Grant Dawson showcased elite back control and back-taking ability in his victory over Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 328, with analysts comparing his grappling prowess to fighters like Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling. Rebecki contributed to his own downfall by initiating the grappling exchanges, playing into Dawson's strengths. Despite the victory, Dawson continues to show defensive vulnerabilities in striking, with loose body language and poor punch resistance. The win improves Dawson's UFC record to 12-2-1, having won dozens of rounds through control and securing his fifth rear-naked choke, putting him on pace to eventually challenge submission records held by fighters like Demian Maia, Michael Chiesa, and Renato Moicano.
Grant Dawson delivered a masterclass in back control at UFC 328 on May 9, submitting Mateusz Rebecki to push his professional record to 24-3-1 and cement his reputation as one of the lightweight division's most suffocating grapplers.
Dawson, 32, holds the number 11 ranking at lightweight and fights out of American Top Team. Known by his nickname "KGD," the switch-stance American is a remarkably well-rounded competitor, landing 3.21 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while averaging 3.81 takedowns per 15 minutes. His latest victory was his fifth rear-naked choke finish, a milestone that analysts say puts him on a long-term pace to challenge the submission records set by specialists such as Demian Maia and Michael Chiesa.
Rebecki, a 33-year-old Polish southpaw also training out of American Top Team, entered the contest at 20-5-0 and with genuine finishing power of his own, averaging 5.21 significant strikes per minute at 46 percent accuracy. However, his decision to initiate grappling exchanges proved costly, walking directly into the area where Dawson is most dangerous. Once Dawson secured the back, the outcome was rarely in doubt.
Observers noted that Dawson's back-taking mechanics drew comparisons to elite wrestlers and grapplers such as Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling. The performance was not without criticism, however, as analysts pointed to continued vulnerabilities on the feet, specifically loose defensive positioning and below-average punch resistance, as areas that a higher-ranked opponent could exploit.
Why it matters
- Dawson's UFC record now stands at 12-2-1 inside the octagon, with his fifth rear-naked choke underlining a growing submission ledger.
- A ranking of 11th at lightweight means a strong run could force matchmakers to consider him for a top-ten opponent.
- His striking defensiveness remains a scoutable weakness that elite lightweight strikers will look to target before any championship conversation begins.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
