PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Boner (ranked 2824 p4p, 2202 weight class) and Juha Maenpaa (ranked 346 p4p, 282 weight class). Johnny Boner had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 187.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Johnny Boner had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Boner
vs
Maenpaa

180 cm
24
203
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
185
4 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Boner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Maenpaa!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boner shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Maenpaa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Boner.
Maenpaa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Boner has been working on his balance at HELLsinki, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Maenpaa.
Maenpaa throws a big shot that misses.
Boner changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nice sprawl there from Maenpaa as Boner shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Boner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boner fails with the takedown
and Maenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Boner takes one on the button.
Boner checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Boner changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Maenpaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Boner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab lands there for Maenpaa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boner slips a jab from Maenpaa.
Maenpaa dips to his left and cracks Boner with an uppercut!
Boner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Maenpaa is fending him off so far but Boner persists. Nope, Maenpaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Maenpaa tries to counter with a clinch but Boner shakes him off and moves away.
Boner misses with a takedown

and Maenpaa counters by moving into the clinch.
Maenpaa misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maenpaa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maenpaa wants to get back to striking at distance but Boner won't allow it.
Maenpaa looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Maenpaa misses with a punch to the body.
Maenpaa misses with a punch to the body.
Boner is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maenpaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Boner slowing the pace effectively.

Boner jumps into guard, dragging Maenpaa to the mat.
Maenpaa wants to get up but he can't break Boner's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Boner working a defensive guard here.
Boner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Maenpaa wanted to stand there but Boner had control of the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Boner looking for a sweep. Not yet Boner, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boner has a closed guard, preventing Maenpaa from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maenpaa avoids it really well and circles away.
Maenpaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maenpaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Boner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maenpaa throws a hook but Boner blocks it.
A big left from Maenpaa misses.
Boner jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Horrible takedown attempt by Boner or perhaps it was just good defense by Maenpaa, which made it look bad.
Maenpaa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Boner.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Boner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maenpaa's waist but Maenpaa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Boner off to one side.
Boner avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Boner drops down looking for a counter takedown but Maenpaa sprawls and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Boner.
Boner is breathing heavily.
Maenpaa cracks Boner with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maenpaa throws a hook but Boner avoids it easily.
Juha Maenpaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maenpaa scores with a shot to the body.
Maenpaa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Boner or perhaps it was just good defense by Maenpaa, which made it look bad.
Maenpaa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Maenpaa scores with a punch to the head.
Maenpaa scores with a hook.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Boner pulls guard successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maenpaa is looking to stand up but Boner won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Boner is trying to keep Maenpaa in close.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maenpaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Boner's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maenpaa throws out the jab.
Boner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maenpaa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maenpaa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Boner sets himself, and Maenpaa steps forward looking for the clinch! Boner avoids it this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Maenpaa dominated that round.
That's time! Boner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Boner ducks under a wild hook from Maenpaa.
Boner throwing a counter right hand but Maenpaa manages to avoid it.
Boner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Boner tries to clinch up.
Maenpaa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Boner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Maenpaa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Boner somewhat.
Maenpaa throws a hook but Boner avoids it easily.
Maenpaa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Maenpaa.

It looks like Johnny Boner has been cut.
Maenpaa missing with a left hand there. Boner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maenpaa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maenpaa misses with a left hand

and Boner decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Maenpaa's guard.
Boner is looking to work some ground and pound but Maenpaa has wrist control.
Boner throws a big elbow that misses.

Boner postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Maenpaa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Boner, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boner is pulling down on Maenpaa's head to control his posture.
Boner lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Boner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Maenpaa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maenpaa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boner trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Boner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Boner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maenpaa is keeping the position for now.
Boner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Boner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maenpaa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maenpaa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Boner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boner is pushing down on Maenpaa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maenpaa is fighting to maintain full guard but Boner has managed to sneak the leg through.
Boner thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boner throwing shots but Maenpaa is blocking nicely.
Maenpaa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Boner scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ground and pound from Boner.
Maenpaa is looking to improve his position.
Boner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Boner thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maenpaa's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maenpaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Boner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Boner passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Maenpaa!
Boner scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Maenpaa?
Johnny Boner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maenpaa wants to hold on but Boner pushes him away.
Boner working Maenpaa over with strikes here.
Maenpaa is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Maenpaa keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Boner throws some wild stikes that Maenpaa manages to avoid easily.
Boner thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Boner raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boner with good strikes from the mount here!
Boner working the ground and pound effectively.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boner throwing strikes here but Maenpaa is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Maenpaa is looking to get to half guard.
Boner with the ground and pound from mount.
Boner avoids the attempt from Maenpaa to control.
Boner looking to finish with strikes here!
Boner thowing shots but they're missing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Boner dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Boner's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Boner looks for a takedown but Maenpaa sprawls well.

Boner throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maenpaa was covering up waiting for the punch and Boner finishes the takedown easily into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Boner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Boner is looking to work some ground and pound but Maenpaa has wrist control.
Boner cracks Maenpaa with a solid left hand.
Boner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maenpaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Boner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maenpaa controlling Boner's posture.
Boner wants to pass the guard but Maenpaa is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Boner looking to pass the guard.
Boner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boner looking to pass the guard.
Boner throws a strike but Maenpaa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Boner tries to strike from the bottom.
Maenpaa is looking to stand up but Boner won't let him.

Boner working for a triangle but Maenpaa defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maenpaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Boner's guard.
Boner lands a decent punch to the body there.
Maenpaa wants to get up but he can't break Boner's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Boner throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Maenpaa wants to get up but he can't break Boner's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boner darts in looking for a takedown but Maenpaa gets double underhooks and turns Boner into the cage.
Boner jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maenpaa walks away with a smile on his face. Boner gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Boner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maenpaa throws out the jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Maenpaa.
Boner shoots for a double leg takedown but Maenpaa sprawls well. He's pushed Boner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Maenpaa misses with a wild body shot.
Maenpaa jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Boner moves away.
Boner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maenpaa.
Nice sprawl there from Maenpaa as Boner shoots in.
Juha Maenpaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Maenpaa drives through and clinches with Boner against the cage.
Maenpaa can't find room to land a body shot as Boner controls the action.
Maenpaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maenpaa struggles to land a body shot inside as Boner controls his hands.
Maenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Boner avoids it by throwing Maenpaa back against the cage.
Maenpaa prevents a takedown attempt there.
Maenpaa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Maenpaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maenpaa misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Maenpaa.
Maenpaa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Boner.
Maenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Boner avoids it by throwing Maenpaa back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Boner blocks an uppercut.
Maenpaa lands with a right to the head.
Maenpaa gets underhooks to prevent Boner's takedown attempt.
Boner is trying to pull guard but Maenpaa has him pressed against the cage.
Maenpaa scores with a shot to the side of Boner's head.
Boner tries to pull guard but Maenpaa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maenpaa.
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!
Boner tries to pull guard but Maenpaa holds him up against the cage and eventually Boner drops back down to his feet.
Maenpaa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maenpaa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Boner backwards.

Boner successfully pulls guard.
Maenpaa tries to stand but Boner is controlling from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Maenpaa really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Boner's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Boner has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maenpaa finds it's way round the side to connect with Boner's head.
Boner shoots in but no luck this time.
A slow jab from Maenpaa misses its intended target.
Boner moves out of range of the strikes.
Boner tries to counter with a takedown but Maenpaa is quick to defend against it.
Maenpaa scores with a jab. Boner acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Maenpaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Boner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maenpaa throws a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maenpaa. Boner does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maenpaa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boner shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maenpaa as he avoids it easily.
Boner shoots in for a double leg but Maenpaa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Boner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maenpaa throws out a loose jab but Boner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boner takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maenpaa has Boner up against the cage in a clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Maenpaa lands a nice uppercut.
Maenpaa struggles to land a body shot inside as Boner controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maenpaa.
Maenpaa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Boner backwards.
Boner tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Maenpaa smiles and moves away.
The crowd cheers as Maenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Boner doesn't seem phased though.
Maenpaa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Boner on the side of the head.
Maenpaa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Boner in his tracks.

Boner is rocked!
and Maenpaa counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Boner! He's just covering up as Maenpaa starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Juha Maenpaa!
Juha Maenpaa is the new middleweight champion!