PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Verneri Ahma (ranked 915 p4p, 118 weight class) and Tony Hibbert (ranked 887 p4p, 116 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ahma
vs
Hibbert

172 cm
27
159 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

172 cm
28
160 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Tony Hibbert!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahma is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hibbert.
Ahma checks the leg kick.
Ahma ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hibbert swings for the body but Ahma moves out of range.
It looked like Ahma was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hibbert.
Hibbert scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hibbert walks into a left hand.
Ahma staying out of range there.
Ahma moves out of range as Hibbert throws a body kick.
Hibbert uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ahma.
Hibbert keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hibbert misses with a body shot.
Tony Hibbert seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ahma slips a jab and a cross from Hibbert.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hibbert throws a jab when Ahma was well out of range.
Hibbert thuds a left hand into Ahma's body.
A slow jab from Hibbert misses its intended target.
Ahma throws a right hand that misses

and Hibbert counters by moving into the clinch.
Ahma throws a punch but it's blocked by Hibbert.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hibbert has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hibbert throws a head punch that misses.
Hibbert's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hibbert stalling against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Hibbert's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Hibbert blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Hibbert fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ahma creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hibbert has a couple of punches blocked by Ahma.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hibbert.

Ahma lands a takedown into guard.
Hibbert looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ahma is one step ahead there.
Hibbert controlling the position.
Hibbert looking for a sweep. Not yet Hibbert, not yet.
Ahma landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hibbert is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hibbert looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hibbert controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hibbert working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ahma.
Ahma trying to control but Hibbert is working from the bottom.

Hibbert is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ahma throws a sloppy strike and Hibbert has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Ahma is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Hibbert!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tony Hibbert!