Grant Dawson unsure of next step after Damir Ismagulov win, but doesn't want to fight ATT teammates
LAS VEGAS – Grant Dawson continues to rise up the UFC rankings, but he isn’t totally sure of how much he’s got left until he’s knocking on the door of a title shot.
Saturday in the UFC on ESPN 47 co-main event, Dawson (20-1-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) picked up his eighth with in the UFC when he dominated Damir Ismagulov (24-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) to win a unanimous decision and remain unbeaten in the octagon. It’s clear he’s on the rise, but what does remain murky is where he fits in the UFC lightweight title picture.
“I don’t really know,” Dawson told reporters at the post-fight press conference when asked about his path to the belt. “I think everyone has a different path. (Champion) Islam (Makhachev) had a weird path where he fought really good guys and then not-so-good guys, and then some really good guys, and then not-so-good guys, and then he looked great against the champion. … Everyone’s path is different. I think I just have to get back into the gym on Monday and get better.”
What may come next might be tough to know for Dawson. However, what he is certain of, is that he doesn’t want to fight any of his teammates at American Top Team, who also make up part of the top 15 in the UFC’s flyweight division.
“I have no interest in fighting (Renato) Moicano. I have no interest in fighting (Mateusz) Gamrot. (Arman) Tsarukyan is on the table, but it’s got to be the right circumstance,” Dawson said. “I train with these guys. I’ve seen these guys before. I’m not fighting Moicano. He’s a close friend of mine. That’s not happening. I really like Gamrot a lot – he’s a close friend of mine. I really enjoy training with him. I’m not really interested in fighting him.”
In regard to his showing, Dawson is happy with what he did against Ismagulov. He might’ve not got the finish, but the win alone does the job for him.
“I am my harshest critic, but you can’t be upset with a win against a guy like Damir,” Dawson said. “It wasn’t about the performance. If you can get over a guy like Damir, that’s something to be proud of. That guy is not ranked No. 12 in the world. He’s so much better than that. They just put him at 12 for some weird reason. I’m very, very happy with the 30-27, 30-27, 30-26. I’m happy with it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 47.