PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randall Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Dawkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dawkins has chosen Mobb Deep - survival of the fittest as his entrance music. Randall Saunders has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Saunders
vs
Dawkins

185 cm
19
206 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randall Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Dawkins!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dawkins goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Saunders connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dawkins momentarily.

It looks like Brian Dawkins has been cut.

Dawkins has Saunders up against the cage in a clinch.
Saunders is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dawkins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Dawkins turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Dawkins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saunders. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sloppy strikes there by Dawkins.
Saunders pushes Dawkins away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dawkins gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Dawkins trying to control the position but Saunders is working away.
Dawkins scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Saunders to see if he's OK.

Dawkins decides to stand back up.
Brian Dawkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dawkins misses with the combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saunders looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saunders thows a left - swing and a miss!

Dawkins scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Dawkins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saunders keeps working.
Saunders tries to roll over but Dawkins keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders moves into full guard.

Saunders is looking for a triangle but Dawkins pushes his legs off easily.
Dawkins throwing strikes but missing.

Saunders is looking for a triangle but Dawkins pushes his legs off easily.
Saunders looking to control but Dawkins passes into half guard.
Dawkins is looking to advance position but Saunders won't allow it.

Saunders looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dawkins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dawkins's back!
Saunders is breathing heavily.
Dawkins staying busy and making it hard for Saunders to control.
Dawkins is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Saunders is working the ground and pound. Can Dawkins escape?
Dawkins manages to reverse the position and now he's in Saunders's guard. Nice work there by Dawkins.
Saunders wants to improve his position but instead Dawkins has moved into half guard.
Saunders wants to get back to his feet.

Saunders kicks off Dawkins and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders swings for the body but Dawkins moves out of range.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Dawkins shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Saunders's guard.
Dawkins with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Dawkins drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dawkins jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Saunders working a defensive guard but Dawkins manages to pass into side control anyway.
Dawkins is putting a hurting on Saunders here, landing some big shots from side control.
Saunders takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Dawkins has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Dawkins connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saunders. Saunders circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Dawkins closes the distance and pushes Saunders back into the cage.
Dawkins lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randall Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Dawkins manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Saunders or perhaps it was just good defense by Dawkins which made him look bad.

Dawkins closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dawkins lands in his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Saunders working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dawkins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dawkins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dawkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saunders swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dawkins with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Saunders is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Dawkins dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brian Dawkins's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dawkins instigates a clinch.
Saunders is trying to break the clinch but Dawkins has him pressed against the cage.
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Saunders can't break the clinch.
Dawkins jumps guard but Saunders stands there with Dawkins around his waist. Dawkins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Saunders pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Dawkins scores with a takedown into Saunders's guard.
Saunders trying to control the position.
Dawkins preventing the sweep.
Dawkins scoring with some ground and pound.
Dawkins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Saunders's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Saunders working for a triangle but Dawkins defends it easily.

Saunders is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawkins cracks Saunders with a solid left hand.
Dawkins is in close to Saunders's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Saunders keeping full guard, as Dawkins tries to pass.
Dawkins chips away with some ground and pound.
Dawkins wants to pass the guard but Saunders is keeping the position.
Dawkins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Saunders's head.
Dawkins working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Saunders is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Dawkins wants to pass the guard but Saunders is keeping the position.
Dawkins preventing the sweep.
Dawkins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saunders is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saunders tries to land a leg kick but Dawkins saw it coming and moves away.

Dawkins feints and as Saunders raises his hands in defense, Dawkins changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dawkins landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins stands up over Saunders, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dawkins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saunders throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Saunders wants to sweep but no luck.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Dawkins from controlling successfully.
Dawkins keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Saunders's head.
Dawkins lands a couple of elbows.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but Dawkins shows good takedown defense.
Dawkins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dawkins connects with a nice looking jab.
Dawkins tries to clinch up but Saunders circles away and keeps his distance.

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.

Saunders has closed the distance and engaged Dawkins in a clinch.
Saunders is trying to break the clinch but Dawkins has him pressed against the cage.
Dawkins drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Saunders manages to break the clinch.

Dawkins drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Saunders is not content to let Dawkins control the position.
Dawkins avoids the strikes from the bottom by Saunders.
Dawkins lands a few punches from side control.
Dawkins working the ground and pound from side control.

Dawkins stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Dawkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Brian Dawkins's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Dawkins tries to clinch up.

Saunders shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Saunders was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Saunders thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dawkins is mounted but he's throwing punches.
Dawkins holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Saunders tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Saunders thowing shots but they're missing.

Saunders is working for a guillotine from mount but Dawkins frees his head quite easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saunders prevents Dawkins from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawkins is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Dawkins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Saunders throwing strikes here but Dawkins is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Brian Dawkins has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saunders with good strikes from the mount here!
Dawkins is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Saunders misses with some ground and pound and Dawkins recovers position to half guard.
Saunders wants to take a breather but Dawkins is having none of it.
Dawkins wants to get back to full guard but Saunders has mounted him!
Dawkins gets back to half guard.
Randall Saunders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dawkins can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins missing with punches from the bottom.
Dawkins is looking for a sweep. Saunders is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saunders sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dawkins defending well though.
Dawkins blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saunders.
Dawkins is pressing down on Saunders's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dawkins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dawkins doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saunders keeps the fight on the outside.
Dawkins throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dawkins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saunders was well out of range. Poor timing from Dawkins.
Dawkins lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dawkins has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Dawkins as the two fighters clinch.
Saunders stops a takedown attempt from Dawkins.

Saunders's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dawkins stuffs the takedown.
Saunders fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dawkins lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saunders circles away quickly and effectively.
Saunders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dawkins shoots in but no luck this time.
Dawkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Saunders circles away.
Dawkins looks to land a combination but Saunders avoids it well.
Saunders keeps the fight on the outside.
Saunders throws out a powerful jab.
Dawkins lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saunders circles away quickly and effectively.
Dawkins is looking to clinch.
Saunders tries to bum rush Dawkins with a series of wild strikes but Dawkins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawkins lands a jab to Saunders's midsection.
Saunders misses with a wild combination.

Saunders gets caught flat footed, as Dawkins shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Dawkins tries to free his leg and advance position but Saunders is retaining full guard.
Saunders thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Dawkins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saunders works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dawkins passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dawkins landing strikes.
Saunders pushes Dawkins away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dawkins gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Dawkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dawkins 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Dawkins!