SHERDOG BETTING PREVIEW ODDS : Dawson (-190), Gordon (+155) Grant Dawson vs. Jared Gordon
Round 1
Lightweights take center cage in this main card offering as “Flash” Gordon (18-4, 6-3 UFC) looks to hand “KGD” Dawson (17-1-1, 5-0-1 UFC) his first loss inside the Octagon. Referee Keith Peterson will preside over the nonsense-free action, and there is a respectful but tense touch of gloves to start things off. Gordon takes the center of the cage, and he lands a low kick when Dawson kicks high. Dawson pulls his foot back so that he can deposit it on the center of Gordon’s chest. Gordon backs off and kicks the lead leg, and he blitzes forward only to get pushed back by the longer man. Gordon swings with several looping punches, and Dawson responds with a head kick that just breezes over the smoothly shaved dome of his opponent. Gordon initiates a takedown approach, and he puts Dawson down briefly. “KGD” scrambles and pops back up without being down for long, and he jumps in the air with a knee to close the distance. As Gordon backpedals, he is just out of the way from a spinning wheel kick. Dawson presses the action in pursuit of a takedown, and as he does, Gordon snatches up a guillotine choke. Dawson rolls all the way through the choke to ground Gordon, and the choke gets released. Gordon is able to scramble his way back up, and they start clubbing one another with loud, powerful punches. Gordon bites down on his mouthpiece and slings it out, and a few punches get Dawson’s attention and force the American Top Team fighter to shoot for a takedown. Gordon gives up his back as he tries to turn out and through, and Dawson claims it and secures a strong body triangle. Dawson smacks Gordon in the side of the head several times when Gordon controls the wrist, and “Flash” rolls to the side to lean Dawson up to the wall and prevent any leverage of a choke coming. Dawson does not mind this, as he continues softening his man up with punches. Gordon does not waver in the defense of his neck, regardless of the punches he is absorbing, while allowing Dawson to hold his back and crush him with a triangle around his waist. “KGD” continues pounding on Gordon with his free left hand, and the strikes might not be individually damaging, but they are consistent and frustrating. Gordon continues to absorb these strikes, which have busted open his nose, and he remains in this position until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Round 2
The lightweights touch glove to begin the second round, and Dawson is the first to throw a punch. Gordon replies with a right hand back at him, and he has a head kick blocked. Gordon wings a left hook, and he just misses it as Dawson’s eyes are wide open. A few more strikes lead to Dawson pursuing a takedown, and he hits the single he is seeking and puts Gordon on the mat. “Flash” quickly scrambles to his knees, but his attempt to escape is thwarted as Dawson skillfully locks up a body triangle while Gordon is standing up. This body triangle allows “KGD” to lower Gordon down to the ground, and he has Gordon’s back where he rode out the last two-plus minutes of the previous round. Instead of setting up a rear-naked choke, Dawson elects to crank the neck, and he squeezes with an ample amount of power, much to the discomfort of his opponent. Gordon grits it out and leans against the wall, before pushing off with his feet. Dawson gets a little careless in his posture, and as he does, Gordon erupts to fight out of the position and back up to his feet. “KGD” sucks his legs out briefly, and Gordon gets dragged back down a couple times until Gordon separates with a left hand on the break. “Flash” comes out firing, swinging huge left hands, and he changes it up with a head kick in which the instep of his foot slaps Dawson in the face. Gordon does not slow down, pressuring Dawson to the fence while spamming punches at him. Dawson shoots low for a single, and he hits it to deflate the current comeback hopes of the Roufusport fighter. Gordon turns to his side, and Dawson partially takes his back while swinging a right hand at the grounded fighter’s noggin. Dawson rides out this position to the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Round 3
A final glove touch opens the final frame, and Gordon plants his flag in the center of the cage and marches Dawson down. Gordon throws hammers, while shrugging off the kicks of Dawson. As he does, Dawson turns his back and runs away. Gordon follows him, and he nearly walks into a takedown try. Gordon stuffs it and then absorbs a clean right hand across the bow. Dawson tosses up a high kick, has his lead leg kicked, and he drops down for a takedown. Gordon greets him with an uppercut, and another shakes “KGD” up. Gordon is slinging leather at this point, and his strikes draw out one more takedown entry from his opponent. Gordon turns him around and knees the groin, and Peterson takes away the position and separates them from the foul, as Dawson says he is good to go. Dawson steps in with an elbow that slashes “Flash” open on the forehead, and he goes after a takedown when ducking the blows coming at him. Gordon rolls through it and stands, and he rips the body with several punches as Dawson leans into him. Gordon uppercuts him and sneaks in a few punches, only to be answered by a flush knee and a pair of punches back. Dawson spins with a back fist, and when the strike slides off Gordon’s slick, smooth head, Dawson falls over to the mat. Gordon takes advantage of this by jumping on before Dawson can turn this into a takedown effort. Dawson drops to his knees to try for a single, and Gordon stuffs this too and drops down punches and elbows on the side. Dawson turns the corner and lifts up a leg, and he takes Gordon’s back in a hurry.
As soon as the body triangle is secured, Dawson snakes his arm beneath the chin and secures a rear-naked choke. Gordon twists his neck and appears to be safe, only for the dangerous “KGD” to tighten his grip and sink it in completely. “Flash” has no more speed to escape, and after a few seconds of panic, he taps out for the very first time in his career.
This is a huge win for Dawson, who signals that he is ready for a top-15 opponent with six wins and a draw in his burgeoning UFC career.
The Official Result
Grant Dawson def. Jared Gordon R3 4:11 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
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