Lightweights Jared Gordon and Grant Dawson faced off on the main card at UFC Vegas 53 on Saturday, with Gordon entering the night on a three-fight win streak.
Dawson remained undefeated in the UFC to start the night, but was coming off a draw against Ricky Glenn that had forced him to reevaluate and eventually switching training camps.
Gordon went after Dawson’s lead leg early on in the opening round. The pair briefly went to the ground, but were up in a scramble. Dawnson fanned on a spinning wheel kick; he then closed the distance, got Gordon against the fence, put on a body lock and took the fight down — only for Gordon to roll through and get on top. Another scramble, and they were back up.
On the feet, Dawson went after Gordon’s lead leg, ate a counter for his troubles, then changed levels, took Gordon down, and took the back. Smooth as water in that transition was Dawson; he put a body triangle in place, while Gordon fought hands. Dawson would spend the rest of the round on the back — and pick up where he left off in round two.
Again in the second, Gordon had to contend with Dawson on his back, body triangle in place. He hunted the rear-naked choke, settling for a neck crank. Gordon would finally escape with two minutes left in the round, but Dawson was right back on the takedown attempt. Gordon wouldn’t stay down long this time, but moments later, he landed another emphatic takedown. This time, Dawson landed a couple of solid punches while controlling the back.
Jared Gordon had his best moments of the fight early in round three. He had Dawson hurt, tagging him more than once. But the wrestling was there to fall back on for Grant Dawson; he shot for a takedown, but couldn’t finish it. It did, however, buy Dawson some time. He’d shoot another takedown; while it landed, Gordon went after a guillotine. A futile attempt in the end. Dawson would later slip off a spinning back fist attempt, allowing Gordon to land a few blows to the body. Back up, Dawson drove Gordon into the fence, changed levels for a takedown, and ate punches to the body instead. Gordon finally accepted the position, and Dawson went to the back. He sunk in a rear-naked choke, while Gordon fought hands — to no avail! Gordon would tap with less than a minute remaining!
WITH UNDER A MINUTE LEFT @DAWSONGRANT20Y1 GETS IT DONE 💪 #UFCVegas53 pic.twitter.com/KIdAqMXPwc
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
Official Result: Grant Dawson def. Jared Gordon by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:11
