Dawson: 145-pound class 'full of a bunch of up-and-comers that all suck'

Grant Dawson believes he's the best prospect in the featherweight division and doesn't understand the hype his peers are receiving.

"The division is full of a bunch of up-and-comers that all suck," Dawson told theScore. "You've got Bryce Mitchell, who's coming off a big win over another turd. You got Hakeem (Dawodu), who constantly looks constipated. ... I do feel like out of the people that I've just mentioned, I'm definitely fighting the tougher competition.

"I definitely think I'm better than all these guys and I hope they see this video and want to fight me, because I will sign on the dotted line."

Dawson (14-1) made a strong case for his claim after his victory in May. The 25-year-old submitted Mike Trizano in the second round at UFC Rochester and handed the winner of "The Ultimate Fighter 27" his first career loss. Dawson, a Glory MMA product, will look for his sixth straight victory when he battles Chas Skelly at UFC 246.

"Chas Skelly has had, I think, 12 fights for UFC, he's 18-4, which is a great record. I think that a win over him really should put me at the top, the problem is that these other guys talk in funny accents and frown all the time, so people like them."

Skelly snapped a two-fight skid in September at UFC Vancouver, defeating Jordan Griffin via unanimous decision.

UFC 246 takes place Jan. 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Conor McGregor will square off with Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in the main event. Watch the full interview with Dawson below and subscribe to theScoreMMA YouTube channel here.