One of the most determined lightweight competitors in the UFC, Grant Dawson, is sick of following other people’s guidelines. The main goal of Dawson (21-2-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) as he gets ready for UFC Fight Night 244, which is scheduled for October 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, is to win. Disagreement with his manner? Allow them to speak. Dawson wants to dominate rather than just fight. And so be it if his opponents have no choice but to submit.
For Dawson, there’s much more at stake than just excitement or fanfare. It’s about protecting his family’s future and making sure nothing stands in the way of his ascent to UFC glory. “I really am trying to be more exciting,” he said in a tearful interview with MMA Junkie Radio. But I can take someone out, ride them out, choke them, land blows, and basically control the battle with such ease. Knowing that I can succeed in that manner makes it difficult to stray from it.
In the world of wrestling,
Dawson’s domination has been astounding. His dominance in ground battles has silenced numerous opponents and gained him victories that bear witness to his character. Dawson’s most recent victory occurred at UFC 302, where his command of the ground game was evident. Dawson defeated Joe Solecki. In a fifteen-minute bout, he measured thirteen minutes and forty-five seconds of control time—numbers that are astounding for any fighter in the category.
However, great domination also brings criticism. Despite his apparent success, Dawson believes the term “boring” applied to him by certain fans and journalists is incredibly unfair. What counts most to him is winning, and if that means controlling the battle from the mat and taking out his opponent, then so be it. He has no intention of compromising his tactics to please people who are drawn to spectacular knockouts.
Dawson said, “I’m fighting for my life in there,” with obvious passion. “I’m battling to keep my wife from having to return to her job. I find it difficult not to kill someone when I know I am capable of doing so. Dawson expresses the weight of duty in his comments, demonstrating that he is motivated by a strong urge to provide for and defend others in addition to his own ambition for glory.
The resemblance between Dawson and Islam Makhachev,
the UFC lightweight champion, is especially noticeable. Both competitors rely on superior wrestling abilities, but Makhachev is far more well-liked and admired by supporters. Dawson finds the double standard to be inconvenient. With a trace of annoyance, Dawson remarked, “Everyone thinks that Islam Makhachev is the coolest thing since sliced bread, but he’s doing the same stuff I’m doing.” People get bored when I go ride somebody out. However, Islam is a genius when he does it.
For a warrior who has perfected his profession, it’s an unpleasant fact to accept. While some might try to amuse, Dawson is only concerned with efficiency. “My previous bout, I had 13:45 of control time. That is insane,” Dawson underlined. Although there is no denying his supremacy on the ground, the question of how far a fighter should go to satisfy the spectators still stands. To be more “exciting,” should he take a chance on losing? Dawson doesn’t believe that.
Although Dawson’s detractors may never be quieted, his resolve remains unwavering. As UFC Fight Night 244 draws near, he’s ready to do what he does best: dominate. Even though some fans might beg for spectacular endings or stand-up fights, Dawson understands that flash isn’t what defines true excellence. It’s about dominance, power, and achieving success at whatever costs.
