PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Julius Cherry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Dawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cherry
vs
Dawson

154 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Julius Cherry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rob Dawson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dawson catches Cherry with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

It looks like Julius Cherry has been cut.

Dawson gets caught flat footed, as Cherry shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cherry could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Cherry loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cherry wants to stand but Dawson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dawson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cherry throwing strikes but missing.

Dawson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cherry defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cherry's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherry has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dawson is proving hard to escape from.
Dawson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cherry.
Cherry prevents Dawson from getting back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dawson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dawson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dawson pulls Cherry in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cherry blocks a head kick by Dawson.

Dawson gets caught flat footed, as Cherry shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Dawson trying to control the position.

Cherry drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Dawson dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson wants to stand but Cherry has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cherry working a defensive guard but Dawson passes into half guard.
Cherry trying to control but Dawson postures up.
Dawson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Dawson is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherry is not content to let Dawson control the position.
Dawson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dawson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Dawson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Dawson looking to control but Cherry is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cherry is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Dawson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rob Dawson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Julius Cherry's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dawson takes the fight into the clinch.
Cherry wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cherry has Dawson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dawson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cherry has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dawson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Dawson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rob Dawson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dawson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cherry connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Cherry gets caught flat footed, as Dawson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dawson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Dawson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cherry tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Dawson passes into half guard.

Dawson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dawson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dawson tries to pass to full mount but Cherry defends it.
Dawson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Cherry is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherry can't escape the position.
Dawson content just to control the position here.
Dawson pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Cherry tries to hold on but Dawson postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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 scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cherry?
Cherry is squirming around, avoiding Dawson's attempts to control the action.
Cherry might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dawson content just to control the position here.
Dawson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cherry is looking to escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Dawson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Julius Cherry's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Dawson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cherry's half guard.

Dawson is trying to work for a kimura but Cherry is defending well.
Dawson trying to control from half guard but Cherry is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dawson is looking to advance position but Cherry won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Dawson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dawson wants to control but Cherry is keeping him busy.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Dawson clinches.

Dawson gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cherry is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dawson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Dawson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Dawson is looking to take a break and control but Cherry is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dawson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson trying to mount his opponent but Cherry defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dawson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dawson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cherry's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dawson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cherry is trying to keep Dawson in close.

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.
Cherry controlling Dawson's posture.
Cherry keeping full guard, as Dawson tries to pass.
Cherry controls Dawson momentarily but Dawson frees himself.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Julius Cherry has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rob Dawson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dawson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Dawson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dawson 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Dawson!