Methods and systems utilizing inferred maximum temperature monitoring for irrigated ablation therapy are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for ablating tissue includes positioning an elongate body proximate to tissue, where the elongate body includes an ablation element and at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The method can include simultaneously delivering ablative energy to the tissue through the ablation element and liquid through the elongate body. The method can further include pausing delivery of ablative energy and liquid, as well as sensing a temperature of the ablation element while delivery of ablative energy and liquid is paused. The method can further include any of terminating delivery of ablative energy and liquid and resuming delivery of ablative energy and liquid based on a comparison of the sensed temperature to a reference temperature.
