PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jax Thomas (ranked 168 p4p, 19 weight class) and Verneri Ahma (ranked 124 p4p, 15 weight class). Thomas comes to the cage accompanied by Killing is my business, and business is good! - Megadeth. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Thomas
vs
Ahma

175 cm
26
170 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

172 cm
23
160 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Sin City Allstars

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Jax Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahma is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thomas.
Thomas lands with a good body shot.
Thomas fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ahma feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.
Ahma lands a nice hook to Thomas's body. Thomas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thomas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Thomas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ahma throws out a leg kick but Thomas moves out of range and Ahma only half commits.
Thomas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Thomas has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chris Leben KO Academy in the buildup to the fight.
Thomas moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ahma misses with a hook. Thomas ducked under it nicely.
Thomas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ahma lands with an uppercut that bounces Thomas off the cage and back into range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thomas looks for the body kick but Ahma saw that one coming.
Ahma slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Ahma circles away.
Thomas fakes the leg kick and cracks Ahma in the body.
Thomas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Ahma is rocked!
Thomas throws a series of punches but Ahma moves out of range.
Thomas scores with a sloppy right hand. Ahma should have avoided that one.
Ahma is still on wobbly legs! Can Thomas finish him?
Ahma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Thomas clinches.
A short body shot lands from Thomas as the two fighters clinch.
Ahma misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thomas is working Ahma over against the cage.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Ahma.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas misses with some punches.
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!
Thomas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ahma seems to have recovered his senses.
Thomas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A hook to the body from Thomas.
Thomas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thomas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ahma's elbow.
Ahma misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas lands a body shot.
Ahma is working Thomas over against the cage.
Ahma lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Ahma.
Ahma has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Thomas seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ahma can turn it around.
Thomas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ahma blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ahma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Ahma.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Ahma.
A head punch on the inside from Thomas fails to land.
Ahma doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ahma lands a body shot in the clinch.
Thomas presses Ahma against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ahma wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ahma lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Ahma lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ahma lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Ahma stalling.
Ahma misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ahma misses with some punches.
A short right from Ahma.
Ahma blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas can't find room to land a body shot as Ahma controls the action.
Ahma doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ahma tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thomas's elbow.
Ahma blocks an uppercut.
Ahma swings wildly with an uppercut but Thomas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahma doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ahma scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right handed body shot lands from Ahma.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Ahma.
Ahma misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ahma backwards.
Thomas lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Thomas digs a right hand into Ahma's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ahma's gas tank.
Ahma misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ahma lands a shoulder strike.
Thomas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ahma fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Thomas as the two fighters clinch.
Thomas lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Thomas.
A head punch on the inside from Ahma fails to land.
Thomas cracks Ahma with a nice body shot.
Ahma blocking some punches.
Ahma struggles to land a body shot inside as Thomas controls his hands.
Ahma misses with a hook from the clinch.

Ahma breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahma drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ahma. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thomas feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Thomas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jax Thomas will probably get the nod.
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.

Thomas feints and then cracks Ahma's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ahma down.
Thomas tries to clinch up but Ahma circles away and keeps his distance.
Ahma throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thomas has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ahma.
Ahma wants to land a leg kick but Thomas is out of range.
Ahma misses with a leg kick

and Thomas lands a stunning uppercut that sends Ahma to the mat!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas throwing shots but Ahma is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thomas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ahma can do to turn this around?
Thomas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Ahma manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Thomas keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Thomas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Thomas.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ahma throws a punch but it's blocked by Thomas.
Ahma misses with a punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thomas.
Ahma lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ahmas head.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ahma tries a body shot but Thomas blocks it.
Ahma struggles to land a body shot inside as Thomas controls his hands.
Ahma swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ahma swings wildly with an uppercut but Thomas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas misses with a body punch.
Ahma throws a head punch that misses.
Ahma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ahma swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Ahma fails to land.
Ahma blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thomas misses with the head strike.
Ahma lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ahma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thomas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ahma throws a head punch that misses.
Ahma fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ahma backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thomas.
Jax Thomas has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thomas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ahma working hard to break the clinch.

Thomas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ahma uses from the top position.
Thomas will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ahma looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Thomas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ahma must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thomas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.

Thomas looking to sit in guard and control but Ahma gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas being controlled here, momentarily.
Ahma preventing the sweep.
Thomas manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ahma manages to get himself to full guard.

Ahma keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.
Thomas sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thomas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas postures up in Ahma's guard and throws a big left but Ahma blocks it.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas postures up.
Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thomas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thomas trying to control but Ahma is working from the bottom.
Ahma is trying to control the position but Thomas postures up.
Thomas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jax Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahma is retaining full guard.
Thomas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ahma keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jax Thomas dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Thomas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas lands with an overhand left.
Thomas staying out of range there.
Ahma has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Thomas.
A slow jab from Ahma misses its intended target.
As Ahma looks to move away, Thomas throws a big counter combo but Ahma just gets out of the way.
Ahma throws a looping overhand right but Thomas ducks down to avoid it.
Thomas wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
The fighters circling - Ahma throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thomas clinches up with Ahma and pushes him back against the cage.
Thomas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ahma smiles and moves away.
Ahma ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas throws out a loose jab but Ahma uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A jab from Ahma misses.
Ahma scores with a decent looking hook.
Ahma throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ahma misses the shot to the body.
Ahma lands a really nice looking cross but Thomas seems unphased.
Ahma wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Thomas clinches with his opponent.
Thomas tries to work over Ahma's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ahma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thomas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Thomas pulls Ahma into guard.
Ahma stopping the sweep attempt from Thomas.
Thomas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Verneri Ahma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ahma controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Thomas has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Thomas pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Thomas throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Thomas throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ahma because Thomas loaded up on that one.
Ahma wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Thomas.
Ahma wants to hold on but Thomas pushes him away.
Ahma tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Thomas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Thomas misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Ahma is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Thomas sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Thomas looking to ground and pound but Ahma is blocking nicely.
Jax Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas controlling from the full mount.
Ahma is looking to improve his position but Thomas isn't that keen on the idea.
Ahma tries to hold on but Thomas postures up.
Thomas takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Thomas continues to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahma working to try and regain half guard.
Thomas controlling from mount.
Thomas's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Thomas blocks Ahma's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jax Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thomas 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jax Thomas!
An out of breath Jax Thomas thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.