PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Basayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Tharis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Basayev
vs
Tharis

190 cm
23
270 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Condemned
KAISER

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, Shamil Basayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Tharis!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Donatello Bradman and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tharis misses with an attempted mid kick.

Tharis takes the fight into the clinch.
Tharis jumps guard but Basayev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Basayev tries to work over Tharis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Basayev throws a head punch that misses.
Basayev misses with a short punch on the inside.

Tharis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tharis on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Basayev moves into the clinch.

Tharis has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Basayev regains guard immediately.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Basayev wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tharis is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tharis trying to control the position from guard on top but Basayev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tharis postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Basayev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tharis, into his guard.
Basayev is looking to advance position but Tharis has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Basayev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Basayev tries to get out of the position.
Basayev is desperately trying to improve his position but Tharis has a good base and remains in mount.
Tharis avoids the attempt from Basayev to control.
Tharis is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Basayev can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Tharis working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Tharis sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tharis punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tharis trying to control but Basayev is having none of it.
Tharis is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Basayev is trying desperately to improve position.
Tharis punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tharis controlling the position easily from mount.
Tharis lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Tharis working Basayev over with strikes here.
Tharis trying to control but Basayev is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tharis lands a couple of good shots and Basayev has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Tharis lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Tharis.
Basayev is taking damage to the body and head.
Basayev covers up after that shot from Tharis.

It looks like Shamil Basayev has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Basayev is keeping busy.
Tharis landing with strikes.

Shamil Basayev's cut is getting worse.
Tharis missing with punches from the back.
The referee is taking a good look at Basayev as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Tharis!

Shamil Basayev's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Tharis tightening his grip on Basayev, looking for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tharis thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Tharis cracks Basayev with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Basayev from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Jeez, Shamil Basayev's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Shamil Basayev's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Jon Tharis!
Our winner, Jon Tharis, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.