Grant Dawson says “weathering that storm” helped him rally to a decision over Nurullo Aliev at UFC 333

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Grant Dawson said he expected Nurullo Aliev to come out fast and aggressive early at UFC 333, and that his ability to “weather that storm” was central to how the fight turned out.

Dawson, a UFC lightweight with a 25-3-1 MMA record and a 13-2-1 UFC record entering the bout, faced Aliev, who came in at 12-1 MMA and 4-1 in the UFC. The pair met on the UFC 333 prelims at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Dawson fell behind in the first round on all three judges’ scorecards in hostile territory, but he rallied in the second and third to secure the decision. Although Dawson lost the opening round, Aliev was deducted a point for strikes to the back of the head, which resulted in Dawson receiving three 29-27 tallies rather than a 29-28 spread.

After the win, Dawson credited his game plan for anticipating Aliev’s start and said he expected to drop the first round. He told reporters: “We knew he was going to come out strong. We knew he was going to come out super mean, super strong and try to put me away early. Weathering that storm – I expected to lose the first round. I think I did. That's exactly what we thought was going to happen. I was hoping to get him out of there, but he's so good. He's so explosive, you've got to stay safe with him.”

Dawson also praised Aliev’s potential, saying, “He's a tough kid – very tough kid. He's going to have a very bright future. There's going to come a Saturday where he's a better fighter than me. He's young. He's going to grow. He just wasn't better than me this Saturday, and that's what counts (to me).”