Grant Dawson improved to 14-1 at UFC Rochester, giving Mike Trizano the first loss of his career with a second round submission victory.
Grant Dawson is a Glory MMA product under head trainer and longtime UFC veteran James Krause. Dawson started his career at 11-1, earning a shot at Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series in 2017. He won by second-round submission on the show, earning a contract with the promotion. However, Dawson was unable to fight in 2018 due to a USADA incident that was eventually dropped. The Nebraskan made his Octagon debut in March, defeating Julian Erosa by unanimous decision.
Mike Trizano was featured on The Ultimate Fighter undefeated season and cruised to the finals with a 2-0 record on the show. He defeated Joe Giannetti in his UFC debut and followed up with a win over Luis Pena. The New Jersey native is 8-0 with four stoppages to his name, but has only won by split decision in the Octagon.
The early work in round one was done against the fence in the clinch. Dawson worked hard to get the fight to the ground, but Trizano was able to escape to the center of the Octagon. A flurry of punches from Trizano was answered by a head kick from Dawson in a high-volume first round. As the fight opened up, Dawson earned his first takedown of the fight. Trizano battled well, getting to his feet. Despite being on his feet, Dawson relentlessly clung to Trizano.
Yet again, Trizano was able to eventually work his wasy back to the center of the Octagon. Trizano opened up a cut above the right eye of Dawson, landing a big left hand as Dawson shot for another takedown. The round ended with Dawson landing yet another takedown, clinching Trizano against the cage and tripping him to the ground.
Trizano was able to land his jab effectively early in the second round. Dawson responded how he did the entire first round: with a takedown from the clinch. Dawson moved into mount, eventually taking Trizano’s back and working for a rear-naked choke. Trizano was flattened out near the fence with three minutes remaining in the round. Although he was controlling one of Dawson’s wrists, Trizano was in deep trouble. It didn’t get any easier as Dawson patiently went back to working for the choke. This time, he was able to sink it in, forcing Trizano to tap.
Patience pays off as @dawsongrant20y1 finishes the choke #UFCRochester pic.twitter.com/QYzxoC8EpF
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 18, 2019
Grant Dawson def. Mike Trizano by submission (rear-naked choke) in Round Two (2:27)
