Grant Dawson just isn’t attempting to cover from the stakes at UFC 328. The American Top Team light-weight will face Mateusz Rębecki on Might 9 at Prudential Heart in Newark, New Jersey, in a matchup that carries main stakes for each males at 155 kilos. Dawson enters with a 23-3-1 file, whereas Rębecki is available in at 20-4, and every has frolicked constructing momentum in one of many UFC’s deepest divisions.
Grant Dawson Talks Mateusz Rębecki at UFC 328
In a current unique interview with Mike Owens of LowKick MMA, Dawson framed the struggle in easy phrases. He needs folks to go away with a unique view of him. He stated:
“‘Grant Dawson is best than we thought he was.’ That’s it. Followers are up and down on you on a regular basis. I would like folks to say, “Alright, let’s give this man an enormous identify and see how he does.” I’ve dropped the ball a few instances — that’s on me — however I nonetheless really feel like I haven’t gotten my actual alternative but. I would like the prospect to point out folks, and myself, how good I actually am.”
Dawson has put collectively robust wins within the UFC, together with victories over Damir Ismagulov, Jared Gordon, Carlos Diego Ferreira, Rafa Garcia, and Joe Solecki. He additionally beat Diego Ferreira by unanimous choice at UFC 311 in January 2025. On the identical time, his losses have formed how followers view him, particularly the fast knockout defeat to Bobby Green in 2023 and the stoppage loss to Manuel Torres in his most up-to-date setback.
Dawson didn’t keep away from that a part of the story. He spoke overtly about criticism round his sturdiness and stated he understands why some followers give attention to it. He famous that all of his losses has come by knockout, whereas additionally mentioning that nobody has crushed him by grinding him out over a full struggle. That self-awareness has pushed him to regulate his preparation. Dawson stated he has modified his sparring habits throughout camp and is doing extra exhausting rounds than earlier than as a result of he believes there needs to be a stability between defending the physique and being prepared for struggle evening.
“Yeah, they name me “Glass Jaw,” which is definitely hilarious. I see the feedback and allow them to roll off my shoulders. However they’re not improper in a single sense. I’ve solely ever misplaced by knockout. No one’s ever out-grinded me, submitted me, or made me look silly over the course of a struggle. The one instances I’ve misplaced, I’ve gotten clipped. So possibly there’s one thing to it. However Justin Gaethje’s been knocked out extra instances than I’ve. A variety of guys have. It’s a part of the sport.”
The matchup with Rębecki provides one other layer. The 2 have skilled collectively prior to now by means of ATT ties, although Rębecki has remained in Poland for this camp, a call Dawson stated made sense. He expects a tough struggle, not a cautious one. In one other interview, Dawson described Rębecki because the sort of fighter who retains urgent regardless of the rating.
“A warfare. I’m anticipating him to not take a backward step. I’m anticipating him to be very troublesome to take down, very troublesome to maintain down. I’m going to strive, however it’s going to be exhausting. I believe we’ve acquired good coaching companions for this man, and I believe we’ve acquired a extremely good sport plan for him. I’m anticipating a warfare, however I’ve anticipated wars earlier than and made them look straightforward, and I’ve anticipated straightforward fights that weren’t straightforward. On the finish of the day, you simply go and struggle.”
The Polish light-weight Rębecki has constructed a status for fast-paced fights and has earned a number of post-fight bonuses within the UFC. He has wins over Loik Radzhabov, Myktybek Orolbai, and others, and his fashion often forces exchanges. Dawson, in contrast, has lengthy leaned on wrestling and management, with 13 submission wins on his file and a monitor file of dictating fights when he can set up takedowns.
There’s a purpose Dawson sees UFC 328 as greater than a rebound struggle. He stated an in depth choice win won’t change a lot, however a end might. In his view, that sort of consequence would transfer him again towards the High 15 and put him in vary of the larger names he believes he has not but had the prospect to face.
“If I win a cut up choice in a warfare, possibly it doesn’t look that nice for me. But when I can end this man, I believe it does rather a lot for me. Chris Duncan couldn’t end him. He’s crushed good guys, and never many individuals have been capable of put him away. If I can get a win and a end over this man, I believe it places me again near the High 15, possibly units up a High 15 struggle subsequent. However proper now, a loss is way worse than a win is sweet, so I simply wish to get again within the win column and begin constructing a streak once more.“
