PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pasko Nusciva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dru Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nusciva's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lionel Richie - Hello. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Nusciva
vs
Rivers

192 cm
23
199 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

188 cm
32
195 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pasko Nusciva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dru Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nusciva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rivers as he jumps to the side.
Rivers blocks a low kick nicely.
A jab from Nusciva finds it's way through Rivers's defenses.
Good work by Rivers as he checks the leg kick.
Rivers takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rivers takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rivers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rivers wants it to stay on the feet.
Rivers avoids the body shot from Nusciva.
Rivers takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nusciva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rivers circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pasko Nusciva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice combination there by Nusciva.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nusciva shoots in looking for a takedown but Rivers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nusciva's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rivers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nusciva has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nusciva takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rivers.
Nusciva is breathing heavily.
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!
Rivers thuds a left hand into Nusciva's body.
Nusciva shoots in but no luck this time.
Rivers throws a chopping leg kick but Nusciva manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rivers, as that shot connected.
Rivers tries a low kick but Nusciva avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nusciva throws a poor cross that misses
and Rivers counters with a nice uppercut.
Rivers with a hook.
Rivers paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nusciva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rivers as he avoids it easily.
Rivers will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rivers checks a low kick from Nusciva.
Nusciva misses with a hook to the body

and Rivers counters with a crisp right hand that drops Nusciva! Rivers lets Nusciva back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Nusciva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Good leg kick by Rivers there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nusciva scores with a leg kick.
Nusciva lands a head shot.
Dru Rivers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nusciva misses with a right hand
and Rivers counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nusciva misses with a takedown attempt
and Rivers finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Nusciva uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
Rivers connects with a solid leg kick.
Nusciva misses with the body kick
and Rivers connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both fighters circling a little - Rivers finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nusciva drops his hands momentarily and Rivers needs no second invitation. He sets himself and throws a perfect high kick, that clips Nusciva just on the top of the head. Nusciva drops like a sack of potatoes to the canvas, out cold! Oooooooh yeah! Stick a fork in Nusciva - he's done!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Dru Rivers!