PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Verneri Ahma (ranked 84 p4p, 160 weight class) and Fiyero Lermontov (ranked 13 p4p, 25 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Verneri Ahma has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Verneri Ahma seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ahma
vs
Lermontov

172 cm
35
156
27 - 18 - 0

180 cm
35
159
30 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains
Voodoo Nutrition

Voodoo Nutrition
Altitude 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 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 21 - 1, fighting out of New York, Fiyero Lermontov!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahma lands a jab.
A good leg kick by Ahma.
Ahma misses with a low kick.
Ahma throws a lazy right hand but Lermontov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lermontov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ahma.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lermontov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ahma connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lermontov scrambles back to his feet.
Lermontov ducks under a wild hook from Ahma.
It seemed like Lermontov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma loads up on a big right hand but Lermontov slips the punch.
It seemed like Lermontov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ahma keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lermontov.
We've been informed that Lermontov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Lermontov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Lermontov ducks under a wild hook from Ahma.
Ahma rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lermontov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ahma lands a body shot.
Lermontov defending well as Ahma loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma throws a head kick but Lermontov moves out of range.
Ahma tries a head kick but it misses.
Lermontov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lermontov misses with an uppercut
and Ahma connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Lermontov catches Ahma napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Ahma to the canvas!

Ahma is rocked!

It looks like Verneri Ahma has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahma pulls Lermontov in close to prevent any damage.
Ahma keeping moving, preventing Lermontov from controlling successfully.
Lermontov looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma controlling the position.
Lermontov trying to control but Ahma is working from the bottom.
Lermontov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ahma is keeping the position for now.
Lermontov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lermontov wants to control from the top but Ahma keeps moving.
Lermontov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ahma is keeping the position for now.
Lermontov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ahma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ahma throws a hook to the side of Lermontov's head but Lermontov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ahma moves out of range as Lermontov strikes.
A head kick by Ahma misses

and Lermontov counters with a right hand that sends Ahma tumbling to the canvas! Can Lermontov finish him? He dives into Ahma's guard looking to do just that!
Oh Ahma is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lermontov passes into half guard.
Ahma seems to have got his legs back now.
Lermontov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lermontov is stalling here. Ahma is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lermontov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ahma has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fiyero Lermontov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Verneri Ahma's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lermontov darts in trying to clinch
and Lermontov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lermontov defending well as Ahma loads up on a big left hand.
A little jabbing left from Lermontov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ahma misses the body punch

and Lermontov counters with a big uppercut that knocks Ahma off his feet! Lermontov dives into side control looking to finish!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lermontov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ahma has escaped the position, nice work there.

Lermontov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lermontov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lermontov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ahma keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lermontov tries to advance to mount but Ahma denies him.

Lermontov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ahma has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lermontov but great work by Ahma.
Ahma is looking to take a break and control but Lermontov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lermontov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ahma landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lermontov is looking for a sweep. Ahma is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lermontov is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ahma jumps into side control!
Lermontov manages to get back to half guard.
Ahma working Lermontov over with strikes.
Lermontov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Lermontov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fiyero Lermontov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lermontov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Lermontov is looking for a triangle but Ahma pushes his legs off easily.

Lermontov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ahma doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ahma manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ahma wants to control from the top but Lermontov keeps moving.

Lermontov looking for subs off his back but Ahma has passed one foot through into half guard.

Lermontov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ahma pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ahma connects with a nice short shot to Lermontov's temple.
Ahma passes to full mount!
Lermontov is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahma punishing his opponent with strikes.
Lermontov is squirming around, avoiding Ahma's attempts to control the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Fiyero Lermontov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Verneri Ahma's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lermontov slips under a jab.
Ahma rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Lermontov to counter with a crisp jab.
Ahma moves forwards but Lermontov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ahma misses with a low kick.
Lermontov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Verneri Ahma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ahma throws an off balance right hand

and Lermontov lands a stunning uppercut that sends Ahma to the mat!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lermontov works his way into full mount!

Lermontov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ahma is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ahma and Lermontov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lermontov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ahma, who protects the arm well.

Lermontov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Lermontov swings around for an armbar but Ahma sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Lermontov's guard.

Lermontov looking for a guillotine here but Ahma defends easily.
Ahma has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ahma trying to control but Lermontov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov wants to improve his position but instead Ahma has moved into half guard.
Lermontov is trying to get back to full guard.
Lermontov is trying to control but can't.
Ahma prevents Lermontov from improving his position.

Lermontov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ahma takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov is pressing down on Ahma's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ahma is in close to Lermontov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ahma stopping the sweep attempt from Lermontov.

Lermontov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Ahma escapes and throws Lermontov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Lermontov is not content to let Ahma control the position.
Lermontov is looking for a sweep.
Fiyero Lermontov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Ahma's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ahma working away.
Lermontov is not content to let Ahma control the position.
Lermontov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ahma working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Lermontov tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahma remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Ahma lands a nice forearm strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fiyero Lermontov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lermontov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fiyero Lermontov!
Fiyero Lermontov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.