doherty back against the cage.
Doherty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Doherty tries to work over Maenpaa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doherty lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maenpaa.
Doherty pushes Maenpaa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cathal Doherty is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Doherty breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab by Maenpaa.
Maenpaa throws a series of punches but Doherty moves out of range.
Maenpaa takes one to the chin there.
Maenpaa misses with a lunging right hand
and Doherty counters with a straight right hand.
Doherty thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maenpaa throws out a loose jab but Doherty uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big left from Maenpaa misses.
Doherty misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Doherty throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Doherty uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maenpaa.
Doherty throws out a powerful jab.
Juha Maenpaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maenpaa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Doherty breaks the clinch.
Doherty avoids the body shot from Maenpaa.
Maenpaa moves forwards but Doherty connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Doherty moves into the clinch.
Maenpaa pushes Doherty back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maenpaa.
A short uppercut from Maenpaa.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Doherty.

Doherty breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maenpaa misses with a wild body shot.
Maenpaa misses with a right hand
and Doherty counters with a stiff right hand.
A shot to the liver by Doherty. Beautiful body shot.
Maenpaa swings widly with a right hand
and Doherty connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cathal Doherty comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Doherty has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cathal Doherty!
A very excited looking Cathal Doherty rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.