Reza Madadi

Reza Madadi
رضا مددی
Born Reza Madadi
June 20, 1978
Tehran, Iran
Native name رضا مددی
Other names Mad Dog
Nationality Iranian
Swedish
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight (2010-)
Welterweight (2006-2010)
Reach 74.5 in (189 cm)
Style Wrestling
Fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden
Team Allstars Training Center
Hilti NHB
Rank Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Wrestling Gold medal Swedish Freestyle Wrestling Champion
Gold medal Swedish Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion
Years active 2006–present (MMA)
1994-2006 (Wrestling)
Mixed martial arts record
Total 16
Wins 13
By knockout 2
By submission 8
By decision 3
Losses 3
By decision 3
Website https://www.facebook.com/MadDog.Madadi
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: April 6, 2013

Reza Madadi (Persian: رضا مددی, born June 20, 1978 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian-Swedish mixed martial artist and convicted criminal[1].

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.[2]
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,[3] later that year he took a very impressive decision victory against former WEC- and future Strikeforce and UFC fighter Carlo Prater.[4]
He became the Superior Challenge Lightweight Champion in 2011, after defeating former UFC fighter Rich Clementi via unanimous decision at Superior Challenge 7.[5]
He was expected to challenge for the title in British top promotion Cage Warriors, against the champion Matt Veach on June 16, 2011.[6] However, just a few days before the fight Veach had to withdraw due to an injury and Madadi was scrapped from the card.[7][8]
Madadi's success on the European circuit led to him being considered as one of the best European lightweight prospects.[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In November, 2011 it was reported that Madadi had signed with the UFC.[10]
He was expected to make his promotional debut against Rafaello Oliveira on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1.[11] However, Oliveira was forced out of a bout with an injury and replaced by Fabrício Camões[12] Madadi himself would later withdraw from the bout due to injury as well and was replaced by promotional newcomer Tommy Hayden.[13]

In his eventual debut, Madadi faced fellow promotional newcomer Yoislandy Izquierdo on April 14, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 2.[14] After being stunned in the first round, Madadi defeated Izquierdo by submission due to a guillotine choke in the second round.[15]

In his next fight for the UFC, Madadi faced Cristiano Marcello on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153.[16] He lost via a controversial split decision. The decision was controversial since most major MMA media outlets scored the bout for Madadi.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

Madadi faced Michael Johnson on April 6, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 9.[26] 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.[27] The win also garnered Madadi his first Submission of the Night bonus award.[28][29]

Madadi was expected to fight Michael Chiesa on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[30] However, on May 14, 2013, it was announced Madadi pulled out of the bout citing alleged visa issues and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal.[31]

Following Madadi's conviction on burglary charges, the UFC officially released Madadi from the promotion.[32]

Post-UFC

After leaving the UFC following, and still awaiting his sentencing for his robbery conviction, Madadi expressed an interest to go back and fight in the Sweden-based organisation Superior Challenge, in which he held the lightweight title before he got the call from UFC. On November 23, 2013 at Superior Challenge 9, Madadi entered the cage and called out fellow former UFC-fighter Anton Kuivanen, who fought earlier that evening, defeating one of Madadi's training partners.[33]

He was set to return to the cage on May 3, 2014 at Superior Challenge 10,[34][35] his opponent was yet to be announced.[36][37] Later news came that his opponent would be Efrain Escudero and that the fight would be Madadi's first defense of his Superior Challenge Lightweight title, which he won back in 2011.[38][39][40] However, Madadi later had to withdraw due to an injury and was replaced by Juha-Pekka Vainikainen.[41]

On March 13, 2015 news came that Madadi, who had recently been released from prison, was looking to return to fighting later that year.[42][43]

Personal life

Madadi is married. He and his wife got their first child in 2013.[44]

In August, 2012 Madadi saved a baby and father from drowning in a lake outside of his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden.[45][46][47]

Madadi acts in one of the roles in the Swedish movie Tommy (2014).[48]

Aggravated burglary and prison sentence

On May 27, 2013, Madadi was arrested in his adopted country of Sweden for burglary. Swedish tabloid Expressen reported that the fighter and an accomplice broke into a designer handbag store before making off with $150,000 (U.S.) worth of stolen goods. Madadi and the accomplice were apprehended and faced charges of aggravated theft and abetting larceny, according to Swedish authorities.[49][50] On August 16, 2013 Madadi was found guilty for aggravated burglary and sentenced to 18 months in prison.[51] An appeal from Madadi was filed on September 5, 2013, and he was released from custody awaiting notice from the Swedish court of law.[52][53] In the second trial, he was again found guilty, and no attempt for a second appeal was made.[54] In March, 2015 after serving the active time of 14 months, the sentence was completed and Madadi was released from prison.[55][56][57]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–3 Michael Johnson Submission (d'arce choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi April 6, 2013 3 1:33 Stockholm, Sweden Submission of the Night
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 12–3 Cristiano Marcello Decision (split) UFC 153 October 13, 2012 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–2 Yoislandy Izquierdo Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva April 14, 2012 2 1:28 Stockholm, Sweden UFC Debut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–2 Rich Clementi Decision (unanimous) Superior Challenge 7 April 30, 2011 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden Won Superior Challenge Lightweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–2 Carlo Prater Decision (unanimous) Superior Challenge 6 October 29, 2010 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden Catchweight bout (165 lbs); Prater missed weight
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–2 Junie Browning Submission (guillotine choke) Superior Challenge 5 May 1, 2010 2 0:22 Stockholm, Sweden Lightweight debut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–2 Andy Walker TKO (punches) Superior Challenge 4 October 31, 2009 1 1:11 Stockholm, Sweden
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–2 Raymond Jarman Submission (arm-triangle choke) Superior Challenge 3 May 30, 2009 1 1:00 Stockholm, Sweden
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–2 Oriol Gaset Submission (guillotine choke) Furious Fighting Championship 2 February 21, 2009 1 2:38 Casablanca, Morocco
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 5–2 Peter Irving Decision (unanimous) Strike and Submit 7 July 13, 2008 3 5:00 Gateshead, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Aidan Marron Decision (unanimous) Superior Challenge 1 May 4, 2008 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–1 Peter Wilson Submission (armbar) X-Fight FC 1 March 30, 2008 1 0:48 Sunderland, England Won X-Fight FC Welterweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–1 Romano de los Reyes Submission (triangle choke) Slamm - Holland vs Thailand 3 May 6, 2007 1 1:04 Netherlands
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–1 Geroid McNichol Submission (armbar) Strike and Submit 1 January 28, 2007 3 1:28 Gateshead, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–1 Christian Johansson TKO (punches) Travelfight Arena 1 December 16, 2006 2 3:30 Uppsala, Sweden
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 0–1 Ville Manninen Decision (unanimous) ZST - Prestige September 23, 2006 3 5:00 Turku, Finland

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mmaviking.com/video-reza-madadi-it-is-my-destiny-to-come-back-to-the-ufc/
  2. ↑ "Beyond the Reza Madadi "Mad Dog" show". mmaviking.com. 2011-08-18.
  3. ↑ "Superior Challenge 5 results". fightmagazine.com. 2010-05-01.
  4. ↑ "Superior Challenge 6 results". sherdog.com. 2010-10-29.
  5. ↑ "Clementi-Madadi meet in LW title bout at Superior Challenge 7". sherdog.com. 2011-03-22.
  6. ↑ "Veach-Madadi title bout headlines CWFC debut in Jordan". sherdog.com. 2011-06-02.
  7. ↑ "Veach-Madadi title tild nixed from CWFC card in Jordan". sherdog.com. 2011-06-14.
  8. ↑ "Reza Madadi not fighting on Cage Warriors card in Jordan". mmaviking.com. 2011-06-14.
  9. ↑ "World MMA lightweight scouting report: #6 - Reza Madadi". bloodyelbow.com. 2010-11-07.
  10. ↑ "Top lightweight prospect Reza Madadi (11-2) has signed with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)". mmamania.com. 2011-11-25.
  11. ↑ Bobby Cavian (November 22, 2011). "Swedish MMA Star Reza Madadi debuts at UFC on FX 1 against Rafaello Oliveira". studiomma.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Replacement Fabricio Camoes steps in to fight Reza Madadi at UFC on FX 1". MMAjunkie.com. December 27, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Tommy Hayden targeted for UFC on FX 1 slot against Fabricio Camoes". mmajunkie.com. January 16, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Young-Wisely, Izquierdo-Madadi completes Sweden's UFC on FUEL TV 2 lineup". mmajunkie.com. February 19, 2012.
  15. ↑ "UFC on Fuel 2 results: Reza Madadi submits Yoislandy Izquierdo with a guillotine". bloodyelbow.com. 2012-04-14.
  16. ↑ "Cristiano Marcello vs. Reza Madadi added to UFC 153 in Brazil". MMAJunkie.com. July 19, 2012.
  17. ↑ "UFC 153 play-by-play and live results". mmajunkie.com. 2012-10-13.
  18. ↑ "UFC 153 - Results play-by-play". sherdog.com. 2012-10-13.
  19. ↑ "UFC 153 undercard live blog". mmafighting.com. 2012-10-13.
  20. ↑ "UFC 153 live facebook FX results". bloodyelbow.com. 2012-10-13.
  21. ↑ "UFC 153 play-by-play, Reza Madadi vs Cristiano Marcello". mmaweekly.com. 2012-10-13.
  22. ↑ "UFC 153 live results and play-by-play". bleacherreport.com. 2012-10-13.
  23. ↑ "UFC 153 live play-by-play results". insidefights.com. 2012-10-13.
  24. ↑ "UFC 153 live play-by-play results (page 2)". mmarising.com. 2012-10-13.
  25. ↑ http://www.mmadecisions.com/decision/3728/Cristiano-Marcello-vs-Reza-Madadi
  26. ↑ "Michael Johnson vs Reza Madadi set for UFC on Fuel TV 9". mmajunki.com. February 8, 2013.
  27. ↑ "UFC on FUEL TV 9 results: Reza Madadi survives kick, taps out Michael Johnson". mmajunkie.com. 2013-04-06.
  28. ↑ Staff (2013-04-06). "UFC on FUEL TV 9 bonuses: McGregor, Madadi, Pickett, Easton win $60,000". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  29. ↑ "UFC on FUEL TV 9 bonuses and awards: McGregor, Madadi, Pickett and Easton all make bank". mmamania.com. 2013-04-06.
  30. ↑ "Michael Chiesa vs Reza Madadi added to UFC on Fox 8 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com. 2013-04-23.
  31. ↑ "Reza Madadi out of UFC on FOX 8, Jorge Masvidal now meets Michael Chiesa". mmajunkie.com. 2013-05-14.
  32. ↑ "UFC officially releases Reza Madadi following conviction". mmajunkie.com. 2013-08-20.
  33. ↑ "Madadi calls out Kuivanen at Superior Challenge 9". mmaviking.com. 2013-11-23.
  34. ↑ "Reza Madadi returns to Superior Challenge". mmaviking.com. 2014-02-10.
  35. ↑ "Reza "Mad Dog" Madadi booked for Superior Challenge 10". mmanytt. 2014-02-10.
  36. ↑ "Reza Madadi returns to MMA". fansided.com. 2014-02-10.
  37. ↑ "Reza Madadi is out of jail and back in MMA". bloodyelbow.com. 2014-02-10.
  38. ↑ "Madadi vs. Escuerdo title bout tops Superior Challenge 10". fightnetwork.com. 2014-04-07.
  39. ↑ "Reza Madadi försvarar titeln mot Efrain Escudero på Superior Challenge X / Reza Madadi to defend title against Efrain Escudero at Superior Challenge X". mmanytt.se. 2014-04-02.
  40. ↑ "Madadi takes on Escudero for Superior Challenge belt". mmaviking.com. 2014-04-07.
  41. ↑ "Madadi out, Vainikainen in against Escudero for Superior Challenge belt". mmaviking.com. 2014-04-26.
  42. ↑ "Reza Madadi planning return, 'I'm back'". mmaviking.com. 2015-03-13.
  43. ↑ "Now a free man, former UFC fighter Reza Madadi details past 'two years of hell'". mmafighting.com. 2015-03-17.
  44. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/3/17/8228765/now-a-free-man-former-ufc-fighter-reza-madadi-details-past-two-years
  45. ↑ "Reza Madadi saves drowning child and father". sports.yahoo.com. 2012-08-14.
  46. ↑ "UFC lightweight Reza Madadi saves drowning toddler in Sweden". mmamania.com. 2012-08-14.
  47. ↑ "Reza Madadi a local hero after saving baby". mmaviking.com. 2012-08-14.
  48. ↑ "Reza Madadi to star in mainstream movie". mmaviking.com. 2013-05-14.
  49. ↑ "UFC fighter Reza Madadi arrested on suspicion of burglary in Sweden". mmajunkie.com. 2013-05-27.
  50. ↑ "Report: Reza Madadi prosecuted". mmaviking.com. 2013-07-29.
  51. ↑ "UFC's Reza Madadi sentenced to 18 months for role in handbag heist". mmajunkie.com. 2013-08-16.
  52. ↑ "Reza Madadi överklagar dom / Reza Madadi files an appeal". mmanytt.se. 2013-09-06.
  53. ↑ "Reza Madadi set free; Verdict pending". mmaviking.com. 2013-08-07.
  54. ↑ http://www.fightermag.se/2014/04/13/hovratten-skarper-straffet-reza-madadi/
  55. ↑ "Now a free man, former UFC fighter Reza Madadi details past 'two years of hell'". mmafighting.com. 2015-03-17.
  56. ↑ "The MMA Hour - 273 - Reza Madadi". mmafighting.com. 2015-03-17.
  57. ↑ "UFC veteran Reza Madadi, now out of prison says he went through hell". foxsports.com. 2015-03-17.
  58. ↑ "UFC on Fuel TV 9 Bonuses: Picket, Easton, Madadi, McGregor earn $60K". sherdog.com. 2013-04-06.
  59. ↑ "Superior Challenge 7 results, Leites and Madadi wins vacant titles". sherdog.com. 2011-04-30.
  60. ↑ "X-Fight FC 1 results". sherdog.com. 2008-03-30.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 "Swedish Wrestling: Statics & History". swedewrestling.se. 2011-04-21.

External links