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The lightweights are up next at UFC Fight Night 244 as Gran Dawson and Rafa Garcia meet in the Octagon with both determined to make moves up the rankings
GRANT DAWSON VS RAFA GARCÍA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 244? UK – the preliminary card starts at 9:00pm on Saturday October 12th, 2024, followed by the main card at 12:00am (Sunday) / USA – 4:00pm/7:00pm ET and 1:00pm/4:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 244? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 244? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 244
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 244 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 244? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 244 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Grant Dawson and Rafa García expected to walk out? 1:15am UK / 8:15pm US ET / 5:15pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 244 Main Card
Brandon Royval vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Brad Tavares vs Park Jun-Yong (Middleweight)
Chidi Njokuani vs Jared Gooden (Welterweight)
Grant Dawson vs Rafa García (Lightweight)
Daniel Rodriguez vs Alex Morono (Welterweight)
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Josh Fremd (Middleweight)
UFC Fight Night 244 Prelims
C.J. Vergara vs Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Jonathan Pearce vs Pat Sabatini (Featherweight)
Themba Gorimbo vs Niko Price (Welterweight)
Sean Sharaf vs Junior Tafa (Heavyweight)
Julia Polastri vs Cory McKenna (Women’s Strawweight)
Daniel Argueta vs Cody Haddon (Bantamweight)
Clayton Carpenter vs Lucas Rocha (Flyweight)
GRANT DAWSON: AMERICAN TOP TEAMER LOOKING TO BUILD STREAK ONCE AGAIN
Grant Dawson (21-2-1) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Joe Solecki at UFC 302 and he will be keen to piece together a lengthy winning streak once again. He lost his previous fight to Bobby Green by knockout as he was caught cold after just 33 seconds of that fight and the submission specialist will look to pick up back-to-back wins now.
RAFA GARCÍA: 30-YEAR-OLD RETURNS FROM 18-MONTH LAY-OFF
After winning four of his last five fights, Rafa Garcia (15-3) returns to action after 18 months out due to knee surgery. The Mexican was building some really nice momentum and was coming off consecutive wins over Hayisaer Maheshate and then Clay Guida before needing the surgery. He now returns aiming to pick up where he left off and he faces a tough assignment in Dawson on his return.
GRANT DAWSON VS RAFA GARCÍA PREDICTION
This lightweight bout sees two submission specialists meet in what should be a really entertaining fight. The pair have built fine records and know that win against the other will help catapult them up the rankings.
That will be easier said than done however! That said, our preference is clearly for Grant Dawson coming into this one. He has been pretty active of late and we edge the level of opponent he has fought compared to those on Garcia’s resume.
The fact Garcia is coming off 18 months out due to knee surgery will not help his chances. There is little chance he is completely back to his sharpest best and against somebody of the calibre of Dawson, that will hamper his chances. Dawson should edge the wrestling and the Jiu-Jitsu and if he does not get the submission stoppage, we see him winning on points.
PREDICTION: GRANT DAWSON TO WIN BY SUBMISSION OR DECISION