PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dustin Assad (ranked 3300 p4p, 392 weight class) and Damien Dawson (ranked 3661 p4p, 420 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Assad
vs
Dawson

174 cm
25
186 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

186 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Organic Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dustin Assad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Damien Dawson!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Jonathan Paton and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dawson throws out a counter right but Assad avoids it with no problem.
Assad throws a right hand that Dawson ducks under and follows up with a left that Dawson also avoids with ease.
Dawson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Donk. Assad catches Dawson right on the button with a cross.
Assad is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Dawson.
Assad throws a poor cross that misses
and Dawson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Assad misses the body punch
and Dawson counters with a nice uppercut.
Assad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dawson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Assad will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dawson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Assad misses with an uppercut.
A slow jab from Assad misses its intended target.
Assad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dawson circles away quickly and effectively.
Dawson throws a fast counter high kick but Assad manages to duck under it in time.
Dawson moves out of range of the strikes.
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 lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assad misses with a combination
and Dawson counters with a stiff right hand.
Dawson slips under a jab from Assad.
Dawson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Damien Dawson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Assad throws a shot from downtown. Dawson moves away and avoids it.
Dawson counters with a body kick.
Assad swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dawson counters with a head kick.
Assad looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Assad loads up on a big right hand but Dawson slips the punch.
Assad throws a hook but Dawson avoids it easily.
And Dawson responds with a good body kick, but Assad manages to step out the way in time.

Assad closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Dawson did well to prevent Assad getting side control.
Assad throwing shots but Dawson is blocking nicely.
Assad wants to control but Dawson is keeping him busy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dawson is looking to escape.

Assad is working for a kimura but Dawson is defending it quite comfortably.
Dawson won't allow Assad to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Dawson is looking to improve his position.

Assad is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Assad is trying to control. Dawson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Assad wants to pass to mount but Dawson is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dawson is looking to escape.
Assad with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Assad is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assad slips a nice elbow through Dawson's hands, connecting with Dawson's forehead.

Assad is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dawson is looking for a sweep. Assad is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Assad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Assad is trying to control the action in half guard but Dawson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Assad is looking to advance position but Dawson won't allow it.
Assad controlling the pace.
Assad looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Dawson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Dawson is trying to stand back up but Assad is controlling him

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Assad is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Assad is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dawson is just riding it out for now. Assad eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawson wants to improve his position but Assad is controlling well.
Dawson tries to kick Assad off but Assad keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Assad moves into full mount! Dawson won't be happy about that!
Assad fails to take his opponent's back.
Assad mounts Dawson! Really nice guard pass there!
Assad trying to control but Dawson is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dustin Assad dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dawson avoids the body shot from Assad.
It seemed like Dawson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Assad fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dawson on the side of the head.
Assad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Assad throws a jab but it's blocked by Dawson.
Assad backing away here, and Dawson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Dustin Assad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Assad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Assad swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dawson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dawson slips under a jab.
Assad throws a looping overhand right but Dawson ducks down to avoid it.
Assad moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromDawson.
Assad moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Assad waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dawson.
Dawson is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dawson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Assad throws out the jab.
Assad lands a really nice looking cross but Dawson seems unphased.
Dawson moves away from the strike by Assad.
As Assad backs off Dawson throws a huge counter combo but Assad manages to avoid it all.
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Assad misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Assad.
Dawson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dawson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Assad.
Dawson walks into a jab.
Dawson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Assad paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Assad misses the jab.
Dawson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Assad.
Assad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dawson can do to turn this around?
Dawson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Assad.
Dawson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Assad misses the shot to the body.
Donk. Assad catches Dawson right on the button with a cross.
Assad throws a poor cross that misses
and Dawson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Assad stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Assad throws a body punch but Dawson moves out of range.
Assad misses with a body shot.
No joy there for Assad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A little jabbing left from Dawson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Assad misses with a takedown attempt
and Dawson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dawson moves out of range of the strikes.
Assad swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Assad gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Dawson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Assad misses with a right hand
and Dawson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Assad misses with a looping right.
Dawson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Assad lands with a straight right. Dawson didn't see that one coming.
Dawson slips a straight right by Assad.
Dawson throws out a counter right but Assad avoids it with no problem.
Assad throws a shot from downtown. Dawson moves away and avoids it.
Assad misses with an uppercut
and Dawson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Assad throws a poor cross that misses
and Dawson counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assad misses with a straight left.
Assad shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dawson sprawls well. Dawson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Assad gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dustin Assad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Assad throws a jab when Dawson was well out of range.
Dawson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Assad misses with an uppercut.
Assad misses with a hook
and Dawson counters with a solid body kick.
Assad misses with a body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Dawson as Assad shoots in.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dawson! But no joy.
Dawson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Assad's head backwards.
Assad with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Dawson counter with a right hand.
Dawson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assad misses with an uppercut. Dawson saw that one coming.
Assad lands a nice looking body shot.
Dawson staying out of range there.
Assad misses with a right hand
and Dawson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
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 ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Assad misses with a hook.
Dawson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dustin Assad is winning the standup battle so far.
Assad misses with the combination.
Assad connects with a jab.
Assad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Dawson misses.
Assad is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dawson.
Dawson slips under a jab from Assad.
Dawson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dawson wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dustin Assad dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Assad misses with a hook.
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Assad is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Dawson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Assad is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dawson.
Dawson throws out a counter right but Assad avoids it with no problem.
Good shot there by Assad.
Assad looks to score with a jab to the body but Dawson is just out of range.
Dawson lands a nice shot that snaps Assad's head back.

It looks like Dustin Assad has been cut.
Assad misses with a hook
and Dawson counters with a stiff right hand.
Dawson dodges the punch combination from Assad.
The fighters circling - Dawson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Assad misses with a hook
and Dawson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The fighters circling - Dawson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dawson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dawson throws a hook but Assad blocks it.

Dawson has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Assad misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dawson.
Dawson scores with a nice hook to the head.

Assad is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dawson can't fight it off and eventually Assad manages to take the fight to the floor. Dawson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Assad postures up in Dawson's guard and throws a big left but Dawson blocks it.
Assad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dawson is keeping the position for now.
Dawson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Dawson looking for a sweep. Not yet Dawson, not yet.
Assad tries to free his leg and advance position but Dawson is retaining full guard.
Dawson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Assad. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dawson controlling the position.
Damien Dawson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assad prevents Dawson from getting back to his feet.
Assad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Dawson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Assad trying to control but Dawson is working from the bottom.
Dawson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Assad trying to control the position from guard on top but Dawson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Assad postures up in Dawson's guard and throws a big left but Dawson blocks it.
We've been hearing that Assad has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Assad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dawson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Assad stops Dawson from standing up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Assad's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dawson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Dawson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson keeping moving, preventing Assad from controlling successfully.
Dawson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Assad's guard.

Assad manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dawson manages to get himself to full guard.

Assad forces his way into half guard.
Dawson is refusing to be controlled, as Assad sits in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Assad lands a nice short elbow.
Assad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Assad is trying to control the action in half guard but Dawson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Dawson is looking to escape.
Assad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dawson keeps working.

Assad is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Dawson wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assad passes the guard and advances to mount!
Dawson is desperately trying to improve his position but Assad has a good base and remains in mount.

Assad is working for a guillotine from mount but Dawson frees his head quite easily.
Assad misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Assad is working for a guillotine from mount but Dawson frees his head quite easily.
Dustin Assad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dawson can't escape the position.
Assad throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Dawson is looking to get to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Assad is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Dawson has managed to escape the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dustin Assad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Assad, 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dustin Assad!
Dustin Assad made sure to mention his sponsor, Organic Nutrition in his post fight interview.