What Happened to Grant Michael Dawson?
Grant "KGD" Dawson is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known for his wrestling base and submission skills, Dawson has built a professional record of 23-3-1, navigating both featherweight and lightweight divisions. He remains an active contender, consistently seeking to climb the ranks despite facing recent setbacks.
Quick Answer
Grant Dawson is an active UFC Lightweight fighter with a professional record of 23 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. After a recent TKO loss to Manuel Torres in December 2025, Dawson is scheduled to compete against Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, aiming to rebound and re-enter the top rankings. He is known for his strong grappling and submission game, having earned two 'Performance of the Night' bonuses in his UFC career.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Professional MMA Debut
Grant Dawson began his professional mixed martial arts career after compiling an 8-1 amateur record.
Earns UFC Contract on Dana White's Contender Series
Dawson secured a UFC contract by defeating Adrian Diaz via rear-naked choke on Dana White's Contender Series.
UFC Debut
Made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at UFC Fight Night 146, defeating Julian Erosa via unanimous decision.
First 'Performance of the Night' Bonus
Dawson submitted Michael Trizano via rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 152, earning his first 'Performance of the Night' award.
Second 'Performance of the Night' Bonus
He defeated Leonardo Santos via knockout in the third round at UFC on ESPN 21, securing his second 'Performance of the Night' award.
Majority Draw Against Ricky Glenn
Dawson's fight against Ricky Glenn at UFC Fight Night 196 ended in a majority draw, marking a rare non-win on his record.
Moves to American Top Team
Dawson made the significant decision to leave Glory MMA & Fitness and join American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, seeking a change in his training environment.
Knocked Out by Bobby Green
Dawson suffered a first-round knockout loss to Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 229, a significant setback in his lightweight campaign.
Victory Over Joe Solecki at UFC 302
Dawson bounced back from his previous loss with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Joe Solecki at UFC 302, showcasing his strong grappling.
TKO Win Against Rafa García
He secured a second-round technical knockout victory over Rafa García at UFC Fight Night 244, further solidifying his return to form.
Unanimous Decision Over Carlos Diego Ferreira
Dawson continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 311, demonstrating his consistent grappling.
Loss to Manuel Torres at UFC 323
Dawson suffered another first-round technical knockout loss, this time to Manuel Torres at UFC 323, interrupting his winning momentum.
Scheduled Fight Against Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 328
Grant Dawson is scheduled to face Mateusz Rebecki in a lightweight bout at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, seeking to bounce back from his recent loss.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Grant Michael Dawson, born February 20, 1994, in Cambria, Wisconsin, developed a strong wrestling foundation in Stromsburg, Nebraska, before transitioning to mixed martial arts. After compiling an impressive amateur record of 8-1, he turned professional in 2014, quickly amassing an 11-1 record on the regional circuit. His breakthrough came in 2017 when he secured a UFC contract by submitting Adrian Diaz on Dana White's Contender Series.
Dawson made his UFC debut in 2019, initially competing at featherweight before moving up to lightweight. He quickly established himself as a formidable grappler, earning 'Performance of the Night' bonuses for his submission victory over Michael Trizano in 2019 and a knockout win against Leonardo Santos in 2021. His career has been marked by a dominant control-based style, reflected in his high control time and top-position percentages within the UFC Lightweight division.
However, Dawson has also faced challenges, including issues with weight cuts and significant losses. He missed weight at both featherweight and lightweight on separate occasions and experienced high-profile knockout defeats, notably against Bobby Green in October 2023 and Manuel Torres in December 2025. These setbacks have prompted periods of reflection and adjustment, including a significant move from Glory MMA & Fitness to American Top Team in Florida in 2022, seeking a fresh training environment and new sparring partners.
Despite these adversities, Dawson has consistently demonstrated resilience, bouncing back with wins over fighters like Joe Solecki (June 2024), Rafa García (October 2024), and Carlos Diego Ferreira (January 2025). As of May 2026, Dawson remains an active and determined competitor in the UFC Lightweight division. He is scheduled to face Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, a fight he views as a crucial opportunity to reassert his position and earn a shot against higher-ranked opponents. He enters this bout as a slight betting favorite, looking to utilize his grappling advantage.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Grant Michael Dawson made different choices?