Canadian mixed martial artist
John Makdessi (born May 3, 1985) is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division and competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship .
Background
Makdessi was born in Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada on May 3, 1985, and is a first-generation Lebanese-Canadian born to Lebanese parents.[ 4] His martial arts training started with Tae Kwon Do at the age of six.[ 3] When Makdessi started high school, his dojo closed, and he could no longer continue. Towards the end of high school at the age of 19, he found a karate dojo where he learned Shotokan . Makdessi spent a lot of his time competing in kickboxing tournaments, and in 2006 won a gold medal in the USKBA. After going 22–0 in kickboxing,[ 3] Makdessi began training in mixed martial arts .
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Makdessi made his professional MMA debut in 2008 and compiled an undefeated record of 7-0 before being signed by the UFC .
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Makdessi signed with the UFC in 2010. He made his promotional debut on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124 in Montreal, winning a dominant (30-27, 30–27, 30–26) decision over Pat Audinwood.[ 5]
Makdessi was expected to face TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129 .[ 6] Brookins pulled out of the bout and was replaced by another TUF 12 alum in Kyle Watson , who Makdessi knocked out with a spinning backfist in the third round.[ 7]
Makdessi was expected to face Paul Taylor on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5 , but withdrew due to injury.[ 8] [ 9]
Makdessi suffered the first loss of his career to Dennis Hallman on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140 , via first-round rear naked choke.[ 10]
Makdessi lost a unanimous decision to fellow striker Anthony Njokuani on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145 .[ 11] [ 12]
Makdessi next defeated Sam Stout by unanimous decision on November 17, 2012, at UFC 154 .[ 13]
Makdessi then fought Daron Cruickshank at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013.[ 14] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Makdessi was expected to face Edson Barboza on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162 .[ 15] Makdessi pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Rafaello Oliveira .[ 16]
Makdessi knocked out Renée Forte in the first round on September 21, 2013, at UFC 165 .[ 17]
Makdessi lost a unanimous decision to Alan Patrick at UFC 169 on February 1, 2014.[ 18] [ 19]
Makdessi was expected to face Abel Trujillo on April 25, 2015, at UFC 186 .[ 20] Trujillo pulled out of the fight citing an injury, and was replaced on April 1 by promotional newcomer Shane Campbell .[ 21] Makdessi won the fight via TKO in the first round.[ 22]
Less than a month after his win, Makdessi returned to the octagon as a replacement for injured Khabib Nurmagomedov against Donald Cerrone on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187 .[ 23] Makdessi lost the fight via TKO after his jaw was broken with a head kick in the second round.[ 24] [ 25]
Makdessi faced Yancy Medeiros on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194 .[ 26] He lost the fight by split decision.[ 27]
Makdessi next faced Mehdi Baghdad on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90 .[ 28] He was awarded a split decision victory.[ 29]
Makdessi faced Lando Vannata on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206 .[ 30] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 31]
Makdessi was expected to face Sage Northcutt on July 29, 2017, at UFC 214 .[ 32] In turn, the fight was canceled on July 14 as both fighters cited injuries.[ 33]
Makdessi faced Abel Trujillo on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox 26 .[ 34] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 35]
Makdessi faced Ross Pearson on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30 .[ 36] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 37] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[ 38]
Makdessi was expected to face Carlos Diego Ferreira on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231 .[ 39] However, on November 28, 2018, it was reported that Makdessi was removed from the card and replaced by Jesse Ronson .[ 40]
Makdessi was expected to face Nasrat Haqparast on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148 .[ 41] However, on March 13, 2019, it was reported that Haqparast was pulled from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Jesus Pinedo .[ 42] Makdessi won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 43]
Makdessi was scheduled to face Devonte Smith on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241 .[ 44] However, it was reported on 30 July 2019 that Makdessi was forced to withdraw for undisclosed reason.[ 45]
Makdessi faced Francisco Trinaldo on March 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 170 .[ 46] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 47]
Makdessi faced Ignacio Bahamondes on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2 .[ 48] At the weigh-ins, Ignacio Bahamondes weighed in at 156.75 pounds, 0.75 pound over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Bahamondes was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to Makdessi.[ 49] Makdessi won the bout via split decision.[ 50]
Makdessi faced Nasrat Haqparast on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209 .[ 51] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 52]
Makdessi faced Jamie Mullarkey on September 10, 2023, at UFC 293 .[ 53] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 54]
In October 2023, Makdessi was released by UFC.[ 55]
Global Fight League
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Makdessi was signed by Global Fight League .[ 56]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Makdessi is listed as the president of the MMA apparel brand Fear the Fighter, which has sponsored several MMA and UFC fighters. Since 2014, a number of fighters have come forward with complaints, alleging that Fear the Fighter had failed to pay their respective sponsorship fees. Akira Corassani , Tim Elliott , John Dodson , Georgi Karakhanyan , and Gegard Mousasi have publicly made such allegations. In April 2015, Mousasi's management team stated that they had filed a lawsuit against Makdessi and Fear the Fighter due to their alleged failure to pay the outstanding debt owed to Mousasi.[ 57]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
27 matches
18 wins
9 losses
By knockout
9
2
By submission
0
1
By decision
9
6
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
18–9
Jamie Mullarkey
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 293
September 10, 2023
3
5:00
Sydney , Australia
Loss
18–8
Nasrat Haqparast
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa
September 3, 2022
3
5:00
Paris , France
Win
18–7
Ignacio Bahamondes
Decision (split)
UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland
April 10, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (156.75 lb) bout; Bahamondes missed weight.
Loss
17–7
Francisco Trinaldo
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira
March 14, 2020
3
5:00
Brasília , Brazil
Win
17–6
Jesus Pinedo
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis
March 23, 2019
3
5:00
Nashville, Tennessee , United States
Win
16–6
Ross Pearson
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2
July 28, 2018
3
5:00
Calgary, Alberta , Canada
Fight of the Night.
Win
15–6
Abel Trujillo
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos
December 16, 2017
3
5:00
Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
Loss
14–6
Lando Vannata
KO (wheel kick)
UFC 206
December 10, 2016
1
1:40
Toronto , Ontario, Canada
Win
14–5
Mehdi Baghdad
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez
July 7, 2016
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
13–5
Yancy Medeiros
Decision (split)
UFC 194
December 12, 2015
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
13–4
Donald Cerrone
TKO (head kick)
UFC 187
May 23, 2015
2
4:44
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
13–3
Shane Campbell
TKO (punches)
UFC 186
April 25, 2015
1
4:53
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Loss
12–3
Alan Patrick
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 169
February 1, 2014
3
5:00
Newark, New Jersey , United States
Win
12–2
Renée Forte
KO (punches)
UFC 165
September 21, 2013
1
2:01
Toronto , Ontario , Canada
Win
11–2
Daron Cruickshank
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 158
March 16, 2013
3
5:00
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Win
10–2
Sam Stout
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 154
November 17, 2012
3
5:00
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Loss
9–2
Anthony Njokuani
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 145
April 21, 2012
3
5:00
Atlanta, Georgia , United States
Catchweight (158 lb) bout; Makdessi missed weight.
Loss
9–1
Dennis Hallman
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 140
December 10, 2011
1
2:58
Toronto , Ontario , Canada
Catchweight (158.5 lb) bout; Hallman missed weight.
Win
9–0
Kyle Watson
KO (spinning back fist)
UFC 129
April 30, 2011
3
1:27
Toronto , Ontario , Canada
Win
8–0
Pat Audinwood
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 124
December 11, 2010
3
5:00
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Win
7–0
Bendy Casimir
Decision (unanimous)
Mixed Fight League 3
September 25, 2010
3
5:00
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Catchweight (159 lb) bout; Makdessi missed weight.
Win
6–0
Lindsey Hawkes
TKO (punches)
Canadian Fighting Championship 4
February 26, 2010
2
4:59
Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
Win
5–0
Brandon McArthur
TKO (doctor stoppage)
Ringside MMA: Rivalry
November 14, 2009
1
5:00
Drummondville, Quebec , Canada
Win
4–0
Iraj Hadin
TKO (punches)
Ringside MMA: Rage Fighting
August 22, 2009
2
4:48
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Win
3–0
Amir Uddin
TKO (punches)
XMMA 7: Inferno
February 27, 2009
2
3:06
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Win
2–0
Dan Dechaine
TKO (punches)
XMMA 6: House of Pain
November 8, 2008
1
1:48
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
Win
1–0
Todd Westcott
TKO (punches)
XMMA 5: It's Crow Time
September 13, 2008
1
3:06
Montreal , Quebec, Canada
[ 59]
See also
References
^ a b "Fight Card - UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier" . UFC . Retrieved May 31, 2015 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (July 29, 2018). "A new coach and a little maturity went a long way for John Makdessi at UFC on FOX 30" . mmajunkie.com.
^ a b c Thomas Gerbasi (December 8, 2010). "John Makdessi - Express Yourself" . UFC .
^ Cage Potato Interview: John Makdessi Wants Jaws to Drop When He Fights
^ "Undefeated John Makdessi octagon-bound, meets Pat Audinwood at UFC 124" . mmajunkie.com. 2010-10-14. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23.
^ "MacDonald-Wilks, Brookins-Makdessi added to UFC 129 in Toronto" . bloodyelbow.com. January 4, 2010.
^ "John Makdessi meets Kyle Watson, not Jonathan Brookins, at UFC 129" . mmajunkie.com. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2011-01-11 .
^ "John Makdessi vs. Paul Taylor In The Works for UFC on Versus 5" . mmafrenzy.com. June 3, 2011.
^ "John Makdessi injured, forced out of UFC on Versus 5 bout with Paul Taylor" . mmajunkie.com. June 25, 2011. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
^ "Dennis Hallman and John Makdessi agree to UFC 140 matchup in Toronto" . MMAJunkie.com. 2011-09-09. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30.
^ "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta" . mmajunkie.com. January 20, 2012.[permanent dead link ]
^ Staff (2012-04-21). "UFC UFC 145 results: Anthony Njokuani tops John Makdessi via unanimous decision" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-04-21 .
^ Staff (September 7, 2012). "John Makdessi vs. Sam Stout added to UFC 154" . mmajunkie.com . Archived from the original on 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2012-09-08 .
^ "Makdessi Set To Face Cruickshank At UFC 158" . topmmanews.com. January 5, 2013.
^ Staff (April 12, 2013). "UFC 162 adds lightweights Edson Barboza vs. John Makdessi" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013 .
^ Ariel Helwani (2013-05-30). "Edson Barboza faces Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 162 following John Makdessi injury" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-05-30 .
^ Staff (2013-07-23). "John Makdessi vs. Renee Forte added to UFC 165 in Toronto" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23 .
^ Guilherme Cruz (2013-12-10). "John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick added to UFC 169" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-12-10 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (2014-02-01). "UFC 169 results, photos: Alan Patrick outguns John Makdessi for decision win" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-01 .
^ Sean Bio (2015-02-05). "Abel Trujillo meets John Makdessi at UFC 186 in Montreal" . cagepages.com. Retrieved 2015-02-05 .
^ Mike Bohn and John Morgan (2015-04-01). "Shane Campbell replaces injured Abel Trujillo against John Makdessi at UFC 186" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-04-25). "UFC 186 results: John Makdessi eats some kicks, then brutalizes Shane Campbell" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25 .
^ Marc Raimondi (2015-04-30). "Fresh off TKO win, John Makdessi gets call to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Donald Cerrone" . mmafighting.com.
^ Dave Doyle (2015-04-30). "UFC 187 results: Donald Cerrone finishes John Makdessi with head kick" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-05-23 .
^ Ariel Helwani (2015-05-25). "John Makdessi undergoes successful jaw surgery" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-05-25 .
^ Marc Raimondi (2015-11-24). "John Makdessi meets Yancy Medeiros at UFC 194" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-12-12). "UFC 194 results: Yancy Medeiros edges disappointed John Makdessi with split call" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12 .
^ Mike Bohn (2016-04-28). "Mehdi Baghdad vs. John Makdessi moves from UFC 199 in June to UFC Fight Night 90 in July" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-07-07). "UFC Fight Night 90 results: John Makdessi gets past Mehdi Baghdad with narrow split-decision win" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-07 .
^ Staff (2015-10-05). "Light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier defends title at UFC 206 in Toronto vs. Anthony Johnson" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-05 .
^ Dave Doyle (2016-12-10). "UFC 206 results: Lando Vannata scores sensational knockout of John Makdessi" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-12-10 .
^ "Montreal's John Makdessi to take on Sage Northcutt at UFC 214" . sportsnet.ca. Associated Press. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2016-06-20 .
^ Staff (2017-07-14). "Sage Northcutt vs. John Makdessi scratched from UFC 214; both fighters injured" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14 .
^ Nolan King (2017-10-11). "John Makdessi vs. Abel Trujillo in the works for UFC Winnipeg" . mma-today.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2017-10-11 .
^ "UFC on FOX 26 results: John Makdessi picks apart Abel Trujillo, cruises to decision win" . MMAjunkie . 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2017-12-17 .
^ Staff (2018-04-27). "UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2018-04-27 .
^ "UFC on FOX 30 results: John Makdessi tops Ross Pearson in bloody battle" . MMAjunkie . 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-07-29 .
^ a b "UFC on FOX 30 bonuses: Dustin Poirier, Jose Aldo among $50,000 winners in Calgary" . MMAjunkie . 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2018-07-29 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2018-10-04). "John Makdessi meets Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 231 in Toronto" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-04 .
^ "Jesse Ronson returns to the UFC, meets Diego Ferreira at UFC 231" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2018-11-28 .
^ The Canadian Press (2019-01-30). "John Makdessi to face Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Nashville" . tsn.ca. Retrieved 2019-01-30 .
^ "Canadian John Makdessi gets new opponent for UFC card in Nashville - Sportsnet.ca" . www.sportsnet.ca . Retrieved 2019-03-14 .
^ "UFC Nashville results: John Makdessi outpoints Jesus Pinedo in uninspiring affair" . MMA Junkie . 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2019-03-24 .
^ DNA, MMA (5 June 2019). "Devonte Smith treft John Makdessi tijdens UFC 241 in Anaheim" . Retrieved 2019-06-06 .
^ "John Makdessi out at UFC 241, promotion seeking replacement opponent for Devonte Smith" . MMA Junkie . 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2019-07-31 .
^ "Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi added to UFC Brasilia" . MMA Junkie . 2020-01-08. Retrieved 2020-01-08 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Uneventful Scrap Sees Francisco Trinaldo Win Decision Over John Makdessi" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-03-15 .
^ Staff (2021-01-22). "John Makdessi and Ignacio Bahamondes meet on April 10" . mmadna.nl . Retrieved 2021-01-22 . (in Dutch)
^ "UFC on ABC 2 weigh-in results: One fight scratched at scales" . MMA Junkie . 2021-04-09. Retrieved 2021-04-10 .
^ Anderson, Jay (10 April 2021). "UFC Vegas 23 Results: John Makdessi Gives Rude Welcome to Ignacio Bahamondes" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 10 April 2021 .
^ "UFC Paris | Alles wat je moet weten over UFC Fight Night Paris: Gane vs. Tuivasa" . Eurosport (in Dutch). 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-06-18 .
^ Law, Eddie (2022-09-03). "UFC Paris: Nasrat Haqparast Earns Unanimous Decision Over Makdessi" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ Desk, ITN News (2023-07-26). "Jamie Mullarkey vs John Makdessi Official for UFC 293 PPV - ITN WWE" . www.itnwwe.com . Retrieved 2023-08-18 .
^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-09-09). "UFC 293: Jamie Mullarkey Returns To Win Column, Tops John Makdessi" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-09-11 .
^ Riggs, Drake (2023-10-17). "Purge! UFC parts ways with seven fighters" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved 2023-10-18 .
^ "Global Fight League reveals massive list of signings, including 8 ex-UFC champs, for new team-based MMA organization" . Yahoo Sports . 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2024-12-12 .
^ Zane Simon (2015-04-25). "Gegard Mousasi taking John Makdessi and Fear the Fighter to court" . bloodyelbow.com.
^ Thomas Gerbasi (January 6, 2012). "Ten Best - 2011 Knockout of the Year" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^ Sherdog.com. "John" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2020-01-08 .
External links