Drew Dober admits a pursuit of the UFC light-weight knockout document has been a disservice to him up to now, so he’s taking some key classes into Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 matchup with Jean Silva.
Dober (27-13 MMA, 13-9 UFC) enters his showdown with Silva (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in a tie with Dustin Poirier for many knockout wins in divisional historical past at 9. He’s had sole possession of the document earlier than, however him and “The Diamond” have juggled it back-and-forth through the years.
Given Silva is a hard-hitting striker himself, there must be possibilities for Dober to complete the battle on the toes. His motivation to do this is self-serving within the function of victory, nevertheless, and to not take again the document for himself, as a result of he’s gone down that highway earlier than with adverse penalties.
“The factor is I obtained that document not even eager about,” Dober informed MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I feel the second I began eager about it, my performances type of dipped. So no, I’ve stopped eager about it. Knockout document is nice – we’re additionally tied for the guillotine document (at zero).”
Greater than any document, Dober is just grateful for the possibility to compete at UFC on ESPN 59, which takes place at Ball Area in Denver (ESPN, ESPN+). As a Colorado resident, Dober mentioned he wanted to be on this card whatever the circumstances.
Dober, 35, proved that after he went via a number of opponent modifications and wished to remain on the lineup, even when it meant accepting a reputation like Silva, who’s shifting up from featherweight and making a fast turnaround from his knockout of Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 on June 29.
“I wished to battle on July 13 in Denver, Colorado, towards anyone,” Dober mentioned. “I truthfully didn’t care. The troublesome half is I really feel I’m all threat and no reward proper now. I’ve the knockout document, and I’m not a ranked opponent proper now. I can perceive the hesitation (from different fighters), however Jean Silva, he’s a gangster and he accepted it.”
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