PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Tharis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Koscheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tharis kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Burning down the house. Aaron Koscheck is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Tharis
vs
Koscheck

188 cm
24
265 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

200 cm
30
280 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Tharis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Aaron Koscheck!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koscheck closes the distance and clinches up with Tharis, looking for a takedown. Koscheck pushes Tharis against the cage but Tharis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Koscheck is looking to clinch.
Tharis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Koscheck.
Tharis struggling a bit here.
Koscheck moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Tharis wants to control but Koscheck postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koscheck advances to mount.
Koscheck controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koscheck lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tharis hang on?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tharis is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Koscheck sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tharis tries to hold on but Koscheck postures up.
Koscheck sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tharis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tharis is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Koscheck stands up from mount. Strange move.
Tharis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Tharis. No joy for Koscheck on that attempt.
Koscheck keeps the fight on the outside.
Jon Tharis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Koscheck pushes Tharis up against the cage in a clinch.
Tharis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Koscheck prevents Tharis from breaking the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Koscheck creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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!
Tharis tries a knee to the head but Koscheck blocks it.
Tharis gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Koscheck.
Jon Tharis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Koscheck.

Koscheck has hold of one of Tharis's legs. Tharis is fighting the takedown attempt but Koscheck gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Tharis keeping moving, preventing Koscheck from controlling successfully.

Tharis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koscheck defends well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Koscheck trying to control but Tharis is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck passes into half guard.
Koscheck controlling the action here.
Tharis keeping control of the position.
Tharis tries to roll over but Koscheck keeps him under control.
Tharis is refusing to be controlled, as Koscheck sits in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tharis is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck not doing much here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Aaron Koscheck wasn't active enough on the ground.

Koscheck gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tharis struggles to land a body shot inside as Koscheck controls his hands.

Koscheck gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Koscheck is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tharis looking to control.
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!
Koscheck slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Koscheck wants to control from the top but Tharis keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Aaron Koscheck has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tharis tries to clinch but Koscheck moves away

and Koscheck counters by clinching up.
Koscheck lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Koscheck takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Aaron Koscheck has been cut.
Tharis using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Koscheck has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Koscheck dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Koscheck's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koscheck circles away from the clinch attempt
and Koscheck cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tharis doesn't manage to clinch there - Koscheck circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tharis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tharis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Koscheck.
Koscheck shoots in but no luck this time.
Tharis slaps away a takedown attempt from Koscheck, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jon Tharis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Koscheck.
Koscheck shoots in and drives through. Tharis sprawls well.
Tharis is looking to clinch but Koscheck is avoiding it.
Tharis looks to clinch

and Koscheck counters by moving into the clinch.
Tharis lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tharis can't find room to land a body shot as Koscheck controls the action.
Koscheck wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koscheck can't get the takedown.
Tharis trying to stall but Koscheck improves his position.
Koscheck has Tharis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tharis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tharis lands a left hand.
Koscheck is breathing heavily.
Tharis looking to throw knees to the head but Koscheck is blocking nicely.
Tharis gets underhooks to prevent Koscheck's takedown attempt.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tharis throws an elbow but misses.
Nice body punch from Tharis - that landed with a thud.
Tharis tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koscheck blocks a body shot from Tharis.
Tharis putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Koscheck in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tharis pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tharis tries to land a knee to the head but Koscheck blocks with his arms.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Koscheck.
Tharis misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tharis missing with knees to the body.
Koscheck has Tharis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tharis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Koscheck is trying to pull guard but Tharis has him pressed against the cage.
Tharis unloads a knee to the mid-section. Koscheck lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tharis lands with a left to the head.
Tharis dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Tharis for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Tharis lands a damaging elbow.
A right handed body shot lands from Tharis.
Tharis tries to throw a body punch but Koscheck avoids it by throwing Tharis back against the cage.
Tharis struggles to land a body shot inside as Koscheck controls his hands.
Tharis struggles to land a body shot inside as Koscheck controls his hands.
Koscheck jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tharis walks away with a smile on his face. Koscheck gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tharis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tharis wants to clinch.
Tharis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koscheck swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tharis tries to clinch but Koscheck moves out of range.
Tharis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tharis moves in looking to clinch but Koscheck pushes him off.
Koscheck dives in and grabs Tharis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tharis pushes down on Koscheck's head and hops out.
Tharis tries to clinch

and Koscheck counters with a single leg into guard. Tharis didn't expect that.
Tharis working a defensive guard here.

Tharis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Koscheck gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Tharis isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Koscheck stacks Tharis on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Koscheck!
Tharis manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Koscheck is in trouble now - Tharis has advanced to mount!

Tharis moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Koscheck has worked his arm free - good work by Koscheck!
Koscheck manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Tharis tries to get to full guard but Koscheck has control of the leg.
Koscheck takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tharis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Koscheck controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Tharis dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Koscheck's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Koscheck avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Koscheck closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Koscheck working hard to break the clinch.
Koscheck slows down the pace here.
Tharis gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Koscheck.
Tharis goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tharis tries to land knees in the clinch but Koscheck avoids the damage to the body.

Koscheck gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Koscheck content to control rather than advance.
Tharis wants to get back to full guard.
Koscheck stops Tharis from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tharis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koscheck works his way into side control.
Tharis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Koscheck is looking to take a break and control but Tharis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tharis is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Koscheck is controlling him well.
Koscheck lands a nice forearm strike.
Tharis struggling a bit here.
Koscheck controlling the position.
Tharis is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Tharis is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Tharis tries to hold on but Koscheck postures up.
Koscheck looking to control and managing it successfully.
Koscheck trying to control but Tharis is having none of it.
Koscheck sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tharis is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Tharis wants to control but Koscheck is having none of it.
Tharis can't escape the position.
Koscheck tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Koscheck is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Tharis can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Tharis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Koscheck tries to control but Tharis wriggling away.
Tharis is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck controlling from the full mount.

Koscheck stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Koscheck circles away from the clinch attempt

and Koscheck counters with a single leg into guard. Tharis didn't expect that.
Koscheck takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koscheck stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tharis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Koscheck avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tharis looking for a guillotine here but Koscheck defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Koscheck comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Koscheck 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Koscheck!