PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sortek Redfist (ranked 2664 p4p, 2646 weight class) and Juha Niska (ranked 0 p4p, 375 weight class). Redfist comes to the cage accompanied by Earl Sweatshirt-Chum. Juha Niska has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Redfist
vs
Niska

188 cm
45
213
48 - 26 - 2

193 cm
38
212
29 - 22 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good 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 48 - 26 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Sortek Redfist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Juha Niska!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Redfist stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Redfist looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Niska closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Redfist did well to prevent Niska getting side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Redfist wants to control but Niska is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Redfist tries to roll over but Niska keeps him under control.
Niska not doing much here.
Redfist is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redfist wants to control but Niska passes into side.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redfist is looking for a sweep.
Niska happy to just control the position for now.
Redfist on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Redfist tries to get out of the position.
Niska's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Redfist wants to control but Niska postures up.
The referee asks Niska politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Niska prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Redfist controls the position for a moment.
Redfist trying to remain calm as Niska controls from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Redfist struggling a bit here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Redfist connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Niska momentarily.
Redfist misses with a wild body shot.
Sortek Redfist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Redfist avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Niska keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Redfist.
Redfist loads up on a big right hand but Niska slips the punch.

Niska moves into the clinch successfully.
Redfist blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Redfist is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redfist misses with a punch to the body.
Niska lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Niska is struggling to control the position.
Redfist throws a head punch that misses.
Niska avoiding damage as Redfist throws knees to the body.
Redfist gets underhooks to prevent Niska's takedown attempt.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Niska wants a takedown.
Niska prevents a body shot from Redfist.
Niska keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Redfist's efforts to push away.
Redfist has a couple of punches blocked by Niska.
Niska blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niska has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Redfist is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sortek Redfist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Niska.
Redfist 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.
A short right from Redfist on the inside.
Redfist misses with the head strike.
Redfist lands a shoulder strike.
Niska blocking some punches.
Niska has Redfist pressed against the cage.
Redfist with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Redfist 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.
Redfist misses with a punch on the inside.
Redfist misses with the head strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Niska has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Redfist is trying to keep an underhook but Niska manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Niska trying to mount his opponent but Redfist defends it.
Niska prevents Redfist from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sortek Redfist dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Redfist scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Redfist thuds a left hand into Niska's body.
Niska takes one to the side of the head.
Niska slips under a jab from Redfist.
Niska only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Redfist.
Redfist jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Redfist lunges at Niska with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Niska's hand.

Redfist gets caught flat footed, as Niska shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Redfist trying to control the position.
Redfist looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Niska seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Redfist controls Niska momentarily but Niska frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redfist controlling Niska's posture.
Niska stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Redfist swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Niska sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Redfist controlling Niska's posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Niska avoids the body shot from Redfist.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Niska closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Niska content to control rather than advance.
Redfist is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Redfist is trying to control but Niska manages to pass to mount!
Redfist tries to reverse the position but Niska maintains control.
Niska lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Niska prevents Redfist from getting the reversal.
Redfist tries to lock up and control but Niska gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Niska tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redfist wants to hold on but Niska pushes him away.
Redfist is desperately trying to improve his position but Niska has a good base and remains in mount.
Redfist tries to hold on but Niska pushes him away.
Redfist is controlling an arm, preventing Niska from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Redfist wants to hold on but Niska pushes him away.

Niska goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Redfist is on top in guard.
Niska is trying to control the position but Redfist postures up.
Niska is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Redfist knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Niska on the ground.
Redfist wants to control but Niska passes into side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niska controlling from side mount.
Redfist is looking for a sweep.
Niska content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Redfist is looking for a sweep.
Redfist can't do much from the bottom here.
Redfist trying to remain calm as Niska controls from the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Juha Niska will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Niska fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Redfist sprawls well initially but Niska persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Redfist is looking to improve his position.
Niska keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Niska wants to free his trapped foot but Redfist is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Redfist has his hands clasped together around Niska's back. He's all about the action.
Niska is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niska is thwarting Redfist's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Redfist keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Redfist is looking for a sweep. Niska is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Niska stalling.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Niska misses the body punch
and Redfist counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Redfist cracks Niska with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Niska slips a straight right by Redfist.
Redfist misses with a left hand

and Niska moves into the clinch.
Redfist misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niska keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Redfist's efforts to push away.
Redfist using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Niska has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Redfist fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Redfist misses with some punches.

Niska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Redfist stuns Niska with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Redfist misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Redfist pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Niska moves in looking to clinch but Redfist pushes him off.
Redfist looks to score with a jab to the body but Niska is just out of range.
Sortek Redfist is winning the standup battle so far.

Niska moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Redfist misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niska.
Redfist misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redfist is trying to break the clinch but Niska is controlling him.
Redfist tries a knee to the head but Niska blocks it.

Niska drags the fight down to the ground.
Redfist 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.
Redfist is fighting to break Niska's control of his arms but Niska is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Niska wants to sweep but no luck.

Niska is looking for a triangle but Redfist pushes his legs off easily.
Niska has a closed guard, preventing Redfist from standing up.
Niska looking to hit a scissor sweep but Redfist is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Redfist trying to stand up but can't free himself from Niska's guard.
Niska wants to sweep but no luck.

Redfist stands up from Niska's guard - Redfist perhaps looking for a knockout.

Niska looking to score a takedown here. Redfist is defending well but Niska drives through and ends up in Redfist's guard.
Niska forces his way into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Niska controlling the action here.
Redfist tries to roll over but Niska keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Juha Niska.
I think Niska has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Juha Niska!
A very excited looking Juha Niska rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
The defeated Sortek Redfist had this to say: 'You win or you learn. 148'.