The lightweight division is gearing up for an electrifying encounter at UFC 328. Grant “KGD” Dawson and Mateusz “Rebeasty” Rębecki are confirmed to face off on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This highly anticipated bout brings together two accomplished grapplers and fan favorites, both eager to assert their dominance in the fiercely competitive 155-pound weight class.
Fighter Profiles
Grant Dawson (23-3-1 overall, 11-2-1 UFC), fighting out of American Top Team, has established a reputation for his relentless pressure and suffocating ground control. The 32-year-old Nebraskan boasts impressive victories over opponents such as Damir Ismagulov and Jared Gordon, earning three Performance of the Night bonuses along the way. Having overcome recent setbacks, Dawson is determined to prove he remains a significant force in the lightweight landscape.
Standing across the Octagon will be Mateusz Rębecki (20-4 overall, 4-3 UFC), a powerful Polish fighter who also trains with Berserker’s Team and American Top Team. Known for his aggressive style and highlight-reel scrambles, “Rebeasty” has secured notable wins against Myktybek Orolbai and Daguir Imavov, and has collected three Fight of the Night bonuses. The former FEN champion has been steadily climbing the UFC ranks, viewing Dawson as the ultimate test to breach the division’s top tier.
This exciting lightweight matchup adds to a stacked UFC 328 card, which will be headlined by a middleweight title fight. Champion Khamzat Chimaev is set to make his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland at the Prudential Center.
With both fighters carrying considerable momentum and a proven ability to finish bouts, the clash between Dawson and Rębecki promises to be one of the most compelling stylistic matchups at UFC 328. Attendees at the Prudential Center can expect a non-stop pace and a performance likely to contend for post-fight bonuses.
