Grant Dawson and Carlos Diego Ferreira, UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
Light-weight motion kicked off the televised preliminary card at UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Saturday, as Grant Dawson took on Carlos Diego Ferreira.
At 40, Diego Ferreira was nonetheless discovering success within the cage, with the Brazilian coming off back-to-back wins over Michael Johnson and Mateusz Rebecki. Dawson, a decade youthful, had additionally gained two straight to begin the evening.
Each fighters got here out within the orthodox stance with Dawson throwing a wheel kick that partially linked. Dawson pressed ahead and shot in for a takedown across the three minute mark of the opening spherical. Ferreira tried to face however Dawson was in full management with a bodylock in opposition to the fence. Dawson threw a head kick whereas holding Ferreira’s leg, touchdown a clear shot whereas trying one other takedown. Dawson landed three takedowns on 5 makes an attempt by means of the primary 5 minutes.
Ferreira confirmed little to no offense within the first spherical, however appeared to show the tide within the second. Instantly Ferreira charged ahead throwing wild hooks to the top of Dawson. Each fighters exchanged in opposition to the fence earlier than Ferreira was in a position to get the combat to the bottom momentarily. Dawson reversed place and ended up on high in full guard. Remaining in high management Dawson was in a position to land quick elbows and lightweight punches to sway the spherical in his favor.
Within the opening moments of the third each fighters collided going for takedowns, entering into a quick grappling trade earlier than Dawson discovered his approach on high. Once more the combat hit the mat within the full guard place with Dawson touchdown small hammer fists. Referee Frank Trigg stood the combat up and Dawson scored a knockdown with an enormous proper hand. Ferreira popped again as much as his ft and returned hearth with every fighter touchdown important punches. Dawson dug deep and once more discovered a takedown, dumping the longtime UFC veteran on his again. Exhibiting spectacular management all through the competition, Dawson remained on high till the ultimate bell.
With the combat going the space Dawson was awarded a unanimous determination victory on all three judges scorecards. With Dawson’s solely loss coming in opposition to Bobby Inexperienced in 2023, the younger prospect has since rallied with three consecutive wins. Dawson respectfully referred to as for a combat in opposition to one other UFC veteran in Beneil Dariush, after Dariush was pulled from the UFC 311 card because of the principal occasion change. Asking for a contest in Florida later this spring, Dawson might even see himself inside the highest fifteen in brief order.
Official End result: Grant Dawson def. Carlos Diego Ferreira by unanimous determination (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
