Grant Dawson wants to be champion or he's wasting his time (VIDEO)
Grant Dawson had his last fight in November 2022 and now, more than half a year later, he's set to return to the octagon this Saturday, July 1 as the UFC returns to Vegas. With his fight, Dawson looks to kick off his championship campaign and gold is the only thing on his mind.
Grant Dawson has been itching to get back into the octagon since late November last year and he finally gets to do that this Saturday. Dawson finds himself in the co-main event spot on the card and, with this opportunity, he looks to make a major statement and propel himself closer toward his ultimate goal: To become the UFC lightweight champion.
Speaking at the UFC Vegas 76 Media Day, Dawson was riding a wave of confidence and touched on a variety of different topics. Dawson acknowledged his opponent, no. 12-ranked Damir Ismagulov, as a "step-up in competition" for him. Dawson further went on to simply label Ismagulov a "fantastic fighter", one that he is very excited to get to stand across from in the octagon next.
The UFC Vegas 76: Sean Strickland vs. Abus Magomedov card is an intriguing one that could see some exciting finishes, and Dawson weighed in and gave a prediction on his own fight stating:
"Coming in with the mindset that I want to finish but I do not think I will finish Damir [Ismagulov]. I think this is going to be a three-round fight. I think this is going to be a very, very competitive fight and I'm ready for that. Co-main event spot, I am ready for a very, very tough fight."
Regardless of the method, Dawson is determined to ensure he is the one who gets his hand raised at the end of it all. Dawson has some major goals for himself in the division and he is not shy about what exactly he wants.
Grant Dawson wants to be champion or he's wasting his time
For Dawson, the goal is simple - to become champion. 'KGD' spoke candidly on his motivation and mentality, "I am here to be a world champion or everything that I've done up to this point would have been a waste of my time"
Dawson is looking to put on quite the performance at UFC Vegas 76 and, although he would love to lock his finish in now, he is treading carefully and refraining from that, by simply saying "I'm not stupid. I know that anything can happen."
Although holding the utmost respect for Ismagulov, Dawson teased the idea of who he could call out next saying, "I've got a couple of names in mind but it all depends on how the fight goes"
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