Makwan Amirkhani
Makwan Amirkhani | |
---|---|
Born | Kermanshah, Iran | November 8, 1988
Other names | Mr. Finland[1] |
Nationality | Finnish by naturalization[2] (dual-citizenship) |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) [3] |
Weight | 146 lb (66 kg; 10 st 6 lb) |
Division | Featherweight Bantamweight |
Reach | 72 in (180 cm) |
Style | Wrestling,[2] Submission Wrestling |
Fighting out of | Raisio, Finland[4] |
Team | Finnfighters' Gym (formerly)[5] TuTo (formerly)[5] Turku Muay Thai (2014–present)[5][6] Allstars Training Center (2014–2015)[5] SBG Ireland (2016–present)[5] MA Training Center (2021–present)[4][7] |
Years active | 2010–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 23 |
Wins | 16 |
By knockout | 1 |
By submission | 11 |
By decision | 4 |
Losses | 7 |
By knockout | 2 |
By submission | 1 |
By decision | 4 |
Boxing record from BoxRec | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Makwan Amirkhani (born November 8, 1988) is an Iranian-Finnish mixed martial artist[8][9] competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Amirkhani is perhaps best known for his first-round eight-second knockout of Andy Ogle, which is one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history.[10]
Background[]
Amirkhani was born in Kermanshah, Iran into a Kurdish family.[8][9] The family fled from Iran to Iraq and settled in UNHCR's Al-Tash refugee camp.[5] In the aftermath of the Iran–Iraq War, the family were resettled to Vaasa, Finland, around 1993.[5] Growing up as a small-sized immigrant in Vaasa, Amirkhani was subjected to serious physical and mental bullying from daycare up until the upper comprehensive school.[5] He moved with his family to Turku in 2004, where he went to the upper comprehensive school.[6] Amirkhani moved to Kotka to study in a high school suited for students with professional sports aspirations.[6] However, he dropped out of the school and moved back to Turku where he failed to graduate from high schools twice.[6] Eventually on a third try, he was accepted to study in Pajulahti Sports Institute from where he graduated.[6]
He hails from an amateur wrestling background, having trained since a young age, competing for the Finnish national team; winning silver in the Finnish National Championship in Freestyle in 2010 and bronze in 2013 in Greco-Roman wrestling.[2][11][12]
At a June 2015 weigh-in to his fight, he held a Kurdistan flag aloft as he stood on the scales.[8][13]
Mixed martial arts career[]
Amirkhani began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 16 and had his first professional fight in 2010. Competing on the regional circuit solely in Finland, he compiled a record of 10–2, with eight finishes, all by submission and all in the first round, before signing with the UFC in December 2014.[14]
Ultimate Fighting Championship[]
Amirkhani made his promotional debut against Andy Ogle on January 24, 2015 at UFC on Fox 14.[15] He won the fight via TKO only 8 seconds into the first round.[16] He also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.[17]
Amirkhani was briefly linked to a bout with Diego Rivas on June 20, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 69.[18] However, shortly after the bout was announced, Rivas was pulled from the fight due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Masio Fullen.[19] Amirkhani won the fight by submission due to a rear naked choke in the first round.[20][21]
Amirkhani faced Mike Wilkinson on February 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]
In January 2017, Amirkhani signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[5] In the first bout he faced Arnold Allen on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107.[24] He lost the fight by split decision.[25]
Amirkhani faced Jason Knight on 27 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 130[26] Amirkhani won the back-and-forth fight via split decision, after being knocked down twice with uppercuts.[27]
Amirkhani faced Chris Fishgold at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith on 1 June 2019.[28] He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the second round.[29] The win also earned Amirkhani his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[30]
Amirkhani faced Shane Burgos on 2 November 2019 at UFC 244.[31] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[32]
Amirkhani was expected to face Mike Grundy at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards on March 21, 2020.[33] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed and the bout scrapped.[34] Instead Amirkhani faced Danny Henry on July 12, 2020 at UFC 251.[35] He won the fight via a submission in round one.[36]
Amirkhani faced Edson Barboza, replacing Sodiq Yusuff, on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.[37] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[38]
Amirkhani was scheduled to face Nate Landwehr on June 5, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 189.[39] However, Landwehr was pulled from the event due to injury[40] and he was replaced by newcomer Kamuela Kirk.[41] Amirkhani lost the bout via unanimous decision.[42]
Amirkhani was scheduled to face Tristan Connelly on October 30, 2021 at UFC 267.[43] However, Connelly withdrew in early September due to a neck injury and was replaced by Lerone Murphy.[44][45] Amirkhani lost the bout via knock out with a knee after getting caught shooting for a takedown at the beginning of the second round.[46]
Amirkhani is scheduled to face Mike Grundy at UFC Fight Night 204 on March 19, 2022, in a rebooked bout after almost two years to date when they were originally set to compete.[47]
Personal life[]
Amirkhani is one of eight children; his brother and father both died in car accidents shortly after the family moved to Finland.[48]
Makwan has worked as a model and was the 1st runner-up in 2012 Mr. Finland pageant, which his nickname refers to.[49]
On July 12, 2021 several Finnish newspapers reported that Jethro Rostedt, a Finnish real estate agent and town council member of Turku, has filed a criminal report against Amirkhani due to threats and slander on Facebook. Amirkhani had posted negative comments regarding Rostedt and his son after a gang fight with dozens of participants occurred in a nightclub owned by Rostedt the previous weekend. The post was visible for Amirkhani's 175 000 followers, and although later removed, screenshots of the threats have been circulating on social media.[50][51]
Amateur boxing[]
Makwan Amirkhani has fought five times in amateur boxing. He would have had his fifth fight in December 2018 in Somero instead of January 2019, had he not refused a new replacement opponent who was an experienced and heavier boxer.[52]
Championships and accomplishments[]
Mixed martial arts[]
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Andy Ogle and Chris Fishgold[53][54]
- Nordic MMA Awards - MMAviking.com
Amateur wrestling[]
Mixed martial arts record[]
Professional record breakdown | ||
23 matches | 16 wins | 7 losses |
By knockout | 1 | 2 |
By submission | 11 | 1 |
By decision | 4 | 4 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 16–7 | Lerone Murphy | KO (knee) | UFC 267 | October 30, 2021 | 2 | 0:14 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Loss | 16–6 | Kamuela Kirk | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai | June 5, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 16–5 | Edson Barboza | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen | October 10, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Win | 16–4 | Danny Henry | Technical Submission (anaconda choke) | UFC 251 | July 12, 2020 | 1 | 3:15 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Loss | 15–4 | Shane Burgos | TKO (punches) | UFC 244 | November 2, 2019 | 3 | 4:32 | New York City, New York, United States | |
Win | 15–3 | Chris Fishgold | Submission (anaconda choke) | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith | June 1, 2019 | 2 | 4:25 | Stockholm, Sweden | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 14–3 | Jason Knight | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till | May 27, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Liverpool, England | |
Loss | 13–3 | Arnold Allen | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson | March 18, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
Win | 13–2 | Mike Wilkinson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping | February 27, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
Win | 12–2 | Masio Fullen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Jędrzejczyk vs. Penne | June 20, 2015 | 1 | 1:41 | Berlin, Germany | |
Win | 11–2 | Andy Ogle | TKO (flying knee and punches) | UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson | January 24, 2015 | 1 | 0:08 | Stockholm, Sweden | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 10–2 | Yohan Guerin | Decision (unanimous) | Cage 26 | April 5, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Turku, Finland | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
Loss | 9–2 | Adam Ward | Decision (unanimous) | Cage 24: Turku 3 | November 9, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Turku, Finland | |
Win | 9–1 | Nayeb Hezam | Submission (anaconda choke) | Fight for Glory: First Round | April 6, 2013 | 1 | 3:58 | Turku, Finland | Return to Featherweight. |
Win | 8–1 | Tom Duquesnoy | Technical Submission (anaconda choke) | Cage 21: Turku 2 | February 2, 2013 | 1 | 1:50 | Turku, Finland | Bantamweight debut. |
Win | 7–1 | Semen Tyrlya | Submission (modified rear-naked choke) | StandUpWar 3: Rising Stars | October 27, 2012 | 1 | 3:03 | Tampere, Finland | |
Win | 6–1 | Johannes Isaksson | Submission (leg lock) | Botnia Punishment 12 | September 14, 2012 | 1 | 1:50 | Seinäjoki, Finland | |
Win | 5–1 | Kari Päivinen | Submission (guillotine choke) | Lappeenranta Fight Night 7 | April 14, 2012 | 1 | 2:23 | Lappeenranta, Finland | |
Win | 4–1 | Aleksejs Povulans | Decision (unanimous) | Cage 18: Turku | March 3, 2012 | 2 | 5:00 | Turku, Finland | |
Win | 3–1 | Lauri Väätäinen | Submission (heel hook) | Cage 16: 1st Defense | October 8, 2011 | 1 | 0:50 | Espoo, Finland | |
Loss | 2–1 | Viktor Tomasevic | Submission (triangle choke) | Karkkila Fight Night 1 | June 18, 2011 | 1 | 2:45 | Karkkila, Finland | |
Win | 2–0 | Markus Rytöhonka | Submission (triangle choke) | TF: Turku Sport & Extreme Expo | April 9, 2011 | 1 | N/A | Turku, Finland | |
Win | 1–0 | Tadas Aleksonis | Submission (rear-naked choke) | TF 2: Champions Are Here | October 23, 2010 | 1 | 1:21 | Turku, Finland |
Amateur boxing record[]
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Loss | 3–2 | Santeri Laine | MD | 3 | January 19, 2019 | Nääshalli, Tampere, Pirkanmaa | [59] |
4 | Win | 3–1 | Jamil Mahdi | SD | 3 | November 24, 2018 | Punaportin liikuntahalli, Hämeenlinna, Kanta-Häme | |
3 | Win | 2–1 | Eetu Sankari | MD | 3 | November 11, 2018 | Nääshalli, Tampere, Pirkanmaa | |
2 | Win | 1–1 | Ari Nevalainen | MD | 3 | October 27, 2018 | Nokian palloiluhalli, Nokia, Pirkanmaa | [60] |
1 | Loss | 0–1 | Mico Hakkarainen | MD | 3 | October 13, 2018 | Urheilutalo Feeniks, Forssa, Kanta-Häme | [60] |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Carroll, Peter. "Ten Minutes with "Mr. Finland" Makwan Amirkhani | FIGHTLAND". Fightland.vice.com. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
- ^ a b c Shaun Al-Shatti (2015-01-28). "Makwan Amirkhani: 'I'm like Aladdin, a diamond who hasn't been found yet'". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
- ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne". UFC.com. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
- ^ a b Jani Mesikämmen; Jaakko Dahlbacka (April 7, 2021). "YLILYÖNTI #200 - vieraana Makwan Amirkhani" (Podcast) (in Finnish).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sainio, Mari (September 6, 2017). Makwan Amirkhani (in Finnish). Docendo. ISBN 9789522913630.
- ^ a b c d e Joni Piirainen (December 6, 2015). "Makwan Amirkhani, minun tarinani". yle.fi.
- ^ Joonas Kuisma (April 4, 2021). "Kiroilu kielletty, puhelimet pois: Makwan Amirkhani perusti salin, jolla on tiukat säännöt – lapset reagoivat välittömästi". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish).
- ^ a b c Kurdish MMA fighter 'Mr Finland' Crushes Opponent by Rudaw, June 20, 2015
- ^ a b Makwan Amirkhani talks mom's new bed, celebrity status, moving, and fighting next March 6, 2015 - "I’m from Iran, but I'm Kurdish."
- ^ "Makwan "Mr. Finland" Amirkhani MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-03-29.
- ^ a b https://www.painiliitto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SM_vp_2010-2014.pdf[bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b https://www.painiliitto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kr-sm-2010-2014.pdf[bare URL PDF]
- ^ UFC Berlin Weigh-in: Amirkhani with a Kurdistan Flag by Getty Images
- ^ Zane Simon (2014-12-05). "Welcome to the UFC Makwan Amirkhani". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
- ^ Staff (2014-12-05). "Andy Ogle vs. Makwan Amirkhani joins UFC on FOX 14 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (2015-01-24). "UFC on FOX 14 results: Makwan Amirkhani throttles Andy Ogle in eight seconds". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
- ^ "UFC on FOX 14 bonuses: Anthony Johnson, Gegard Mousasi, Makwan Amirkhani and Kenny Robertson bank an extra $50,000 for knockouts". mmamania.com. 2015-01-24.
- ^ Sean Bio (2015-04-02). "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Diego Rivas added to UFC Fight Night 69 in Berlin". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
- ^ Ryan O'Leary (2015-04-16). "Makwan Amirkhani joins UFC in Berlin Card". mmaviking.com. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-06-20). "UFC Fight Night 69 results: Makwan Amirkhani swiftly submits Masio Fullen". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
- ^ Mike Bohn (2015-06-20). "Emotional Makwan Amirkhani plans more gifts for mom, says his work in life is done". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
- ^ Staff (1 December 2015). "Michael Bisping vs. Gegard Mousasi set for UFC Fight Night 84 in London". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (2016-02-27). "UFC Fight Night 84 results: Makwan Amirkhani bests rival Mike Wilkinson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ Staff (2016-12-21). "Arnold Allen and Makwan Amirkhani set to meet at UFC: London". thesprawlmma.com. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (2017-03-18). "UFC Fight Night 107 results: Arnold Allen takes split from Makwan Amirkhani in thriller". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
- ^ Staff (2018-03-21). "Makwan Amirkhani booked for UFC Liverpool bout". mmaviking.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 130 results: Makwan Amirkhani battles Jason Knight in pocket, wrestles way to split-decision win". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
- ^ DNA, MMA (25 March 2019). "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Chris Fishgold toegevoegd aan UFC Stockholm". Retrieved 2019-03-25.
- ^ Richardson, Andrew (2019-06-01). "UFC Stockholm Results! Amirkhani Knocks Off Fishgold With Anaconda Choke". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
- ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2019-06-01). "UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith, head-kicking Aleksandar Rakic among winners". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- ^ Ryan Gerbosi (2019-09-18). "A little more New York flavor added to UFC 244 with Shane Burgos fight". newsday.com. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
- ^ Doherty, Dan (2019-11-02). "UFC 244 Results: Shane Burgos Batters Makwan Amirkhani With Late Stoppage". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
- ^ Anni Saarela (December 4, 2020). "Makwan Amirkhanin seuraava ottelu varmistui! Vastassa UFC-debyyttinsä tyrmäyksellä voittanut britti" (in Finnish). iltalehti.fi.
- ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
- ^ "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry added to UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
- ^ Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-11). "UFC 251 Results: Makwan Amirkhani Chokes Out Danny Henry". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
- ^ Mike Bohn and Nolan King (2020-09-27). "With Sodiq Yusuff out, Edson Barboza meets Makwan Amirkhani on UFC's Oct. 10 card". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Edson Barboza Works Makwan Amirkhani in Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
- ^ ATSteveDuncan (2021-04-22). "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Nate Landwehr agregado a UFC Fight Night del 5 de junio". MMA.uno , #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 189 loses three fights, including Amanda Ribas vs. Angela Hill due to COVID-19 issues". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-05-27). "Kamuela Kirk krijgt UFC belletje, treft Makwan Amirkhani op 5 juni in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ^ Bitter, Shawn (2021-06-05). "UFC Vegas 28 Results: Kamuela Kirk Takes Decision Over Makwan Amirkhani in Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
- ^ Br, Jeremy. "Tristan Connelly vs. Makwan Amirkhani Set for UFC 267". Retrieved 2021-08-21.
- ^ Farrah Hannoun (2021-09-07). "Tristan Connelly out of UFC 267 fight against Makwan Amirkhani". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
- ^ "With Tristan Connelly out, Lerone Murphy steps in to face Makwan Amirkhani at UFC 267". MMA Junkie. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-10-30). "UFC 267 Results: Lerone Murphy KO's Makwan Amirkhani". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ Farah Hannoun (December 10, 2021). "UFC adds Makwan Amirkhani vs. Mike Grundy to March 19 lineup". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ "Makwan Amirkhani ("Mr. Finland") | MMA Fighter Page".
- ^ Mesikammen, Jani (2013-01-29). "King Makwan Wants to Entertain You". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
- ^ Iltalehti (2021-07-12). "Vapaaottelija Makwan Amirkhani uhkaili ja haukkui Jethro Rostedtia alatyylisesti". Iltalehti.
- ^ Iltasanomat (2021-07-12). "Jethro Rostedt kertoo tekevänsä rikosilmoituksen Makwan Amirkhanista". Iltasanomat.
- ^ Leppänen, Marko. "Makwan Amirkhani suivaantui kohtelustaan nyrkkeilykisoissa: "Olen rohkea mutten tyhmä"". Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ^ "UFC on Fox 14 bonuses: 'Rumble', Mousasi, Amirkhani, Robertson earn $50K awards". sherdog.com. 2015-01-24.
- ^ "UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith's main event submission leads $50K winners". MMAmania. 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- ^ "MMAViking.com's Yearly Nordic Awards". mmaviking.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ "2015 KO of the Year : Makwan Amirkhani". mmaviking.com. January 2, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ "2015 Fighter of the Year : Makwan Amirkhani". mmaviking.com. January 9, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Makwan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
- ^ Jaarli Pirkkiö (January 19, 2019). "Lasse Kourula iski finaaliin TUL-turnauksessa" (in Finnish). lapinkansa.fi.
- ^ a b "UFC-ottelija Makwan Amirkhani otti ensimmäisen voittonsa nyrkkeilykehässä vakuuttavasti! – Julkaisi kuvan tunnelmista" (in Finnish). October 28, 2018.
External links[]
- 1988 births
- Featherweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing freestyle wrestling
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Greco-Roman wrestling
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai
- Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
- Finnish male mixed martial artists
- Finnish male sport wrestlers
- Finnish submission wrestlers
- Finnish Muay Thai practitioners
- Finnish people of Kurdish descent
- Finnish people of Iranian descent
- Sportspeople of Iranian descent
- Kurdish sportspeople
- Sportspeople from Kermanshah
- Iranian male mixed martial artists
- Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Sweden
- Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Ireland
- Living people
- Iranian emigrants to Finland
- Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters