Grant Dawson vs. Nad Narimani

Round 1
In a scheduled 150-pound catchweight contest, highly touted prospect “KGD” Dawson (15-1, 3-0 UFC) comes to blows with Britain’s Narimani (12-3, 2-1 UFC). Overseeing this bout between two men combining for 21 finishes in 21 wins is much-maligned referee Dan Movahedi. They touch ‘em up, and Dawson opens with a calf kick that nearly makes Narimani fall over. Dawson targets that same spot two more times and does not draw the same reaction, but drop down low for a takedown. Narimani stuffs it and clips Dawson with a right hand over the top. Dawson flings a low kick at him, and Narimani catches him with a thudding calf kick that makes Dawson crumble – or so we think. When Narimani charges in, Dawson suddenly leaps in the air and blasts the Brit on the jaw. Narimani is reeling, and Dawson quickly changes levels to take the fight down. In full guard, Dawson quickly slices over to half guard and makes Narimani turn over. Nearly taking his opponent’s back, Dawson is content to stay half guard and work a few punches from on top. Dawson stays active from on top, and as he gets pulled back to guard, he lands a couple quick elbows. Narimani replies in kind with hacking elbows from his back, but “KGD” ignores them and hops back over to half guard. When he lands a few powerful strikes, Narimani is able to get him back to guard and lock him down to stop the damage. When they both scramble at the same time, Dawson hops over to mount. The Brit turns around and surrenders his back in the process, so Dawson secures a body triangle with a minute to go. Dawson hunts for a rear-naked choke, but Narimani defends it well while fighting hands. Narimani protects his neck and breaks the body triangle, which leads Dawson to leave hooks in and ride out the round. One last squeeze from Dawson does not get him anywhere, as the horn sounds before he can lock anything up.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dawson

Round 2
The round begins frenetically, with both men throwing furiously. Dawson rips a knee up high that would make Sagat blush, and Narimani takes it on the chin. Dawson shoots in, scoops up his opponent and drops him down with an emphatic thump. “KGD” easily skips over to half guard, and Narimani tries to turn himself over but returns flat on his back to not give up worse position. Dawson works him from on top with short punches that may soften his opponent up but are not doing any serious harm. The American keeps his activity high in half guard with punches and sporadic elbows to wear down his adversary. A few punches or an elbow have opened up a cut on Narimani’s left eyebrow, and the Brit spins around but surrenders his back like the last round. Like before, Dawson instantly seals the body triangle, and works Narimani with punches. Narimani gives up his neck to not get punched any longer, allowing Dawson to snatch up the neck and squeeze. It is so tight, but somehow Narimani manages to break the grip and get his neck free. Narimani tries to walk off the cage wall to get loose, but we hear the horn before he can.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Dawson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Dawson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Dawson

Round 3
A battered and bloodied Narimani reluctantly touches gloves, and he tries to keep his distance and jab. Dawson attempts to time a knee up the bracket, which keeps Narimani from getting loose. Dawson nails the lead leg with a calf kick, forcing Narimani to backpedal. Dawson has the knee chambered to release any time Narimani gets careless, and barely misses a few times while Narimani is advancing. Dawson gets another leg kick in, and another that draw out a limp from his opponent. Dawson shoots in, but this time he gets stuffed. Dawson goes to the body with a front kick and alternates that with more calf kicks that are hurting the Brit every time. Dawson grazes the guard with a high kick, and gets countered with a straight left coming in. “KGD” rolls with a right hand and has a counter knee ready for his opponent. Dawson lets his kicks go, high and low, and when Narimani is ready to guard them, Dawson stings him with a jab or lands a heavy right hand. Narimani advances and lands three punches, but they do not have the sting on them as the previous rounds. This does not stop him from throwing wildly, and he loops a few big right hands that Dawson narrowly avoids. Dawson drills that lead leg with another kick, and he follows it with a knee that Narimani catches but cannot take advantage of. Dawson scores to the body and head with kicks, and when he throws an axe kick, he gets caught flush. Dawson’s knees wobble, and he is hurt as he shoots in for a desperation takedown. Narimani fights him off and gains separation. The Brit throws a few more times, clipping Dawson again. Dawson shoots in one last time for a takedown to stall out the final seconds, and he holds Narimani against the cage wall until time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson (30-26 Dawson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dawson (30-26 Dawson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dawson (30-26 Dawson)

The Official Result
Grant Dawson def. Nad Narimani via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)