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Tarec Saffiedine

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Tarec Saffiedine
Born (1986-09-06) September 6, 1986 (age 37)
Seinäjoki, Finland[1]
Other namesSponge
NationalityBelgian
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Middleweight
Reach70 in (180 cm)
Fighting out ofTemecula, California, U.S.
TeamTeam Quest
Rankbrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
black belt in Shihaishinkai
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins15
By knockout1
By submission5
By decision9
Losses3
By decision3
Amateur kickboxing record
Total14
Wins12
Losses1
Draws1
Other information
Websitehttp://www.facebook.com/tarecfighter
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tarec Robert Saffiedine (born September 6, 1986) is a Belgian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has also competed for DREAM, Shark Fights, Shooto, and Strikeforce. He was the last Strikeforce Welterweight Champion and has also competed as a Middleweight.

Background

Saffiedine was born to a Lebanese father, who emigrated to Finland to study as an ophthalmologist, and a Belgian mother. His father was a Taekwondo practitioner, and Saffiedine trained in judo, kung fu, karate and taekwondo in his youth. Saffiedine grew up in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels and also played basketball in his youth. Inspired by the Japanese comic book Tough, he 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.[2] He also has an amateur kickboxing record of 12-1-1[3] and later began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, and then wrestling when he emigrated to the United States.[4] 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.[5]

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.).[6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

He then faced grappler Brock Larson on 11 September 2010 at Shark Fights 13, on loan from Strikeforce.[9] 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.[10]

Saffiedine's next fight was against Tyron Woodley at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine.[11] He and Woodley squared off in the main event.[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Saffiedine was supposed to face Evangelista Santos at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson but the fight was cancelled.[13]

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.[14]

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.[15]

Saffiedine was expected to face former EliteXC Middleweight Champion Robbie Lawler on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[16] However, Saffiedine was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Siyar Bahadurzada.[17] Bahadurzada also suffered an injury and was then replaced by Bobby Voelker.[18]

Saffiedine was expected to face Jake Ellenberger on January 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 34.[19] However in late November, Ellenberger pulled out of the bout citing a hamstring injury and was replaced by Hyun Gyu Lim.[20] Saffiedine won via unanimous decision.[21] The win also earned Saffiedine his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[22]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

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

References

  1. ^ Team Quest Profile
  2. ^ Breakout Strikeforce star Tarec Saffiedine discusses big win, journey to big show
  3. ^ "Brock Larson vs. Tarec Saffiedine rounds out main card of stacked Shark Fights 13 event". fiveouncesofpain.com. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  4. ^ Tarec Saffiedine: "I'm prepared for everything in this fight"
  5. ^ Tarec Saffiedine – a ProMMAnow.com interview
  6. ^ Chris Nelson. "Paulo Filho No-Shows DREAM.12, Tarec Saffiedine Rumored to Replace".
  7. ^ Non, Sergio (27 February 2010). "Tarec Saffiedine cruises to Strikeforce decision over James Terry". USA Today.
  8. ^ Tarec Saffiedine Post Fight Interview
  9. ^ "Brock Larson vs. Tarec Saffiedine completes Shark Fights 13 pay-per-view lineup". mmajunkie.com. 25 August 2010.
  10. ^ Prangley Hands Jardine 5th Straight Loss
  11. ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/5-Fights-Official-for-Jan-7-Strikeforce-Challengers-28590
  12. ^ "Tyron Woodley vs. Tarec Saffiedine Heads Strikeforce Challengers 13". MMAWeekly.com. 6 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Update: Saffiedine-'Cyborg' Now Unlikely for 'Feijao vs. Henderson'". Sherdog.com. 3 February 2011.
  14. ^ Tarec Saffiedine Dethrones Nate Marquardt, Claims Welterweight Crown in Strikeforce Finale
  15. ^ UFC Reveals List of Strikeforce Fighters Making Jump to Octagon
  16. ^ Staff (11 April 2013). "Robbie Lawler vs. Tarec Saffiedine targeted for UFC on FOX 8 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  17. ^ Staff (4 June 2013). "Bahadurzada replaces injured Saffiedine, meets Lawler at UFC on FOX 8". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  18. ^ Staff (11 July 2013). "Siyar Bahardurzada out at UFC on FOX 8, Bobby Voelker faces Robbie Lawler". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  19. ^ Staff (12 October 2013). "Jake Ellenberger-Tarec Saffiedine targeted for UFC's January debut in Singapore". MMAjunkie.com.com. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  20. ^ Dave Doyle (30 November 2013). "Jake Ellenberger reveals hamstring injury forced him out of UFC Fight Night 34". MMAjfighting.com. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  21. ^ Dann Stupp. "UFC Fight Night 34 results: Tarec Saffiedine chops down Hyun Gyu Lim". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  22. ^ Matt Erickson and John Morgan. "UFC Fight Night 34 bonuses: Saffiedine, Lim, Holloway, Doane earn $50,000". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

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

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