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.

John Makdessi
Born (1985-05-03) May 3, 1985 (age 39)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Other namesThe Bull
ResidenceMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach68 in (173 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofLaval, Quebec, Canada
TeamRoufusport (2018–)[2]
Tristar Gym
Team Bull
Thai long Muay Thai
RankBlack belt in Shotokan Karate[3]
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins18
By knockout9
By decision9
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision6
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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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

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Early career

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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

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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]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Fear the Fighter sponsorship controversy

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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.[56]

Mixed martial arts record

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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

[57]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Fight Card - UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier". UFC.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c Thomas Gerbasi (December 8, 2010). "John Makdessi - Express Yourself". UFC.com.
  4. ^ Cage Potato Interview: John Makdessi Wants Jaws to Drop When He Fights
  5. ^ "Undefeated John Makdessi octagon-bound, meets Pat Audinwood at UFC 124". mmajunkie.com. 2010-10-14. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23.
  6. ^ "MacDonald-Wilks, Brookins-Makdessi added to UFC 129 in Toronto". bloodyelbow.com. January 4, 2010.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "John Makdessi vs. Paul Taylor In The Works for UFC on Versus 5". mmafrenzy.com. June 3, 2011.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta". mmajunkie.com. January 20, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ Staff (2012-04-21). "UFC UFC 145 results: Anthony Njokuani tops John Makdessi via unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Makdessi Set To Face Cruickshank At UFC 158". topmmanews.com. January 5, 2013.
  15. ^ Staff (April 12, 2013). "UFC 162 adds lightweights Edson Barboza vs. John Makdessi". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  16. ^ Ariel Helwani (2013-05-30). "Edson Barboza faces Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 162 following John Makdessi injury". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  17. ^ Staff (2013-07-23). "John Makdessi vs. Renee Forte added to UFC 165 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  18. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2013-12-10). "John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick added to UFC 169". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  19. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2014-02-01). "UFC 169 results, photos: Alan Patrick outguns John Makdessi for decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  20. ^ Sean Bio (2015-02-05). "Abel Trujillo meets John Makdessi at UFC 186 in Montreal". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  21. ^ Mike Bohn and John Morgan (2015-04-01). "Shane Campbell replaces injured Abel Trujillo against John Makdessi at UFC 186". mmajunkie.com.
  22. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-04-25). "UFC 186 results: John Makdessi eats some kicks, then brutalizes Shane Campbell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  23. ^ Marc Raimondi (2015-04-30). "Fresh off TKO win, John Makdessi gets call to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Donald Cerrone". mmafighting.com.
  24. ^ Dave Doyle (2015-04-30). "UFC 187 results: Donald Cerrone finishes John Makdessi with head kick". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-05-23.
  25. ^ Ariel Helwani (2015-05-25). "John Makdessi undergoes successful jaw surgery". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
  26. ^ Marc Raimondi (2015-11-24). "John Makdessi meets Yancy Medeiros at UFC 194". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  27. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-12-12). "UFC 194 results: Yancy Medeiros edges disappointed John Makdessi with split call". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Dave Doyle (2016-12-10). "UFC 206 results: Lando Vannata scores sensational knockout of John Makdessi". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  32. ^ "Montreal's John Makdessi to take on Sage Northcutt at UFC 214". sportsnet.ca. Associated Press. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  33. ^ Staff (2017-07-14). "Sage Northcutt vs. John Makdessi scratched from UFC 214; both fighters injured". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ "UFC on FOX 26 results: John Makdessi picks apart Abel Trujillo, cruises to decision win". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  36. ^ Staff (2018-04-27). "UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
  37. ^ "UFC on FOX 30 results: John Makdessi tops Ross Pearson in bloody battle". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ Marcel Dorff (2018-10-04). "John Makdessi meets Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 231 in Toronto" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  40. ^ "Jesse Ronson returns to the UFC, meets Diego Ferreira at UFC 231". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  41. ^ The Canadian Press (2019-01-30). "John Makdessi to face Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Nashville". tsn.ca. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  42. ^ "Canadian John Makdessi gets new opponent for UFC card in Nashville - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
  43. ^ "UFC Nashville results: John Makdessi outpoints Jesus Pinedo in uninspiring affair". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
  44. ^ DNA, MMA (5 June 2019). "Devonte Smith treft John Makdessi tijdens UFC 241 in Anaheim". Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  45. ^ "John Makdessi out at UFC 241, promotion seeking replacement opponent for Devonte Smith". MMA Junkie. 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  46. ^ "Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi added to UFC Brasilia". MMA Junkie. 2020-01-08. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  47. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Uneventful Scrap Sees Francisco Trinaldo Win Decision Over John Makdessi". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  48. ^ Staff (2021-01-22). "John Makdessi and Ignacio Bahamondes meet on April 10". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2021-01-22. (in Dutch)
  49. ^ "UFC on ABC 2 weigh-in results: One fight scratched at scales". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-09. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  50. ^ Anderson, Jay (10 April 2021). "UFC Vegas 23 Results: John Makdessi Gives Rude Welcome to Ignacio Bahamondes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  51. ^ "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.
  52. ^ Law, Eddie (2022-09-03). "UFC Paris: Nasrat Haqparast Earns Unanimous Decision Over Makdessi". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  53. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  54. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-09-09). "UFC 293: Jamie Mullarkey Returns To Win Column, Tops John Makdessi". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  55. ^ Riggs, Drake (2023-10-17). "Purge! UFC parts ways with seven fighters". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  56. ^ Zane Simon (2015-04-25). "Gegard Mousasi taking John Makdessi and Fear the Fighter to court". bloodyelbow.com.
  57. ^ Sherdog.com. "John". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
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