LAS VEGAS – Grant Dawson is the largest betting favourite at UFC Combat Night time 244 on Saturday.
And whereas that usually may be a badge of honor heading right into a struggle for a fighter, Dawson (12-2-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) needs the MMA collective would pump the brakes a bit on his roughly 4-1 favourite standing in opposition to Rafa Garcia (16-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) on the UFC Apex.
“I believe he’s a really, very robust opponent, and to not put myself down or something like that – I believe the betting line is completely insane,” Dawson stated at Wednesday’s media day. “I believe he’s lots higher than the betting line is displaying, which type of sucks. If I’m going on the market and dominate him, it doesn’t look good for me. And if I’m going on the market and have a detailed struggle, I simply beat a very, actually good man – and I don’t even get the credit score for beating a very good man that method (due to the percentages).”
And whereas Dawson surmised Garcia’s 18-month layoff, which included a knee surgical procedure, is taking part in an element in making him the cardboard’s greatest underdog, he additionally is aware of his personal main success is a giant issue.
“I believe individuals know the way good I’m. I believe individuals are underestimating how good he’s,” he stated.
Dawson is preventing only a 12 months previous what stands as his solely UFC loss – a 33-second knockout in opposition to Bobby Inexperienced. It was one in every of 2023’s greatest stunners and his first loss in additional than seven years.
The light-weight thinks that put a giant crimp in his plans to develop into a UFC champion, however he’s left with no alternative however to work his method again to rivalry, the place he was knocking on the door when Inexperienced shocked him.
“I wish to be a world champion, and I completely get that thrilling guys get to skip that line,” Dawson stated. “However there’s a whole lot of actually thrilling guys that by no means acquired the belt as a result of they lose fights they shouldn’t. It’s a sport of inches on this sport. It’s a sport of inches, and should you make one mistake … We noticed it in opposition to Bobby Inexperienced. I made one mistake and he made me pay for it. It set my profession again most likely two, three years, and I’ve acquired to struggle my method again now.”
After his loss to Inexperienced, he bounced again in June this 12 months with a choice win over Joe Solecki. He thought the subsequent title may be somebody he may use to make his declare for spot within the rankings, however he hopes he would possibly discover himself within the high 15 subsequent week, anyway.
“I used to be considering that my subsequent struggle was going to be within the high 15, however I positively assume that this can be a segue into the highest 15,” Dawson stated. “I wouldn’t be stunned if on Monday I used to be ranked after beating Garcia. I believe he’s top-15 worthy.”
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