Garreth McLellan (born 9 January 1982) is a South African professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Middleweight division of the EFC. A professional since 2009, he was one of the first South African MMA fighters to compete in the UFC.

Garreth McLellan
Born (1982-01-09) 9 January 1982 (age 42)
Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa
Other namesSoldier Boy
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofJohannesburg, South Africa
TeamUltimate MMA Fitness
FightFitMilitia
RankBlack belt in Karate[2]
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins13
By knockout3
By submission9
By decision1
Losses7
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Born and raised in South Africa, McLellan began training in karate at the age of nine and also played rugby union. At the age of 19, McLellan was playing flanker for the Crusaders Rugby Club in Durban when he was offered a contract to compete for the Natal Sharks. Working with Jason Vorster, the team's fitness coach and an MMA trainer, McLellan would eventually make the transition to mixed martial arts. In karate, McLellan was a national champion and also won a national title in grappling.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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McLellan compiled an amateur record of 10–0 before making his professional debut in 2009, competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native South Africa, and was a two-time EFC AFRICA champion. He compiled a professional record of 12–2, before signing with the UFC in December 2014.[4]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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McLellan made his promotional debut against Bartosz Fabiński on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[5]

McLellan faced Bubba Bush on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76.[6] He won the fight via TKO in the closing seconds of the third round.[7]

McLellan next faced Magnus Cedenblad on 8 May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87.[8] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[9]

McLellan was defeated by Alessio Di Chirico on 27 August 2016 at UFC on Fox 21.[10] He lost the fight via split decision.[11]

McLellan faced promotional newcomer Paulo Costa on 11 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106.[12] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[13]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
20 matches 13 wins 7 losses
By knockout 3 4
By submission 9 1
By decision 1 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 13–7 Brendan Lesar KO (punch) EFC Africa 80 29 June 2019 1 3:06 Sibaya, South Africa For the interim EFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss 13–6 Paulo Costa TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum 11 March 2017 1 1:17 Fortaleza, Brazil
Loss 13–5 Alessio Di Chirico Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit 27 August 2016 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 13–4 Magnus Cedenblad TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski 8 May 2016 2 0:47 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 13–3 Bubba Bush TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka 24 October 2015 3 4:58 Dublin, Ireland
Loss 12–3 Bartosz Fabiński Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 11 April 2015 3 5:00 Kraków, Poland
Win 12–2 Dricus du Plessis Submission (guillotine choke) EFC Africa 33 30 August 2014 3 1:44 Durban, South Africa Defended the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 11–2 J.P. Kruger Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC Africa 28 27 March 2014 1 3:05 Gauteng, South Africa Defended the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 10–2 Jeremy Smith Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC Africa 24 10 October 2013 1 N/A Gauteng, South Africa Won the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 9–2 Tumelo Muphutha Decision (split) EFC Africa 20 27 June 2013 3 5:00 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 8–2 Armand de Bruyn Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC Africa 15 27 July 2012 1 1:22 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 7–2 Danie van Heerden Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC Africa 14 1 June 2012 2 3:08 Gauteng, South Africa
Loss 6–2 Jeremy Smith Submission (guillotine choke) EFC Africa 12 2 March 2012 4 0:56 Gauteng, South Africa Lost the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 6–1 Jacques Joubert Submission (guillotine choke) EFC Africa 8 14 April 2011 4 3:14 Gauteng, South Africa Won the inaugural EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Wade Henderson Submission (rear-naked choke) EFC Africa 5 21 October 2010 2 3:38 Gauteng, South Africa
Win 4–1 Warren Allison Submission (armbar) EFC Africa 3 8 May 2010 1 N/A Gauteng, South Africa
Win 3–1 Juan Lubbe KO (punches) EFC Africa 2 10 March 2010 1 N/A Gauteng, South Africa
Win 2–1 Barry Britz TKO (punches) EFC Africa 1 12 November 2009 1 N/A Gauteng, South Africa
Loss 1–1 Wade Henderson TKO (punches) Fight Force 1 26 July 2009 1 N/A Gauteng, South Africa
Win 1–0 J.P. Kruger Submission (armbar) XFC Africa: Fight Club 30 May 2009 1 1:20 Gauteng, South Africa

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Garreth McLellan – Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b Alison De Villiers (13 December 2014). "'Soldier Boy' McLellan is on his way to UFC". IOL.
  3. ^ "Garreth McLellan – Official UFC® Fighter Profile". Ufc.com. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  4. ^ Zane Simon (10 December 2014). "Welcome to the UFC, Garreth McLellan". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  5. ^ Matt Erickson (11 April 2014). "UFC Fight Night 64 results: Bartosz Fabinski overpowers, dominates Garreth McLellan". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  6. ^ Staff (10 August 2015). "Garreth McLellan vs. Bubba Bush booked for UFC Fight Night 76 in Ireland". themmareport.com. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  7. ^ Steve Marrocco (24 October 2015). "UFC Fight Night 76 results: Garreth McLellan stops Bubba Bush with two seconds left". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  8. ^ Tristen Critchfield (26 February 2016). "Rashid Magomedov-Chris Wade, 2 other bouts set for UFC Fight Night Rotterdam". sherdog.com. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  9. ^ Steven Marrocco (8 May 2016). "UFC Fight Night 87 results: Magnus Cedenblad takes out Garreth McLellan in second". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  10. ^ Staff (15 June 2016). "Garreth McLellan vs. Alessio Di Chirico added to August's UFC on FOX 21 card in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  11. ^ Brent Brookhouse (27 August 2016). "UFC on FOX 21 results: Alessio Di Chirico takes bloody split decision over Garreth McLellan". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  12. ^ Staff (20 January 2017). "Garreth McLellan quickly replaces Alex Nicholson at UFC Fight Night 106". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  13. ^ Ben Fowlkes (11 March 2017). "UFC Fight Night 106 results: Paulo Borrachinha thrashes Garreth McLellan for 77-second debut TKO". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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