PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Doc Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Pharaoh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas comes to the cage accompanied by Lunatic Fringe by Red Ryder. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thomas
vs
Pharaoh

182 cm
26
185 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

176 cm
24
180 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Good low kicks
Powerful

Fight Club Clothing Helsinki™

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Doc Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steve Pharaoh!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Roberts and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pharaoh throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Pharaoh takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Steve Pharaoh has been cut.
Thomas looks for the body kick but Pharaoh saw that one coming.
Thomas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pharaoh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Thomas duly obliges.
Thomas throws a jab when Pharaoh was well out of range.
Thomas throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Pharaoh moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas swings for the body but Pharaoh moves out of range.
Pharaoh lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A low kick from Pharaoh is predictable there
and Thomas counters with a nice body shot.
Thomas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thomas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pharaoh throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Pharaoh takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Pharaoh does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas fakes the leg kick and cracks Pharaoh in the body.
Doc Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Pharaoh.
Thomas bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pharaoh's head backwards.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Pharaoh tries a low kick but Thomas avoids it.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas misses with a double jab.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Pharaoh.
Thomas throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Pharaoh gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Thomas counters with a left to the body.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Pharaoh turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A good leg kick by Pharaoh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses.
Pharaoh has his takedown stuffed
and Thomas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Pharaoh doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Pharaoh throws a leg kick
enabling Thomas to counter with a crisp jab.
Thomas throws a hook but Pharaoh blocks it.
Pharaoh throws a lazy head kick
and Thomas counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice cross by Thomas.
Pharaoh throws the kick towards the body but Thomas avoids it.
Pharaoh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.
Pharaoh avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pharaoh tries a head kick but it misses.
Pharaoh misses with a takedown
and Thomas counters with a nice body shot.
Doc Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Pharaoh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas misses with an uppercut. Pharaoh saw that one coming.
Thomas throws the left hand but Pharaoh avoids the punch easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pharaoh, right into the meat.
Thomas avoids a kick to the body.
Pharaoh lands a head kick!
Thomas steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Pharaoh. That one must have hurt.
Pharaoh goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
A head kick by Pharaoh misses
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pharaoh thinking.
Thomas misses with the combination.
Thomas takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steve Pharaoh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thomas checks a low kick from Pharaoh.
Pharaoh is trying desperately to land a takedown but Thomas is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Pharaoh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Thomas, right into the meat.
Pharaoh lands a high kick!
Pharaoh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pharaoh lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses
and Thomas counters with a nice kick to the body.
Pharaoh looks gassed!
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick
and Thomas counters with a left to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas lands a nice shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thomas throws a right and a left that Pharaoh avoids nicely.
Pharaoh takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doc Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Pharaoh's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas lands a slapping body shot.
Pharaoh tries a head kick but it misses.
Pharaoh throws a chopping leg kick but Thomas manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
Thomas wants to land a leg kick but Pharaoh is out of range.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Pharaoh.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pharaoh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick by Pharaoh misses
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pharaoh thinking.
Pharaoh shoots in but Thomas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pharaoh throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Pharaoh is breathing heavily.
Thomas throws a body punch but Pharaoh moves out of range.
Pharaoh tries to score with a low kick but Thomas moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Pharaoh.
Pharaoh tries a head kick but it misses.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thomas fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Pharaoh checks it well.
Good leg kick by Pharaoh there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A combination from Thomas does no damage.
Pharaoh checks a leg kick.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses
and Pharaoh takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pharaoh tries a head kick but it misses.
Pharaoh lands a nice leg kick that just misses Thomas's sensitive parts.
Pharaoh throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Doc Thomas is winning the standup battle so far.
Pharaoh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pharaoh ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice body kick there by Pharaoh.
Thomas takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pharaoh was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Pharaoh throws a lazy head kick
and Thomas counters with a straight right hand.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Pharaoh.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Pharaoh might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Thomas has got the better of the exchanges.
Pharaoh throws a lazy head kick
and Thomas makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Pharaoh really felt that one!
Pharaoh avoids a kick to the body.
Thomas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thomas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pharaoh misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that Thomas semi-blocks.
Pharaoh misses with a low kick.
Thomas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Pharaoh fails with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a straight right hand.
Doc Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Pharaoh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pharaoh.
Thomas moves out of range of the body kick.
Pharaoh plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A head kick misses from Pharaoh.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pharaoh looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Pharaoh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.
Pharaoh feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh scores with a nice body kick.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Thomas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Pharaoh.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses.
Pharaoh scores with a leg kick.
Pharaoh takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pharaoh throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Pharaoh gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doc Thomas dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Steve Pharaoh's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pharaoh moves out of range as Thomas throws a body kick.
Pharaoh scores with a leg kick.
Pharaoh throws a leg kick which misses Thomas's front leg but catches the back leg as Thomas tries to avoid it.
Pharaoh avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Pharaoh scores with a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thomas, as that shot connected.
Pharaoh throws a leg kick that misses.
Pharaoh misses with the body kick
and Thomas counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A good leg kick by Pharaoh.
Pharaoh turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Thomas.
Pharaoh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thomas misses the jab.
Thomas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pharaoh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses the shot to the body.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Pharaoh with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thomas is looking to wear down Pharaoh with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Pharaoh scoring well with a low kick there.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Pharaoh.
Pharaoh tries a head kick but it misses.
Pharaoh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thomas tries to avoid it but Pharaoh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thomas to the ground. Thomas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Pharaoh buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

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.
Pharaoh doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Doc Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Pharaoh.
Pharaoh shoots and misses
and Thomas counters with a one-two to the body.
Thomas lands a nice shot that snaps Pharaoh's head back.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pharaoh lands a head kick!
Pharaoh throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Pharaoh scores with a head kick.
Pharaoh slips under a jab from Thomas.
Pharaoh shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thomas sprawls well. Thomas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pharaoh gets slowly back to his feet.
Pharaoh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thomas sprawls well. Thomas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pharaoh gets slowly back to his feet.
Pharaoh throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Pharaoh misses with a head kick.
Pharaoh with a poor takedown
and Thomas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pharaoh fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pharaoh throws a leg kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pharaoh was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Thomas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Thomas jabs Pharaoh right on the nose. Pharaoh blinks but takes it well.
Pharaoh tries for a takedown but Thomas circles away easily
and Thomas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pharaoh moves forwards but Thomas connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pharaoh.
Pharaoh throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Pharaoh tries for a takedown but Thomas circles away easily
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slow jab from Thomas misses its intended target.
Pharaoh has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
Thomas lands with an overhand left.
Pharaoh misses with a head kick.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Pharaoh slips the punch.

Thomas gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Thomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters circling a little - Pharaoh finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doc Thomas clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Pharaoh'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.

Thomas takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pharaoh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pharaoh uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Pharaoh.
Thomas with a jab.
Pharaoh throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pharaoh throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pharaoh lands a nice looking kick to the body. Thomas takes a step back to recover.
Pharaoh bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Pharaoh slips a jab and a cross from Thomas.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Pharaoh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pharaoh connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A head kick misses from Pharaoh.
Pharaoh misses with a head kick.
Pharaoh staying out of range there.
Pharaoh throws a head kick that misses

and Thomas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Pharaoh will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Thomas up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Pharaoh can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Pharaoh taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Thomas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Pharaoh.
Pharaoh is trying to maintain a safe position but Thomas gets an underhook and turns Pharaoh into the cage.
A hook to the body from Pharaoh.
Pharaoh blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Pharaoh prevents Thomas from breaking the clinch.
Pharaoh is trying to break free.

That's two 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.
Pharaoh lands a body shot.
Thomas is working Pharaoh over against the cage.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas misses with a punch to the body.
Thomas is working Pharaoh over against the cage.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pharaoh can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Pharaoh has had enough of the clinch but Thomas keeps him there for the moment.
Thomas taking a breather.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pharaoh misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Pharaoh drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pharaoh advances position into side control!
Thomas manages to get back to half guard.

Pharaoh is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas actively working from the bottom here.

Pharaoh is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thomas sees it coming and defends easily.

Pharaoh is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thomas defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thomas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pharaoh pulls his head out easily.

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.
Pharaoh missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thomas trying to get back to full guard but Pharaoh takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Pharaoh looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pharaoh prevents Thomas from getting the reversal.

Pharaoh is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Thomas has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Thomas!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Pharaoh dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Steve Pharaoh's cut.
That's time! Thomas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Pharaoh feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Thomas's calf.
Thomas takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Thomas takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Pharaoh pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Pharaoh is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Thomas's half guard.

Pharaoh is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thomas defends it well.

Thomas is defending against the submission attempts here by Pharaoh.
Pharaoh is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pharaoh's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pharaoh's back!
Thomas has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Pharaoh.
Thomas scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Pharaoh is looking for a way out.
Can Pharaoh hold on?! Thomas is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Thomas is trying to control but Pharaoh is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh is looking to improve his position but Thomas isn't that keen on the idea.
Pharaoh slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Thomas looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pharaoh with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Thomas uses his free foot to push down on Pharaoh's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pharaoh.
Steve Pharaoh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pharaoh manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pharaoh slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Doc Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Pharaoh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thomas is aware though and is defending well.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Pharaoh keeps moving.
Thomas is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Pharaoh is keeping the position.
Thomas is stalling in the full guard.

Pharaoh throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Steve Pharaoh.
I think Thomas 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 48:47
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 49:47
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doc Thomas!
Doc Thomas retains his welterweight title!