PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Niska (ranked 276 p4p, 2990 weight class) and Jim Duggan (ranked 41 p4p, 317 weight class). Duggan is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Five Finger Death Punch- Bad Company . Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Niska
vs
Duggan

193 cm
25
220
12 - 5 - 0

200 cm
34
250
16 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Condemned

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Juha Niska!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jim Duggan!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duggan walks into a jab.
Juha Niska seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Duggan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Niska.
Niska bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Duggan's head.
Duggan tries to clinch but Niska moves out of range.
Niska swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Duggan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niska.
Niska avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Niska feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Duggan doesn't manage to clinch there - Niska circles away.
Duggan throws a series of strikes that have Niska backpedaling.

It looks like Juha Niska has been cut.

Duggan moves into the clinch successfully.

Niska breaks the clinch.
Duggan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Niska. Niska obviously looking to wear him down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Duggan tries to clinch but Niska moves away
and Niska counters with a right hand to the body.

Duggan moves into range and clinches up with Niska.
Niska tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Duggan's elbow.
Duggan is trying to break the clinch but Niska is controlling him.
Niska avoids a wild elbow strike from Duggan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duggan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Niska is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Niska scores with a nice hook to the head.
Niska manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Niska prevents the takedown attempt.

Niska manages to break the clinch.
Niska tries to bum rush Duggan with a series of wild strikes but Duggan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Duggan moves into the clinch.
Duggan is struggling to control the position.
Duggan letting Niska take a breather here.
Duggan scores with a shot to the side of Niska's head.
Duggan has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Niska seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Duggan can turn it around.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niska tries a knee to the head but Duggan blocks it.

Niska breaks the clinch.
A head kick from Niska lands but Duggan takes it in his stride.

It looks like Jim Duggan has been cut.
Niska throws a head kick but Duggan moves out of range.
Duggan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Niska manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Duggan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Niska throws a body punch but Duggan moves out of range.
Niska throws a body shot but no joy.
Niska fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Niska instigates a clinch.
Duggan avoids a wild elbow strike from Niska.
Niska wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Duggan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Duggan - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Niska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Niska.
The fight stays on the outside here - Duggan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Juha Niska is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Niska connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Niska takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Duggan looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Niska kicks off Duggan and gets to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Duggan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Niska looks to land a combination but Duggan avoids it well.
Niska throws a head kick but Duggan moves out of range.
Duggan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Niska paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Niska throws a left and a right that both miss
and Duggan counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niska scores with a jab. Duggan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Duggan forces Niska back against the cage and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Duggan.

Niska manages to break the clinch.
Duggan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Niska attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Duggan misses with a low kick.

Duggan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Niska wriggles free and stands up.
Duggan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Niska manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Niska scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Niska with the inside leg kick.
Duggan ducks under a wild hook from Niska.
Duggan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Niska defends well and Duggan ends up having to push Niska into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Niska dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Duggan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Duggan wants to clinch up but Niska keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Niska has had enough of the clinch but Duggan keeps him there for the moment.
Duggan trying to control the position but instead, Niska has worked for underhooks and has pushed Duggan into the cage.
Niska lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Duggan throws a punch but it's blocked by Niska.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Niska breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Niska.
Niska getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Juha Niska is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duggan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've been told by Niska's head coaches at Malmi Aitta that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Juha Niska is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Duggan gets a takedown into half guard.
Niska regains full guard. Nicely done.
Duggan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Niska manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Duggan manages to get himself to full guard.

Niska wants to get up but he can't break Duggan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Niska stands up from Duggan's guard - Niska perhaps looking for a knockout.
Duggan doesn't manage to clinch there - Niska circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Duggan is defended easily by Niska.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niska ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Niska wants to clinch up but Duggan keeps it at a distance.
Niska lands an overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niska swinging wildly here.
Duggan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Niska misses with a looping left.

Niska clinches up against the cage.

Duggan breaks from the clinch.
Duggan looks for a takedown but Niska sprawls well.
Niska throwing a counter right hand but Duggan manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niska throws a wild body kick that Duggan sees coming a mile off.
Duggan tries to clinch up but Niska circles away and keeps his distance.
As Duggan backs away, Niska returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A left and a right from Niska both land. Nice combination.
Niska scores with a nice head shot.
Niska scores with a leg kick.
Duggan tries to clinch up but Niska circles away and keeps his distance.
Niska lands a leg kick that knocks Duggan off balance momentarily.
Niska throws a combination that misses
enabling Duggan to counter with a crisp jab.
Niska throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Duggan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Duggan tries to clinch up.
Duggan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Duggan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Niska lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Juha Niska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Duggan.
Duggan slips a jab and a cross from Niska.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Niska fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Niska throws a sloppy head kick and Duggan moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Duggan! But no joy.
Duggan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Duggan tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Niska counters with a stiff right hand.

Niska closes the distance and pushes Duggan back into the cage.

Niska manages to break the clinch.
Duggan dodges the punch combination from Niska.
Duggan fails with the takedown.
Niska throws a solid leg kick but Duggan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Niska.
No joy there for Niska, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Duggan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Niska dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Duggan scores with a takedown into Niska's guard.

Duggan gets to his feet. Niska looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Niska looks to score with a jab to the body but Duggan is just out of range.
Duggan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Niska misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Duggan tries to clinch but Niska is having none of it.
Duggan slips a jab and a cross from Niska.
Duggan tries to counter by closing the distance.
Niska swinging wildly here.
Duggan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Niska.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That kick from Niska tenderised Duggan's leg. Duggan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Duggan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Duggan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Duggan tries to clinch but Niska moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Niska.
Niska fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Duggan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Niska swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Niska scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Niska lands a nice leg kick that just misses Duggan's sensitive parts.
Duggan misses with a takedown attempt - Niska sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Niska.
Duggan avoids the head kick by Niska.
Niska throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Duggan moves into range and clinches up with Niska.

Niska breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duggan tries to clinch but Niska moves out of range.
Niska throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Niska connects with a body shot that sends Duggan's belly button to the back.
Duggan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Duggan moves in looking to clinch but Niska pushes him off.
Niska throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Duggan unleashes a big counter combination but Niska bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Duggan moves into the clinch.
Duggan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Niska backwards.
Duggan tries to throw a body punch but Niska avoids it by throwing Duggan back against the cage.
Duggan is stalling here.
Niska tries a body shot but Duggan blocks it.
Niska pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Duggan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Niska's efforts to push away.
Duggan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duggan wants a takedown but no success here.
Jim Duggan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Duggan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Niska lands with a left to the head.
Duggan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Niska blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Duggan is trying to stall.
Duggan looking to slow down the pace here.

Niska manages to break the clinch.

Duggan has Niska up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Duggan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Duggan has managed to clinch.
Niska stalling against the cage.

Niska escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Duggan 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.
Duggan stops Niska from standing up.
Niska avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Duggan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Duggan throws a big right hand that misses.
Niska looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Niska is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Duggan can do to turn this around?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niska wants to stand up but Duggan is controlling him.

Niska has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Duggan off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Niska moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Niska clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Duggan misses with a low kick as Niska jumps back.

Duggan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Niska, pushing him back against the cage.
Duggan has a couple of punches blocked by Niska.
Duggan misses with a knee to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Duggan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Duggan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Niska wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Duggan has him pressed against the cage.
Duggan stalling the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duggan taking a breather.
Niska lands a damaging elbow.

Niska manages to break the clinch.
Niska throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Duggan.
Niska throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duggan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Niska manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Niska will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Niska throws a nice inside leg kick.
Duggan scores with a three punch combo!
Niska fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Duggan manages to avoid it.
Niska moves in looking to clinch but Duggan pushes him off.
No joy there for Duggan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Niska misses with the combination.
Despite the aggression on Duggan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Duggan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niska displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Duggan.
Duggan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Duggan blocks a head kick by Niska.
Niska tries to land a front kick but Duggan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Duggan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Niska swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Niska tests Duggan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Niska fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Some wild striking there from Niska.
Duggan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Niska connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Duggan scrambles back to his feet.
Niska scores with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Duggan clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Duggan.
Niska can't find room to land a body shot as Duggan controls the action.
Duggan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Duggan is trying to stall.
Niska looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Duggan looking to slow down the pace here.
Niska prevents the takedown attempt.
Niska blocks the elbow strike.
Duggan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Duggan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Niska lands but Duggan takes it in his stride.

Duggan shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Duggan was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Niska throws Duggan to one side and escapes!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niska moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Niska turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Niska.
Niska connects with a looping right hand.
Duggan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Niska manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Duggan tries to close the distance and clinch but Niska swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Niska lands a jab to Duggan's midsection.
Niska throws a leg kick
and Duggan counters with a one-two to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Niska had his way with Jim Duggan in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Duggan avoids a kick to the body.
Duggan feints the counter takedown.

Duggan clinches with his opponent.
Duggan tries to score a body lock takedown but Niska shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Niska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Duggan dives in and grabs Niska's left leg, looking for a takedown. Niska pushes down on Duggan's head and hops out.

Duggan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Niska on his heels. He'll look to pass Niska's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niska wants to stand up but Duggan is controlling him.
Niska tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Duggan cracks Niska with a solid left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Duggan gets to his feet - Niska follows without any prompting.
Niska keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Juha Niska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Duggan.

Duggan drives through and clinches with Niska against the cage.
Duggan is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duggan takes an elbow to the temple.

Niska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Niska just misses with a punch to the body.
Duggan tries to clinch but Niska moves out of range.
It looked like Niska was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Niska is looking to clinch but Duggan is avoiding it.
Niska misses with a series of wild punches.
Duggan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Niska's waist but Niska gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Duggan off to one side.
Niska tries to clinch but Duggan is having none of it.
Niska lands an overhand right.
Duggan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Niska swivels and escapes.
Niska throws a big counter combination but Duggan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Duggan tries to keep at a distance but Niska has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duggan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Niska gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Duggan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Duggan wants a takedown but no success here.

Niska escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Niska throws a series of punches but Duggan avoids them all with ease.
As Niska backs off Duggan throws a huge counter combo but Niska manages to avoid it all.
Niska feints and then cracks Duggan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Duggan down.
Niska tries to work over Duggan's front leg with a kick but Duggan checks it.
Niska is looking to clinch but Duggan is avoiding it.
Niska throws out a powerful jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Duggan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Niska connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Duggan scrambles back to his feet.

Niska gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Duggan slows down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duggan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Niska can't find room to land a body shot as Duggan controls the action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Niska creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Niska using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Duggan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Duggan prevents Niska from breaking the clinch.
Duggan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Niska is looking to break free of the clinch but Duggan has double underhooks.

Duggan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A shot to the liver by Niska. Beautiful body shot.
Duggan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Duggan is defended easily by Niska.
Niska scoring well with a low kick there.
Juha Niska is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Duggan moves away from the strike by Niska.
Niska fails to land with a series of punches.
Jim Duggan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Duggan has managed to clinch.
Duggan misses with the head strike.
Niska lands with a light punch inside.
Niska misses with a body punch.
Niska blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juha Niska showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Niska, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 50:45
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juha Niska!
Juha Niska retains his heavyweight title!
In his post fight interview, Juha Niska started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.