David Dvořák

David Dvořák (born June 05, 1992) is an Czech mixed martial artist. A professional since 2010, he currently competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of September 21, 2021, he is #10 in the UFC flyweight rankings.^[2]

Background[]

During his professional career in combat sports, he graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from the University of Hradec Kralove. In addition to his studies, he had to combine training with his job to earn a living and prepare for fights. For three years he worked as a construction engineer in highway construction and for five years he worked as a gravedigger, following his father's example. His past as a gravedigger is reflected in his nickname "Undertaker".^[3][4]

In his spare time, he enjoys recreational shooting, chess, gardening, and animals. He has had a positive relationship with the latter since childhood, having grown up on a farm surrounded by farm animals. He now keeps a domestic cat of the Sphynx breed.^[5][6]Before combat sports, he played competitive chess, in which he competed in the junior chess league until the age of seventeen.^[7]

Mixed martial arts career[]

Early career[]

He started with MMA in 2009 in Valetudo club in Hradec Kralove. He had his first professional fight at the age of 18 in 2010, when he lost on points to Filip Mack. Dvořák would then compile a 17-3 record fighting across various Czech regional promotions. Now he trains in clubs TopAtlet and All Sports Academy. His main coaches are Patrik Kincl, Jan Maršálek and Lukáš Chotěnovský. Apart from domestic clubs, he has also gained experience abroad. He has attended training camps in London, Poland,^[8] and Thailand, where he spent six months training with clubs such as Team Quest, Phuket Top Team and Tiger Muay Thai.^[9]

Ultimate Fighter Championship[]

He was first offered to join the UFC in 2019, when the UFC hosted the UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos gala at Prague's O2 Arena in February. However, the offer came for a bantamweight bout, so Dvořák declined.^[10]

He eventually signed a contract with the organization in 2020. He became the fourth Czech to achieve such a feat (in order: Karlos Vémola, Viktor Pešta, Lucie Pudilová). He accepted the offer with only five weeks' notice before the UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira gala in Brazil on March 14, 2020, where he replaced fighter Su Mudaerji, who cancelled his participation due to the coronavirus crisis. In his debut bout, he faced Bruno Gustavo da Silva, whom he defeated on points after three rounds.^[11]

At the UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley gala held in Las Vegas on September 19, 2020, he faced Jordan Espinosa, who was ranked 13th in the flyweight rankings before the fight. Dvořák defeated his better-ranked opponent on points by unanimous decision, extending his unbeaten streak to 15 fights.^[12]

Dvořák was scheduled to face Raulian Paiva on May 22, 2021 at the UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt gala.^[13] However, Paiva pulled out of the fight on the day before the event due to ill effects related to his weight cut. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Juancamilo Ronderos.^[14] At the weigh-ins, Ronderos weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the division's non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Dvořák.^[15] Dvořák won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.^[16]

Championships and accomplishments[]

• Gladiator Championship Fighting
  • GCF Flyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record[]

^[17]

See also[]

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References[]

External links[]

• Professional MMA record for David Dvorak from Sherdog
• David Dvorak at UFC