KCFA 18: Grant Dawson Ready for the UFC
KCFA 18: Grant Dawson Ready for the UFC
Grant Dawson is undefeated and finds himself on the cusp of a potential move to the UFC. First, he has to win at KCFA 18.
It’s all about making the sacrifices worthwhile for Grant Dawson.
The 22-year-old Nebraska native has built a solid amount of buzz around himself while tearing through the competition on the regional scene. But Dawson has refused to allow any of the praise to rattle his foundation. He's working toward the opportunity all fighters dream about, and every opponent he faces is just another obstacle in his path.
“It hasn’t been easy by any means. But it’s also been an amazing journey,” Dawson told FloCombat. “I’ve given my life to this sport. I’ve lost jobs, girlfriends, and plenty of opportunities because I’m so committed to my career. I’m devoted to my fighting career, and there’s nothing I would change if I had to do it all over again to get where I am right now.”
Dawson wants to join his mentor and Glory MMA leader James Krause on the UFC roster. He knows the importance of capitalizing on every opportunity that comes his way. The next challenge on his path comes this Saturday night when he steps in against fellow surging prospect Hugh Pulley in the main event at KCFA 18 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Pulley brings a solid amount of experience and a scrappy attack into the cage. But Dawson isn’t going to let the him derail his path to the big stage.
“The end goal is to win a UFC world title. That is always locked in my mind,” Dawson said. “There isn’t a single second of any day where that goal is not there. Right now though, Hugh Pulley is in my way, and that means he’s in the way of my title. I have to beat him, and beat him bad so the UFC will see me and sign me. And then I’ll be on the way to winning my title.”
Although it will be Dawson inside the cage on Saturday night, Krause will be helping guide his fighter. The UFC lightweight has watched the gritty young talent give all he has to give to achieve his dream. Watching Dawson work reminds Krause of his own journey through MMA. He’s confident his teammate has what it takes to compete at the next level.
“The kid is the very definition of someone who lives and breathes MMA,” Krause said. “He doesn’t have much outside of fighting, because every bit of money he has he puts into training to become the best fighter he can possibly be. When you have to face a guy like that who has sacrificed so much...that’s a hard man to beat.
“Grant is just a beast,” he added. “He’s the future. He really is.”
The 22-year-old Nebraska native has built a solid amount of buzz around himself while tearing through the competition on the regional scene. But Dawson has refused to allow any of the praise to rattle his foundation. He's working toward the opportunity all fighters dream about, and every opponent he faces is just another obstacle in his path.
“It hasn’t been easy by any means. But it’s also been an amazing journey,” Dawson told FloCombat. “I’ve given my life to this sport. I’ve lost jobs, girlfriends, and plenty of opportunities because I’m so committed to my career. I’m devoted to my fighting career, and there’s nothing I would change if I had to do it all over again to get where I am right now.”
Dawson wants to join his mentor and Glory MMA leader James Krause on the UFC roster. He knows the importance of capitalizing on every opportunity that comes his way. The next challenge on his path comes this Saturday night when he steps in against fellow surging prospect Hugh Pulley in the main event at KCFA 18 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Pulley brings a solid amount of experience and a scrappy attack into the cage. But Dawson isn’t going to let the him derail his path to the big stage.
“The end goal is to win a UFC world title. That is always locked in my mind,” Dawson said. “There isn’t a single second of any day where that goal is not there. Right now though, Hugh Pulley is in my way, and that means he’s in the way of my title. I have to beat him, and beat him bad so the UFC will see me and sign me. And then I’ll be on the way to winning my title.”
Although it will be Dawson inside the cage on Saturday night, Krause will be helping guide his fighter. The UFC lightweight has watched the gritty young talent give all he has to give to achieve his dream. Watching Dawson work reminds Krause of his own journey through MMA. He’s confident his teammate has what it takes to compete at the next level.
“The kid is the very definition of someone who lives and breathes MMA,” Krause said. “He doesn’t have much outside of fighting, because every bit of money he has he puts into training to become the best fighter he can possibly be. When you have to face a guy like that who has sacrificed so much...that’s a hard man to beat.
“Grant is just a beast,” he added. “He’s the future. He really is.”