Drew Dober admits a pursuit of the UFC light-weight knockout report 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 report earlier than, however him and “The Diamond” have juggled it back-and-forth over time.
Given Silva is a hard-hitting striker himself, there ought to be probabilities for Dober to complete the combat on the ft. His motivation to do this is self-serving within the goal of victory, nonetheless, and to not take again the report for himself, as a result of he’s gone down that street earlier than with damaging penalties.
“The factor is I acquired that report not even fascinated about,” Dober informed MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I believe the second I began fascinated about it, my performances form of dipped. So no, I’ve stopped fascinated about it. Knockout report is nice – we’re additionally tied for the guillotine report (at zero).”
Greater than any report, Dober is just grateful for the prospect 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 by means of a number of opponent adjustments 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 combat on July 13 in Denver, Colorado, towards anyone,” Dober mentioned. “I actually didn’t care. The tough half is I really feel I’m all danger and no reward proper now. I’ve the knockout report, 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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