Ganará Grant Dawson (1X2)
I like Grant Dawson in this matchup; I think it’s a very favorable fight for him. Diego Ferreira will be 40 years old on fight night, and at lightweight, that’s a serious concern. Yes, Ferreira looked good in his recent outing, and on the feet, he’ll likely pose some danger to Dawson. Even though we’ve seen improvements in Dawson’s striking, Ferreira still has the edge on the feet, primarily due to Dawson’s questionable chin.
However, when it comes to grappling and wrestling, I heavily favor Dawson. Ferreira has a tendency to accept takedowns at times. While he’s tough to control and opponents often struggle to keep him grounded, he still loses valuable minutes on his back. Dawson, on the other hand, thrives in those situations. He’s exactly the type of fighter who racks up control time, making you carry his weight while staying active with ground-and-pound. He’s a grinder when he gets on top, constantly working and winning minutes.
I see Ferreira struggling with Dawson’s relentless wrestling pace, especially at his age. Dawson’s ability to control positions and rack up top time will likely be the difference here. I predict Dawson will take this fight via decision.