Grant Dawson is steadily rising up the UFC’s official lightweight rankings but finds himself fighting backward against a popular veteran named Bobby Green. Dawson vs. Green headlines UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Dawson (20-1-1) has quietly worked his way into striking range of the elite. Dawson is undefeated in his 10 UFC adjacent fights, which includes one appearance on “Dana White’s Contender Series.” That stretch boasts five rear-naked choke submission wins. Dawson has established himself as one of the division’s most stifling grapplers but his style and friendly demeanor don’t usually make a dent in UFC’s marketing budget. A main event slot against a popular name could be what he needs to take the next step.
“I do think that Bobby Green is a very, very talented fighter,” Dawson told CBS Sports. “Arguably — I’m going to get a lot of hate for this — arguably I think he could have beaten [Rafael] Fiziev. I thought that fight was super close and super competitive. He made Fiziev in striking look mortal. I don’t think Bobby Green gets the credit he deserves. I know he’s a little bit older, but I don’t think he’s lost a step.”
Check out the full interview with Grant Dawson below.
Green (30-14-1) has carved out a cult following over the course of 46 fights. He is charismatic and fights with a uniquely fan-friendly style by using a modified Philly Shell. He is the antithesis of Dawson, the latter of whom is a clean-cut grappler who carries with him Yu-Gi-Oh! cards everywhere he goes. Dawson is not the most appetizing opponent for someone with Green’s style. What compelled him to take the fight can be mapped back to his childhood in foster care.
“I have a goal. I have three kids. I want to get a home for each one of those kids,” Green told CBS Sports. “I want to be able to give them this, ‘Hey, your home is here. It’s paid off. That is my gift to you. My dad didn’t give me anything. Maybe I can’t pay for college or maybe I can’t get you all the things in the world, but here. I’m giving you a home that you will always have. It’s something that I as a kid had to go through 50 different homes. It’s something that you’ll have so you won’t have to go through what I had to.”
Check out the full interview with Bobby Green below.
The undercard features five more bouts that could deliver fireworks. Middleweight knockout artist Joe Pyfer is back when he takes on another action star in Abdul Razak Alhassan. Author of arguably the greatest KO of all-time Joaquin Buckley returns when he takes on fast-rising Alex Morono. Powerful lightweights collide when Drew Dober takes on Ricky Glenn. Heavy-hitting light heavyweights Ion Cutelaba and Philipe Lins are set to slug it out. And veteran Alexander Hernandez takes on Bily Algeo to open the festivities.
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Below is the rest of the fight card for Saturday with the latest odds before we get to a prediction and pick on the main event.
UFC Fight Night card, odds
| Favorite | Underdog | Weight class |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Dawson -440 | Bobby Green +340 | Lightweight |
| Joe Pyfer -400 | Abdul Razak Alhassan +310 | Middleweight |
| Joaquin Buckley -170 | Alex Morono +145 | Welterweight |
| Drew Dober -470 | Ricky Glenn +360 | Lightweight |
| Ion Cutelaba -135 | Philipe Lins +115 | Light heavyweight |
| Alexander Hernandez -130 | Bill Algeo +110 | Featherweight |
UFC Fight Night viewing information
Date: Oct. 7 | Start time: 7 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: UFC Apex — Las Vegas
TV channel: ESPN+
Prediction
Grant Dawson vs. Bobby Green: Green has solid takedown defense but I don’t suspect it will hold up. Green keeps his hands low, something that will aid him in digging under hooks and preventing takedowns. Dawson must chain his takedowns together to break through Green’s lines of defense and I think he’ll do it. Dawson isn’t going to threaten Green on the feet much unless he gets his opponent overthinking the takedowns. I’d give Green more of a chance but despite his many career finishes, he doesn’t pack incredible one-punch power. Green’s hands are a deterrent but not one so strong that Dawson will shy from shooting takedowns. If Dawson gets this to the ground, he can win via decision, submission or ground-and-pound. Dawson via TKO3
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