Matches to Make After UFC Fight Night 229

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned after a week-long hiatus with a main event featuring Grant Dawson versus Bobby Green in the lightweight division. The two men were headed in opposite directions, as was reflected in Dawson being an enormous -500 favorite at UFC Fight Night 229. Dawson sported a perfect record of 8 wins and 1 draw in the UFC, with none being more impressive than his last outing, a 15-minute domination of the very tough and skilled Damir Ismagulov. A ferocious grappler who excels at taking foes down and then brutalizing them with ground-and-pound or finishing with tight submissions, Dawson is still improving at the age of 29.

By contrast, Green came into the main event 2-2 with 1 no contest in his last five outings. He had decisioned Nasrat Haqparast before being demolished in the first by current UFC lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev, was knocked out in the second by Drew Dober, but ended his losing streak by submitting Tony Ferguson with 6 seconds left in a three-round fight, though that is likely more a statement about his opponent. While an incredibly talented fighter in his heyday, at 37 years old, Green appeared clearly past his prime, though he hoped his superior striking would give him an opportunity against Dawson, whose chin was known to be shaky.

And that is indeed exactly what happened. Green wisely allowed Dawson to throw strikes with impunity early on, not punishing them, lulling him into a false sense of security. Then, just half a minute into the contest, he seized a golden opportunity, hitting Dawson with a perfect left-handed laser straight on the chin, before proceeding to pound him out. The giant upset required just 33 seconds.

In the co-main event, middleweight prospect Joseph Pyfer met the highly-dangerous Abdul Razak Alhassan. Pyfer came into the co-main only 2-0 in the UFC, though each victory was an impressive first-round knockout. Alhassan, meanwhile, is 38 and 2-3 in his last 5, but possesses devastating power in his fists, with all 12 of his victories occurring by knockout. That was reinforced in January when he brutally knocked out Claudo Ribeiro early in the second, a spectacular highlight-reel stoppage. However, Pyfer passed the test with flying colors, fighting intelligently throughout and avoiding a toe-to-toe firefight. He also used plenty of grappling, which led to a submission at 2:05 of the 2nd round.

In other significant action, the aforementioned Dober came back nicely from a shocking knockout loss to Matt Frevola in May of this year by needing just half a round to dispose of Ricky Glenn through a left hook and ground-and-pound, a fighter who, incidentally, holds a draw against Dawson. Dober is now 4-1 in his last 5, all ending by knockout.

Bobby Green vs. Dan Hooker

Green just defeated the No. 10 ranked Dawson, and there is a terrific showdown lurking against the No. 9 ranked Hooker. Hooker, like Green, is primarily a striker willing to exchange heavy leather. Hooker may have more offensive firepower, but Green is more slippery and hard to hit, while Hooker has certain defensive holes that have been exploited in past defeats, as well as a chin that can be cracked. It will be a fascinating striking contest with a high likelihood of major shifts in momentum and a huge knockout.

Joseph Pyfer vs. Jack Hermansson

Some may feel that this is too soon, but at 27 years old and having fought professionally since 2018, I think Pyfer is ready for the No. 8 ranked Hermansson. Moreover, he matches up well with him. Both men can strike and grapple effectively, though Pyfer will have a clear striking advantage and Hermansson the clear grappling edge. If Hermansson wins, it will be a rejuvenating win for the 35 year-old, who is 2-3 in his last 5, and hardly the end of the world for the young Pyfer. If Pyfer wins, it immediately transforms him from an exciting prospect into a major middleweight contender. It would also be a terrific fight that likely won't see the final bell.

Drew Dober vs. Jalin Turner

Dober, who turns 35 in 12 days, might not be a top contender. However, he is an incredibly exciting fighter who goes toe-to-toe throwing huge haymakers. Normally he wins, but even when he loses, it's an exciting contest with a decisive knockout. He would be a good test and make for a sensational duel against No.12-ranked Jalin Turner. The 6’3” lightweight Turner is one of the most terrifying strikers in the division, but has now suffered back-to-back split decision defeats to Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker. A great bounce-back fight would be against the uncompromising Dober. Turner would certainly be the favorite to record another sensational knockout, but one can never count out Dober and his own impressive offense. Regardless, the biggest winners will be the fans, as this will be a riveting clash for however long it lasts.