Reza Madadi

Reza Madadi (Persian: رضا مددی, born June 20, 1978 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian-Swedish mixed martial artist.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Madadi started out as a wrestler at the age of 15, his wrestling career saw some good results, winning the Swedish championship in 2002 and 2003 along with victories in Sweden and other parts of Scandinavia, in both the styles of Greco-Roman and Freestyle. He transitioned from wrestling to MMA in 2006.^[1]
Madadi competed in Strike And Submit (SAS), Superior Challenge (SC), Furious Fighting Championship (FFC) and a few other fighting organizations. Madadi holds a submission victory over former UFC fighter Junie Browning in 2010, later that year he took a very impressive decision victory against future UFC fighter Carlo Prater.
He became the Superior Challenge Lightweight Champion in 2011, after defeating former UFC fighter Rich Clementi via unanimous decision at Superior Challenge 7.^[2]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Madadi has signed with the UFC and was expected to make his promotional debut against Rafaello Oliveira on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1.^[3] However, Oliveira was forced out of a bout with an injury and replaced by Fabrício Camões^[4] Madadi himself would later withdraw from the bout due to injury as well and was replaced by promotional newcomer Tommy Hayden.^[5]

In his eventual debut, Madadi faced fellow promotional newcomer Yoislandy Izquierdo on April 14, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 2.^[6] After being stunned in the first round, Madadi defeated Izquierdo due to a guillotine choke in the second round.

In his next fight for the UFC, Madadi faced Cristiano Marcello on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153.^[7] He lost via a controversial split decision. The decision was controversial since most major MMA media outlets scored the bout for Madadi.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]}

Madadi faced Michael Johnson on April 6, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 9.^[16] After a back-and-forth two rounds, where Johnson stunned and dropped Madadi with a headkick late in the first round, Madadi recovered fast and won the fight via submission due to a d'arce choke in the third round. The win also garnered Madadi his first Submission of the Night bonus award.^[17][18]

Madadi was expected to fight Michael Chiesa on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.^[19] However, on May 14, 2013, it was announced Madadi pulled out of the bout citing alleged visa issues and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal.^[20]

Following Madadi's conviction, the UFC officially released Madadi from the promotion.^[21]

Aggravated burglary and prison sentence

On May 27, 2013, Madadi was arrested in his adopted country of Sweden for an alleged burglary. Swedish tabloid Expressen reported that the fighter and an associate allegedly broke into a designer handbag store before making off with $150,000 (U.S.) worth of stolen goods. Madadi and the associate face charges of aggravated theft and abetting larceny, according to Swedish authorities.^[22] On August 16, 2013 Madadi was found guilty for aggravated burglary and sentenced to 18 months in prison. He has until September 6, 2013 to file an appeal.^[23]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Michael Johnson^[24]
• Superior Challenge
  • Superior Challenge Lightweight Championship (One time)^[25]
• X-Fight FC
  • X-Fight FC Welterweight Championship (One time)^[26]

Wrestling

• Swedish Welterweight Freestyle Wrestling Champion^[27]
• Swedish Welterweight Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion^[27]

Mixed martial arts career

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Reza Madadi from Sherdog
• http://www.facebook.com/MadDog.Madadi
• http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Reza-Madadi
• http://www.cagepotato.com/ufc-lightweight-reza-madadi-reportedly-arrested-for-burglary-in-sweden/