Preview: UFC on ESPN 35 ‘Font vs. Vera’

Lightweights

NR | Grant Dawson (17-1-1, 5-0-1 UFC) vs. NR | Jared Gordon (18-4, 6-3 UFC)

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BETUS ODDS: Dawson (-190), Gordon (+155)

This should be a fun scrap and one of the highlights of this card. Gordon seemed like a fighter who could make an immediate impact in the UFC. “Flash” came from a strong Northeastern scene, and the Queens, New York, native worked behind an aggressive pressure style with unbreakable cardio. That has mostly held true, but after Gordon enjoyed some early UFC success, Diego Ferreira and Joaquim Silva exposed the reality that he does not have the chin to sell out completely on offense. After suffering three rough knockouts in four fights, Gordon figured to be at a crossroads where he would need to adjust. So far, so good, as Gordon has looked in his best form during his past three appearances. There are still some of the same concerns—he is still quite open as a defensive wrestler despite his own offensive wrestling success—but Gordon has applied much more effective striking and defense as part of a style that still looks to wear out and outlast his opponents. After an impressive win over Joe Solecki in October, Gordon looks to make it four straight victories against Dawson, who is also in the process of figuring things out. Dawson came to the UFC as a physically powerful wrestler who got by almost entirely on sheer aggression, something he has attempted to refine during his four-plus years on the UFC roster. It has been an inconsistent process, even though Dawson remains undefeated inside the Octagon. He looked more cautious than usual in a March 2021 win over Leonardo Santos, which was a middling performance until a third-round stoppage, and an October draw against Ricky Glenn saw “KGD” back to his old ways, overpowering the former World Series of Fighting champion early until he gave up a huge third round. This could play out similarly to that fight in an overall sense. Dawson is the more powerful and dangerous fighter and should be able to outwrestle Gordon early. However, Gordon sets the type of pace and has the level of cardio that should be able to wear out his once-beaten counterpart at some point, even if Dawson is clearly winning the fight up to that point. The question is just whether or not that turning point comes early enough for Gordon to clearly bank two rounds. In what amounts to a coinflip, the pick is Gordon via narrow decision.

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