Credit: TheScore
UFC Norfolk results: Grant Dawson submits Darrick Minner in second round
On Saturday night, Feb. 29, 2020, the UFC returns to action for their very first leap year event in the company’s history with UFC on ESPN+ 27.
The event takes place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. and will be headlined by a flyweight title fight between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo, in which only Benavidez can capture UFC gold with a win due to Figueiredo missing weight.
Kicking off the main card is a featherweight matchup between Grant Dawson and Octagon debutante Darrick Minner. Dawson is looking to extend his winning streak to six overall, and his UFC record to 3-0. “KGB” holds Octagon wins over Julian Erosa and Mike Trizano, and was originally scheduled to face Chas Skelly at the event. Skelly was forced to withdraw due to an injury and Minner was inserted on less than two weeks notice.
Dawson will forfeit 30-percent of his purse to Minner after missing weight by 3.5 pounds.
Minner, a 34-fight veteran, came up short last summer on Dana White’s Contender Series when he was submitted by Herbert Burns in the first round in August. The 29-year-old Nebraska native bounced back with back-to-back opening round submissions of his own to set himself up for a big opportunity to make a statement in the UFC’s 145-pound division.
Here is how the main card opener between Grant Dawson and Darrick Minner went down at UFC Norfolk, including round-by-round scoring. For full event results, check them out right here.
ROUND 1
Kevin MacDonald gets the fighters set and this main card is off. They touch gloves and Minner lands a hard leg kick. Both guys have the same idea throwing leg kicks, Minner was quicker to land and Dawson falls to the mat. Guillotine attempt from Minner and Dawson patiently gets free and in his opponent’s full guard. Armbar attempt from Minner doesn’t last long as Dawson tries to work on top. Minner looking for another armbar attempt before getting back to his feet and taking Dawson down. Dawson back to his feet and it gets back to the mat again. Guillotine attempt again from Minner and it’s tight. Dawson scrambles around and gets himself out of danger and in Minner’s half guard. Dawson pins Minner’s right arm down and tries to advance his position. Dawson trying to mount with less than a minute to go as Minner continues to hunt for his opponent’s neck. Final 30 seconds of the round and Dawson lands a pair of body shots before getting to full mount. Dawson begins to unload with punches and elbows, and locking in a rear naked choke very tightly. Minner is saved by the horn.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Dawson
ROUND 2
Dawson lands a kick to the body to start the second round before changing levels. Minner with another guillotine attempt, Dawson puts his thumb up before getting to full mount. Dawson lands a couple of right hand before taking Minner’s back. Rear naked choke applied and a quick tap from Minner.
Official result: Grant Dawson def. Darrick Minner via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 1:38
