PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Maldini (ranked 2951 p4p, 1121 weight class) and Alain Aspect (ranked 382 p4p, 149 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Maldini
vs
Aspect

181 cm
36
154
17 - 4 - 0

174 cm
29
174
16 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paulo Maldini!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Alain Aspect!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maldini throws the left hand but Aspect avoids the punch easily.
Maldini is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aspect.
Maldini misses the jab.
Aspect tries to clinch up but Maldini circles away and keeps his distance.
Aspect moves in looking to clinch but Maldini pushes him off.
Maldini throws a shot from downtown. Aspect moves away and avoids it.
Aspect looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Maldini swats away the attempt to clinch by Aspect.
Maldini tries to counter with a takedown but Aspect is quick to defend against it.

Aspect pushes Maldini up against the cage in a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maldini just misses with a elbow thrown towards Aspect's brow.

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Aspect avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aspect throws out a counter right but Maldini avoids it with no problem.
Good shot there by Maldini.

Aspect has managed to clinch.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Aspect tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maldini manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Aspect wants to clinch.
Maldini misses with a hook. Aspect ducked under it nicely.

Aspect closes the distance and clinches.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.
Aspect lands a hook that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
Aspect misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maldini misses with the head strike.
Aspect lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maldini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aspect has a couple of punches blocked by Maldini.
Aspect throws a head punch that misses.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maldini throws a shot from downtown. Aspect moves away and avoids it.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maldini misses with an uppercut.

Aspect moves into the clinch.
A short left from Maldini.

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Maldini throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aspect moves out of range as Maldini strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Aspect forces Maldini back against the cage and clinches.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aspect on the side of the head.
Aspect fails with an attempt to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Maldini.
Maldini looks to throw the jab but Aspect is out of range.
Maldini misses the jab.
Aspect's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maldini connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Aspect scrambles back to his feet.
Maldini throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maldini looks to land a right hand but Aspect moved out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maldini, as that shot connected.

Aspect closes the distance and clinches.

Maldini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aspect looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maldini throws a hook but Aspect blocks it.
A slow jab from Maldini misses its intended target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aspect! But no joy.

Aspect takes the fight into the clinch.
Maldini throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Aspects head.
Aspect has a couple of punches blocked by Maldini.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Maldini.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aspect lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aspect misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Aspect.
Aspect throws a punch but it's blocked by Maldini.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Maldini throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Aspect moves into the clinch.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspect fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maldini is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Aspect tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maldini swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maldini throws out a loose jab but Aspect uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maldini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aspect.
Maldini cracks Aspect with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.
Aspect tries to clinch up.

Aspect clinches up with Maldini and pushes him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aspect lands a left hand that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
Aspect fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maldini blocking some punches.

Maldini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Aspect moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini tries a knee to the head but Aspect blocks it.
Maldini blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Aspect has a couple of punches blocked by Maldini.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maldini.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspect looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maldini throws a big shot that misses.
A little jabbing left from Aspect on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Maldini misses with a hook.
Aspect avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maldini misses with a hook. Aspect ducked under it nicely.
Maldini loads up on a big right hand but Aspect slips the punch.
Aspect throws a counter combo.

Aspect moves into range and clinches up with Maldini.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aspect softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Maldini throws a jab when Aspect was well out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Maldini 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.

Aspect blocks a jab.
Maldini keeps the fight on the outside.
Maldini bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Aspect's head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aspect looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aspect shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Maldini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aspect.
Aspect moves out of range as Maldini strikes.
Maldini throws an overhand right that lands on Aspect's shoulder, as Aspect tries to avoid the shot.
Maldini misses with a straight left.
Aspect tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed right hand from Maldini misses the target.
Aspect displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maldini throws out the jab.
Aspect has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maldini finds it's way round the side to connect with Aspect's head.
Maldini keeps the fight on the outside.

Aspect has closed the distance and engaged Maldini in a clinch.
Maldini tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aspect tries to clinch but Maldini moves out of range.
Aspect tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maldini manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aspect.

Aspect clinches.
Aspect working aggressively here.
Aspect lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maldini is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aspect can do to turn this around?

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.
Maldini throws out a loose jab but Aspect uses good head movement to avoid it.

Aspect clinches up against the cage.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aspect tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.
Maldini throws the left hand but Aspect avoids the punch easily.
Aspect looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Aspect tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Aspect moves into the clinch.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Maldini here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Aspect creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aspect working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maldini blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Aspect is looking to clinch but Maldini is avoiding it.
Aspect is looking to clinch.
Maldini throws an overhand right that lands on Aspect's shoulder, as Aspect tries to avoid the shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aspect! But no joy.
Maldini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maldini thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maldini pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aspect is looking to clinch but Maldini is avoiding it.

Aspect gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.

Maldini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Aspect clinches with his opponent.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Maldini has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Aspect moves out of range as Maldini strikes.

Aspect moves into the clinch successfully.
Aspect throws a punch but it's blocked by Maldini.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maldini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
Maldini misses with a knee to the head.
Maldini blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Maldini working aggressively here.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aspect lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Maldini on the inside.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Aspect darts in and clinches Maldini up against the cage.
Maldini blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Maldini manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Maldini misses.
Maldini is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Maldini throws a jab but it's blocked by Aspect.
Aspect tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maldini paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Maldini tries to keep at a distance but Aspect has taken the fight into the clinch.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Maldini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maldini changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Aspect slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini thuds his right hand into Aspect's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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!

Aspect has closed the distance and engaged Maldini in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
Aspect misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aspect misses with the head strike.
Aspect misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
Aspect lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Maldini manages to break the clinch.
Aspect fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aspect tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.

Aspect has managed to clinch.
A short right from Maldini on the inside.
Aspect throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
With the fighters up against the cage, Maldini throws an elbow but misses.
Aspect lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aspect has a couple of punches blocked by Maldini.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Paulo Maldini will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aspect takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A big right from Maldini misses.
Good exchange - Maldini coming out on top.
Aspect fails in his attempt to clinch.

Aspect has taken the fight to the clinch.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.
Alain Aspect seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aspect wants to clinch.
Maldini misses with a straight right.
Maldini throws a hook but Aspect avoids it easily.
Aspect tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maldini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aspect wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini keeps the fight on the outside.
Aspect blocks a jab.
Maldini throws a jab when Aspect was well out of range.
Maldini misses with a looping left.
Maldini looks to land a left hand but Aspect moved out of range nicely.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.

Aspect clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Aspect misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aspect lands a right hand.
Aspect scores with a shoulder strike.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maldini connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aspect's hands.
Aspect uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maldini.
Maldini swats away the attempt to clinch by Aspect.
Maldini looks to throw the jab but Aspect is out of range.
Aspect is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maldini looks to throw the jab but Aspect is out of range.
Aspect fails in his attempt to clinch.

Aspect closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Aspect lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aspect.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Still in the clinch, Aspect scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice right hand lands inside from Maldini.
Maldini pushes off an throws an elbow but Aspect leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Aspect throws a punch but it's blocked by Maldini.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
Aspect misses with a short punch on the inside.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Maldini misses.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.
Maldini throws out a loose jab but Aspect uses good head movement to avoid it.

Aspect closes the distance and clinches.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alain Aspect is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aspect moves out of range as Maldini strikes.
Aspect tries to clinch up but Maldini circles away and keeps his distance.
Aspect tries to clinch but Maldini is having none of it.
Maldini is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aspect.
Aspect lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Aspect wants to clinch.

Maldini gets tackled into the cage by Aspect. Aspect maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.
Maldini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Aspect closes the distance and clinches.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maldini looks to throw the jab but Aspect is out of range.
Aspect tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maldini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maldini clobbers Aspect with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Aspect uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maldini.
Maldini thows a left - swing and a miss!

Aspect closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Aspect scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aspect throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maldinis head.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.
Aspect fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aspect has a couple of punches blocked by Maldini.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Aspect moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aspect working aggressively here.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maldini throws a hook but Aspect avoids it easily.

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

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Aspect is looking to clinch but Maldini is avoiding it.
Maldini circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aspect tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maldini manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maldini looks to throw the jab but Aspect is out of range.
Aspect defending well as Maldini loads up on a big left hand.

Aspect moves into range and clinches up with Maldini.
A short uppercut from Maldini.
Maldini blocking some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Aspect staying out of range there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Paulo Maldini did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aspect clinches with his opponent.
Maldini looking to throw knees to the head but Aspect is blocking nicely.
A short uppercut from Aspect.
Aspect has a couple of punches blocked by Maldini.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maldini blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aspect working aggressively here.
Aspect lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Aspect working aggressively here.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maldini cracks Aspect with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini throws a hook but Aspect avoids it easily.
Maldini misses with a hook.
Maldini misses with a hook.
Aspect ducks under a wild hook from Maldini.
Maldini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aspect defending well as Maldini loads up on a big left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maldini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aspect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aspect! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aspect tries to clinch up.
Aspect slips under a jab from Maldini.
Aspect ducks under a wild hook from Maldini.

Aspect moves into the clinch successfully.
Aspect misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Maldini.
Aspect softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Maldini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maldini connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Maldini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice defenses there by Aspect.
Aspect is looking to clinch but Maldini is avoiding it.
Aspect slips under a jab.
It seemed like Aspect was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.
Aspect doesn't manage to clinch there - Maldini circles away.
Maldini smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Maldini missing with a left hand there. Aspect was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maldini throws out a loose jab but Aspect uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Aspect clinches.

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Maldini swats away the attempt to clinch by Aspect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aspect clinches up with Maldini and pushes him back against the cage.
Aspect misses with some punches.
Aspect lands with a right to the head.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspect moves out of range of the strikes.
Maldini swats away the attempt to clinch by Aspect.

Aspect has managed to clinch.
Aspect lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspect fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aspect avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maldini connects with a crisp jab.

Aspect moves into the clinch successfully.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
Aspect lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maldini pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aspect tries to clinch up.

Aspect forces Maldini back against the cage and clinches.
Aspect throws a punch but it's blocked by Maldini.

Maldini manages to break the clinch.

Aspect fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maldini, pushing him back against the cage.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.
Aspect moves out of range of the strikes.
Maldini scores with a jab.
Aspect tries to clinch up.

Aspect has Maldini up against the cage in a clinch.

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Aspect has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Maldini manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aspect tries to clinch up but Maldini circles away and keeps his distance.

Aspect pushes Maldini up against the cage in a clinch.

Maldini breaks the clinch.
Paulo Maldini is winning the standup battle so far.
Aspect slips under a jab from Maldini.

Aspect rushes Maldini and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Aspect lands a shoulder strike.
Aspect misses with a hook from the clinch.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maldini jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Aspect rushes Maldini and presses him up against the cage.
Maldini lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aspect pushes Maldini back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aspect misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aspect slips under a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Alain Aspect will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Maldini throws a hook but Aspect blocks it.
Aspect shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Aspect throws a punch but it's blocked by Maldini.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspect uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maldini.
Aspect tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Aspect gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.
Aspect lands a hook to the side of the head.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aspect tries to close the distance and clinch but Maldini swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Aspect avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini misses with an uppercut.

Aspect darts in and clinches Maldini up against the cage.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maldini keeps the fight on the outside.

Aspect clinches up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Maldini manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini misses with a straight left.
Maldini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aspect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aspect! But no joy.
Aspect tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maldini swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maldini tries to counter with a takedown but Aspect is quick to defend against it.
Maldini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aspect.
Maldini jabs Aspect right on the nose. Aspect blinks but takes it well.
Maldini misses the jab.
Aspect wants to clinch.
Maldini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.

Maldini tries to keep at a distance but Aspect has taken the fight into the clinch.

Maldini breaks the clinch.

Aspect closes the distance and pushes Maldini back into the cage.
Aspect misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
A big right from Maldini misses.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.

Aspect rushes Maldini and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aspect tries to clinch there but Maldini circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aspect blocks a jab.
Maldini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maldini misses with a straight left.
Maldini misses with a looping right.
Maldini throws a jab when Aspect was well out of range.

Aspect gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Aspect makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aspect swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aspect scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspect is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maldini throws a hook but Aspect avoids it easily.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.
Aspect tries to clinch up.
Aspect wants to clinch up but Maldini keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aspect takes the fight into the clinch.
Aspect working aggressively here.
Aspect working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Maldini breaks from the clinch.
Aspect tries to clinch but Maldini is having none of it.
Nice defenses there by Aspect.
Maldini misses with a straight left.
Aspect avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aspect moves away from the strike by Maldini.
Maldini thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aspect tries to clinch but Maldini moves out of range.
Aspect fails with an attempt to clinch.

Aspect gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Maldini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maldini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maldini drops down looking for a counter takedown but Aspect sprawls and moves away.
Aspect bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maldini misses with a straight right.
Aspect tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Aspect ducks down to avoid it.

Maldini closes the distance and pushes Aspect back into the cage.
Maldini lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
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!
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
Aspect swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Aspect fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aspect.
Maldini lands with a light punch inside.
Aspect scores with a nice hook to the head.
Alain Aspect has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aspect lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aspect tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Maldini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Aspect has Maldini up against the cage in a clinch.

Maldini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Aspect clinches up with Maldini and pushes him back against the cage.

Maldini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aspect ducks under a wild hook from Maldini.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Paulo Maldini.
I think Maldini has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Maldini!
Paulo Maldini retains his welterweight title!
Paulo Maldini decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.