PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Dawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacob Connor Kenway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenway has chosen Warriors as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dawson
vs
Connor Kenway

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Stephen Dawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jacob Connor Kenway !
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Ben Watson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dawson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kenway looks to land a combination but Dawson avoids it well.

Dawson darts in and clinches Kenway up against the cage.
Kenway stops a takedown attempt from Dawson.
Kenway fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Dawson gets control of Kenway 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Dawson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Dawson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Kenway pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dawson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kenway throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dawson.
Kenway misses with a body kick.
Dawson throws a head kick but Kenway moves out of range.
Kenway goes for a double leg but Dawson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dawson continues to drive forward.
Kenway misses with a jab, cross combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kenway lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson shoots in for a takedown but Kenway shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Dawson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kenway drives through with a takedown into Dawson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Dawson scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kenway shoots in looking for a takedown but Dawson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kenway 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dawson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kenway throws a series of strikes that have Dawson backpedaling.
Dawson has a takedown stuffed.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dawson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kenway unleashes a big counter combination but Dawson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kenway throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Kenway looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dawson!

Kenway decides to stand back up. Kenway steps back and let's Dawson get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kenway tries to avoid it but Dawson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kenway to the ground. Kenway escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dawson is breathing heavily.
Kenway throws a series of punches but Dawson avoids them all with ease.
Kenway misses with a series of wild punches.
Dawson closes the distance and clinches up with Kenway , looking for a takedown. Dawson pushes Kenway against the cage but Kenway circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kenway replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Dawson blocks it well.
Kenway jabs at Dawson's body.
Kenway tries to bum rush Dawson with a series of wild strikes but Dawson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Kenway shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Dawson is trying to defend but Kenway finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Dawson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenway fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dawson jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Kenway closes the distance and pushes Dawson back into the cage.
Dawson working aggressively here.
Kenway is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kenway can't get the takedown.
Kenway is looking for a takedown.

Dawson gets control of Kenway 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Dawson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dawson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dawson controls Kenway momentarily but Kenway frees himself.
Kenway won't allow Dawson to sweep him here.
Dawson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kenway really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dawson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenway stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dawson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kenway trying to control the position from guard on top but Dawson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dawson pulls Kenway in to control the position.

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

Kenway shoots in and bounces Dawson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Kenway decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dawson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Despite the aggression on Kenway 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jacob Connor Kenway will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kenway gets a takedown into half guard.

Dawson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Dawson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kenway but Kenway pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kenway keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kenway !
Stephen Dawson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dawson throws a sloppy head kick and Kenway moves out of range easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kenway lands a head shot.
Kenway throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jacob Connor Kenway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kenway darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Dawson manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kenway keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dawson decides to pull guard.
Dawson has control of Kenway 's left arm, preventing Kenway from doing any damage.
Dawson wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kenway trying to control but Dawson is working from the bottom.
Kenway trying to move into half guard but instead Dawson has managed to sweep!

Dawson trying to control but Kenway is working from the bottom.

Kenway is working an open guard so Dawson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dawson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dawson stuffs the takedown.
Kenway misses with a wild combination.
Dawson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kenway defends well and Dawson ends up having to push Kenway into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kenway is looking for the big counter here.
Kenway feints a jab promting Dawson to slip. Kenway then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dawson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kenway shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dawson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kenway sprawls and moves away.
Dawson throws a push kick but Kenway slaps the foot to one side.
No luck for Dawson with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Dawson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dawson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kenway throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenway throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kenway misses with a low kick.
Kenway tries to clinch but Dawson is having none of it.
Kenway throws a right and a left that Dawson avoids nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Dawson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dawson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kenway tries to avoid it but Dawson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kenway to the ground. Kenway escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kenway paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kenway tries a low kick but Dawson avoids it.
Kenway tried to score with a low kick but Dawson checks it.

Kenway has managed to clinch.
Dawson has Kenway pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kenway manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Dawson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kenway manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dawson on his heels. He'll look to pass Dawson's guard now, I'm sure.
Dawson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kenway controls the pace.
Stephen Dawson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dawson has momentary wrist control but Kenway slips an elbow through the middle.
Kenway wants to get up but he can't break Dawson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kenway wants to stand and escape but instead Dawson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Dawson wants to control from the top but Kenway keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jacob Connor Kenway will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kenway fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kenway wants to clinch up but Dawson keeps it at a distance.
Kenway tries to clinch up.
Kenway tries for a takedown but Dawson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dawson is looking to counter the offense by Kenway and move into the clinch.
Kenway attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Dawson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dawson closes the distance and clinches up with Kenway , looking for a takedown. Dawson pushes Kenway against the cage but Kenway circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Dawson tries to keep at a distance but Kenway has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kenway is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Dawson is defending well.
Stephen Dawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Connor Kenway .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kenway is trying to break free.

Dawson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kenway lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dawson backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dawson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kenway 's sensitive parts.
Kenway pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dawson feinted with a counter takedown.
Kenway takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dawson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kenway but Kenway pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kenway has managed to clinch.
Kenway can't break the clinch.

Dawson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kenway uses from the top position.
Kenway missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kenway looking to pass the guard.

Kenway gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenway throws a lazy head kick
and Dawson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kenway tries to land a leg kick but Dawson saw it coming and moves away.
Dawson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kenway displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dawson.
Kenway tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kenway bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dawson's head backwards.
Kenway misses with the combination.
Kenway scores with a sloppy right hand. Dawson should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kenway stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kenway wants it to stay on the feet.
Kenway fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenway fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kenway has closed the distance and engaged Dawson in a clinch.
Kenway is looking to take this one to the mat.
Dawson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kenway smiles and moves away.
Dawson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kenway but Kenway pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kenway looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dawson!
You can see the frustration on Dawson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ground and pound from Kenway seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dawson regains half guard, as Kenway was trying to land strikes.
Kenway is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Jacob Connor Kenway is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kenway trying to control from Dawson's half guard. Dawson has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Dawson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stephen Dawson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Dawson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kenway has picked Dawson up and slammed him! Dawson can't keep hold of the triangle and Kenway manages to pass to side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Connor Kenway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kenway winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Connor Kenway !
In his post fight interview, Jacob Connor Kenway started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.