Grant Dawson, ranked No. 14 in the UFC lightweight division, anticipates facing an unranked opponent in his next bout despite his aspirations to move closer to a title shot. Following a victory over Diego Ferreira at UFC 311, Dawson expressed concerns about the division being tied up, hinting at a potential matchup outside the top 15 that may not advance his ranking.
Dawson is open to facing contenders like Fares Ziam or Nasrat Haqparast, both on impressive win streaks, to progress in the rankings. Despite hoping for specific matchups, Dawson acknowledges the likelihood of being paired with an unfamiliar opponent but remains committed to securing three fights this year to climb the rankings, aiming for a spot in the top 10 or top five by year-end. His focus is on achieving his goal of becoming a UFC champion.