UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Holland – Leonardo Santos vs Grant Dawson: Prediction and Analysis

UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Holland will see an exciting lightweight clash go down in the preliminary card. Grant Dawson and Leonardo Santos will clash as both fighters hope to find their way to the upper echelon of the lightweight division with a win.

Both fighters are currently on a scintillating run as well. The 27-year-old, Dawson, hasn’t lost since suffering his first career loss against Hugh Pulley in 2016.

The former Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus joined the UFC in 2019 and has won 4 fights since. His most notable wins have been over the likes of Michael Trizano and Derrick Minner, both by submission.

In his last outing, ‘KGD’ won a unanimous decision against Nad Narimani in July 2020.

Santos, on the other hand, hasn’t lost a fight since 2009. He has won 12 out of his 13 fights with his second UFC appearance against Norman Parke being a majority draw.

The 41-year-old Brazilian knocked out Kevin Lee at UFC 194. However, he has fought only 3 times since.

Grant Dawson and Leonardo Santos in numbers

Dawson holds a professional record of 16-1. He has finished 14 out of his 16 wins. ‘KGD’ has 3 T/KO and 11 wins by submission in his resume. His impressive tally of submission wins only emphasizes the skills he possesses once the fight hits the mat.

Santos has a professional record of 18-3 with 12 of those wins coming by finishes. He has 3 T/Ko and 9 submission wins under his belt. Apart from Kevin Lee, he has beaten the likes of Anthony Rocco Martin, Adriano Martins, Steven Ray, and more.

He defeated Roman Bogatov at UFC 251 that marked his last outing in the octagon. Santos has been fighting in the UFC since 2013 and will make his 9th appearance against the 27-year-old Dawson.

Santos is a really good fighter, but his age might play a factor in his fight as the Brazilian has started slowing down considerably. Against a young scrapper like Dawson, speed is of the essence.

Both fighters are really good and have exceptional ground skills. But whether Santos can hang in with Dawson for the entirety of 3 rounds at this age will be the deal-breaker. Dawson should pick up a unanimous decision against an aging veteran in Santos.

Final prediction: Grant ‘KGD’ Dawson by unanimous decision

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