PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Tapout (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Dawn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tapout comes to the cage accompanied by Runaway. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Tapout
vs
Dawn

173 cm
24
142 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
27
145 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Untouchable Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tommy Tapout!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richard Dawn!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapout looks for the body kick but Dawn saw that one coming.

Dawn fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tapout sprawls well initially but Dawn persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dawn is keen to just control but Tapout is a slippery customer.
Tapout trying to control from the bottom.
Dawn wants to free his trapped foot but Tapout is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tapout looking for submissions off his back.
Tapout might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dawn throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dawn is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tapout manages to get to full guard.

Tapout looking for a guillotine here but Dawn defends easily.

Tapout has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dawn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapout wants to clinch up but Dawn keeps it at a distance.
Tapout takes a swing at Dawn's ribcage but misses.
Tapout throws a series of punches but Dawn avoids them all with ease.
A head kick by Tapout misses

and Dawn counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tapout!
Dawn punching from mount but Tapout doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Dawn throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Tapout is trying desperately to improve position.
Dawn has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tapout's face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dawn lands a heavy elbow.
Dawn tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dawn is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Tapout to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Tapout shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapout can't escape the position.
Dawn is trying to take his opponent's back.

Dawn get's back to his feet.
Tapout misses with a wild body shot.
Tapout tries to clinch up

and Dawn counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tapout's guard now.

Tapout is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dawn is aware though and is defending well.
Dawn wants to control from the top but Tapout keeps moving.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dawn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tapout has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dawn has managed to get both his arms back between Tapout's legs - danger averted.
Dawn preventing the sweep.

Tapout throws his legs up looking for a submission but Dawn uses it to pass to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dawn decides to stand back up. Dawn steps back and let's Tapout get back to his feet.
Dawn has his takedown stuffed

and Tapout moves into the clinch.
Dawn is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tapout pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tapout can't break the clinch.

Dawn successfully pulls guard.
Dawn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Dawn trying to control the action but Tapout is working from the bottom.
Tapout is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapout wants to sweep but Dawn has passed to side control!
Dawn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tapout keeps working.

Dawn looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tapout manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dawn is trying is best to control the position here.
Tapout thows a huge punch but Dawn dodges it nicely.
Tapout missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dawn gets full guard.
Tapout wants to pass the guard but Dawn is keeping the position.
Dawn trying to keep a closed guard but Tapout is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Dawn 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.

Tapout pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tapout throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tapout throws a low kick but Dawn moves out of range easily.
Tapout tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dawn was well out of range. Poor timing from Tapout.
Tapout misses the shot to the body.
Tapout tries to clinch

and Dawn decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tapout's guard.
Dawn trying to control but Tapout is working from the bottom.
Dawn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dawn postures up in Tapout's guard and throws a big left but Tapout blocks it.
Tapout keeping moving, preventing Dawn from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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

Tapout looking for a guillotine here but Dawn defends easily.

Tapout looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Tapout throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Tapout working for a triangle but Dawn defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dawn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawn trying to control but Tapout is working from the bottom.
Richard Dawn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dawn might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tapout kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Tapout looking for a guillotine here but Dawn defends easily.
Dawn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tapout is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Richard Dawn was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Dawn fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Dawn looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Tapout looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Dawn passes into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tapout is staying active underneath Dawn, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Dawn seems to be working for a kimura but Tapout defends the submission attempt.

Dawn looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Tapout looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tapout looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tapout is trying to get back to full guard.

Dawn seems to be looking for submissions.

Tapout is defending against the submission attempts here by Dawn.

Tapout looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tapout looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dawn has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Dawn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dawn scores a takedown into full mount!
Tapout throwing hammer fists to the chest of Dawn. What's that going to do exactly?
Dawn controlling the position easily from mount.

Dawn is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Tapout has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Tapout is trying to escape the mount.
Tapout sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Tapout works his way to full guard. Good work.

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

Tapout escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dawn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawn's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dawn slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Dawn is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Tapout will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Tapout is looking for a sweep.

Dawn working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tapout wants to control but Dawn postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dawn is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tapout is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Dawn is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tapout knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tapout is looking to reverse the position.
Dawn postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tapout manages to get back to half guard.
Tapout is trying to get back to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tapout is working hard here to advance position.
Tapout punching from the bottom.
Tapout is trying to get back to full guard.

Dawn is trying to work for a kimura but Tapout is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawn is trying to control. Tapout wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dawn controlling the action here.

Tapout actively working from the bottom here.
Tapout tries to roll over but Dawn keeps him under control.

Dawn is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tapout wants to improve his position but Dawn is controlling well.
Dawn moves nicely into side control.
Dawn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tapout keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapout manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tapout wants to improve his position but Dawn is controlling well.

Tapout is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dawn pulls his head out easily.

Dawn is working for a kimura but Tapout is defending it quite comfortably.
Tapout tries to get to full guard but Dawn has control of the leg.

Dawn is working for a submission of some sort.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dawn seems to be looking for submissions.

Tapout looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Dawn really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dawn shoots in looking for a takedown. Tapout tries to sprawl out of it but Dawn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tapout manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tapout tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dawn was well out of range. Poor timing from Tapout.
Tapout throws a leg kick that misses.
Tapout misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapout tries to clinch there but Dawn circles away.
Tapout tries for a takedown but Dawn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tapout throws a leg kick that is checked

and Dawn counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tapout won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawn looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tapout is avoiding damage well.
Dawn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tapout keeps working.

Dawn decides to stand back up. Dawn steps back and let's Tapout get back to his feet.
Tapout looks to clinch

and Dawn counters with a shoot takedown. Tapout fights it but they end up in guard.

Tapout had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dawn defends it easily.
Tapout wants to stand but Dawn is controlling the position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Tapout can't keep his opponent in guard - Dawn advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Dawn is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tapout doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dawn.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tapout looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dawn is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tapout doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dawn.

Dawn is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tapout sees it coming and defends easily.

Dawn is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tapout defends it well.

Tapout looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Tapout actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawn is trying to control the action in half guard but Tapout is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Dawn tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tapout knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Dawn is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tapout defends it well.
Tapout wants to improve his position but Dawn is controlling well.

Tapout looking for submissions off his back.

Dawn is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tapout has managed to free his arm - good work.

Tapout looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tapout actively working from the bottom here.
Tapout won't allow Dawn to pass to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tapout manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Tapout has his foot on Dawn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dawn works his way back into a safe position though.
Dawn forces his way into half guard.

Dawn is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Dawn looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tapout is defending against the submission attempts here by Dawn.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Dawn dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tapout throws a head kick but Dawn moves out of range.
Tapout tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Dawn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dawn trying to control the position from guard on top but Tapout is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Dawn stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A right-left combo lands from Tapout.
No luck for Dawn with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapout tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dawn paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Tapout rushes Dawn and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tapout tries to break free but Dawn pushes him back against the cage.
Tapout tries to break the clinch but Dawn is controlling the position.
Dawn is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tapout pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tapout is trying to force a seperation but Dawn has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawn tries for a takedown but Tapout manages to get underhooks.
Tommy Tapout has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Dawn.
Dawn fails to pull guard.
Tapout has had enough of the clinch but Dawn keeps him there for the moment.

Dawn has clasped his hands together around Tapout's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Tapout tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dawn wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Dawn looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Dawn.
Tapout is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dawn off and has taken his back!
Dawn rolls, trying to escape but Tapout keeps control of the position.

Tapout is persistently looking for the submission but Dawn is defending it well.

Tapout looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Dawn taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tommy Tapout!
Tommy Tapout retains his featherweight title!
Tommy Tapout managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========# , into his post fight interview.