PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Verneri Ahma (ranked 14 p4p, 175 weight class) and Aramis Knox (ranked 2 p4p, 23 weight class). Knox comes into a darkened arena with his song building. You're Going Down | Sick Puppies kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Verneri Ahma had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ahma
vs
Knox

172 cm
34
156
25 - 16 - 0

181 cm
29
167
18 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Vegan Gains

Altitude Clothing
PWNAGE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Aramis Knox!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knox throws a shot from downtown. Ahma moves away and avoids it.
Ahma was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ahma swings widly with a right hand
and Knox counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ahma throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Knox makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Knox scores with a jab. Ahma acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ahma lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Knox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ahma.
Knox now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Ahma throws a big shot that misses.
Knox throws out a loose jab but Ahma uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahma throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Knox's head.

It looks like Aramis Knox has been cut.
We've been hearing reports that Ahma has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Knox displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ahma throws out the jab.
Knox swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Ahma shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Knox napping and manages to drive through into side control!
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!
Ahma laying and praying for a moment but Knox takes advantage and regains half guard.
Ahma missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma lands strikes from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knox keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Ahma wants to control but Knox is keeping him busy.
Ahma looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ahma looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Knox is looking to control Ahma's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Knox avoid being mounted?
Knox taking some punishment here, with Ahma in his half guard.
Ahma not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Knox is defending against the submission attempts here by Ahma.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ahma is working for a kimura but Knox is defending it quite comfortably.
Knox is trying to maintain the position but Ahma is very close to passing his half guard.
Ahma throws a strike but Knox avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ahma pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knox is keeping the position for now.
Ahma passes Knox's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Knox is looking to improve his position.
Ahma working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Knox's thigh. Knox counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Ahma looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ahma accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Knox has Ahma pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ahma throws a strike but Knox rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ahma bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Knox's guard.

Knox manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ahma manages to get himself to full guard.

Knox is looking to work some ground and pound but Ahma has wrist control.
Knox is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ahma is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ahma wants to improve his position but instead Knox has moved into half guard.
Knox is thwarting Ahma's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Verneri Ahma dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aramis Knox's cut.
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.

Ahma misses with a jab to the body
and Knox counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Knox connects with a jab.
Knox misses with a few strikes there.
Ahma uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knox.
Ahma throwing a counter right hand but Knox manages to avoid it.
Ahma is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Knox's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Ahma tries to move into range but Knox moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A big right from Knox misses.
Ahma stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Knox takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Ahma closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Ahma on the inside.
Ahma misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ahma wants a takedown but no success here.
Ahma misses with some punches.
Ahma working aggressively here.
Knox lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ahma backwards.
Ahma blocks a body shot from Knox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knox struggles to land a body shot inside as Ahma controls his hands.
Knox misses with a punch on the inside.
Ahma working aggressively here.
Knox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Knox.
Knox blocks an uppercut.
Ahma tries for a takedown but Knox manages to get underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Ahma fails to land.
Knox throws a punch but it's blocked by Ahma.
Ahma lands a left hand.
Knox blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ahma fails to land.
Knox leaning against his opponent.
A short right from Ahma on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ahma.
Knox blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ahma misses with a punch on the inside.
Knox is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Knox blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Verneri Ahma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice left hand lands by Knox.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahma lands a nice uppercut.
Knox pushes Ahma back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ahma tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knox blocking some punches.
Ahma pushes Knox back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Knox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knox avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ahma throws a hook but Knox blocks it.
Knox takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ahma throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Knox to counter with a crisp jab.
Knox walks into a jab.
Ahma loads up on a big right hand but Knox slips the punch.
Ahma throws a body kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knox misses with a series of wild punches.
Knox keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Knox defending well as Ahma loads up on a big left hand.
Ahma rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Knox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ahma throws a lazy uppercut
and Knox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ahma punishes Knox's body with a nice straight punch.
Ahma misses the shot to the body.
Aramis Knox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ahma cracks a nice hook into Knox's ribs.
Ahma throws a hook but Knox avoids it easily.
Ahma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knox was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahma.
Ahma misses with a hook. Knox ducked under it nicely.
Knox has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ahma throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Knox on the side of the head.
Knox might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahma keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ahma misses the body punch
and Knox counters with a straight right hand.
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!
Ahma displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knox throws out the jab.
Ahma fails in his attempt to clinch.
Knox misses with a straight left.
Ahma misses with a straight left.
Verneri Ahma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knox has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ahma finds it's way round the side to connect with Knox's head.
Ahma ducks under a wild hook from Knox.
Ahma is looking to counter punch.
Knox on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ahma changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ahma's corner calls for a 1-2. Ahma obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ahma fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Knox has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ahma throws a hook but Knox avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Verneri Ahma dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aramis Knox's cut.
That's time! Ahma's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ahma tries to close the distance and clinch but Knox swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ahma misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Knox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ahma throws a jab when Knox was well out of range.
Ahma scores with a hook to the body. Knox takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Knox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahma.
Knox lands a right hook to the body.
Ahma tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ahma throws a jab when Knox was well out of range.
Ahma slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahma misses with a straight left.
A jab from Ahma does it's job there.
Knox loads up on a big right hand but Ahma slips the punch.
Knox throws a poor cross that misses

and Ahma counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma blocking some punches.
Ahma fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ahma misses with a hook from the clinch.
Knox working aggressively here.
Ahma working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Knox stalling in the clinch but Ahma improves position.
Ahma pushes Knox back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ahma.
Ahma tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Knox's elbow.
Knox swings wildly with an uppercut but Ahma uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahma is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Knox pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Knox takes a shot to the head.
Knox misses with a punch to the body.
Ahma throws a punch but it's blocked by Knox.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Knox.
Knox blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ahma.
Ahma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Ahma fails to land.
Knox works on Ahma's body with a couple of short punches.
Ahma stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ahma blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Knox misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knox misses with the head strike.

Knox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knox tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahma was well out of range. Poor timing from Knox.
Knox is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ahma.
Ahma misses with a body punch
and Knox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ahma throws a hook but Knox avoids it easily.
Ahma throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Knox to counter with a crisp jab.
Ahma misses with a hook.
Knox slips under a jab.
Ahma throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Knox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ahma is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Knox can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma misses with an uppercut. Knox saw that one coming.
Knox slips under a jab from Ahma.
Ahma darts in trying to clinch
and Knox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Knox misses with an uppercut.
Ahma is looking to counter punch.
Ahma is looking to slow Knox down with leg kicks.
Ahma avoids the body shot from Knox.
Ahma is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ahma uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Knox.
A quick step to the side and Ahma tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verneri Ahma is winning the standup battle so far.
Knox lands a glancing blow to the side of Ahma's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knox missing with a left hand there. Ahma was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knox staying out of range there.
Knox fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ahma misses with a lunging right hand
and Knox counters with a stiff right hand.
Ahma lands a nice hook to Knox's body. Knox takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Knox throws a right and a left that Ahma avoids nicely.
Knox avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
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!
Ahma darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Knox checks a low kick from Ahma.
Knox pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Knox swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Donk. Ahma catches Knox right on the button with a cross.
Knox lands a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Aramis Knox just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Aramis Knox's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jab by Ahma.
Ahma defending well as Knox loads up on a big left hand.
Ahma misses with a body punch
and Knox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ahma avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Knox takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Knox connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ahma momentarily.

Ahma is rocked!
Knox swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ahma was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ahma moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Oh Ahma is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Knox uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ahma.
Ahma seems to have got his legs back now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knox misses with a hook. Ahma ducked under it nicely.
Ahma throws a big shot that misses.
Knox misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ahma fakes the leg kick and cracks Knox in the body.
Knox walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ahma looks to throw a body kick
and Knox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ahma buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ahma connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Knox's hands.
Ahma looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ahma shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Knox as he avoids it easily.
Ahma lunges at Knox with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Knox's hand.
Knox takes one on the button.
Ahma blocks a jab.
Knox misses with an uppercut. Ahma saw that one coming.
Ahma scores with the left hand. Knox knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A decent looking cross lands there for Knox.
Knox fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Ahma moves into range and clinches up with Knox.
Ahma lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Knox backwards.
A short body shot lands from Ahma as the two fighters clinch.
Ahma misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ahma lands an uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ahma tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Knox's elbow.
Knox tries a body shot but Ahma blocks it.
Knox has a couple of punches blocked by Ahma.
Knox tries to stall but Ahma uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ahma has a couple of punches blocked by Knox.
Knox throws a punch but it's blocked by Ahma.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma takes a shot to the head.
Knox lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ahma misses with a punch on the inside.
Ahma has a couple of punches blocked by Knox.
Ahma misses with the head strike.
A short left from Ahma.
Knox is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ahma is keeping busy.
Ahma lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ahma makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Knox avoiding damage.
Knox presses Ahma against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Ahma has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Knox is trying to keep an underhook but Ahma manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ahma is looking to advance position but Knox won't allow it.
Knox blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ahma.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahma not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ahma thows a huge punch but Knox dodges it nicely.
Ahma throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ahma is keen to just control but Knox is a slippery customer.

Ahma seems to be working for a kimura but Knox defends the submission attempt.
Knox is trying to get back to full guard.
Knox controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Ahma working Knox over with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Verneri Ahma had his way with Aramis Knox in that round.
The cut man is working on Aramis Knox's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Knox throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Ahma wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ahma doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ahma is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ahma lands a glancing blow to the side of Knox's head.
Ahma scores with a nice strike.
Ahma throws a body punch but Knox moves out of range.
Knox connects with a single shot there.
Knox throws a body punch but Ahma moves out of range.
Knox throws a poor cross that misses
and Ahma counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahma throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ahma shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Knox defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knox misses with a looping right.
Knox throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Knox looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahma is just out of range.
Ahma throws a head kick that misses
and Knox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ahma tries for a takedown but Knox circles away easily
and Knox counters with a straight right hand.
Knox throws a jab but it's blocked by Ahma.
Ahma throws a head kick that misses.
Knox takes one to the side of the head.
Ahma rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Knox counter with a right hand.
Ahma misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Knox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ahma throws a good cross that connects.
Knox walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A leg kick checked by Knox.
Knox ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Knox throws out a counter right but Ahma avoids it with no problem.
Knox changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Knox throws a hook to the side of Ahma's head but Ahma sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ahma misses with a straight left.
Knox throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Knox throws a right and a left that Ahma avoids nicely.
Ahma tries to work over Knox's front leg with a kick but Knox checks it.

Ahma darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma wants to pass the guard but Knox is defending well.
Knox is trying to get back to full guard.
Verneri Ahma overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ahma sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knox defending well though.
Knox wants to improve his position but Ahma is controlling well.
Ahma 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.
Ahma drops an elbow to the side of Knox's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ahma working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ahma trying to control from half guard but Knox is working away.
Ahma with the ground and pound but Knox uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Aramis Knox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knox trying to keep a closed guard but Ahma is proving a slippery customer.
Knox trying to control the position here.
Verneri Ahma is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knox keeping moving, preventing Ahma from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Verneri Ahma.
I think Ahma has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:46
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Verneri Ahma!
Verneri Ahma retains his lightweight title!
After winning the bout, Verneri Ahma thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Aramis Knox had this to say: '"If you haven't lost in this sport, you haven't fought the right guys yet." (Matt Hughes) '.