Billy's MMA Blog

Quietly on 11 fight winning streak and #15 ranked Lightweight Grant Dawson had his first co-main event spotlight and delivered with a dominant grappling performance.

Stood up to his toughest challenge to date with upset win against Damir Ismagulov, surprisingly winning the grappling exchanges and controlling the Kazakhstan fighter on the ground for three rounds.

Grant Dawson putting on a grappling clinic

Snatch single
Run the pipe
Turns it into a double and turns the corner
Hits a Turk to end the whole thing pic.twitter.com/UND7MrSls4

— William – Open Note Grappling 📝 (@OpenNoteGrapple) July 2, 2023

Extremely impressed with Grant Dawson win on Saturday night, shown he can defeat one of the best Lightweights in the world who challenged Arman Tsarukyan in his last fight.

“It wasn’t about the performance. If you can get over a guy like Damir, that’s something to be proud of. That guy is not ranked No. 12 in the world. He’s so much better than that. They just put him at 12 for some weird reason. I’m very, very happy with the 30-27, 30-27, 30-26. I’m happy with it.” Grant Dawson said

Riding off the co-main event win can take advantage of the new heat and begin making a Lightweight title run in 2023.

Next potential fight for Grant Dawson can be winner of Dan Hooker vs Jalin Turner (UFC 290) . UFC 290 is next week July 8th the timing is perfect and interesting matchup to watch for multiple reasons.

• Dan Hooker is a huge name beating him will build up Dawson name
• Jalin Turner is a rising Lightweight, alumni of the Dana White Contender Series

Grant Dawson officially a dark horse in the Lightweight division, watch out for him to breakout in 2023.