AJ Dobson earned a unanimous decision victory over Tafon Nchukwi tonight at UFC On ESPN 51.
Round One:
Dobson tries an overhand but misses as Nchukwi tries to load up on a counter. Low kick from Nchukwi.
Dobson with a body kick, but Nchukwi threatens on the counter. Heavy leg kicks from Nchukwi. Another body kick from Dobson.
Nchukwi with a front kick to the body and then those hard low kicks again. He lands a couple more. Dobson with a couple of his own, but not as hard-hitting. He does land a solid body kick though.
Right hand gets through for Dobson. Inside leg kick from Nchukwi. Leg kicks from Dobson, but a big difference in power when Nchukwi lands his.
Body kick from Nchukwi comes off the guard. calf kick for him and an inside leg kick from Dobson. Dobson tries for a high kick, but it doesn’t get through.
Dobson with a leg kick. leg kick and a jab to the body from Nchukwi. Calf kick for Nchukwi and Dobson lands a punch to the body now.
Body kick for Nchukwi. Calf kick for Dobson. Nchukwi swings and misses. Body kick from Nchukwi lands, but it’s caught and that enables Dobson to use it to land a takedown. Dobson busy in the final few seconds of the round trying to land some ground-and-pound.
Round Two:
Leg kick for Dobson. He lands another to the inside of the leg. Push kick from Nchukwi and a low kick too. Body kick for Dobson.
Inside leg kick from Nchukwi and a grazing right hand from Dobson. Inside leg kick from Dobson. Leg kick for Nchukwi and Dobson counters with a punch.
Head kick attempt from Dobson is only just blocked in time. Nchukwi loads up on a big punch, but Dobson avoids it.
Leg kicks exchanged. Calf kick for Nchukwi. Leg kick for Dobson. Body punch for Nchukwi. Leg kick for Nchukwi. Body kick from Dobson. Dobson clinches up and works Nchukwi over to the cage.
Nchukwi able to turn into him and then breaks away, though Dobson lands an elbow on the way out.
Stepping jab from Dobson. Calf kick for Nchukwi. Slapping backhand from Nchukwi. Leg kick for Nchukwi. Dobson with a lighter one to the calf.
Another calf kick for Nchukwi. Jab connects for Dobson. Leg kick for Nchukwi. Body kick from Nchukwi and Dobson partially catches it and drives into the clinch against the cage where the round ends.
Round Three:
Leg kick from Dobson. Another lands on the inside. He connects with it again. And again. Nchukwi with one. Nchukwi tries again, but Dobson reaches for it and Nchukwi stumbles backwards to the mat.
Dobson in half-guard facing away from the cage. Dobson happy to keep control here as we approach the half-way mark of the final round.
Nchukwi starting to shuffle over towards the cage. Dobson remaining patient on top with little thoughts towards offense.
Finally Dobson lands a few punches to the body. Nchukwi gets to full guard. 60 seconds to go. Dobson looks like he might posture up, but then goes back in tight again. He’s clearly happy to grind this round out on top without taking any risks.
Nchukwi scrambles and gets to his feet, but Dobson is clinched to his back. Final couple of seconds and Dobson launches a head kick from in close, but Nchukwi seems unfazed as we head to the scorecards.
Decision:
Dobson’s wrestling work in the final round helped separate the two here and he emerges with a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3).
