Dawson submits Rebecki in third round, improves UFC record to 12-2-1

Grant Dawson submitted Mateus Rebecki with a rear-naked choke in the third round at UFC 328 on May 9, improving his UFC record to 12-2-1 and cementing his status as one of the division's most dangerous grapplers.

Dawson, 32, competes at lightweight and enters the rankings at number 11 in the division. The American Top Team product carries an overall professional record of 24-3-1 and fights out of a switch stance at five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach. His grappling numbers are among the most impressive in the lightweight division, averaging 3.81 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, and he now holds five rear-naked chokes in the UFC alone. His striking accuracy sits at 52 percent with 3.21 significant strikes landed per minute, though the finish against Rebecki came after his opponent chose to engage on the ground — a tactical decision that played directly into Dawson's hands.

Rebecki's willingness to initiate grappling exchanges proved costly. Dawson's back control and back-taking ability are regarded as elite, and once he secured position in the third round, the outcome followed quickly.

Why it matters

• Dawson's fifth UFC rear-naked choke puts him on a trajectory to challenge submission records held by names such as Demian Maia, Michael Chiesa, and Renato Moicano.
• A win over a fellow lightweight contender pushes Dawson further into title conversation territory at 155 pounds.
• The result underscores a clear style warning for future opponents: keeping the fight standing is not a preference but a necessity against Dawson.