PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Roger Dawson (ranked 957 p4p, 96 weight class) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (ranked 3054 p4p, 285 weight class). Roger Dawson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Dawson
vs
Nurmagomedov

179 cm
24
159 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

177 cm
24
156 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Roger Dawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khabib Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dawson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Roger Dawson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A cross from Nurmagomedov lands.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dawson.
A swing and a miss from Dawson.
Nurmagomedov throws the left hand but Dawson avoids the punch easily.

Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Nurmagomedov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nurmagomedov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Dawson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nurmagomedov is pressing down on Dawson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dawson is holding on for now.
Nurmagomedov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nurmagomedov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dawson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson is concentrating on defense, preventing Nurmagomedov from advancing position.
Dawson is not content to let Nurmagomedov control the position.

Nurmagomedov seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Dawson has recovered full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dawson is on top in guard.

Nurmagomedov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Dawson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov defending well as Dawson loads up on a big left hand.
Dawson misses with an uppercut
and Nurmagomedov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dawson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Dawson misses with a left hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dawson thinking.

Nurmagomedov takes the fight into the clinch.
Dawson stops a takedown attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown attempt but Dawson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nurmagomedov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dawson but Dawson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Roger Dawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dawson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Nurmagomedov darts in and clinches Dawson up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nurmagomedovs head.
Dawson is pushing Nurmagomedov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Dawson scores with a shot to the side of Nurmagomedov's head.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dawson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nurmagomedov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Dawson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Dawson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurmagomedov manages to avoid it.
A jab from Dawson finds it's way through Nurmagomedov's defenses.
Dawson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurmagomedov was well out of range. Poor timing from Dawson.
Nurmagomedov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Dawson defends it well.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a double leg but Dawson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nurmagomedov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch there but Dawson circles away.
Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but Dawson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Dawson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Nurmagomedov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dawson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nurmagomedov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nurmagomedov throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmagomedov looking to sit in guard and control but Dawson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dawson stands up from Nurmagomedov's guard - Dawson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Dawson lands a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Dawson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nurmagomedov takes one on the button.
Dawson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nurmagomedov on the side of the head.
Dawson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dawson keeps the fight on the outside.
Dawson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurmagomedov.
Dawson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurmagomedov can do to turn this around?
Nurmagomedov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dawson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Dawson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nurmagomedov is looking to clinch.
Dawson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurmagomedov moves away.
Nurmagomedov slips under a jab.
We've been told by Dawson's head coaches at Tōshi that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nice defenses there by Nurmagomedov.
Dawson lands a head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurmagomedov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dawson stuffs the takedown.
Roger Dawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Dawson digs a good hook to Nurmagomedov's body.
Dawson misses with an uppercut. Nurmagomedov saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson just misses with a punch to the body.
Dawson misses the shot to the body.
Dawson lands a nice looking body shot.
Dawson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Dawson gets caught napping as Nurmagomedov dives in and scores a takedown. Dawson manages to retain guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Dawson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Nurmagomedov is breathing heavily.
Nurmagomedov has Dawson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dawson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nurmagomedov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dawson prevents the takedown attempt.
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!
Dawson tries to stall but Nurmagomedov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dawson lands with a light punch inside.
Nurmagomedov tries to score a body lock takedown but Dawson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Nurmagomedov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Dawson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Dawson tries to escape but Nurmagomedov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson is working hard here to advance position.
Well, with Nurmagomedov on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Dawson is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Nurmagomedov missing with strikes.
My spies in Pride inform me that Nurmagomedov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Nurmagomedov misses with an elbow to the head.
Nurmagomedov tries to get the hooks in deep but Dawson pushed the leg off.
Nurmagomedov misses with an elbow to the head.
Dawson wants to control his opponent's hands but Nurmagomedov gets his hands free.
Nurmagomedov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dawson is in bad spot here.
Dawson is trying to escape under a series of strikes and manages to escape from Nurmagomedov 's hooks.
Nurmagomedov tries to control but Dawson wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson blocking the ground and pound.
Dawson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Nurmagomedov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Dawson has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Dawson holds on, trying desperately to control.
Dawson tries to lock up and control but Nurmagomedov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

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.
Nurmagomedov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dawson regains half guard.
Nurmagomedov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dawson's head.
Dawson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov misses with a head shot. Dawson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Dawson keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.
Nurmagomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dawson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Dawson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nurmagomedov closes the distance but Dawson moves to the side
and Dawson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nurmagomedov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dawson is looking to counter punch.
Nurmagomedov doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Dawson counter with a right hand.
Nurmagomedov walks into a left hand.
Dawson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dawson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dawson looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurmagomedov is just out of range.
Nurmagomedov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A slow jab from Dawson misses its intended target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dawson. Nurmagomedov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurmagomedov feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dawson misses with a right hand
and Nurmagomedov counters with a straight right hand.
Dawson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurmagomedov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Roger Dawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Dawson, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson connects with a nice looking jab.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a takedown but Dawson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dawson lands a body shot.
Nurmagomedov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nurmagomedov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dawson was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurmagomedov.
It looked like Dawson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Dawson slips under a jab from Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a double leg but Dawson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dawson tests Nurmagomedov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Roger Dawson is winning the standup battle so far.
Dawson throws a body punch but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Dawson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nurmagomedov in his tracks.
Nurmagomedov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dawson.
Nurmagomedov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dawson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dawson throws a body punch but Nurmagomedov moves out of range.
Nurmagomedov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nurmagomedov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dawson.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch.
Dawson appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson throws a shot from downtown. Nurmagomedov moves away and avoids it.
Dawson throws a jab when Nurmagomedov was well out of range.
Nurmagomedov shoots in for a double leg but Dawson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nurmagomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nurmagomedov.

Dawson throws Nurmagomedov to one side and escapes!
Nurmagomedov tries to clinch there but Dawson circles away.
A big right from Dawson misses.
Nurmagomedov wants to clinch.
Dawson just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurmagomedov avoids the body shot from Dawson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson connects with the punch.
Dawson punishes Nurmagomedov's body with a nice straight punch.
Dawson throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurmagomedov.
Nice defenses there by Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dawson.

Nurmagomedov shoots in and gets a takedown into Dawson's guard.
Nurmagomedov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dawson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Nurmagomedov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Dawson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Dawson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Dawson!

Dawson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nurmagomedov to his feet.
Nurmagomedov shoots in but no luck this time.
Dawson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nurmagomedov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmagomedov is looking to clinch but Dawson is avoiding it.
Dawson lands a really nice looking cross but Nurmagomedov seems unphased.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurmagomedov darts in looking for a takedown but Dawson gets double underhooks and turns Nurmagomedov into the cage.
Dawson thuds his right hand into Nurmagomedov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nurmagomedov shoots and misses
and Dawson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nurmagomedov thinking.
Nurmagomedov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Nurmagomedov is rocked!
Dawson fakes the body blow, causing Nurmagomedov to drop his hands! Left hook to the temple! Nurmagomedov goes stiff, and falls face first into the mat. Goodnight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Roger Dawson!
A victorious Roger Dawson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.