Reza Madadi (, (born June 20, 1978) is a retired Iranian-Swedish mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division. A professional mixed martial artist from 2006 to 2019, Madadi is best known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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.
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, later that year he took a very impressive decision victory against former WEC- and future Strikeforce and UFC fighter Carlo Prater.
He became the Superior Challenge Lightweight Champion in 2011, after defeating former UFC fighter Rich Clementi via unanimous decision at Superior Challenge 7.
He was expected to challenge for the title in British top promotion Cage Warriors, against the champion Matt Veach on June 16, 2011. However, just a few days before the fight Veach had to withdraw due to an injury and Madadi was scrapped from the card.
Madadi's success on the European circuit, 11-2 (6 submissions, 2 TKO's), led to him being considered as one of the best European lightweight prospects.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In November, 2011 it was reported that Madadi had signed with the UFC.
He was expected to make his promotional debut against Rafaello Oliveira on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1. However, Oliveira was forced out of a bout with an injury and replaced by Fabrício Camões Madadi himself would later withdraw from the bout due to injury as well and was replaced by promotional newcomer Tommy Hayden.
In his eventual debut, Madadi faced fellow promotional newcomer Yoislandy Izquierdo on April 14, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 2. After being stunned in the first round, Madadi defeated Izquierdo by submission due to a guillotine choke in the second round.
In his next fight for the UFC, Madadi faced Cristiano Marcello on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153. He lost via a controversial split decision. The decision was controversial since most major MMA media outlets scored the bout for Madadi.
Madadi faced Michael Johnson on April 6, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 9. 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. The win also garnered Madadi his first Submission of the Night bonus award.
Madadi was expected to fight Michael Chiesa on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8. However, on May 14, 2013, it was announced Madadi pulled out of the bout citing alleged visa issues and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal.
Following Madadi's conviction on burglary charges, the UFC officially released Madadi from the promotion.
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.
He was set to return to the cage on May 3, 2014 at Superior Challenge 10, his opponent was yet to be announced. 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. However, Madadi later had to withdraw due to an injury and was replaced by Juha-Pekka Vainikainen.
UFC return
On June 10, 2015 it was announced by Madadi and his management that he was back in the UFC.
Madadi faced Norman Parke on October 24, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
He fought Yan Cabral on May 8, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87. Madadi won the fight by TKO after connecting with an uppercut and follow up punches in round 3.