Frankie Saenz

Frankie Ozuna Saenz III (born August 12, 1980)[5] is an American mixed martial artist in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2009, he made a name for himself fighting mostly in his native state, where he was King of the Cage Flyweight Champion (135 lb), World Fighting Federation Featherweight Champion and Coalition of Combat Featherweight Champion.[4][6]

Frankie Saenz
BornFrankie Ozuna Saenz III
(1980-08-12) August 12, 1980
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[1]
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Reach66 in (168 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofScottsdale, Arizona, United States
TeamThe Lion's Den / Fight Ready MMA (2008–present)[3]
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[4]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins12
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision7
Losses7
By knockout4
By decision2
By disqualification1
UniversityArizona State
University of Northern Colorado
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: February 25, 2015

Background

The son of Frank and Debbie Saenz, Frankie is of Mexican descent.[7][8] Frankie had four younger sisters, of whom one committed suicide in her teens.[8][9] Frankie grew up in Maryvale, Phoenix playing football from the age of seven onward, picking up wrestling at his wrestling coach father's behest in the middle school.[9] Frankie attended Marcos de Niza High School where he was undefeated state champion wrestler in 1998 and 1999 at 133-pound division receiving All American honors in his senior year.[8] He lettered all four of his high school years in wrestling alongside with two letterman years in football.[8]

Graduating from high school in 1999 Frankie was about to attend University of Oklahoma, but due to the sister's recent suicide he wasn't ready to leave home state and was recruited to Arizona State.[9] He went on to wrestle two years at Arizona State without much accolades and ended up transferring to University of Northern Colorado.[9] At the time UNC had just transferred from Division II to Division I in wrestling, and after a year of wrestling the college was placed on probation which effectively ended Frankie's collegiate wrestling career.[9] Subsequently, Frankie returned to Arizona and started coaching wrestling at Maryvale high school before beginning to train mixed martial arts in 2008.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

He won WFF Featherweight championship in 2011 at WFF 7, with a TKO win over Michael Parker.[10] Later in the next year, he lost his belt via disqualification to Jeff Fletcher due to an illegal knee to head of grounded opponent.[11]

King of the Cage

After winning the Coalition of Combat Championship in 2012, Saenz signed a four-fight contract with King of the Cage with a clause sign with the UFC after two fights.[9] In his promotional debut, Saenz won KOTC Flyweight (135 lbs) championship, with a submission win over Marvin Garcia.[12] He made his first successful title defense against Tyler Bialecki at KOTC: Boiling Point on September 28, 2013. After the fight, World Series of Fighting tried to sign Saenz, but King of the Cage did not release him because the clause in his contract applied only UFC.[9] Saenz then defended his title for the second time against Marvin Blumer at KOTC: Radar Lock on February 22, 2014.[13][9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After his second title defense on KOTC, Saenz signed with the UFC on August 7, 2014. He was scheduled to make his promotional debut on short notice against another newcomer, Nolan Ticman on August 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 47.[14][9] Saenz won the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Saenz later was scheduled to face Aljamain Sterling on November 8, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 55,[16] but the fight was scrapped due to Saenz being injured.[17]

On February 22, 2015, Saenz fought Iuri Alcântara at UFC Fight Night 61.[18] As a 7-1 underdog, Saenz defeated the #8 ranked Alcântara via unanimous decision.[19]

Saenz faced Sirwan Kakai on August 8, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 73.[20] He won the fight by split decision.[21]

Saenz next faced Urijah Faber on December 12, 2015 at UFC 194.[22] He lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Saenz faced Eddie Wineland on July 23, 2016 at UFC on Fox 20.[24] He lost the fight via TKO at the 1:54 mark of the third round.[25]

Saenz next faced Augusto Mendes on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103.[26] He lost the fight by split decision.[27] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance.[28]

Saenz faced promotional newcomer Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega on December 9, 2017.[29] He won the fight by split decision.[30]

Saenz faced Henry Briones on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[31] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[32]

Saenz was expected to face Yadong Song on November 23, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 141.[33] However, it was reported on November 7, 2018 that he pulled out of the event due to injury and he was replaced by newcomer Vince Morales.[34]

Saenz was scheduled to face Marlon Vera on March 2, 2019 at UFC 235.[35] However, Vera pulled out of the fight on February 27 due to illness and the bout was scrapped from the event.[36] The bout was rescheduled to UFC Fight Night 148.[37] Saenz lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[38]

Saenz faced Jonathan Martinez on August 1, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.[39] At the weigh-ins, Martinez weighed in at 140.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Saenz.[40] He lost this fight via TKO in the third round.[41]

Personal life

Saenz and his fiancé Lena have a daughter and a son.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
19 matches 12 wins 7 losses
By knockout 3 4
By submission 2 0
By decision 7 2
By disqualification 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–7 Jonathan Martinez TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan August 1, 2020 3 0:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (140.5 lb) bout; Martinez missed weight.
Loss 12–6 Marlon Vera TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis March 23, 2019 1 1:25 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 12–5 Henry Briones Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman May 19, 2018 3 5:00 Santiago, Chile
Win 11–5 Merab Dvalishvili Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega December 9, 2017 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States
Loss 10–5 Augusto Mendes Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn January 15, 2017 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 10–4 Eddie Wineland TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko July 23, 2016 3 1:54 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 10–3 Urijah Faber Decision (unanimous) UFC 194 December 12, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–2 Sirwan Kakai Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint Preux August 8, 2015 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 9–2 Iuri Alcântara Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir February 22, 2015 3 5:00 Porto Alegre, Brazil
Win 8–2 Nolan Ticman Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux August 16, 2014 3 5:00 Bangor, Maine, United States
Win 7–2 Marvin Blumer TKO (doctor stoppage) KOTC: Radar Lock February 22, 2014 4 5:00 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States Defended the KOTC Flyweight Championship.
Win 6–2 Tyler Bialecki Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Boiling Point September 28, 2013 1 4:53 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States Defended the KOTC Flyweight Championship.
Win 5–2 Marvin Garcia Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: World Champions May 25, 2013 2 4:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Bantamweight debut. Won the KOTC Flyweight Championship.
Win 4–2 Jade Porter Decision (majority) Coalition of Combat: Pound for Pound September 15, 2012 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Won the Coalition of Combat Featherweight Championship.
Loss 3–2 Jeff Fletcher DQ (illegal knee) World Fighting Federation 8 May 12, 2012 1 4:12 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States Lost the WFF Featherweight Championship.
Loss 3–1 Cody Huard KO (punch) TCF: Rumble at Ranch 2 November 5, 2011 1 2:34 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 3–0 Michael Parker TKO (punches) World Fighting Federation 7 October 22, 2011 1 3:08 Tucson, Arizona, United States Won the WFF Featherweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Ruben Gonzales Decision (unanimous) TCF: Rumble at Ranch 1 April 23, 2011 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 1–0 Kenneth Mendoza TKO (punches) World Fighting Federarion 1 October 16, 2010 1 4:26 Tucson, Arizona, United States

[42]

See also

References
  1. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Teixeira vs. Saint Preux". UFC.com. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  2. "Frankie Saenz tapology". tapology.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  3. "Fight Ready — Frankie Saenz". fightready.com. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  4. "Frankie Saenz - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  5. Mixed martial arts show results Date: August 1, 2020
  6. "UFC Fighter Rankings". UFC.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  7. @FrankieSaenz (June 3, 2013). "Don't be scared... I'm just the only Mexican in the neighborhood walking the only pitbull in the neighborhood at 10 pm" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. "Player Bio: Frankie Saenz :: Wrestling". thesundevils.com. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  9. Awkward MMA Show Ep. 3: Frankie Saenz. September 5, 2019.
  10. "World Fighting Federation 7 results". wffmma.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  11. "World Fighting Federation 8 results". wffmma.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  12. "Frankie Saenz road to the top". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  13. "Frankie Saenz makes debut at UFC Fight Night 47". mymmanews.com. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  14. "Welcome to the UFC, Frankie Saenz and Nolan Ticman". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  15. "UFC Fight Night 47 results, photos: Frankie Saenz cruises past Nolan Ticman". MMAjunkie. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  16. "UFC Fight Night 55 lineup finalized with Aljamain Sterling vs. Frankie Saenz". MMAjunkie. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  17. "Aljamain Sterling vs. Frankie Saenz Fight Cancelled, Saenz injured". MMA MAD. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  18. "Iuri Alcantara vs. Frankie Saenz added to UFC Fight Night 61 in Brazil". MMA core. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  19. "UFC Fight Night 61 results: 7-1 underdog Frankie Saenz upsets Iuri Alcantara". MMAjunkie. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  20. Staff (2015-07-02). "Sirwan Kakai vs. Frankie Saenz official for UFC Fight Night 73". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  21. Ben Fowlkes (2015-08-08). "UFC Fight Night 73 results: Frankie Saenz edges Sirwan Kakai by split decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  22. Tristen Critchfield (2015-09-03). "Bantamweights Urijah Faber, Frankie Saenz to meet at UFC 194 on Dec. 12". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
  23. Brent Brookhouse (2015-12-12). "UFC 194 results: Urijah Faber takes hard-fought decision over game Frankie Saenz". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  24. Chris Sosa (2016-05-03). "Chicago-area firefighter seeks another UFC win at United Center". redeyechicago.com. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  25. Jonathan Bradley (2016-07-23). "Eddie Wineland finishes Frankie Saez with vicious third-round TKO". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  26. Guilherme Cruz (2016-12-20). "Frankie Saenz vs. Augusto Mendes added to UFC Fight Night 103 in Phoenix". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-12-20.
  27. Ben Fowlkes (2017-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 103 results: Augusto Mendes gets full camp, split-decision win over Frankie Saenz". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  28. Tristen Critchfield (2017-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 103 bonuses: Rodriguez, Oleynik, Mendes, Saenz pocket $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  29. Staff (2017-10-26). "Frankie Saenz vs. Merab Dvalishvili added to UFC Fight Night 123 in Fresno". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  30. "UFC Fight Night 123 results: Frankie Saenz outworks Merab Dvalishvili for split decision". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
  31. Staff (2018-03-13). "Henry Briones-Frankie Saenz set for UFC debut in Chile". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  32. "UFC Fight Night 129 results: Relentless Frankie Saenz grinds out Henry Briones". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-19. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  33. Marcel Dorff (2018-10-16). "Rising star Song Yadong faces Frankie Saenz during UFC Beijing" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  34. DNA, MMA. "Chinese Team Alpha Male vechters maken opwachting tijdens UFC Beijing". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  35. DNA, MMA. "Frankie Saenz pakt short notice gevecht tegen Marlon Vera tijdens UFC 235 in Las Vegas". Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  36. Staff (2019-02-27). "Vera vs. Saenz scratched from UFC 235". ufc.com. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  37. Marcel Dorff. "Marlon Vera vs. Frankie Saenz again scheduled, this time UFC Nashville". mmadna.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  38. "UFC Nashville results: Marlon Vera drops Frankie Saenz, scores first-round TKO". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
  39. Heck, Mike (2020-07-05). "Frankie Saenz vs. Jonathan Martinez on tap for UFC event on Aug. 1". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  40. Staff (2020-07-31). "UFC on ESPN+ 31 weigh-in results: One fighter misses; Perez vs. Ontiveros canceled". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  41. Vreeland, Daniel (2020-08-01). "UFC Vegas 5 Results: Jonathan Martinez Finishes Frankie Saenz With Knee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  42. Sherdog.com. "Frankie Saenz MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
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