Dustin Joynson looks to build off Contender Series experience when he returns to the cage at CFFC 87

More than a year has passed since his no-contest result on Dana White's Contender Series, and Victoria, BC's Dustin Joynson (5-0) is stepping back inside the cage on Friday evening to face veteran striker Carl "Badwater" Seumanutafa (12-11) in a heavyweight matchup at CFFC 87 in Philadelphia, PA.

At 33 years old, Joynson will appear on UFC Fight Pass for the second time. His initial appearance on the platform didn't go according to plan, though he considers it a valuable lesson to reflect on.

"You can definitely see the difference when people are in the UFC and on the big stage. There's a lot of shock value," Joynson told MMA Empire in an interview.

"I think that was the biggest problem in my Contender Series fight—I kept asking myself if I belonged here or if I deserve this, and at the same time I had a bunch of people congratulating me. But for what? I wasn't in the UFC yet."

Joynson emphasizes mental game

He remains undefeated in his career with four wins coming via stoppage, proving he can compete at the highest level.

Still, Joynson says the walk to the cage isn't always a smooth one, regardless of his record.

"It's the mental game that's the hardest part of fighting for me," Joynson admitted.

"It's hard believing in yourself, and it's so easy to get nervous and have doubts. Thankfully, in every fight so far, by the time we touch gloves those butterflies go away. I know I have the skills and, like most fighters, I just need to get out of my head."

Training during the pandemic presented hurdles for most fighters, Joynson included, but with restrictions easing across the nation, he feels fully prepared for Friday night's performance.

"Back when the pandemic first hit, gyms were closed, but I had a few close friends I could still train with. As a fighter, it's really hard to just do nothing," Joynson recalled.

"Right now, I feel like I'm in the best shape I've ever been in."

Standing 6'5" with a 78-inch reach, Joynson towers over the majority of his opponents and, despite often holding the size advantage, he doesn't feel he sacrifices anything in speed or endurance.

"I don't feel like a heavyweight, to be honest," Joynson said.

"It's not until I look at myself in photos next to other people that I really notice how big I am. Most of my training partners have been bigger middleweights and light heavyweights, so I guess I've always felt like I was their size moving around. Everyone is so fast and their cardio is so good and, as a heavyweight, I want to be at that level. It's always been a big motivation for me."

Joynson expecting familiar style from Seumanutafa

Though Seumanutafa stands 6'1" with a stockier build, he compensates with an 81-inch reach and technical footwork.

On Friday, Joynson anticipates seeing the same approach his Contender Series opponent, Ben Sosoli, attempted to use.

"I don't always enjoy fighting guys like that—they're so short and stocky, and they put a lot of weight into every punch," Joynson explained.

"I just have to stay on the outside. As a heavyweight, my cardio is really good, so I just have to try and outpace him."

With over 20 professional fights under his belt, Seumanutafa is aiming to bounce back after consecutive decision losses.

Having spent time at numerous elite camps, Joynson says he won't be daunted by any experience advantage Seumanutafa might possess.

"I went and trained at Xtreme Couture in Vegas and there's some really good guys there," Joynson shared.

"When you are doing okay against those guys, you realize they're just people. Just because they have that experience doesn't make them a better or more skilled fighter than me. That can be a hard thing to get over when you're fighting a guy with lots of experience."

Stepping back into the cage on Friday night at CFFC 87, Joynson says, as always, he'll aim to keep the judges from having to weigh in.

"Winning by decision has only happened once for me, but I know I have the cardio to go three rounds for sure. I see it finishing on the feet, and I think I'm going to just outwork him with volume."