PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daouda Kaho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Tharis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tharis comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Burning down the house kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kaho
vs
Tharis

190 cm
21
260 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
265 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

MMA ANIMAL

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Daouda Kaho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Tharis!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Eliza Hachem and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaho looks to land a combination but Tharis avoids it well.
Kaho moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Kaho. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kaho.
Nice uppercut lands for Kaho. That snapped Tharis's head back.
Kaho throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kaho feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thariss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tharis shoots in and drives through. Kaho sprawls well.
Kaho scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tharis doesn't seem bothered though.
A big right from Kaho misses.
Kaho misses with a looping right.
Tharis moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kaho lands with a nice combination. Tharis backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kaho lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
No joy there for Kaho, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kaho throws a right and a left that Tharis avoids nicely.
Tharis shoots in for a takedown but Kaho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kaho uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tharis.
Tharis throws a jab but it's blocked by Kaho.
Kaho swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tharis walks into a straight right hand from Kaho.
Kaho misses with a few strikes there.
Daouda Kaho is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaho thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kaho misses with a wild combination.
Tharis closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kaho staying out of range there.
Kaho blocks the body kick.
A shot to the body from Tharis misses
and Kaho counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kaho throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kaho is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Tharis misses the shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kaho takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Daouda Kaho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tharis scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kaho doesn't seem bothered though.
Tharis tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tharis takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kaho displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kaho is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tharis slips a jab and a cross from Kaho.
Tharis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kaho takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tharis looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kaho misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaho feints a jab promting Tharis to slip. Kaho then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Tharis slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kaho keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kaho connects with a right hand. Tharis shakes it off.
Kaho lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kaho misses with an uppercut. Tharis saw that one coming.
Kaho misses with a double jab

and Tharis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kaho won't be happy with that.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tharis tries to move to mount but Kaho blocks the move with his legs.
Tharis creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kaho sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kaho wants to get back to his feet.

Tharis is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kaho has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tharis tries to advance to mount but Kaho instead regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Tharis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kaho is just riding it out for now. Tharis eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tharis trying to control from half guard but Kaho is working away.

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.
Tharis stalling away here and it's allowed Kaho to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Tharis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tharis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tharis is looking to work some ground and pound but Kaho has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tharis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kaho is keeping the position for now.
Kaho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tharis on the ground.
Tharis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daouda Kaho dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kaho works over Tharis's head and body with a nice combination.
Donk. Kaho catches Tharis right on the button with a cross.
Tharis swinging wildly here.
Good leg kick by Tharis there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kaho swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaho tests Tharis's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaho lands the left hand.
Kaho misses with a hook. Tharis ducked under it nicely.
Kaho throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tharis shoots in for a takedown but Kaho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kaho with a nice cross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tharis.
Kaho lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tharis backs up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaho connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tharis's hands.
Some wild striking there from Kaho.
Tharis scores with a sloppy right hand. Kaho should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaho catches Tharis with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tharis moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tharis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tharis ducks under a wild hook from Kaho.
Tharis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kaho sees it coming and avoids it easily.
No joy there for Kaho, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kaho scores with a jab.
Tharis misses with a series of wild punches.
Good standup being displayed there by Kaho as he connects with a hook.
Tharis looks for a takedown but Kaho sprawls well.
Daouda Kaho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Tharis.
Kaho lands an overhand right.
Kaho keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Daouda Kaho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tharis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kaho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tharis somewhat.
Tharis throws a jab when Kaho was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tharis lands a jab to Kaho's midsection.
Kaho jabs Tharis to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tharis gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kaho.
Kaho takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tharis walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tharis throws out a loose jab but Kaho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tharis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tharis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kaho manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kaho smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kaho throws a big shot that misses.
Daouda Kaho is winning the standup battle so far.
Tharis throws a shot from downtown. Kaho moves away and avoids it.
Tharis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaho.
Tharis dodges the punch combination from Kaho.
Tharis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tharis pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kaho lands a right hook to the body.
Tharis blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tharis avoids the body shot from Kaho.
Kaho throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tharis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaho.
Tharis has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tharis shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tharis throws a low kick but Kaho avoids it.
Tharis swings for the body but Kaho moves out of range.
Kaho works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kaho throws a one two combo.
Kaho misses with a looping right.
Tharis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kaho pinned against the cage. Kaho gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kaho feints and then cracks Tharis's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tharis down.
Kaho throws a jab but it's blocked by Tharis.
Tharis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaho.
Tharis just misses with a punch to the body.
Tharis throws a body punch but Kaho moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaho lands a glancing blow to the side of Tharis's head.
The fighters circling - Kaho throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaho tries to land a leg kick but Tharis saw it coming and moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tharis misses with a body shot.
Kaho throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tharis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kaho throws a series of punches but Tharis avoids them all with ease.
Tharis displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kaho throws out the jab.
Tharis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tharis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kaho.
Tharis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kaho's waist but Kaho gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tharis off to one side.
Tharis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tharis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kaho sprawls well. Kaho wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tharis gets slowly back to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tharis. Kaho does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tharis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tharis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daouda Kaho dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kaho throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tharis misses the shot to the body.
Kaho takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kaho lands with a straight right. Tharis didn't see that one coming.
Kaho tests Tharis's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaho moves out of range of the strikes.
Tharis gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kaho pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kaho lands with a cross.
Tharis throws a shot from downtown. Kaho moves away and avoids it.
Kaho keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tharis.
Tharis wants to clinch up but Kaho keeps it at a distance.
Kaho dips to his left and cracks Tharis with an uppercut!
Tharis walks into a left hand.
Kaho missing with a left hand there. Tharis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kaho misses with a double jab.
Tharis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kaho is fending him off so far but Tharis persists. Nope, Kaho circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tharis throws a right and a left that Kaho avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaho lands the left hand.
Tharis takes a swing at Kaho's ribcage but misses.
Tharis lands a jab to Kaho's midsection.
Kaho lands with an overhand left.
Kaho keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kaho throws a right hand that Tharis ducks under and follows up with a left that Tharis also avoids with ease.
Tharis ducks under a wild hook from Kaho.
Tharis defending well as Kaho loads up on a big left hand.
Kaho scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kaho misses with a hook.
Tharis misses the shot to the body.
Kaho throws out a powerful jab.
Kaho moves out of range as Tharis strikes.
Good leg kick by Kaho there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kaho throws out a powerful jab.
Tharis throws a jab when Kaho was well out of range.
Tharis swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaho misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tharis blocks a jab.
Tharis slips a jab and a cross from Kaho.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaho scores with the left hand. Tharis knows he should have avoided that one.
An inside leg kick lands from Tharis.
Tharis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kaho.
Kaho with a nice cross.
Kaho jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The fighters circling - Tharis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tharis with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kaho to score with a decent uppercut.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tharis.
Tharis takes one on the button.
Kaho misses with a combination
and Tharis counters with a right hand to the body.
Kaho leaves Tharis with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tharis looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tharis with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kaho working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tharis.
Tharis trying to control but Kaho is working from the bottom.

Tharis has gone for a leg lock! Kaho slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tharis's guard.

Kaho decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kaho misses with a few strikes there.
Tharis shoots in for a takedown but Kaho shows good takedown defense.
Daouda Kaho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Tharis.
Kaho slaps away a takedown attempt from Tharis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jon Tharis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tharis misses with a takedown attempt - Kaho sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tharis on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaho misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tharis. Kaho does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tharis is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kaho rather than just go for the knockout.
Kaho lands with a hook. Tharis tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kaho checks a leg kick.
Kaho keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tharis tries a low kick but Kaho avoids it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kaho darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tharis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tharis works Kaho's body with a nice hook.
Kaho throws a leg kick but Tharis checks it.
Tharis misses with a low kick.
Daouda Kaho is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tharis misses with an uppercut. Kaho saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Daouda Kaho.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kaho, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daouda Kaho!
Daouda Kaho took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, MMA ANIMAL for their support in the buildup to the fight.