The UFC has added a compelling lightweight bout to its UFC 311 card. Grant Dawson and Diego Ferreira are set to lock horns on January 18, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
Grant Dawson will fight Carlos Diego Ferreira at #UFC311 on January 18th. (first rep. @DavidVanAuken) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/aDEpEXYZ25
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) November 21, 2024
This matchup brings together two skilled fighters with contrasting styles and career trajectories. Grant Dawson, enters the bout on a two-fight winning streak. The 30-year-old American has been on a tear in 2024, securing a unanimous decision victory over Joe Solecki in June, followed by an impressive second-round TKO of Rafa Garcia in October.
Dawson’s recent performances have showcased his well-rounded skill set and his ability to finish fights. With a professional record of 22-2-1 (10-1-1 in the UFC), “KGD” has proven himself to be a formidable force in the lightweight division. His only setback in recent years came in a surprising 33-second knockout loss to Bobby Green, which ended a nine-fight unbeaten streak in the Octagon.
On the other side of the cage, Diego Ferreira brings a wealth of experience and a recent career resurgence. The Brazilian-born fighter, who turns 40 on fight night, has found new life in the sport after overcoming a challenging three-fight losing streak in 2021. Ferreira’s comeback began in May 2023 with a knockout victory over Michael Johnson, followed by a spectacular third-round TKO of the previously surging Mateusz Rebecki in May 2024.
Ferreira’s career has been marked by impressive streaks and notable victories. From 2016 to 2020, he put together a six-fight winning streak that included wins over high-profile opponents such as Anthony Pettis and Olivier Aubin-Mercier. With a professional record of 19-5 (10-5 in the UFC), Ferreira has proven time and again that he can compete with the elite of the lightweight division.
This bout is particularly intriguing as it represents a second attempt to pair these two fighters. They were originally scheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night 193 in 2021, but the matchup fell through due to an injury to Ferreira. Now, with both fighters in good form, fans can finally witness this long-awaited clash.
The stylistic matchup promises to be fascinating. Dawson, known for his strong wrestling and improving striking, will likely look to control the fight on the ground. However, Ferreira’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and recent knockout victories suggest he’ll be dangerous wherever the fight takes place.
UFC 311 is shaping up to be an exciting event, with several other notable bouts already announced. The card includes a heavyweight clash between Jailton Almeida and Serghei Spivac, as well as an intriguing bantamweight matchup pitting the undefeated prospect Payton Talbott against veteran Raoni Barcelos.
While a main event has not yet been officially announced, rumors are swirling that a lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan could headline the card. If confirmed, this would add even more significance to the Dawson vs. Ferreira bout, as it could potentially serve as a title eliminator or at least propel the winner closer to championship contention.
As the first pay-per-view event of 2025, UFC 311 is set to kick off the new year with a bang. The addition of Dawson vs. Ferreira adds another layer of intrigue to an already stacked card. Both fighters will be looking to make a statement and position themselves for bigger opportunities in the highly competitive lightweight division.
For Dawson, a win over a veteran like Ferreira could be the stepping stone he needs to break into the top five of the division. For Ferreira, defeating a rising star like Dawson would prove that his recent resurgence is no fluke and that he remains a force to be reckoned with despite his advancing years.
As fight night approaches, fans and pundits alike will be eagerly anticipating this lightweight showdown. With both fighters known for their finishing abilities and well-rounded skill sets, this bout has all the ingredients to be a potential Fight of the Night contender.
