Jack Dawson shows what academy is #1 in Annapolis for MMA

This years World Kickboxing Associations Nationals was held in Hampton
Va February 18th-20th. The tournament saw the return of a two day
format due to the large number of competitors, and also due to
combining with the Hampton Sports Festival. The tournament known to
most as “The Nationals” is an annual Amateur Mixed Martial Arts and
Muay Thai event. Although the tournament style is no longer a regular
format MMA and Muay Thai, The Nationals continues to provide an
excellent experience for aspiring fighters looking to see if they have
what it takes to move on to the next level. Although usually taking
place in June, this year The Nationals took place in February, proving
to be a good move considering participation had nearly doubled from
2010. MMA and Muay Thai Teams sent fighters from as far as Chicago,
Georgia and New York. The increase of fighters flooding the brackets
made a fighters quest to become a champion a long one. Some fighters
would have as many as 5 fights in 2 days to claim glory.

The Nationals offers many different divisions of competition. For MMA
there is either Novice, meaning the competitor would have 3 amatuer
fights or less. Or Open, meaning the competitor either had more than 3
amateur fights, or was willing to compete with fighters with more
experience. In Muay Thai the same Open or Novice titles applied,
although there is also a K1 rules format which would take away the
option to throw more than one strike in the clinch. Besides facing a
more skilled opponent in the Open divisions, the winner of those
divisions also earn the right to move onto the WKA Worlds held in
Germany this year to represent the United States against other
National winners from around the world. These winners were also
bestowed the honor of having their championship belts presented to
them by Rob Kaman, widely considered one the greatest kickboxers of
all time.

The tournament was broke down into 3 days. Friday being reserved for
weigh ins. Where the fighters are weighed to be sure they should fight
in the divisions the signed themselves up for, as well as a physical
to be sure they are healthy enough to compete. There were also 2
seminars available to participate in. One put on by Kickboxing Legend
Rob Kaman, as well as another by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist
Roberto Travern. And for the Coaches there was a mandatory meeting to
go or rules, and any questions they may have. The bulk of the fights
were held Saturday, starting around 11am continuing on into the
evening. Sunday would be focused around the Finals of each different
division. Those that won will be looking forward to fighting in
Germany, or their next competition. As for the rest, they will be
sharpening their skills and preparing for next February and another
chance to become a Champion.

For Jack Dawson of Annapolis MD, this year would be his time to shine.
Fighting out of Ivey League MMA located in Severna Park MD, Jack
would go on to win all his fights in impressive fashion. Coming from a
wrestling background, and coupled with the Jiu Jitsu tutelage of
Ivey Leagues Black Belt Master Danny Ives, Dawson would go on
to make the tournament almost look easy.

His first fight of the day would start with a specific combo taught
to him by Ivey Leagues Striking coach Jason Farrell. As Jack
pressed forward he caught his opponent in the Thai Clinch landing
a good knee, which set him up to tie his opponent up against the cage.
Once against the cage Dawson secured his takedown and began to work,
landing big punches which would allow him to get to the mount position.
From there Jack would land punches forcing his opponent to give up his
back. This would prove to be the end, when Dawson would go on to stretch
his opponent out and land strike after strike until the Ref was forced to
call the bout in RD 1 just over the 2 minute mark.

Dawson’s second fight of the day would pit him against a fighter out of
the Ground Control camp. The two came out and touched gloves, circled
some, then Jack’s opponent looked to force him to the cage, and attempted
an unsuccessful throw. Although they landed with Dawson in the bottom
position, Jack had double underhooks and was able to drive immediately
into the half guard position on top. Jack then used the strikes to transition
to the mount, and instantly obtained a grapevine on his oppositions legs.
Once again Dawson would land big strikes forcing his adversary to give up
his back, this time Jack would sink in the Rear Naked Choke, and cause
his opponent to submit in RD 1 around the 2 minute mark.

Jack’s third and final fight would take place on Sunday. His opponent
had a by the day before and had only fought once. He was more of a
striker with a very forward stance. So Dawson and his coaches made
the assumption he was apt to sprawl and would be easier to take down from
a body lock tie up. Jack’s first attempt at a takedown proved this theory to
be true. After a missed single leg takedown Dawson would get to the body
lock and bring his opponent down near his own corner. Jack would lock down
the half guard from the top position and look to land strikes. Dawson’s
opposition would at one point push off the cage almost making it back to his
feet, which was instantly negated by Jack transitioning to his back and bringing
him back down to the ground. From the back position Jack would once again
find himself on top landing big strikes until the bell rang signaling
the end of RD
1. At the start of RD 2 Jack lands a nice left hook and goes right
into the body
lock. His opponent would then make the mistake of attempting a throw, which
would result in a scramble leading to Jack obtaining the mount. Dawson rained
down punches until the Ref was forced to call the bout at around the 1 minute
mark of RD 2.

Jack Dawson preformed extremely well and represented his team with honor. He
stuck to his gameplan in every fight, stayed composed, and fought very
efficiently. He showed the utmost confidence in his abilities as well as the
instruction from his coaches. These two things in conjunction are dangerous
to any future opponents he will have. There is a bright future in the Mixed
Martial Arts world for him ahead.