Dawson vs Garcia

Who won Dawson vs Garcia?

Grant Dawson beat Rafa Garcia by knockout in the 2nd round during the main card of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 12th October 2024 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

Dawson vs Garcia stats

Grant Dawson stepped into the octagon with a record of 21 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, 4 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 13 by submission.

Rafa Garcia made his way to the cage with a record of 14 wins, 3 losses and 0 draws, 1 of those win coming by knock out and 8 by submission.

This was Grant Dawson's 12th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2019. Rafa Garcia marked his 8th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2021.

Grant Dawson's UFC record stood at 10-1-1, while Rafa Garcia's came in at 4-4-0.

The stats suggested Dawson had an advantage in power over Garcia, with a 19% knock out percentage over Garcia's 7%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Dawson had a slight advantage over Garcia, with a 62% submission rate over Garcia's 57%.

Grant Dawson was the same age as Rafa Garcia, at 30 years old.

Dawson had a height advantage of 3 inches over Garcia. That also extended to a 4-inch reach advantage.

Dawson was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 7 more fights, and made his debut in 2014, 1 month earlier than Garcia, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He had fought 6 more professional rounds, 49 to Garcia's 43.

Dawson vs Garcia form

Grant Dawson had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Joe Solecki at UFC 302 on 1st June 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Prudential Center, Newark, United States.

Previous to that, he had lost to Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night – Green vs Dawson on 7th October 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Damir Ismagulov at UFC Fight Night – Strickland vs. Magomedov on 1st July 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had defeated Mark O Madsen at UFC Fight Night: Mitchell vs. Evloev on 5th November 2022 by submission in the 3rd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

He was victorious against Jared Gordon at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Vera on 30th April 2022 by submission in the 3rd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Rafa Garcia had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Clay Guida at UFC Fight Night – Holloway vs. Allen on 15th April 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Maheshate at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland on 17th December 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Drakkar Klose at UFC 277 on 30th July 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

Before that, he had defeated Jesse Ronson at UFC Fight Night: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 on 16th April 2022 by submission in the 2nd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

He was victorious against Natan Levy at UFC Vegas 43 on 20th November 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Grant Dawson had been fighting more than Rafa Garcia.

Going to this contest, Grant Dawson had last fought 6 months and 21 days ago, while Rafa Garcia's last outing had been 1 year, 8 months and 7 days ago.

Dawson's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 7 months and 22 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 12 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

Garcia's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 2 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 13 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 14 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.8 rounds on average.

What time did Dawson vs Garcia start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 1:10 AM UTC , which was 9:10 PM EST or 6:10 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 2:10 AM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Dawson vs Garcia?

Grant Dawson was a 7/25 (-360) favourite going into the contest, while Rafa Garcia made his way into the ring at 11/4 (+280) with oddsmakers.