UFC"KGD"Grant Dawson Record: 24-3-1
LightweightRecord24-3-1
Age32
DivisionLightweight · #9
Combat Edge Elo1802
Last fightMay 9 2026
Grant Dawson has a 24-3-1 professional record and is 32 years old in the Lightweight division, representing American Top Team. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Grant Dawson bio
Personal background
Grant Dawson is an American lightweight competing in the UFC, fighting out of the renowned American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek, Florida. Born February 20, 1994, and raised in the small farming town of Stromsburg, Nebraska, Dawson came to combat sports through wrestling, which he initially took up to support a dream of playing football. When the football path didn't pan out, he committed fully to grappling, starring as a prep wrestler before transitioning into mixed martial arts. Nicknamed "KGD," the 5'10" lightweight holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has built a 24-3-1 professional record on the strength of a relentless, submission-heavy grappling game.
Path to the UFC
Dawson turned professional in 2014 and dominated the Midwest regional scene, finishing nearly every opponent who stood across from him. His breakthrough came on Dana White's Contender Series in 2017, where he submitted Adrian Diaz by rear-naked choke to earn his UFC contract. He opened his UFC run in 2019 with a unanimous-decision win over veteran Julian Erosa, then submitted the previously unbeaten Michael Trizano with a rear-naked choke to push his promotional start to 2-0.
Building a contender
Dawson kept the wins coming, submitting Darrick Minner in 2020 and outpointing Nad Narimani by decision the same year. A standout knockout of veteran Leonardo Santos in 2021 showed his power had caught up to his grappling. That run hit a snag in a pair of draws – a majority draw against Ricky Glenn and a grappling-match draw with Daniel Pineda – before he returned to form. He submitted Jared Gordon in 2022, choked out the unbeaten Olympian Mark Madsen, and decisioned Damir Ismagulov in 2023 to climb the lightweight ladder.
Setbacks and rebound
Dawson's momentum was halted in October 2023 when King Green knocked him out in the first round – a stark reminder of the risks of his ground-first approach. He bounced back with a steady stretch, decisioning Joe Solecki at UFC 302, stopping Rafa García by TKO, and outpointing veteran Diego Ferreira at UFC 311 in early 2025. After a first-round TKO loss to Manuel Torres at UFC 323, he returned to the win column with a third-round rear-naked-choke submission of Mateusz Rębecki.
Fighting style
Dawson is one of the most accomplished grapplers in the lightweight division. Of his 24 wins, 14 have come by submission and five by knockout – a 79% finish rate that underscores how rarely he leaves a fight in the judges' hands. His game is built on chaining takedowns into top control and hunting the rear-naked choke, supported by an aggressive top game and improving power. His clearest vulnerability is on the feet: all three of his losses have come by knockout, the consequence of a forward-pressing style that occasionally exposes him to counter punchers.
Career highlights
- Contender Series finish — submitted Adrian Diaz to earn his UFC contract and launch his run in the promotion.
- Elite submission rate — owns a 79% career finish rate with 14 submission victories, among the highest in the lightweight division.
- Quality scalps — choked out unbeaten prospects Michael Trizano and Mark Madsen while stacking wins over established veterans.
Career snapshot
Grant Dawson career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1802Great ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#44
Lightweight#9of 201 active
Peak1814
Last move+13
Opponent quality1723avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1814 Elo after defeating Diego Ferreira (2025-01-18)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Grant Dawson quick answers
What is Grant Dawson's record?
Grant Dawson's professional MMA record is 24-3-1.
How old is Grant Dawson?
Grant Dawson is 32 years old.
What weight class is Grant Dawson?
Grant Dawson fights at Lightweight in UFC.
How tall is Grant Dawson?
Grant Dawson is 5'10" tall with a 72" reach.
How much does Grant Dawson weigh?
Grant Dawson competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Grant Dawson's Combat Edge Elo?
Grant Dawson's Combat Edge Elo is 1802, with a peak Elo of 1814.
How strong is Grant Dawson's recent opposition?
Grant Dawson's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1723 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Grant Dawson's last fight?
Grant Dawson's latest tracked pro fight was against Mateusz Rębecki at UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland on May 9 2026.
What is Grant Dawson's recent form?
Grant Dawson's recent tracked pro form is W-L-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Grant Dawson usually win?
Grant Dawson's 24 recorded wins include 5 knockouts, 14 submissions, and 5 decisions, with 79% ending before the final bell.
5Wins by knockout
14Wins by submission
5Wins by decision
3Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
0Loss by decision
Grant Dawson stats
Record : 24 / 3 / 1Significant strikes landed per minute
3.21Fighter3.07Division average
Significant striking accuracy
52%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
2.13Fighter3.89Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
45%Fighter53%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
3.81Fighter1.59Division average
Takedown accuracy
40%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
57%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
1.12Fighter0.66Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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