PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Baker (ranked 2912 p4p, 2796 weight class) and Juha Niska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Baker
vs
Niska

190 cm
44
220
33 - 26 - 2

193 cm
35
212
24 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 26 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brian Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Juha Niska!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niska lands a leg kick that knocks Baker off balance momentarily.
Niska fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Baker appears to be looking for a big counter.

Baker pushes Niska up against the cage in a clinch.
Niska content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Baker managing to block the knees to the body from Niska.
Baker tries to break the clinch but Niska is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Niska stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Niska tries to work over Baker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baker softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Niska letting Baker take a breather here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Niska has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Baker after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Niska lands a nice uppercut.
Baker content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Niska stalling against the cage.

Niska has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Baker regains guard immediately.
Baker wants to stand and escape but Niska is having none of it.
We've been hearing good reports from Baker's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Niska is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Baker is looking to stand up but Niska isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker wriggles free and stands up.
Baker throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Juha Niska has been cut.
Baker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Niska stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Baker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Niska dives in for a single leg takedown but Baker sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Baker throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Niska's coach down at Sparks gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Niska's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Niska misses with a wild combination.
Baker appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niska tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baker misses with a double jab
and Niska counters with a three punch combo that has Baker backing up. Baker nods at Niska to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Niska takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Baker pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Niska shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Niska looking to sit in guard and control but Baker gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Baker wants to get up but he can't break Niska's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Niska 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.
Baker is looking to stand up but Niska won't let him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Baker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juha Niska's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Baker takes a swing at Niska's ribcage but misses.
Baker misses with the combination.
Baker takes a swing at Niska's ribcage but misses.
Baker throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Niska counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker jabs Niska right on the nose. Niska blinks but takes it well.
Niska is trying hard to land a takedown here. Baker sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Baker takes a swing at Niska's ribcage but misses.

Niska looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Baker is trying to control the position but Niska postures up.
Baker wants to stand but Niska is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niska wants to control from the top but Baker keeps moving.
Niska won't allow Baker to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Baker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Niska circles away quickly and effectively.
Niska scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Niska is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Baker's half guard.
Niska trying to control the action but Baker is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to get back to his feet.

Baker kicks Niska off and gets back to his feet.
Brian Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker takes a swing at Niska's ribcage but misses.
Niska tries to counter by closing the distance.
Brian Baker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Niska fails with a takedown attempt.
Brian Baker is winning the standup battle so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Niska.
Brian Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Niska.
Niska fails with the takedown.
Niska misses with a takedown
and Baker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Niska is breathing heavily.
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Baker does no damage.
Niska showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Baker.
Baker misses with a shot to the body
and Niska counters with a left and a right that stings Baker.
Niska fails with the takedown.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Niska counters with a good low kick that Baker was not able to check.
Baker misses the shot to the body.
Baker misses with a body punch
and Niska counters with a one-two to the body.
Niska shoots in for a takedown but Baker shows good takedown defense.
It looked like Baker was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Baker is looking to wear down Niska with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Baker misses with a left hand
and Niska counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Niska takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baker forces Niska back against the cage and clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Niska lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Baker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Niska with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Baker scores with a nice hook to the head.
Baker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Niska is keeping busy.
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 Brian Baker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Juha Niska's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Baker stuffs the takedown.
Niska looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baker is fending him off so far but Niska persists. Nope, Baker circles away and we're back to standing.
Baker is looking to counter punch.
Baker connects with a body shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baker.
No luck for Niska with that takedown attempt.
Brian Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Niska.
Baker swings for the body but Niska moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Baker.
Niska displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baker throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Baker breaks from the clinch.
Baker misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niska shoots in but no luck this time.
Niska shoots in but Baker avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Niska takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Niska closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baker to the mat! Baker manages to get full guard.
Niska throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Baker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Baker manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Baker being controlled against the cage.

Niska breaks from the clinch.
Juha Niska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a sloppy head kick and Niska moves out of range easily.
Baker missing with a left hand there. Niska was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Niska is looking for the big counter here.
Niska shoots and misses
and Baker counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
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!
Baker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Baker throws a hook but Niska blocks it.
Baker lands a body shot.
Niska fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Niska can do to turn this around?
Baker pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Niska back to the cage. Baker follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a jab, cross combination.

Niska feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Baker wants to stand and escape but Niska is having none of it.

Baker pushes Niska off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Niska looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baker is fending him off so far but Niska persists. Nope, Baker circles away and we're back to standing.
Baker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A shot to the body from Baker misses
and Niska counters with an inside leg kick.
Baker with a nice calf kick.
Baker tries to bum rush Niska with a series of wild strikes but Niska uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Baker moves into range and clinches up with Niska.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Niska stalling the fight.
Baker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niska working aggressively here.
Niska can't get the takedown.
Niska is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Baker is defending well for now.
Baker avoids a wild elbow strike from Niska.
Baker working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Niska holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baker lands a shot to the body.
A short right from Baker.
Brian Baker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Niska leaning against his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Baker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baker 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Baker!