A fan-friendly bantamweight matchup highlights the prelims of UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, as England’s Davey Grant faces off against surging grappler Da’Mon Blackshear on July 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. It’s a stylistic clash between a gritty, heavy-handed brawler and a creative, submission-savvy finisher.
Davey Grant
Davey “Dangerous” Grant (16–7) has long been one of the division’s most entertaining veterans, known for his unorthodox striking, sneaky submissions, and willingness to brawl. At 38, Grant remains durable and dangerous, recently bouncing back with a unanimous decision win over Ramon Taveras in December 2024.
Grant’s UFC résumé includes brutal knockouts of Jonathan Martinez and Louis Smolka, plus a highlight-reel inverted triangle choke over Raphael Assunção. He’s durable, tough to submit, and thrives in chaotic exchanges. However, he can be hit and taken down, and slower starts have cost him in decisions.
Davey Grant – Last 5 Fights:
* Win vs. Ramon Taveras – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN 62, Dec 14, 2024
* Loss vs. Daniel Marcos – Decision (Split) – UFC Fight Night 224, Jul 22, 2023
* Win vs. Raphael Assunção – Tech Submission (Inverted Triangle) – UFC Fight Night 221, Mar 11, 2023
* Win vs. Louis Smolka – KO (Punches) – UFC on ESPN 36, May 14, 2022
* Loss vs. Adrian Yañez – Decision (Split) – UFC Fight Night 198, Nov 20, 2021
Grant’s kill-or-be-killed style is always a threat, but he’ll need sharp takedown defense to survive the grappling storm ahead.
Da’Mon Blackshear
Da’Mon “Da Monster” Blackshear (17–7–1) is coming into his own, winning three straight with two slick submissions, including a Kimura over Cody Gibson and a rear-naked choke against Cody Stamann. Known for his scrambling and unorthodox subs like his rare twister over Jose Johnson, Blackshear is one of the most creative grapplers at 135.
A Kill Cliff FC product, Blackshear blends long-range striking to set up trips and body locks. Though he was knocked out in 18 seconds by Montel Jackson in 2024, he’s rebounded well and looks sharper with each appearance. His cardio, ground transitions, and submission chains make him a handful once the fight hits the mat.
Da’Mon Blackshear – Last 5 Fights:
* Win vs. Heili Alateng – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN 66, Apr 26, 2025
* Win vs. Cody Gibson – Submission (Kimura) – UFC Fight Night 254, Mar 15, 2025
* Win vs. Cody Stamann – Submission (RNC) – UFC Fight Night 247, Nov 9, 2024
* Loss vs. Montel Jackson – KO (Punch) – UFC on ESPN 59, Jul 13, 2024
* Loss vs. Mario Bautista – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC 292, Aug 19, 2023
Blackshear’s edge lies in dynamic grappling and his ability to turn scrambles into finishes. If he forces Grant into mat exchanges, it’s his fight to lose.
Prediction
This fight pits Grant’s knockout power and toughness against Blackshear’s elite scrambling and submission arsenal. Grant is the more proven finisher on the feet, but his porous takedown defense could be exploited by a grappler as slick as Blackshear. If Grant keeps it standing, he could land something big, but the path of least resistance favors Blackshear.
Prediction:
Da’Mon Blackshear def. Davey Grant via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 2