Ramsey Nijem

Ramsey Nijem
Born April 1, 1988
Concord, California, United States
Other names Stripper Ramsey
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach 74.0 in (188 cm)
Fighting out of Orem, Utah
Team The Pit
Wrestling NCAA Div I wrestling[1]
Years active 2008-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 14
Wins 9
By knockout 3
By submission 2
By decision 4
Losses 5
By knockout 3
By submission 2
By decision 0
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ramsey Nijem (born April 1, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Nijem has made a name for himself fighting in Utah. He was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Early life

A Palestinian American,[2] Nijem was born in Concord, California, but raised in Mill Creek, Washington.[3] He attended Henry M. Jackson High School from 2002 through 2006. During those years, Nijem was a part of his high school's soccer, cross-country, and wrestling teams. His senior season in wrestling he went 27-5 and earned "Wrestler of the Year" honors. He was also wrestling captain for his junior and senior seasons.[3]

After high school, Nijem enrolled in Utah Valley University, also wrestling for the school.

MMA career

Nijem began his training with Riven Academy of MMA in 2008. Electing to skip an amateur career, Nijem made his pro debut April 18, 2008 defeating Ryan Miller via first round rear-naked choke submission. After taking a nineteen month hiatus from the sport, he returned losing to Gordon Bell via an armbar submission only 21 seconds into the first round.

Only a month after his first loss he defeated Logan Hancock via unanimous decision, bring his professional record to 2-1. Ramsey recorded his first TKO win in April 2010, defeating Eric Uresk at Showdown Fights: Burkman vs. Paul. He made his lightweight debut against Scott Casey, winning the fight via first round submission.

He splits his training time with Riven Academy of MMA, and The Pit Elevated. He is training partners to UFC veteran Josh Burkman, and The Ultimate Fighter 11 winner Court McGee.[4]

The Ultimate Fighter

In 2011, Nijem had signed with the UFC to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Nijem was picked fourth on Team dos Santos and eighth overall. In the fourth preliminary match-up, Nijem was selected to fight Bellator veteran, Charlie Rader. In the first round Nijem controlled the fight by putting Rader on the fence, and obtaining a few last minute take downs. In the second round Nijem was able to take Rader down early and lock in a fight ending rear naked choke.[5]

Nijem was selected to fight Clay Harvison in the quarterfinals. Nijem went on to win the fight by rear naked choke less than a minute in. In the semifinals, Nijem fought Chris Cope, defeating him via TKO in round two. The win moved him into the live finale for the chance to become the winner of The Ultimate Fighter.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nijem made his official UFC debut on June 4, 2011 at the The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale against Tony Ferguson to crown the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13. Nijem lost the bout via KO in the first round after getting caught flush by a left hook.

Nijem defeated Danny Downes on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137 via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27).[6]

Nijem was expected to face Anthony Njokuani on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141.[7] However, Nijem was forced out of the bout, citing an injury and replaced by Danny Castillo.[8]

Nijem faced promotional newcomer C.J. Keith on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4.[9] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Nijem faced Joe Proctor on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5.[10] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nijem faced Myles Jury on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[11] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Nijem fought James Vick on August 17, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26.[12] He lost the fight via submission at 58 seconds in the first round.

Nijem next faced fellow TUF alumni and teammate Justin Edwards on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35.[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nijem faced Beneil Dariush on April 11, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 39.[14] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also won Nijem his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[15]

Nijem faced Carlos Diego Ferreira on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177.[16] He lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round. Despite the loss, Nijem was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[17]

Nijem is expected to face Erik Koch on July 25, 2015 at UFC on Fox 16.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 9–5 Carlos Diego Ferreira TKO (punches) UFC 177 August 30, 2014 2 1:53 Sacramento, California, United States Fight of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–4 Beneil Dariush TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson April 11, 2014 1 4:20 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Performance of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–4 Justin Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7–4 James Vick Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen August 17, 2013 1 0:58 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7–3 Myles Jury KO (punch) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 2 1:02 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–2 Joe Proctor Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz December 8, 2012 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–2 C.J. Keith TKO (punches) UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida June 22, 2012 1 2:29 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–2 Danny Downes Decision (unanimous) UFC 137 October 29, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–2 Tony Ferguson KO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale June 4, 2011 1 3:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost The Ultimate Fighter 13
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–1 Scott Casey Submission (rear-naked choke) Showdown Fights: Respect September 10, 2010 1 2:48 Orem, Utah, United States Lightweight Debut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–1 Eric Uresk TKO (punches) Showdown Fights: Burkman vs. Paul April 23, 2010 2 4:02 Orem, Utah, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–1 Logan Hancock Decision (unanimous) Throwdown Showdown 5: Homecoming November 20, 2009 3 5:00 Orem, Utah, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 1–1 Gordon Bell Submission (armbar) Xtreme Combat October 24, 2009 1 0:21 Richfield, Utah, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Ryan Miller Submission (rear-naked choke) Throwdown Showdown 1 April 18, 2008 1 2:15 Orem, Utah, United States

See also

References

  1. "Ramsey Nijem - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  2. UFC Fight Night 26: Ramsey Nijem 'Our job is pretty much on the line every time we fight'
  3. 3.0 3.1 http://www.wolverinegreen.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/nijem_ramsey00.html
  4. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/13/Meet-the-TUF-13-Cast-30489
  5. http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/21/ramsey-nijem-on-winning-his-fight-painting-his-toenails/
  6. "Ramsey Nijem vs. Danny Downes added to UFC 137 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. July 21, 2011.
  7. Martin, Damon (November 12, 2011). "Anthony Njokuani vs. Ramsey Nijem Agreed for UFC 141". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  8. "Ramsey Nijem out, Danny Castillo in against Anthony Njoukani at UFC 141". MMAjunkie.com. December 7, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  9. "Ramsey Nijem vs. C.J. Keith Added to UFC on FX 4". mmaweekly.com. 2012-03-25.
  10. "TUF veterans Ramsey Nijem and Joe Proctor to meet at UFC on FOX 5 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  11. "UFC on FOX 7 adds Jury-Nijem". mmajunkie.com. February 7, 2013.
  12. "Ramsey Nijem vs. James Vick joins UFC on FOX Sports 1 1 in Boston". mmajunkie.com. June 5, 2013.
  13. Staff (2013-11-24). "UFC Fight Night 35 Card Grows with Addition of Three New Bouts". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  14. Alex Schlinsky. "UFC Fight Night 39: Abu Dhabi adds ten fights". fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  15. Staff (2014-04-11). "UFC Fight Night 39 bonuses: Clay Guida, Tatsuya Kawajiri nab 'FOTN' honors". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  16. Jesse Holland (2014-07-13). "UFC 177: Ramsey Nijem vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira on tap for Aug. 30 in Sacramento". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  17. "UFC 177 bonuses: Dillashaw, Medeiros, Ferreira, Nijem win $50,000". MMAjunkie.com. August 31, 2014.
  18. Damon Martin (2015-04-22). "Ramsey Nijem meets Erik Koch at FOX UFC Fight Night in Chicago". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.

External links