Makwan Amirkhani

Makwan Amirkhani (born November 8, 1988) is a Finnish mixed martial artist[7][8] 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.[9]

Makwan Amirkhani
Born (1988-11-08) November 8, 1988
Kermanshah, Iran
Other namesMr. Finland[1]
ResidenceTurku, Finland
NationalityFinnish by naturalization,
Iranian by birth[2]
(dual-citizenship)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm) [3]
Weight146 lb (66 kg; 10 st 6 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Bantamweight
Reach72 in (180 cm)
StyleWrestling[4],
Submission Wrestling
Fighting out ofTurku, Finland
TeamFinnfighters' Gym (formerly)[5]
TuTo (formerly)[5]
Turku Muay Thai (2014–present)[5][6]
Allstars Training Center (2014–2015)[5]
SBG Ireland (2016–present)[5]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins16
By knockout1
By submission11
By decision4
Losses5
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Amirkhani was born in Kermanshah, Iran and is Kurdish. Amirkhani adheres to Yarsanism.[7][8] The family fled 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]

Like many other young kids in Iran, he hails from an amateur wrestling background, having trained since the age of four, and won numerous titles in both the styles of Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling.[10]

Kurdish heritage

Despite growing up in Finland, Amirkhani remains proud of his Kurdish heritage.[7] At a June 2015 weigh-in to his fight, he held a Kurdistan flag aloft as he stood on the scales.[7][11] He also frequently posts in support for the Peshmerga on his social media accounts.[7] He also holds the Kurdish flag during weigh ins in the UFC. Makwan is proud of where he is from and a large part of his fan base are Kurds.

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.[12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Amirkhani made his promotional debut against Andy Ogle on January 24, 2015 at UFC on Fox 14.[13] He won the fight via TKO only 8 seconds into the first round.[14] He also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.[15]

Amirkhani was briefly linked to a bout with Diego Rivas on June 20, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 69.[16] However, shortly after the bout was announced, Rivas was pulled from the fight due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Masio Fullen.[17] Amirkhani won the fight by submission due to a rear naked choke in the first round.[18][19]

Amirkhani faced Mike Wilkinson on February 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]

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.[22] He lost the fight by split decision.[23]

Amirkhani faced Jason Knight on 27 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 130[24] Amirkhani won the back-and-forth fight via split decision, after being knocked down twice with uppercuts.[25]

Amirkhani faced Chris Fishgold at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith on 1 June 2019.[26] He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the second round.[27] The win also earned Amirkhani his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[28]

Amirkhani faced Shane Burgos on 2 November 2019 at UFC 244.[29] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[30]

Amirkhani was expected to face Mike Grundy at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards on March 21, 2020.[31] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed and the bout scrapped.[32] Instead Amirkhani faced Danny Henry on July 12, 2020 at UFC 251. [33] He won the fight via a submission in round one.[34]

Amirkhani faced Edson Barboza, replacing Sodiq Yusuff, on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.[35] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36]

Personal life

Amirkhani is one of eight children; his brother and father both died in car accidents after the family moved to Finland.[37]

Makwan has worked as a model and was the 1st runner-up in 2012 Mr. Finland pageant, which his nickname refers to.[38]

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, if he would not have refused to a new replacement opponent who was an experienced and heavier boxer.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts
  • Nordic MMA Awards - MMAviking.com
    • 2012 Showman of the Year[42]
    • 2015 Knockout of the Year vs. Andy Ogle on January 24[43]
    • 2015 Fighter of the Year[44]

Amateur wrestling
  • Finnish Wrestling Federation
    • 2010 Finnish Nationals 66 kg (145,5 lbs) Freestyle Wrestling Silver medalist[45]
    • 2013 Finnish Nationals 66 kg (145,5 lbs) Greco-Roman Wrestling Bronze medalist[46]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
21 matches 16 wins 5 losses
By knockout 1 1
By submission 11 1
By decision 4 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
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 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

[47]

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 [48]
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 [49]
1 Loss 0–1 Mico Hakkarainen MD 3 October 13, 2018 Urheilutalo Feeniks, Forssa, Kanta-Häme [49]

See also

References
  1. Carroll, Peter. "Ten Minutes with "Mr. Finland" Makwan Amirkhani | FIGHTLAND". Fightland.vice.com. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
  2. 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.
  3. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne". UFC.com. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  4. 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.
  5. Sainio, Mari (September 6, 2017). Makwan Amirkhani (in Finnish). Docendo. ISBN 9789522913630.
  6. Joni Piirainen (December 6, 2015). "Makwan Amirkhani, minun tarinani". yle.fi.
  7. Kurdish MMA fighter 'Mr Finland' Crushes Opponent by Rudaw, June 20, 2015
  8. Makwan Amirkhani talks mom's new bed, celebrity status, moving, and fighting next March 6, 2015 - "I’m from Iran, but I'm Kurdish."
  9. "Makwan "Mr. Finland" Amirkhani MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-03-29.
  10. 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.
  11. UFC Berlin Weigh-in: Amirkhani with a Kurdistan Flag by Getty Images
  12. Zane Simon (2014-12-05). "Welcome to the UFC Makwan Amirkhani". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
  13. Staff (2014-12-05). "Andy Ogle vs. Makwan Amirkhani joins UFC on FOX 14 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
  14. Steven Marrocco (2015-01-24). "UFC on FOX 14 results: Makwan Amirkhani throttles Andy Ogle in eight seconds". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  15. "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.
  16. Sean Bio (2015-04-02). "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Diego Rivas added to UFC Fight Night 69 in Berlin". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
  17. Ryan O'Leary (2015-04-16). "Makwan Amirkhani joins UFC in Berlin Card". mmaviking.com. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
  18. Ben Fowlkes (2015-06-20). "UFC Fight Night 69 results: Makwan Amirkhani swiftly submits Masio Fullen". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
  19. 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.
  20. Staff (1 December 2015). "Michael Bisping vs. Gegard Mousasi set for UFC Fight Night 84 in London". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  21. Steven Marrocco (2016-02-27). "UFC Fight Night 84 results: Makwan Amirkhani bests rival Mike Wilkinson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  22. Staff (2016-12-21). "Arnold Allen and Makwan Amirkhani set to meet at UFC: London". thesprawlmma.com. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
  23. 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.
  24. Staff (2018-03-21). "Makwan Amirkhani booked for UFC Liverpool bout". mmaviking.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  25. "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.
  26. DNA, MMA. "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Chris Fishgold toegevoegd aan UFC Stockholm". Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  27. Richardson, Andrew (2019-06-01). "UFC Stockholm Results! Amirkhani Knocks Off Fishgold With Anaconda Choke". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  28. Lee, Alexander K. (2019-06-01). "UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith, head-kicking Aleksandar Rakic among winners". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  29. 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.
  30. Doherty, Dan (2019-11-02). "UFC 244 Results: Shane Burgos Batters Makwan Amirkhani With Late Stoppage". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  31. Anni Saarela (December 4, 2020). "Makwan Amirkhanin seuraava ottelu varmistui! Vastassa UFC-debyyttinsä tyrmäyksellä voittanut britti" (in Finnish). iltalehti.fi.
  32. Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  33. "Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry added to UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  34. Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-11). "UFC 251 Results: Makwan Amirkhani Chokes Out Danny Henry". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  35. 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.
  36. Vreeland, Daniel (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Edson Barboza Works Makwan Amirkhani in Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  37. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/33134-makwan-amirkhani-tsingis-khan
  38. Mesikammen, Jani (2013-01-29). "King Makwan Wants to Entertain You". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  39. Leppänen, Marko. "Makwan Amirkhani suivaantui kohtelustaan nyrkkeilykisoissa: "Olen rohkea mutten tyhmä"". Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  40. "UFC on Fox 14 bonuses: 'Rumble', Mousasi, Amirkhani, Robertson earn $50K awards". sherdog.com. 2015-01-24.
  41. "UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith's main event submission leads $50K winners". MMAmania. 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  42. http://www.mmaviking.com/mmaviking-coms-yearly-nordic-awards/
  43. http://www.mmaviking.com/2015-ko-of-the-year-makwan-amirkhani/
  44. http://www.mmaviking.com/2015-fighter-of-the-year-makwan-amirkhani/
  45. https://www.painiliitto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SM_vp_2010-2014.pdf
  46. https://www.painiliitto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kr-sm-2010-2014.pdf
  47. Sherdog.com. "Makwan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  48. Jaarli Pirkkiö (January 19, 2019). "Lasse Kourula iski finaaliin TUL-turnauksessa" (in Finnish). lapinkansa.fi.
  49. "UFC-ottelija Makwan Amirkhani otti ensimmäisen voittonsa nyrkkeilykehässä vakuuttavasti! – Julkaisi kuvan tunnelmista" (in Finnish). October 28, 2018.
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