PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Verneri Ahma (ranked 300 p4p, 41 weight class) and Chris Boag (ranked 337 p4p, 45 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ahma
vs
Boag

172 cm
24
160 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

170 cm
27
165 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Groove Gear

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Ahma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Boag!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahma missing with a left hand there. Boag was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ahma ducks under a wild hook from Boag.
It appears Ahma was looking to counter with a kick there.
Ahma blocks a jab.
Ahma throws a leg kick but Boag sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ahma turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Boag steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ahma.
Boag feints a counter leg kick.
Boag takes a swing at Ahma's ribcage but misses.
Ahma ducks under a wild hook from Boag.
Ahma lands a jab.
Boag scores with the left hand. Ahma knows he should have avoided that one.
Ahma fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Boag manages to avoid it.
Ahma tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Boag lands a really nice looking cross but Ahma seems unphased.
Boag takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Boag thumps Ahma with a low kick.
Boag is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ahma takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Boag, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma misses the jab.
Boag slips under a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Ahma 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Boag cracks Ahma with a right hand to the side of the head.
Boag lands a jab to the head.
Boag misses with a wild body shot.
Boag connects with a looping right hand.
Boag jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ahma throws a body shot but no joy.
Boag feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ahmas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The crowd cheers as Ahma lands an impressive looking overhand right. Boag doesn't seem phased though.
Ahma finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Boag bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Boag on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Chris Boag seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boag throws out a loose jab but Ahma uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahma throws a shot to the body.
Ahma takes one to the side of the head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Boag.
Boag throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma cracks Boag with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ahma lands with a thumping leg kick.
Boag is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ahma had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Ahma lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Boag cracks a nice hook into Ahma's ribs.
Boag throws a front kick aimed at Ahma's knee but Ahma avoids it well.
Boag bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ahma looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ahma swings for the body but Boag moves out of range.
Boag throws a lazy uppercut
letting Ahma counter with a right hand.
Boag looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahma is just out of range.
Ahma throws a right and a left that both miss.
Boag connects with the punch.
Boag throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boag throws a chopping leg kick but Ahma manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ahma moves out of range as Boag strikes.
Ahma throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boag is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ahma.
Boag getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ahma cracks Boag with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ahma throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Boag sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahma misses with a looping right.
Ahma blocks a jab.
A head kick misses from Boag.
Boag has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ahma.
A jab from Boag misses.
Boag's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ahma connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Boag scrambles back to his feet.
Ahma throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Boag counter with a right hand.
Boag fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ahma has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ahma throws a head kick that misses.
Boag connects with a leg kick. Ahma looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ahma thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ahma misses with a head kick.
Ahma tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Boag paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Boag lands a nice hook to Ahma's body. Ahma takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ahma ducks under a wild hook from Boag.
Boag throws an off balance right hand
and Ahma counters with a stiff 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 ducks under a wild hook from Boag.
Ahma misses with a straight right.
Ahma throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahma has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ahma there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ahma clobbers Boag with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Boag misses with an uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ahma.
Boag lands with a cross.
Boag misses with an uppercut.
Ahma blocks a low kick nicely.
A big left from Ahma misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Boag checks a leg kick.
Ahma throws a front kick aimed at Boag's knee but Boag avoids it well.
Boag moves forwards but Ahma connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Boag misses with a head kick.
Boag scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ahma throws an overhand right that lands on Boag's shoulder, as Boag tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boag misses with a hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ahma.
Boag lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ahma's sensitive parts.
Boag wants to land a leg kick but Ahma is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris Boag will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ahma throws a hook but Boag avoids it easily.
Boag ducks under a wild hook from Ahma.
Boag keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ahma.
Ahma misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ahma misses with an uppercut.
Boag checks a low kick from Ahma.
Boag misses with a body punch
letting Ahma counter with a right hand.
Boag throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boag keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Boag lands with an uppercut that bounces Ahma off the cage and back into range.
Boag misses with a wild body shot.
Boag looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahma is just out of range.
Boag fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ahma.
Boag throws a low kick but Ahma avoids it.
Ahma throws a lazy right hand but Boag sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Boag lands a lovely overhand right.
Ahma walks into a straight right hand from Boag.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ahma scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahma walks into a jab.
Nice jab there from Boag.
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 moves out of range as Boag strikes.

Boag clinches with his opponent.
Boag can't find room to land a body shot as Ahma controls the action.
Ahma has a couple of punches blocked by Boag.
Boag pushes Ahma back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Boag tries to throw a body punch but Ahma avoids it by throwing Boag back against the cage.
Ahma fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ahma swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Boag tries a body shot but Ahma blocks it.
Boag prevents a body shot from Ahma.
Boag stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ahma lands a left hand.
Boag lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ahma backwards.
Boag tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ahma's elbow.
Boag scores with a shoulder strike.
Boag lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Boag lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ahma prevents a body shot from Boag.
Boag misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boag tries to throw a body punch but Ahma avoids it by throwing Boag back against the cage.
Ahma has had enough of the clinch but Boag keeps him there for the moment.
Boag misses with a hook to the ribs.
Boag lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ahma or not.
Boag throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Boag throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ahmas head.
Boag doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Boag lands a left hand.
Ahma tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Chris Boag seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ahma swings wildly with an uppercut but Boag uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Ahma fails to land.
Ahma struggles to land a body shot inside as Boag controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Boag scores with a nice short uppercut.
Boag tries to throw a body punch but Ahma avoids it by throwing Boag back against the cage.
Ahma throws a punch but it's blocked by Boag.
A short left from Ahma.
Boag working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Boag takes a shot to the head.
Boag blocks an uppercut.
Boag blocks an uppercut.
Ahma lands a hook that snaps the head of Boag backwards.
Boag has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ahma seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Boag can turn it around.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Boag.
Boag throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ahmas head.
Ahma tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Boag is working Ahma over against the cage.
Boag gets through Ahma's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Ahma is rocked!
Boag lands a hook that snaps the head of Ahma backwards.
Oh Ahma is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Boag tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ahma misses with a punch to the body.
Boag working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Boag drops Ahma with a big right hand! Boag charges in looking to finish - Ahma manages to keep Boag in his guard and seems to have recovered somewhat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boag trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boag wants to control from the top but Ahma keeps moving.
Boag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ahma swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Boag drops back looking for a leg! Ahma is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ahma manages to kick Boag off! Boag jumps back into Ahma's guard.
Boag has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boag prevents Ahma from getting back to his feet.
Boag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ahma swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boag passes into half guard.
Ahma seems to have got his legs back now.
Ahma is trying to stand.

Ahma is defending against the submission attempts here by Boag.
Boag is looking to advance position but Ahma won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boag works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ahma is trying to escape the mount but Boag keeps good control and instead manages to take Ahma's back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boag keeps control of the position as Ahma tries to break free.

Boag is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Ahma is defending well though. Boag let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Boag 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Boag throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Boag tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahma was well out of range. Poor timing from Boag.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ahma.
Boag swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boag checks a low kick from Ahma.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Boag! But no joy.
Boag throws out a leg kick but Ahma moves out of range and Boag only half commits.
Boag scores with a jab.
Boag pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ahma was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A jab from Boag misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Boag darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boag digs a good body shot into Ahma's ribs.
Boag misses the shot to the body.
Ahma pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ahma throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ahma tries to close the distance and clinch up but Boag swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Boag scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boag lands a nice looking body shot.
Boag ducks under a wild hook from Ahma.
Ahma throws a lazy right hand but Boag sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ahma keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ahma dodges the punch combination from Boag.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ahma.
Ahma loads up on a big right hand but Boag slips the punch.
Boag scores with a jab to the head.
Ahma throws a right hand that misses
and Boag counters with a stiff right hand.
Ahma darts in trying to clinch
and Boag counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Boag missing with a left hand there. Ahma was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ahma tries a low kick but Boag avoids it.
Boag misses with a wild body shot.
Ahma fires out a quick counter leg kick but Boag just manages to avoid it.
Boag takes one to the chin there.
Verneri Ahma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahma blocks a low kick nicely.
Boag lands a head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boag lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ahma throws a nice looking combination but Boag bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Boag's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ahma under the eye.
Boag misses with an uppercut
and Boag takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Boag has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ahma.
Boag fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ahma has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Chris Boag seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Boag scores with a punch to the head.
Boag uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ahma.
Ahma is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Boag.
Boag lands a jab to the nose.
Boag misses with a straight left.
A big left from Ahma misses.
Boag throws a lazy uppercut
and Ahma counters with a straight right hand.
Ahma doesn't manage to clinch there - Boag circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from Boag.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boag lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ahma tries a head kick but it misses.
A left lands for Boag.
A swing and a miss from Boag.
Ahma is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ahma loads up on a big right hand but Boag slips the punch.
Boag moves in looking to clinch but Ahma pushes him off.
Ahma was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ahma throws a hook to the side of Boag's head but Boag sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ahma misses with a low kick.
No joy there for Ahma, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Boag connects with a single shot there.
Boag moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ahma swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Boag! But no joy.
Ahma avoids the head kick by Boag.
Ahma chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Boag can pounce on him.
Ahma walks into a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boag misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boag scores with a head kick. Ahma tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boag looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ahma looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ahma is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Boag thumps Ahma with a low kick.
Ahma paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

It looks like Chris Boag has been cut.

Ahma drives through and clinches with Boag against the cage.
Ahma misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Boag.
Boag working aggressively here.
A left hand lands to the body for Boag.
Ahma blocks a body shot from Boag.
Boag lands a nice uppercut.
Boag lands with a short shot to the head.
Ahma lands an uppercut.
Boag misses with a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahma misses with a punch on the inside.
Boag tries to throw a body punch but Ahma avoids it by throwing Boag back against the cage.
Ahma working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Still in the clinch, Boag scores with a nice short uppercut.
Boag has a couple of punches blocked by Ahma.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Boag comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Boag has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Boag!
An out of breath Chris Boag thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.