Grant Dawson Ready for Diego Ferreira at UFC 311
Grant Dawson is set to face Diego Ferreira at UFC 311 on January 18th, a fight long in the making after several cancellations. Dawson acknowledges Ferreira’s unique skill set, especially his ability to use Jiu-Jitsu to regain his footing during fights. Confident in his preparation, Dawson has tailored his training with elite partners like Thiago Moises and ADCC Champion JJ Wilson to tackle Ferreira’s scrappy style. Despite the challenges, Dawson is eager to maintain his momentum following his win against Rafa Garcia.
The Pros and Cons of a Stacked Card
Fighting on one of the most anticipated pay-per-view cards of the year is a double-edged sword for Dawson. While the event ensures more eyes on his performance, he admits it lowers his chances of securing bonus money due to stiff competition from other marquee matchups. “Unless I hit a Buckley spinning back kick knockout,” Dawson quips, “my performance might get overshadowed.” Nonetheless, he’s focused on making a statement and gaining followers to boost his visibility.
Criticism of Lightweight Division Rankings
Dawson doesn’t hold back when critiquing the lightweight rankings, particularly the inclusion of less active fighters like Michael Chandler. Despite being 10-1 in the UFC, Dawson was recently bumped out of the rankings, a move he feels is unjustified. “Michael Chandler is 2-4 in the UFC, yet he’s still in the rankings. Meanwhile, I’m fighting tooth and nail just to stay relevant,” he said. He believes rankings should reward activity and merit, not legacy or name recognition.
Thoughts on Islam Makhachev and Title Contenders
Discussing the division’s top contender, Dawson shares a surprising critique of current champion Islam Makhachev. “Islam hasn’t looked great in his last couple of fights,” Dawson says, pointing to close bouts with Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. Dawson predicts his teammate, Arman Tsarukyan, has the tools to dethrone Makhachev, describing him as one of the few legitimate threats in the division. Confident in his own abilities, Dawson includes himself in the conversation as a future contender.
Personal Milestones and Plans for 2025
2024 has been a whirlwind year for Dawson, marked by personal and professional milestones. He recently celebrated his second wedding anniversary, purchased a new home, and booked a fight—all within the same week. Looking ahead, Dawson hopes to stay active with three or four fights in 2025. “I want to be a three-fight, four-fight-a-year kind of guy,” he says, emphasizing his desire to remain a top contender.
Building a Social Media Presence
Dawson encouraged fans to follow him on Instagram, where he’s working to grow his online presence. With a mix of fight updates, personal moments, and fan interactions, he’s aiming to connect with supporters and broaden his reach. For Dawson, social media isn’t just a platform—it’s a tool to secure sponsorships, build his brand, and amplify his impact both in and out of the octagon.
Timestamps
0:00 Diego Ferreira & UFC 311
2:25 Thiago Moises & Partners
3:05 Mateusz Gamrot
3:35 Thiago Moises vs Trey Ogden
5:20 Finding Training Partners
6:20 Weight Cut During Holidays
6:51 Ferreira Prediction
7:59 Boring Fighting Style?
8:28 Makhachev vs Tsarukyan
10:10 Moicano vs Dariush
11:05 Best Grappler & Khabib
14:00 Current State of LW Division
18:17 Michael Chandler Clogging Division
18:55 Ilia vs Pereira
23:10 Holiday Plans
23:45 Outro
