VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – UFC featherweight Grant Dawson’s year is off to a roller-coaster start.
Originally scheduled to compete against Chas Skelly at UFC 246 in January, Dawson (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) was removed from the card during fight week by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Despite the commission’s move, Dawson was rebooked to compete against Skelly at UFC on ESPN+ 27.
While Dawson waited for his NAC hearing, Skelly pulled out of the matchup due to injury. Ten days prior to his fight date, Dawson reached an agreement with the NAC, in which the commission would test him a minimum of two times per month through June.
One day after the deal was reached, Darrick Minner stepped in as Dawson’s next opponent. The lead up to Saturday has been a wild ride for Dawson, but he’s taking it in stride.
“I really feel like it’d be weird if I went through a camp where something weird didn’t happen,” Dawson told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I’m used to it by now. I’m good at calling audibles. I’ll be here on fight night, ready to fight. Life happens. Sometimes things in life happen that you don’t want to deal with that isn’t your fault. You’ve got to roll with the punches. We’re here. We’re ready to fight. I can’t wait for Saturday night.”
Despite being a new face to many fans, Minner (24-10 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is a fighter Dawson knows. The two combatants are both originally from Nebraska and have previously competed on the same card. Dawson said he isn’t impressed by his opponent and even went as far as to say he’s not UFC caliber.
“He posted the other day saying he’s where he belongs,” Dawson said. “He doesn’t belong here. He doesn’t belong here with me. He doesn’t belong here with any of these guys. This is the top pinnacle of the sport, and he’s going to find out real quick what the level difference is.
“Every time he’s given a big opportunity, he comes up short. He came up short (in) LFA. He came up short on the Contender Series. Saturday night, he’s going to come up short again.”
The difference in their skills lies in the duration of their attack, Dawson said. Dawson sees Minner as being a fighter who finds success in the first two minutes of the fight. After that, Dawson said it’s his fight to lose.
“I’m dangerous through 15 (minutes),” Dawson said. “I think he’s dangerous through two (minutes). He’s going to come out hot. He’s going to come out ready, but I’m ready for it. I think I’m going to shut him down and he’s going to realize what a big level difference this is.”
UFC on ESPN+ 27 takes place Saturday at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. The card streams on ESPN+. Hear more from Dawson in the video above.
Grant Dawson rips UFC on ESPN+ 27 opponent Darrick Minner: 'He doesn't belong here'
