Brandt Dewsbery's much-anticipated comeback has finally arrived.
The Lethbridge, Alta.-based Dewsbery (15-3-1) is set to step back inside the octagon for the very first time since 2015 when he takes on Edmonton, Alta.'s KB Bhullar (9-3) in a 195-pound catchweight clash at Unified MMA 42 on Friday evening in Edmonton.
Even though more than six years have passed since his last bout, the 30-year-old Dewsbery feels his opponent and he share comparable abilities inside the cage. According to him, however, the deciding factor will be mental fortitude.
"I think we matchup well and we're both tall, lanky fighters," Dewsbery told MMA Empire during an interview.
"I think it'll just come down to who's tougher mentally and who's willing to grind it out. And I believe that will be me."
When Dewsbery originally hung up his gloves, he sat atop a five-fight winning streak and was broadly regarded as one of the top Canadian welterweight talents on the scene.
On why he decided to walk away from the sport, Dewsbery explained that the lifestyle he and his loved ones were looking for simply didn't involve fighting.
"I knew if I ever wanted to get ahead in life I had to make some sacrifices, and that came with setting fighting aside," Dewsbery said.
Having fought mainly at 170 pounds throughout his professional run, Dewsbery faces a lighter weight cut than usual for this comeback, as both he and Bhullar are slated for 195 pounds.
The heavier division, according to Dewsbery, will serve him well across the board.
"I'm just seeing more what my body can do at a natural weight. I just feel like my body performs better, responds better and everything just starts connecting and working," Dewsbery shared.
"I just feel like I'll be stronger, smoother and just more technical."
Throughout his career, Dewsbery has gone head-to-head against plenty of dangerous competition, including names such as Miles Anstead, Chase Maxwell and Ryan Dickson.
He's not easing back into competition with a soft matchup—his return opponent is his first-ever UFC vet in Bhullar.
"He's definitely established himself as a good fighter and someone that likes to bring it," Dewsbery noted.
"He's really good standing up, he's got a pretty good ground game and comes from a well-respected gym that has a bunch of killers in there. He's a tough opponent, a good challenge for myself and a fight that will be fun."
Dewsbery's shoutouts
"Peppermint Hippo Tattoo, Lee Mein and all the boys at CMC, and my wife for being my biggest supporter." Follow Dewsbery on social media: INSTAGRAM
