PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Garrone (ranked 989 p4p, 2242 weight class) and Michael Dawson (ranked 111 p4p, 238 weight class). Michael Dawson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Garrone
vs
Dawson

185 cm
30
170
12 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
165
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Francesco Garrone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Dawson!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garrone tries to clinch there but Dawson circles away.
Garrone ducks under a wild hook from Dawson.
Garrone shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dawson as he jumps to the side.
Dawson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Garrone throws a head kick that misses.
Dawson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dawson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Garrone misses with a double jab
and Dawson counters with a series of strikes. Garrone will be more careful next time no doubt.

Dawson takes the fight into the clinch.
Dawson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Dawson lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Francesco Garrone has been cut.
Dawson lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dawson scores with a shot to the side of Garrone's head.
Dawson connects with a knee to the head.
Dawson lands a knee to the head.
Dawson lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garrone takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dawson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Garrone blocks it with crossed arms.
Dawson scores with a knee to the head.
Dawson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Garrone blocks it with crossed arms.
Dawson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Dawson landing knees to the head.

Garrone is rocked!
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Oh Garrone is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Garrone looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Garrone seems to have got his legs back now.
Dawson lands a knee to the head.
Garrone wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dawson tries a knee to the head but Garrone blocks it.
A short uppercut from Dawson.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Garrone tries for a takedown but Dawson manages to get underhooks.
Dawson scores with a shoulder strike.
The referee calls for Dawson to work.
Dawson keeps control of Garrone as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garrone takes a knee to the side of the body.
Dawson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dawson lands with a right to the head.
Garrone wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
Dawson lands a good knee to the midsection. Garrone won't want to take too many of those.
Dawson gets through Garrone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Dawson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Dawson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Garrone is looking to break free of the clinch but Dawson has double underhooks.
Garrone wants to get back to striking at distance but Dawson won't allow it.
Garrone is trying to break the clinch but Dawson is controlling him.
Garrone is working for takedown but Dawson is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Garrone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dawson looking to throw knees to the head but Garrone is blocking nicely.
Dawson throws a knee to the head but misses.

Garrone has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dawson uses from the top position.
Dawson trying to control but Garrone is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garrone wants to stand up but Dawson is controlling him.
Dawson throwing strikes from guard but Garrone blocks nicely.
Dawson throwing strikes from guard but Garrone blocks nicely.
Dawson won't allow Garrone to get back to his feet.
Dawson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A big left from Dawson misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Garrone misses the target.

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.
Garrone takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dawson throws a head kick but Garrone moves out of range.
Dawson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dawson misses with a hook. Garrone ducked under it nicely.
Dawson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Garrone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Garrone takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Garrone has been working on his balance at California Top Team, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Dawson.
A telegraphed right hand from Garrone misses the target.

Dawson closes the distance and clinches.
Dawson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Garrone is trying to break the clinch but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
Dawson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Garrone lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Garrone is trying to break free.
Dawson misses with a knee to the head.
Dawson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Garrone working hard to break the clinch.
Garrone is trying to break the clinch but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Dawson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Dawson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francesco Garrone's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dawson is looking to slow Garrone down with leg kicks.
Dawson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Garrone throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Garrone digs a good body shot into Dawson's ribs.
Garrone changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dawson tries to avoid it but Garrone manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dawson to the ground. Dawson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dawson throws a big shot that misses.
Garrone half committed to a counter leg kick.
Dawson throws a combination. Garrone tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dawson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Dawson clinches up with Garrone and pushes him back against the cage.
Dawson working Garrone over with knees to the body.
Dawson prevents Garrone from breaking the clinch.
Garrone is trying to break free.
Dawson working Garrone over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but Garrone blocks with his arms.
Garrone wants to break free but Dawson has control.
Garrone has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dawson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Garrone wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
Dawson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson lands a nice knee to the body.
Dawson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dawson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garrone has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dawson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garrone has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Garrone is trying to break the clinch but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
Dawson looking to throw knees to the head but Garrone is blocking nicely.
Michael Dawson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Garrone takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dawson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dawson obliges.
Dawson lands a knee to the head.
Dawson lands with a left to the head.
Dawson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dawson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Garrone.
Garrone tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dawson lands a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dawson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Garrone takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garrone is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dawson lands a nice knee to the body.
Garrone can't break the clinch.
Dawson tries a knee to the head but Garrone blocks it.
Dawson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garrone has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dawson has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Garrone seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Dawson can turn it around.
Dawson stalling in the clinch.
Garrone is trying to pull guard but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Garrone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dawson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garrone's efforts to push away.
A knee to the head by Dawson.
Garrone looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dawson connects with a knee to the head.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Garrone wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Dawson.
A short left from Dawson.
Dawson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Garrone blocks it with crossed arms.
Dawson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Garrone wants to get back to striking at distance but Dawson won't allow it.
Dawson looking to throw knees to the head but Garrone is blocking nicely.
Garrone is trying to push Dawson away but Dawson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Garrone is trying to break the clinch but Dawson is controlling him.
Dawson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Garrone wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dawson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Garrone is looking to break free of the clinch but Dawson has double underhooks.
Garrone is trying to force a seperation but Dawson has the dominant position.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but Garrone blocks with his arms.
A frustrated look appears on Garrone's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Dawson tries to land knees in the clinch but Garrone avoids the damage to the body.
Dawson is struggling to control the position.
Dawson misses with some punches.
Dawson looking to throw knees to the head but Garrone is blocking nicely.
Garrone wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Garrone is trying to push Dawson away but Dawson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Garrone can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawson wants to stall.
Dawson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Garrone blocks it with crossed arms.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Garrone wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dawson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garrone has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dawson working Garrone over with knees to the body.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dawson prevents Garrone from breaking the clinch.
Garrone is trying to break free.
Garrone is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Dawson is defending well.
Garrone fails to pull guard.
Dawson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dawson lands a right hand.
Garrone is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dawson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dawson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Garrone.
Garrone is trying to force a seperation but Dawson has the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Dawson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francesco Garrone's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Dawson misses the target.

Dawson takes the fight into the clinch.
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Garrone wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dawson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Garrone wants to break the clinch but can't.
Garrone tries to break free but Dawson pushes him back against the cage.
Garrone wants to get back to striking at distance but Dawson won't allow it.
Garrone wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dawson lands a shoulder strike.
Dawson misses with a knee strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garrone takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dawson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dawson gets through Garrone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Garrone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dawson smiles and moves away.
Garrone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dawson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Dawson.
Garrone takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Michael Dawson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Garrone will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dawson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Dawson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Garrone misses with a double jab.
Garrone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dawson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice cross by Dawson.
Danga de danga de dang - Dawson scores with a four punch combination!
Garrone throws a big shot that misses.
Garrone connects with a body shot.
Garrone fails with a takedown attempt.
Michael Dawson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dawson scores with a punch to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dawson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Garrones jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Dawson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Garrone, pushing him back against the cage.
Dawson prevents Garrone from breaking the clinch.
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Garrone is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Garrone is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dawson to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Garrone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dawson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Garrone's face.
Dawson scores with a knee to the head.
Dawson prevents Garrone from breaking the clinch.
Dawson misses with a knee strike.
Garrone can't get the takedown.
Garrone takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Dawson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but Garrone blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dawson has Garrone pressed against the cage, preventing Garrone from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Garrone is trying to break the clinch but Dawson has him pressed against the cage.
Dawson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Garrone in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Dawson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but Garrone blocks with his arms.
Dawson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garrone's efforts to push away.
Garrone wants to get back to striking at distance but Dawson won't allow it.
Dawson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Garrone is trying to force a seperation but Dawson has the dominant position.
Dawson landing knees to the head.
Francesco Garrone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dawson has Garrone pressed against the cage, preventing Garrone from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Still in the clinch, Dawson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dawson misses with a knee strike.
Garrone tries to break the clinch but Dawson is controlling the position.
Dawson has Garrone pushed against the cage.
Garrone is trying to force a seperation but Dawson has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garrone can't get the takedown.
Dawson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Garrone wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dawson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dawson scores with a knee to the head.
Garrone wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dawson scores a nice knee to the body.
Dawson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Garrone's face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Garrone tries to break free but Dawson pushes him back against the cage.
Garrone wants to get back to striking at distance but Dawson won't allow it.
Dawson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dawson.
A shot in the inside from Dawson.
Dawson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Dawson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Garrone.
Dawson tries a knee to the head but Garrone blocks it.
Garrone wants to break free but Dawson has control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 24:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 25:30

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