Nurullo Aliev, Tajikistan's first UFC fighter, says he is ready to break into the top 15 as he prepares to face No 14 Grant Dawson. The unbeaten lightweight meets Dawson at UFC 333 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, a venue that gives him the chance to fight in front of supporters travelling from Tajikistan. "Every fight is a hard, hard fight... I am ready. I am young. I am very hungry. No problem," a confident Aliev said.
"This guy is a grappler, wrestling. I am wrestling, too. But I have no problem wrestling, striking. I like it, striking. Let's go striking. No problem," he added. Dawson holds an 8-2-1 record at lightweight and is regarded as a seasoned opponent.
