PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Verneri Ahma (ranked 496 p4p, 65 weight class) and Raul Gracie (ranked 462 p4p, 59 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ahma
vs
Gracie

172 cm
24
160 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

175 cm
26
165 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Bee Krazy

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Raul Gracie!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Gracie misses its intended target.
Ahma just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ahma swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Ahma.
Gracie tries to work over Ahma's front leg with a kick but Ahma checks it.
Ahma looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ahma loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Ahma throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahma pushes Gracie back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Ahma breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ahma pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ahma.
Ahma misses with a lunging right hand

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma wants to get back to full guard.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ahma is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ahma wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie trying to control the action but Ahma is working from the bottom.
Gracie has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Arcalimon Top Team. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Ahma controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Ahma defends it.
Ahma is looking to escape.
Ahma trying to control from the bottom.
Gracie is trying to control. Ahma wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gracie slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gracie is looking to slow Ahma down with leg kicks.
Ahma misses with an uppercut.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ahma.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Ahma pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ahma scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Ahma misses the target.
An inside leg kick from Gracie misses.
Jab by Gracie.
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ahma swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A slow jab from Ahma misses its intended target.
Ahma checks the leg kick.
Ahma was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ahma misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahma doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gracie throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ahma.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Ahma.
A big right from Gracie misses.
Ahma walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gracie checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ahma throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ahma paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
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 Verneri Ahma will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gracie catches Ahma with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gracie slips a jab from Ahma.
Ahma scoring well with a low kick there.
The fighters circling - Ahma throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ahma defends it well.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Jab from Gracie.
Ahma fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gracie is out of range.
Ahma fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Gracie tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ahma reaches up around Gracie's neck trying to control. But Gracie takes advantage instantly and he's locked on an arm triangle! Big trouble for Ahma! Oh that looks nasty! A human being's head is not meant to turn that color! Ahma is out! He's gone limp! The ref steps in to break the fighters up and Gracie celebrates the victory with the fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Raul Gracie!
A victorious Raul Gracie thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.