PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Coburn (ranked 597 p4p, 68 weight class) and Verneri Ahma (ranked 1461 p4p, 170 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Coburn
vs
Ahma

174 cm
21
166 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

172 cm
21
160 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kevin Coburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Hugh Johnson and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahma digs a good hook to Coburn's body.
Coburn has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Coburn there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ahma tries to work over Coburn's front leg with a kick but Coburn checks it.
Ahma scores with the left hand. Coburn knows he should have avoided that one.
Coburn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Bedlam in the buildup to the fight.
Ahma ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Coburn moves away.
Coburn attempts a counter takedown but Ahma avoids it well and moves away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ahma darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ahma shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Coburn slips a straight right by Ahma.
Coburn appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ahma misses with a leg kick

and Coburn counters with a shoot takedown. Ahma fights it but they end up in guard.
Coburn controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ahma told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ahma pulls Coburn in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ahma seems keen to control Coburn's posture.
Coburn looking to sit in guard and control but Ahma gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Coburn is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ahma would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Coburn keeping moving, preventing Ahma from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Coburn wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ahma would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ahma looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ahma wants to stand but Coburn has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Coburn checks the leg kick nicely there.
Coburn appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Coburn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Coburn attempts a counter takedown but Ahma avoids it well and moves away.
Verneri Ahma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ahma dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Ahma misses.
Coburn misses with a shot to the body
letting Ahma counter with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Coburn. Ahma does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Ahma.
Ahma connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Coburn momentarily.
Coburn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ahma.

Coburn shoots in and gets a takedown into Ahma's guard.
Coburn slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ahma is trying to control the position but Coburn postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahma is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Coburn is controlling him.
Coburn wants to pass the guard but Ahma is keeping the position.
Coburn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ahma is looking to stand up but Coburn isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Coburn is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Coburn wants to control from the top but Ahma keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Verneri Ahma dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ahma fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ahma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Coburn was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahma.
Verneri Ahma seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Coburn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ahma.
Ahma throws a jab when Coburn was well out of range.
Coburn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ahma.
Ahma misses with a hook. Coburn ducked under it nicely.
Coburn checks the leg kick nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coburn checks a leg kick.
Coburn appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ahma has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Coburn has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ahma.
Ahma throws a jab but it's blocked by Coburn.
Coburn feinted with a counter takedown.
Coburn drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma throws a lazy right hand but Coburn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Coburn half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Coburn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ahma.
Coburn feinted with a counter takedown.
Ahma shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Coburn drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ahma sprawls and moves away.
Ahma throws a jab when Coburn was well out of range.
Coburn drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ahma sprawls and moves away.
Ahma connects with a body shot that sends Coburn's belly button to the back.
Coburn moves forwards but Ahma connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ahma cracks a nice hook into Coburn's ribs.
Ahma dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Coburn walks into a left hand.
Coburn checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Coburn slips under a jab from Ahma.
Coburn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Verneri Ahma is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ahma. Coburn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ahma comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ahma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Coburn was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahma.
Coburn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ahma throws a hook but Coburn avoids it easily.
Coburn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ahma missing with a left hand there. Coburn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coburn moves out of range as Ahma strikes.
Coburn moves away from the strike by Ahma.

Coburn closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Coburn lands in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Coburn's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma keeping moving, preventing Coburn from controlling successfully.
Coburn cracks Ahma with a solid left hand.
Coburn is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Coburn connects with a couple of short punches.
Coburn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ahma is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Coburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Ahma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Coburn throwing strikes but missing.
Coburn keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ahma's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ahma looking to hit a scissor sweep but Coburn is one step ahead there.
Ahma is looking to stand up but Coburn isn't so interested in that idea.
Kevin Coburn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ahma is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Coburn scoring with punches to the head and body.
Coburn stopping the sweep attempt from Ahma.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Coburn advances to half guard.
Ahma on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Coburn trying to control the pace.
Ahma is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Verneri Ahma showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ahma scores with a nice head shot.
A slow jab from Ahma misses its intended target.
A big right from Ahma misses.
Ahma works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ahma throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Coburn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ahma misses with a lunging right hand

and Coburn counters with a shoot takedown. Ahma fights it but they end up in guard.
Coburn not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Coburn wants to control from the top but Ahma keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coburn is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coburn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ahma's head.
Ahma wants to get back to his feet but Coburn is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Coburn advances to half guard.
Coburn working the head and body with strikes.
Well, if Coburn is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Coburn'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.
Coburn trying to control from half guard but Ahma is working away.
Coburn slows the pace down in half guard.
Kevin Coburn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coburn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ahma trying to control here.
Ahma trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Coburn lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ahma is bucking up trying to escape but Coburn cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Coburn lands a couple of good shots and Ahma has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
What can Ahma do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Ahma is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Coburn off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Coburn throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Ahma!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coburn scores with punches from the back.
Ahma is really stuck here.
Coburn misses with an elbow to the head.
Coburn tries to get the hooks in deep but Ahma pushed the leg off.
Coburn keeps control of the position as Ahma tries to break free.
Coburn slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Coburn connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Ahma to escape the position.
Ahma is trying to stand back up.
Ahma covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coburn throwing sloppy strikes.
Coburn scores with punches from the back.
Coburn lands punches and elbows.
Ahma looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Coburn trying to control momentarily.
Coburn scores with punches from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Coburn showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ahma has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Verneri Ahma!
Our winner, Verneri Ahma, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.