LAS VEGAS – “Daddy Dober” has arrived.
Drew Dober fought as a father for the first time Saturday when he defeated Ricky Glenn in short order at UFC Fight Night 229 as his wife and newborn daughter looked on.
“That was No. 1, as ‘Daddy Dober,'” Dober told MMA Junkie and other reporters after the fight. “I didn’t do as much wrestling as I planned on doing but there’s going to be more fights to show off that. … It’s not anything that I’ve ever imagined or fantasized. It’s one of the most beautiful moments that I never ever thought about.
“It took me off guard on how amazing this moment was. Every single time, I’m getting choked up thinking about it. Being a fighter is absolutely amazing, but being a father is even more incredible. Being able to combine it tonight was just a feeling that will never go away.”
With the win, Dober reentered the win column after a TKO defeat suffered against Matt Frevola at UFC 288 in May. The victory moves him to 3-1 in his most recent four fights. Settling into the dad role, Dober (27-12 MMA, 13-8 UFC) joked the post-fight celebrations will be a bit different going forward.
“Less late night shenanigans and probably just going hard at the local Shake Shack,” Dober said.
Dober’s daughter, Sonya, was shown on the broadcast, feet away from the cage as his father gave his post-fight interview. Over the years, Sonya will likely watch more of her dad’s fights. Should she be inspired to follow in his footsteps, Dober indicated he’d support the decision – though he hopes other career paths inspire her.
“I just think it’s incredible to be able to share this moment with her and hopefully she doesn’t end up fighting,” Dober said. “Being named Sonya, looking like me, please don’t step in the cage. … I’m just going to embrace her passions. She might be into fighting, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, guitar, art, whatever she wants to do. I think the way I’ve lived my life is (to) pursue passion, chase greatness and ignore failure. That’s what I want to be able to teach her and show her.”
As for his own career, Dober proposed a bout vs. Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) should Chandler’s fight vs. Conor McGregor not materialize soon. One way or another, Dober wants to step back in the cage before 2024.
“Yes, I want to fight again this year,” Dober said. “I’m not a man who wants to wait for bigger and better opportunities. I want to be able to share this moment with you guys and step in that cage. I want to be able to fight as many times as I possibly can until it’s all over. … If Chandler wants a 5’9′ southpaw to warm him up for McGregor, I’m always available.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 229.
