UFC 323: Grant Dawson vs Manuel Torres Preview & Prediction

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American standout Grant Dawson takes on Mexico’s Manuel “El Loco” Torres in a lightweight showdown in the featured prelim.

Grant Dawson vs Manuel Torres facts

What time are Grant Dawson and Manuel Torres expected to walk out?

Where is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2

What TV channel is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 main card

Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan (Bantamweight)

Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van (Flyweight)

Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)

Henry Cejudo vs Payton Talbott (Bantamweight)

Jan Błachowicz vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 prelims

Grant Dawson vs Manuel Torres (Lightweight)

Terrance McKinney vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)

Maycee Barber vs Karine Silva (Women’s Flyweight)

Nazim Sadykhov vs Fares Ziam (Lightweight)

Marvin Vettori vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)

Edson Barboza vs Jalin Turner (Lightweight)

Iwo Baraniewski vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Antonio Trocoli (Middleweight)

Muhammad Naimov vs Mairon Santos (Featherweight)

Grant Dawson: Calculated American grappler looking to re-establish himself among the division’s elite

Grant “KGD” Dawson (20-3-1) enters this lightweight bout determined to regain momentum after a difficult setback against Bobby Green and a rebound decision win over Joe Solecki. Known for his pressure-heavy style and suffocating grappling, Dawson has built his reputation on dominant top control, excellent back-taking ability and intelligent round management. With thirteen submission victories on his record and a long history of grinding opponents into mistakes, he represents one of the most disciplined grapplers in the division. Training out of American Top Team, Dawson has refined a systematic approach that favours positional control, mat returns and steady accumulation of damage rather than wild scrambles.

While Dawson’s striking continues to improve, his game remains built around high fight IQ and risk-averse strategy. He has spoken openly about his intention to pursue a “safe and clean win”, recognising that Torres is unpredictable and dangerous in transitional moments. For Dawson, this matchup is about composure, patience and eliminating chaos. At just thirty years of age, he already carries significant Octagon experience and has faced far stronger competition than many fighters at this stage of their career. His biggest advantage lies in his ability to dictate where the fight takes place and to enforce his grappling blueprint across three rounds.

Manuel Torres: Mexico’s explosive finisher with a reputation for chaos and sudden violence

Manuel “El Loco” Torres (15-2-0) arrives with a reputation as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable lightweights emerging from Mexico. A natural finisher with thirteen stoppages in fifteen victories, Torres blends aggressive kickboxing with opportunistic submissions and a willingness to engage in reckless exchanges. His UFC run began with back-to-back stoppage wins, including a blistering knockout of Nikolas Motta and a first-round finish of Chris Duncan. His style is built around aggression and instinct. Torres thrives in momentum swings, capitalising on openings with explosive bursts of power that can end fights abruptly.

However, Torres’ biggest strengths also reveal gaps. His defensive grappling remains untested against someone with Dawson’s level of control. While he has shown creativity in transitions, he often relies on chaos rather than structured defence. Against disciplined wrestlers, this can be problematic. Torres has never faced a fighter with Dawson’s ability to shut down movement, apply suffocating pressure and neutralise offence. If Torres cannot create space or establish striking range early, the fight could tilt heavily away from him. Still, his unpredictability and finishing instincts make him a live threat at any moment.

Grant Dawson vs Manuel Torres prediction

This matchup presents a classic stylistic contrast. Torres brings volatility, knockout power and offensive creativity while Dawson offers structure, positional excellence and tactical awareness. For Torres, the key to victory lies entirely in keeping the fight standing and forcing Dawson into uncomfortable striking exchanges. If he can maintain separation and land his sharp combinations, he can create the type of wild firefight where “El Loco” thrives.

However, Dawson possesses the skills and mentality to avoid exactly that type of encounter. His wrestling remains among the most reliable in the division, and his control on the mat is tailor-made to slow down reckless strikers. Dawson’s ability to turn fights into grappling clinics should prove decisive, especially over extended minutes. Once he secures top position, he excels at shutting opponents down and preventing scrambles. Torres has the power to change momentum, but Dawson has the experience and technical depth to smother those windows of opportunity.