PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Haislan Garcia (ranked 1448 p4p, 3270 weight class) and Roger Dawson (ranked 163 p4p, 333 weight class). Haislan Garcia has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Garcia
vs
Dawson

175 cm
34
155
24 - 13 - 2

179 cm
36
159
17 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 24 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Haislan Garcia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Roger Dawson!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dawson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Garcia walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Dawson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Garcia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dawson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Garcia lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Dawson fails with the takedown.
Garcia connects with a solid leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dawson's sensitive parts.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dawson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dawson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haislan Garcia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcia half committed to a counter leg kick.
Dawson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Garcia has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Dawson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Garcia misses with a body punch.
Garcia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Garcia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dawson or perhaps it was just good defense by Garcia, which made it look bad.
Haislan Garcia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roger Dawson.
Dawson avoids the body shot from Garcia.
Dawson steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Dawson dives in for a single leg takedown but Garcia sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Dawson clinches.
Garcia has a couple of punches blocked by Dawson.
Garcia lands a right hand.
Garcia struggles to land a body shot inside as Dawson controls his hands.
Garcia misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson working hard to break the clinch.
Dawson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Garcia avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Garcia tries to throw a body punch but Dawson avoids it by throwing Garcia back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Garcia.
Dawson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Garcia misses with a hook to the ribs.

Dawson jumps guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garcia trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Garcia has gone for a leg lock! Dawson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Garcia's guard.

Garcia wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Garcia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dawson is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garcia is looking for a triangle but Dawson pushes his legs off easily.
Garcia is trying to control the position but Dawson postures up.
Dawson trying to control the position from guard on top but Garcia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dawson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Garcia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dawson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Garcia is controlling Dawson's posture.

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.
Dawson won't allow Garcia to sweep him here.
Dawson trying to control but Garcia is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Garcia throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Garcia feints and then cracks Dawson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dawson down.
Garcia with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Garcia defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dawson.
Garcia connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haislan Garcia dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dawson throws a nice looking combination but Garcia bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Garcia works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Garcia throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dawson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dawson tries to clinch but Garcia moves out of range.
Garcia cracks Dawson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Garcia moves into the clinch.
Garcia throws a head punch that misses.
Garcia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Garcia misses with the head strike.
Dawson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dawson tries to pull guard but Garcia holds him up against the cage and eventually Dawson drops back down to his feet.
Garcia swings wildly with an uppercut but Dawson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Garcia can't find room to land a body shot as Dawson controls the action.
Dawson goes for a takedown attempt but Garcia pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Garcia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dawson manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Garcia.
Garcia sets himself, and Dawson steps forward looking for the clinch! Garcia avoids it this time.
Garcia lands a jab.
Dawson shoots for a takedown but Garcia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Haislan Garcia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roger Dawson.
Dawson tries for a takedown but Garcia sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dawson tries to close the distance and clinch but Garcia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Garcia as Dawson shoots in.
Garcia appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dawson tries to clinch
and Garcia counters with a nice uppercut.

Dawson moves into the clinch.
Dawson blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia lands with a right to the head.
Garcia misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Garcia lands a nice shot to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Garcia prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right from Garcia.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garcia lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dawson backwards.
Garcia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dawson tries to pull guard but Garcia won't allow it.
Dawson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Garcia lands a right hand.
Garcia tries to throw a body punch but Dawson avoids it by throwing Garcia back against the cage.
Dawson has a couple of punches blocked by Garcia.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dawson.
Dawson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson fails to pull guard.
Dawson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Garcia just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dawson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Garcia misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Garcia.
Garcia swings wildly with an uppercut but Dawson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Garcia lands with a short shot to the head.
Garcia misses with the head strike.
Garcia can't find room to land a body shot as Dawson controls the action.
Haislan Garcia has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Dawson tries to pull guard but Garcia holds him up against the cage and eventually Dawson drops back down to his feet.
A right handed body shot lands from Garcia.
Garcia tries to throw a body punch but Dawson avoids it by throwing Garcia back against the cage.
Garcia prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Garcia.
Garcia misses with the head strike.
Garcia working aggressively here.
Garcia throws a punch but it's blocked by Dawson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Garcia.
Dawson is trying to pull guard but Garcia has him pressed against the cage.
Garcia working aggressively here.
Dawson prevents a body shot from Garcia.

Dawson pulls guard successfully.

Dawson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dawson keeping full guard, as Garcia tries to pass.
Garcia trying to control the position from guard on top but Dawson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dawson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haislan Garcia dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Dawson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garcia pinned against the cage. Garcia gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As Dawson tries to get set, Garcia tries to push him back and clinch up but Dawson manages to avoid the attempt.
Dawson misses with a takedown
and Garcia counters with a slapping leg kick.
Garcia dips to his left and cracks Dawson with an uppercut!
Garcia fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dawson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Garcia throws a low kick, looking for Dawson's leg but Dawson calmly moves out of range.
Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia misses with a low kick.
Dawson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Dawson is looking to clinch but Garcia is avoiding it.
Dawson looks to throw a body kick
and Garcia makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Roger Dawson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia digs a good hook to Dawson's body.

Dawson closes the distance and clinches.
Garcia goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dawson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Garcia just stands there and leans against the cage.
Haislan Garcia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roger Dawson.
Dawson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Garcia tries to throw a body punch but Dawson avoids it by throwing Garcia back against the cage.
Garcia swings wildly with an uppercut but Dawson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Dawson successfully pulls guard.
Garcia not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson keeping full guard, as Garcia tries to pass.

Garcia decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dawson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Garcia.
Garcia feints and then cracks Dawson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dawson down.

Dawson gets a clinch.
Garcia lands with a left to the head.
Dawson is looking to break free of the clinch but Garcia has double underhooks.
Dawson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Garcia digs a right hand underneath Dawson's ribcage. Dawson let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dawson's elbow.
Dawson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Garcia to keep the fight standing.
Garcia is pressed up against the cage. Dawson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Garcia down to the mat. Garcia avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Garcia keeps the fight on the outside.
Garcia half committed to a counter leg kick.
Garcia tries a head kick but it misses.
Haislan Garcia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Garcia throws a front kick aimed at Dawson's knee but Dawson avoids it well.
Dawson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Dawson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Garcia.
Dawson checks a low kick from Garcia.
Garcia throws a series of punches but Dawson moves out of range.
Dawson doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Garcia counter with a right hand.
Garcia connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawson misses with an uppercut
and Garcia counters with a low kick, right behind Dawson 's knee.
Garcia is looking to slow Dawson down with leg kicks.
Dawson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dawson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dawson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dawson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dawson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Garcia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Garcia tries to counter by clinching up but Dawson breaks away and moves out of range.
Garcia throws a body punch but Dawson moves out of range.
Garcia jabs Dawson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
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 shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Garcia as he avoids it easily.
Garcia lunges at Dawson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Dawson's hand.
A good leg kick by Garcia.
Roger Dawson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Garcia throws a leg kick which misses Dawson's front leg but catches the back leg as Dawson tries to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haislan Garcia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Garcia, 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haislan Garcia!
An out of breath Haislan Garcia thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.