UFC 277's Drew Dober looking for fun fights like Paddy Pimblett: 'I want to collide with that hype train for sure'

DALLAS – After derailing one prospect’s momentum, Drew Dober is going after another.

Dober (24-11 MMA, 10-7 UFC) is coming off a thrilling first-round TKO of Terrance McKinney in March, when he rallied to stop the surging lightweight.

He faces Rafael Alves (20-10 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 277, which takes place at American Airlines Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

When asked about Paddy Pimblett (19-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Dober said he’d love to throw down with the rising star, too.

“I want to collide with that hype train for sure,” Dober told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during Wednesday’s media day. “O2 Arena? That would be incredible, but yeah, he has a really solid jiu-jitsu game, and he showcased it in the last fight. He does leave his chin out there, which I think that would pose some problems when fighting me, but I’m open and game for the opportunity, and we’ll see what comes up after this on Saturday.”

Dober has fought the likes of current title challenger Islam Makhachev and top contender Beneil Dariush. But if it was up to him, he’s content going after fan-friendly matchups.

“The rankings are cool and everything,” Dober said. “Being a part of the rankings was incredible, but it’s fighting the stars that I’m more worried about. I don’t care about the number, and the gold is nice, but honestly I just want to be like a Donald Cerrone, Clay Guida, Joe Lauzon. Like those cats who have never held the gold but have fantastic fights throughout their entire career, and I’m gonna chase the title for sure.

“I’m gonna try and sneak up those rankings, but it’s not what I put my thoughts on. My thoughts are always on the biggest and best fights every single time I’m in the cage, because I don’t know when this is gonna be over for me, and so the next one after this, he can be ranked or not ranked, but I want a big-name fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 277.