PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Niska (ranked 2254 p4p, 1838 weight class) and Geo Versu (ranked 323 p4p, 272 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Niska
vs
Versu

193 cm
37
212
29 - 21 - 0

180 cm
42
214
16 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 29 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Juha Niska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Geo Versu!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Robert Douchet and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niska looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Niska chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Versu can pounce on him.
Niska shoots in but Versu avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Niska has Versu up against the cage in a clinch.
Niska tries to score a body lock takedown but Versu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juha Niska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Versu misses with an elbow over the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niska tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Niska blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Versu prevents a takedown attempt there.
Versu works on Niska's body with a couple of short punches.
Niska prevents a body shot from Versu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versu can't find room to land a body shot as Niska controls the action.
Versu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niska is defending well for now.
Versu has a couple of punches blocked by Niska.
Versu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've been informed that Versu has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Niska blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Versu blocks an elbow strike from Niska.

Niska has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Versu uses from the top position.
Versu wants to stand and escape but instead Niska has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Niska trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Niska content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Versu looking for a sweep. Not yet Versu, not yet.
Niska is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niska postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Versu.
Versu scores with a nice right hand.
Versu misses with an uppercut
and Niska counters with a left and a right that stings Versu.
Niska shoots in and drives through. Versu sprawls well.
Versu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Versu connects with a nice looking jab.
Versu lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Niska closes the distance and clinches.
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!
Versu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Versu pushes off an throws an elbow but Niska leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Niska blocks an uppercut.
Versu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Niska is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Versu is defending well.
Niska avoiding damage as Versu throws knees to the body.
Versu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Versu misses with a punch to the body.
Niska drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Versu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Versu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Versu tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Niska can't get the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Geo Versu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Versu keeps the fight on the outside.
The fighters circling - Versu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Niska feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Versu scores with a nice head shot.
A jab from Versu misses.
Versu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Versu throws a poor cross that misses
and Niska counters with a straight right hand.
Versu punishes Niska's body with a nice straight punch.
Niska takes one to the chin there.
Versu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Niska has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Niska.
Versu misses with an attempted mid kick.
Geo Versu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Versu looks to land a body kick but Niska moved away.
Niska uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Versu.
Versu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Niska has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versu misses with an uppercut
and Niska counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Niska tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Versu paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Niska fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Versu, pushing him back against the cage.
Niska is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Versu is defending well.
Versu tries to throw a body punch but Niska avoids it by throwing Versu back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Versu.
Versu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Niska.
Niska drops down looking for an ankle pick but Versu pulls his leg out and moves away.

Niska pushes Versu up against the cage in a clinch.

Niska pulls guard successfully.
Versu is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niska is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Versu 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 working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Versu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Versu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Niska wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Niska can't keep his opponent in guard - Versu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Niska wants to get back to full guard.
Niska has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Niska is pressing down on Versu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Versu preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Niska is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versu keeping full guard, as Niska tries to pass.
Niska is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Versu keeping moving, preventing Niska from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Geo Versu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Niska shoots in for a double leg but Versu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Niska avoids a punch combination nicely.

Niska darts in and clinches Versu up against the cage.

Versu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Versu misses.
Niska slips a jab from Versu.
Versu lands with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Versu misses with a wild body shot.
Niska half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Niska blocks a leg kick.
Niska tries to close the distance and clinch up but Versu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Versu misses with a low kick as Niska jumps back.
A quick step to the side and Niska tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Versu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Niska avoids the body shot from Versu.
Niska was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Geo Versu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Versu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Niska manages to avoid it.
Niska gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Versu counters with a nice leg kick.
Versu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Niska is looking to clinch.
Versu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Versu tries a head kick but it misses.
Niska tries to clinch but Versu is having none of it.
Versu only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Niska connects with a solid leg kick.
Versu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Versu misses with a body shot
and Niska counters with a head kick. That will keep Versu thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Niska has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Versu.
Niska tries to close the distance and clinch but Versu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Niska looks for a takedown but Versu sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juha Niska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Niska takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Versu lands an overhand right.
Versu keeps the fight on the outside.
Versu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Versu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Niska tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Versu manages to circle out of the way.
Versu misses with a straight left.
Niska swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Versu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Niska looks for the body kick but Versu saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A head kick misses from Versu.
Niska attempts a counter takedown but Versu avoids it well and moves away.
Niska tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Versu counters with a head kick. That will keep Niska thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Versu connects with an inside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Versu.
Niska blocks a head kick by Versu.
Versu misses with an uppercut. Niska saw that one coming.
Niska is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Versu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Niska takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
The fight stays on the outside here - Niska looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versu throws a leg kick that misses.
Niska tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Versu manages to circle out of the way.
Versu thows a leg kick but Niska checks it
and Niska counters with a straight right hand.
Niska wants to clinch up but Versu keeps it at a distance.
Juha Niska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Niska fails in his attempt to clinch.
Niska fails in his attempt to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Versu.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Niska tries to clinch up but Versu circles away and keeps his distance.
Niska on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Versu. Versu obviously looking to wear him down.
Niska tries to clinch but Versu is having none of it.
Niska slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Niska looking to score a takedown here. Versu is defending well but Niska drives through and ends up in Versu's guard.
Versu trying to keep a closed guard but Niska is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Geo Versu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Versu winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Geo Versu!
During a confident post fight interview, Geo Versu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.