Tarec Saffiedine

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Tarec Saffiedine
Born (1986-09-06) 6 September 1986 (age 37)
Brussels, Belgium
Other names Sponge
Nationality Belgian
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight
Reach 70 in (180 cm)[1]
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Temecula, California, United States
Team Evolve MMA, Team Quest
Rank Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Black belt in Shihaishinkai Karate[2]
Third kup red belt in Tae Kwon Do
Third kyu green belt in Judo
Years active 2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 19
Wins 15
By knockout 1
By submission 5
By decision 9
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By decision 3
Amateur kickboxing record
Total 14
Wins 12
Losses 1
Draws 1
Other information
Website https://www.facebook.com/tarecfighter
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tarec Robert Saffiedine (born 6 September 1986) is a Belgian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Saffiedine has also formerly competed for DREAM and Strikeforce, and was the last Strikeforce Welterweight Champion. As of 2 October 2014, Saffiedine is #9 in official UFC Welterweight rankings.[3]

Background

Saffiedine was born to a Lebanese father, who emigrated to Belgium to study as an ophthalmologist, and a Belgian mother. His father was a Tae Kwon Do practitioner, and since the age of ten Saffiedine has trained in judo, Wushu, Wing Chun and Tae Kwon Do. Saffiedine grew up in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels and also played basketball in his youth. Inspired by the Japanese comic book Tough, he finally took up karate at age 16, and in 2005 received a black belt in Shihaishinkai, a style of knockdown karate that includes striking, throws and ground fighting.[4] He also has an amateur kickboxing record of 12-1-1[5] and later began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, and then wrestling when he emigrated to the United States.[6] Early in his career he worked a number of jobs including in a restaurant, a cinema and as a gardener and security guard. He received his nickname, "Sponge", from one of his coaches because he learns quickly.[7] He is also known to switch stances frequently.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Saffiedine made his professional mixed martial arts debut in March 2007, beating his opponent Guillaume Janvier with a kimura submission. He went on to fight a further three times that year, all in promotions in his native Belgium and France. In January 2008, he relocated to the United States and began training with Team Quest. His first fight since his trans-Atlantic move came in June that year at Ultimate Cage Wars 12 in Canada, where he defeated his opponent Rich Bondoc with an armbar submission. In 2009, he had two fights in the United States and won both.

DREAM

From there, Saffiedine went to Japan to compete in DREAM. His first fight came against Seichi Ikemoto at DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Final. The bout was not part of the Welterweight Grand Prix, but was a reserve bout. Saffiedine went on to win a unanimous decision.

His next opponent under the promotion's banner was Yoon Dong-Sik, which took place at DREAM 12. He replaced former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho in the match on short notice, and lost by way of split decision. Saffiedine normally competes as a Welterweight (170 lbs.), but since he was replacing Filho, he fought as a Middleweight (185 lbs.).[8]

Strikeforce

He then returned to the United States to compete at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi, where he defeated James Terry by way of unanimous decision. He used effective striking to keep his opponent off balance, going as far as to open a cut under Terry's left eye that was bleeding profusely by early in the third round. Though his opponent, an experienced wrestler, did attempt some takedowns, Saffiedine shrugged off most of them or got to his feet quickly when the action did hit the mat. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of Saffiedine.[9]

Saffiedine was next scheduled to face off against Nate Moore on 21 May 2010 at Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey. The opening round provided some back-and-forth action with Moore pushing forward with a wrestling attack, then responding well when Saffiedine began to take control with his strikes. That changed in the second, as Moore returned to his takedown-heavy strategy, but Saffiedine stood tall in the face of the attack and delivered powerful punches while remaining on his feet. A well placed punch by Saffiedine ended the fight by knockout at 1:21 of the second round - his first career knockout win.[10]

He then faced grappler Brock Larson on 11 September 2010 at Shark Fights 13, on loan from Strikeforce.[11] After a minute-long feeling-out period, Larson shot out of the gate with punches and was dropped by a side-stepping Saffiedine's first strike. From there, Saffiedine continued to outstrike Larson and was also able to defend against takedowns for all three rounds. All judges scored the fight 30-27 in favour of Saffiedine as he won via unanimous decision.[12]

Saffiedine's next fight was against Tyron Woodley at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine.[13] He and Woodley squared off in the main event.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Saffiedine was supposed to face Evangelista Santos at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson but the fight was cancelled.[15]

Saffiedine fought Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson. He was the replacement for Paul Daley, who was the original opponent for Saffiedine. He defeated Smith via unanimous decision.

Saffiedine fought Tyler Stinson to a split decision victory at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine.

Saffiedine defeated Roger Bowling via unanimous decision at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman.

In the last ever bout in Strikeforce history, Saffiedine utilized powerful leg kicks to win a 5-round unanimous decision against Nate Marquardt at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine to become the final Strikeforce Welterweight Champion.[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

It was announced shortly after the final Strikeforce event that Saffiedine would be amongst the promotion's former fighters brought over to the UFC.[17]

Saffiedine was expected to face former EliteXC Middleweight Champion Robbie Lawler on 27 July 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[18] However, Saffiedine was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Siyar Bahadurzada.[19] Bahadurzada also suffered an injury and was then replaced by Bobby Voelker.[20]

Saffiedine was expected to face Jake Ellenberger on 4 January 2014 at UFC Fight Night 34.[21] However in late November, Ellenberger pulled out of the bout citing a hamstring injury and was replaced by Hyun Gyu Lim.[22] Saffiedine won via unanimous decision.[23] The win also earned Saffiedine his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[24]

A fight with Jake Ellenberger was rebooked for UFC 172.[25] However, Saffiedine had to pull out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury suffered in training.[26]

Saffiedine faced Rory MacDonald on 4 October 2014 at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine.[27] After being out-struck the first two rounds, Saffiedine was finished for the first time in his career via TKO in the third round, as he was dropped by an uppercut and follow up punches leading to the stoppage.[28]

A bout with Matt Brown was expected to take place on 14 February 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60.[29] However, it was announced on 1 January 2015 that Saffiedine had pulled out of the bout, citing a groin injury.[30]

Saffiedine is expected to face Jake Ellenberger on 30 January 2016 at UFC on Fox 18.[31][needs update]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–4 Rory MacDonald TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine 4 October 2014 3 1:28 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win 15–3 Hyun Gyu Lim Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim 4 January 2014 5 5:00 Marina Bay, Singapore Fight of the Night.
Win 14–3 Nate Marquardt Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine 12 January 2013 5 5:00 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Won the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship.
Win 13–3 Roger Bowling Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman 18 August 2012 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 12–3 Tyler Stinson Decision (split) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine 7 January 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–3 Scott Smith Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson 30 July 2011 3 5:00 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Loss 10–3 Tyron Woodley Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine 7 January 2011 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 10–2 Brock Larson Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley 11 September 2010 3 5:00 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win 9–2 Nate Moore KO (punch) Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey 21 May 2010 2 1:21 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 8–2 James Terry Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe 26 February 2010 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Loss 7–2 Yoon Dong-Sik Decision (split) DREAM 12 25 October 2009 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan Middleweight bout.
Win 7–1 Seichi Ikemoto Decision (unanimous) DREAM 10 20 July 2009 2 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 6–1 Mike Arellano Submission (keylock) War Gods 5 30 May 2009 1 2:44 Alpine, California, United States
Win 5–1 Scott Rose Submission (arm-triangle choke) Long Beach Fight Night 4 4 April 2009 1 0:58 Long Beach, California, United States
Win 4–1 Rich Bondoc Submission (armbar) Ultimate Cage Wars 12 27 June 2008 1 2:18 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win 3–1 Raymond Jarman Decision (unanimous) Shooto Belgium: Encounter the Braves 15 December 2007 3 5:00 Charleroi, Belgium
Win 2–1 Sebastian Grandin Submission (armbar) Xtreme Gladiators 3 9 June 2007 1 2:38 Paris, France
Loss 1–1 Kamil Uygun Decision (unanimous) Night of the Gladiators 21 April 2007 2 5:00 Brakel, Belgium
Win 1–0 Guillaume Janvier Submission (kimura) Shooto Belgium: Consecration 31 March 2007 1 1:15 Charleroi, Belgium

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  4. ↑ Breakout Strikeforce star Tarec Saffiedine discusses big win, journey to big show
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Tarec Saffiedine: "I'm prepared for everything in this fight"
  7. ↑ Tarec Saffiedine – a ProMMAnow.com interview
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Tarec Saffiedine Post Fight Interview
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Prangley Hands Jardine 5th Straight Loss
  13. ↑ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/5-Fights-Official-for-Jan-7-Strikeforce-Challengers-28590
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Tarec Saffiedine Dethrones Nate Marquardt, Claims Welterweight Crown in Strikeforce Finale
  17. ↑ UFC Reveals List of Strikeforce Fighters Making Jump to Octagon
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/2014/02/mmajunkies-fight-of-the-month-for-january-2014

External links


Preceded by 3rd and final Strikeforce Welterweight Champion
12 January 2013 – 12 January 2013		 Vacant
Strikeforce banner dissolved into UFC
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