Grant Dawson had a dream run in the UFC, going undefeated since joining the promotion in 2019 until he met Bobby Green in the Octagon at their main event Fight Night clash in Las Vegas last year. Undoubtedly a step up in ‘KGD’s competition, ‘King’ caught Dawson with a devastating punch in the first round, knocking him out in 33 seconds and handing Dawson his first loss in the UFC.

Hoping to bounce back strongly, the 30-year-old is gearing up to face Joe Solecki on the prelim card of UFC 302 on June 1 as he aims to break into the rankings of the UFC’s stacked lightweight division. Integral in his journey and crucial to his success has been his partner, Elle Dawson, who, like him is a professional fighter.

Who is Grant Dawson’s partner, Elle?

Elle Dawson (nee Wagman) is a mixed martial artist, like her husband, Grant. The 29-year-old, however, unlike Grant, is not signed to the UFC and fights for the Fighting Alliance Championship in the 115-pound women’s strawweight division.

For the first time in her six-fight pro career (in which she is 5-1 so far), ‘Ruthless’ moved up to the 115-pound strawweight division, and suffered the first and (at least so far) only loss since she turned pro in October 2020.

Elle comes from a grappling background (she was awarded a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu back in August 2019) which she has used to devastating effect so far. The Springfield, Missouri native has secured four of her five wins via submission, with three of them being rear-naked chokes. Given that Elle is an active fighter, the couple does not have any kids yet.

Elle took to social media back in 2020, expressing her heartfelt gratitude and shared her feelings for her then-fiance, Grant. “I don’t tell you nearly enough how much I appreciate everything you do to support and care for me. I’m so lucky to call you my boyfriend and my best friend. Happy Valentine’s Day, @grantdawsonkgd ❤️😘😍,” she wrote in a Valentine’s Day post.

How did ‘KGD’ and ‘Ruthless meet?

Grant Dawson met Elle, his future wife, in 2017. Not much else is known about their personal history, including how they met or exactly where. However, given their shared proclivity for MMA, it seems likely their paths crossed in the fighting community.

Their shared interest in fighting and the bond that has come with it saw their relationship blossom until they finally decided to tie the knot on November 22, 2022. Their relationship has only gotten stronger since, with the lightweight fighter telling the press he loved his wife more than anything else following his victory over Damir Ismagulov last July.

With their recent losses, both fighters must be eager to bounce back. And since they both hone their skills at the Coconut Creek, Florida branch of the American Top Team gym (headed by Dan Lambert and home to the likes of Dustin Poirier, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Jorge Masvidal), the couple continually trains and prepares to support and motivate each other. Couples who play together, stay together, as they say. And if that is the case, Grant and Elle Dawson are set for a long and hopefully successful life together.