PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cormac Maguire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Bourque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maguire comes into the arena with Guns 'n Roses - Welcome To The Jungle blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Maguire
vs
Bourque

169 cm
31
154 lbs
28 - 6 - 0

192 cm
34
156 lbs
32 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

iFight Fight Gear - Steel Penn - $10

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cormac Maguire!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Bourque!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bourque dips to his left and cracks Maguire with an uppercut!
Bourque bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Maguire's head backwards.
Maguire shoots for a double leg takedown but Bourque sprawls well. He's pushed Maguire's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cormac Maguire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Maguire gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maguire missing with knees to the body.
Maguire pushes Bourque back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Maguire tries to land knees in the clinch but Bourque avoids the damage to the body.
Bourque trying to control the position but instead, Maguire has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bourque into the cage.
Maguire missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourque avoids the elbow strike from Maguire, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Maguire.
Maguire trying to land knees to the body.

Bourque manages to break the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Maguire.
A bone on bone clash there as Bourque blocks the leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Bourque checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maguire throws a body punch but Bourque moves out of range.
Bourque misses the jab.
Bourque throws a jab when Maguire was well out of range.

Maguire rushes Bourque and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bourque is trying to push Maguire away but Maguire has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maguire tries a body shot but Bourque blocks it.
Bourque blocks an elbow strike.
Maguire lands a nice elbow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Maguire throws an elbow but misses.
Maguire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bourque.
Maguire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Bourque breaks the clinch.
Maguire throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Paul Bourque is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bourque checks a low kick from Maguire.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourque lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Maguire avoids the body shot from Bourque.
Bourque dips to his left and cracks Maguire with an uppercut!
Bourque checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bourque throws a hook but Maguire blocks it.
Bourque throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bourque comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Maguire throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A good leg kick by Maguire.
Jab by Maguire.
Bourque uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maguire.
Maguire lands a nice hook to Bourque's body. Bourque takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Maguire.
Maguire gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bourque.
Bourque tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maguire was well out of range. Poor timing from Bourque.
Bourque has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Maguire.
Maguire takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Maguire moves away from the strike by Bourque.
Maguire is looking to land body kicks.
Bourque misses with a body shot.
Maguire thows a body kick. Bourque tries to catch it but that hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bourque jabs Maguire to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Maguire looks to score with a jab to the body but Bourque is just out of range.
Bourque waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maguire.
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 Cormac Maguire will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maguire misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maguire throws a nice inside leg kick.
Maguire throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maguire fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bourque is out of range.
Bourque misses the shot to the body.
Maguire walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bourque checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Maguire tries to clinch up
letting Bourque counter with a right hand.
Bourque throws a body punch but Maguire moves out of range.
Bourque takes a swing at Maguire's ribcage but misses.
Bourque tries to bum rush Maguire with a series of wild strikes but Maguire uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Maguire.
Maguire throws a leg kick which misses Bourque's front leg but catches the back leg as Bourque tries to avoid it.
Bourque is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bourque avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Maguire tries to land a front kick but Bourque steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maguire tries a head kick but it misses.
Paul Bourque is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maguire thuds his shin into the meat of Bourque's side.
The fighters circling - Bourque throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maguire throws a looping overhand right but Bourque ducks down to avoid it.
Bourque throws a series of punches but Maguire avoids them all with ease.
Maguire scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bourque doesn't seem bothered though.
Maguire chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maguire throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bourque shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bourque has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maguire finds it's way round the side to connect with Bourque's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Maguire.
Maguire throws a body punch but Bourque moves out of range.

Maguire throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bourque tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Maguire is in Bourque's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Maguire trying to control but Bourque is working from the bottom.
Bourque is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maguire passes Bourque's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourque regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Maguire.
Maguire trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maguire stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bourque swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bourque keeping moving, preventing Maguire from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maguire trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maguire is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maguire looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cormac Maguire wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bourque chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Maguire can pounce on him.
Maguire is looking to wear down Bourque with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bourque moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maguire slips a jab from Bourque.
Bourque avoids the body shot from Maguire.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac Maguire dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maguire gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Maguire misses with a combination
and Bourque counters with a three punch combo that has Maguire backing up. Maguire nods at Bourque to acknowledge the strikes.
Maguire uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bourque.
Maguire lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Maguire changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bourque slips a straight right by Maguire.
Bourque slips under a jab from Maguire.
Bourque moves out of range of the body kick.
Bourque's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Bourque clobbers Maguire with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bourque moves out of range as Maguire throws a body kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bourque checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourque lands a two punch combo.
An inside leg kick lands from Maguire.
Bourque throws a right hand that Maguire ducks under and follows up with a left that Maguire also avoids with ease.
Maguire throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bourque's waist but Bourque gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maguire off to one side.
Maguire lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bourque fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Maguire lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bourque takes a step back to recover.
Bourque has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Maguire.
Maguire throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bourque counters with a nice body shot.
Maguire throws a body punch but Bourque moves out of range.

Maguire moves into the clinch successfully.
Bourque avoids the elbow strike from Maguire, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maguire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bourque is defending well for now.
Bourque blocks the elbow strike.
Bourque is trying to break free.
Bourque has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bourque wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maguire has Bourque pressed against the cage, preventing Bourque from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bourque wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bourque looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maguire misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Maguire throws an elbow but misses.
Bourque is trying to break the clinch but Maguire is controlling him.
Maguire lands an elbow inside that Bourque shrugs off.

It looks like Paul Bourque has been cut.
Bourque is trying to break the clinch but Maguire is controlling him.
Maguire is working Bourque over against the cage.
Maguire lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Maguire misses with an elbow over the top.

Bourque manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourque keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Maguire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maguire looks to land a body kick but Bourque moved away.
Bourque throws a looping overhand right but Maguire ducks down to avoid it.
Bourque misses with a right hand
and Maguire counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Maguire buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maguire thows a body shot but no joy.
Maguire lands with a shot to the body.
Maguire chopping away at his opponent's legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bourque tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bourque misses with a straight left.
Maguire takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac Maguire clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Bourque's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A decent looking body kick lands there for Maguire.
Bourque takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Maguire throws a hook but Bourque blocks it.
Bourque pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maguire throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bourque takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maguire dips to his left and cracks Bourque with an uppercut!
That kick from Maguire tenderised Bourque's leg. Bourque is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bourque takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bourque misses with a hook.
Bourque misses with a few strikes there.
A clash of legs there as Bourque blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maguire tries to land a front kick but Bourque steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cormac Maguire is winning the standup battle so far.
Bourque lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maguire circles away quickly and effectively.
Maguire dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bourque is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bourque tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maguire was well out of range. Poor timing from Bourque.
Maguire looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bourque is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Maguire.
Bourque throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maguire scores with a jab. Bourque acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bourque takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Maguire scores with a spinning back kick!
Maguire chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maguire lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Maguire scores with a spinning back kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maguire connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Maguire throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Maguire fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maguire wants to clinch up but Bourque keeps it at a distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maguire, as that shot connected.
Bourque takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A slapping leg kick lands for Maguire.
Maguire explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maguire looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Maguire fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Maguire dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bourque. That did some damage!
Maguire throws a leg kick which misses Bourque's front leg but catches the back leg as Bourque tries to avoid it.
Maguire throws a leg kick but Bourque moved away.
Bourque throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maguire staying out of range there.
Maguire throws a quick inside leg kick.
No joy there for Maguire, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bourque sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Maguire lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maguire keeps Bourque at a distance using the push kick.
Maguire chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maguire lands a really nice looking cross but Bourque seems unphased.
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!
Maguire throws the kick towards the body but Bourque avoids it.
Maguire scores with a leg kick.
Bourque lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Maguire is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bourque can do to turn this around?
Bourque moves out of range of the body kick.
Bourque throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bourque lunges at Maguire with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maguire's hand.
Maguire throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac Maguire had his way with Paul Bourque in that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Bourque's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Maguire slips a jab from Bourque.
Maguire lands a jab.
Maguire lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bourque's sensitive parts.
Bourque throws a right hand that misses
and Maguire counters with a nice leg kick.
Jab from Maguire.
Maguire swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maguire misses with a body kick.
Bourque takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bourque swings for the body but Maguire moves out of range.
Bourque misses with a hook. Maguire ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Maguire.
Maguire throws a leg kick which misses Bourque's front leg but catches the back leg as Bourque tries to avoid it.
Bourque sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Maguire keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bourque.
Bourque avoids the head kick by Maguire.
Maguire looks to land a body kick but Bourque moved away.
Bourque misses with a hook.
Maguire uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bourque.
A jab from Bourque finds it's way through Maguire's defenses.
Bourque checks the leg kick nicely there.
Maguire misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maguire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maguire works Bourque's body with a nice hook.
Bourque blocks a head kick by Maguire.
Maguire throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Maguire misses with a low kick.
Paul Bourque has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maguire looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bourque misses with a two punch combination.
Bourque thows a body shot but no joy.
Maguire tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bourque sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maguire somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maguire clinches.
Maguire lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bourque has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bourque stalling in the clinch but Maguire improves position.
Bourque is trying to push Maguire away but Maguire has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maguire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bourque.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maguire landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cormac Maguire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maguire working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Maguire lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bourque or not.
Bourque looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maguire.
Bourque is trying to break the clinch but Maguire is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bourque blocks an elbow strike from Maguire.
Bourque avoiding damage as Maguire throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cormac Maguire showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maguire has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 50:45
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cormac Maguire!
Cormac Maguire retains his featherweight title!
Post fight, an emotional Cormac Maguire said 'It has been a hell of a ride! Thanks to Fat Boy for being awesome and good luck in the future! I'll be back defending the belt in due time, thank you all!'.