Hunter Azure Explained

Hunter Azure
Birth Name:Hunter Dean Azure
Birth Date:2 March 1992
Birth Place:Poplar, Montana, United States
Weight Lb:135
Weight Class:Bantamweight
Reach:NaNinches
Leg Reach:38.5inches
Fighting Out Of:Phoenix, Arizona[1]
Team:Fight Ready[2]
Wrestling:NAIA Wrestling[3]
Years Active:2017–present
Mma Kowin:4
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Decwin:6
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:1
Sherdog:251727

Hunter Dean Azure (born March 2, 1992)[4] is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background

Azure was born on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana, and went on to attend Poplar High School, where he was a four-time Class-B MHSA state champion as a wrestler. He then wrestled at the Montana State University–Northern, where he earned a degree in industrial technology.[5] [6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Azure spent most of his early career in regional Western American promotions, most notably fighting in the Legacy Fighting Alliance. During this time he compiled an undefeated 6–0 record.[7]

Dana White's Contender Series

He was eventually invited to the Dana White's Contender Series 19. On July 9, 2019, he faced fellow undefeated prospect Chris Ocon, defeating him via unanimous decision and in the process gaining a UFC contract.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Azure made his promotional debut against The Ultimate Fighter 27 Featherweight Tournament winner Brad Katona on September 14, 2019, at .[9] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[10]

Azure was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249.[11] However, the event was then postponed.[12]

Azure faced Brian Kelleher on May 13, 2020, at .[13] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[14] This bout earned both participants the Fight of the Night award.[15]

Azure faced Cole Smith on September 5, 2020, at .[16] He won by unanimous decision.[17]

Azure faced Jack Shore on April 10, 2021, at .[18] He lost the bout via split decision.[19]

On March 1, 2022, it was announced that Azure was released from UFC.[20]

Post UFC

Azure made his first appearance post release at iKON FC 2 on March 18, 2022, against Keith Richardson. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the second round.[21]

Azure faced Ben Hollier at Fusion Fight League: Boise on October 15, 2022, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[22]

Azure next faced Amun Cosme at United Fight League 4 for the vacant UFL Bantamweight title on April 17, 2024. He would win the fight via second round technical knockout.[23]

Azure would make his first defence of the UFL Bantamweight title against fellow UFC veteran Vince Morales at United Fight League 5 on August 30, 2024. [24] He would lose the fight via submission in the third round succumbing to a Peruvian necktie. [25]

The Ultimate Fighter 31

In mid March 2023, it was announced that Azure would be competing in the thirty-first season of The Ultimate Fighter.[26]

In the quarterfinal Azure faced Rico DiSciullo. after a strong performance in the first round, he lost the fight in the second round by knock out.[27]

Personal life

Hunter and his fiancée Sage have a son, Wilder (born 2020). He is the son of Howard and Deb Azure and has three siblings: Dustyn, Autumn, and Ashley. He is a native American, being an enrolled member of the Assiniboine and Sioux people on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.[28] [29]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|11–4|Vince Morales|Submission (Peruvian necktie)|United Fight League 5||align=center|3|align=center|4:06|Chandler, Arizona, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–3|Amun Cosme|TKO (punch)|United Fight League 4||align=center|2|align=center|2:42|Chandler, Arizona, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–3|Ben Hollier|Decision (unanimous)|Fusion Fight League: Boise||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Boise, Idaho, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–3|Keith Richardson|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Jorge Masvidal's iKon FC 2||align=center|2|align=center|2:05|Miami, Florida, United States||-| Loss| align=center|9–2|Jack Shore|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center|9–1| Cole Smith| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 8–1| Brian Kelleher|KO (punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|3:40|Jacksonville, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center| 8–0| Brad Katona| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada| |-| Win| align=center| 7–0| Chris Ocon| Decision (unanimous)| Dana White's Contender Series 19| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 6–0| LJ Schulz| Decision (unanimous)| LFA 66| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| West Valley City, Utah, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 5–0| Jaime Hernandez| TKO (kick to the body and punches)| LFA 59| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:15| Phoenix, Arizona, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 4–0| A.J. Robb| Decision (unanimous)| LFA 53| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Phoenix, Arizona, United States||-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Cameron Thurgood| TKO (punches)| Golden Fights: Cage Wars 33| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:01| Grand Junction, Colorado, United States||-| Win| align=center|2–0| Joshua Sandvig| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Fusion Fight League: Lights Out at the Dome 2| | align=center|2| align=center|4:49| Havre, Montana, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Jon Lorens| TKO (punches)| Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 29| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:08| Ogden, Utah, United States||-[7]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|Loss|align=center|0–1|Rico DiSciullo|TKO (punches)||| (airdate)|align=center|2|align=center|1:07|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'No better feeling': Poplar's Hunter Azure takes week to enjoy UFC win. Victor. Flores. September 17, 2019. August 5, 2020. 406 MT Sports.
  2. Web site: Hunter Azure Settling Into Fatherhood And Preparing to Fight. April 19, 2020. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Thomas Gerbasi.
  3. Web site: Poplar graduate Hunter Azure earns UFC contract. 2020-09-17. 406 MT SPORTS. July 9, 2019 . en.
  4. http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2020_Results/09-05-20MMA.pdf Mixed martial arts show results Date: September 5, 2020
  5. Web site: Poplar graduate Hunter Azure earns UFC contract. 2020-09-17. 406 MT SPORTS. July 9, 2019 . en.
  6. Web site: Associated Press. Poplar's Azure to wrestle at Northern. 2020-09-17. missoulian.com. May 21, 2010 . en.
  7. Web site: Hunter Azure. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2020-08-31.
  8. Web site: Hunter Azure not happy with performance despite earning UFC deal at DWCS 19. 2019-07-09. MMA Junkie. en. 2020-09-05.
  9. Web site: Brad Katona to Fight Hunter Azure at UFC Vancouver. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2019-10-11.
  10. Web site: Hunter Azure def. Brad Katona at UFC on ESPN+ 16: Best photos. 2019-09-14. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-10-11.
  11. Web site: 2020-02-28. Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Hunter Azure joins UFC 249 lineup in Brooklyn. 2020-09-17. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  12. Web site: 406mtsports.com. Second UFC fight for Poplar native Hunter Azure postponed. 2020-09-17. 406 MT SPORTS. April 9, 2020 . en.
  13. Web site: Dana White announces full list of UFC matchups for May 13, May 16 events in Florida. 2020-05-01. MMA Junkie. en. 2020-05-02.
  14. Web site: UFC Jacksonville Results: Brian Kelleher Weathers the Storm to KO Azure. McClory. Mike. 2020-05-13. Cageside Press. en-US. 2020-05-14.
  15. Web site: Sherdog.com. UFC Fight Night 171 Bonuses: Teixeira, Dober, Kelleher, Azure Pocket $50K Awards. 2020-09-17. Sherdog.
  16. Web site: Cole Smith vs. Hunter Azure Added to September 5 UFC Event. McClory. Mike. 2019-08-07. MMAsucka. en-US. 2019-09-05.
  17. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2020-09-05. UFC Vegas 9 Results: Hunter Azure Survives, Defeats Cole Smith. 2020-09-05. Cageside Press. en-US.
  18. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-02-13. Jack Shore treft Hunter Azure tijdens UFC evenement op 10 april. 2021-02-14. MMA DNA. en-US.
  19. Web site: Doherty. Dan. UFC Vegas 23 Results: Jack Shore Wins Gritty Debut Over Hunter Azure. Cageside Press. 10 April 2021. 10 April 2021.
  20. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-02-28 . Fabio Cherant, Hunter Azure Latest Fighters to Exit UFC . 2022-03-01 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  21. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-03-18 . iKON FC 2: Highbaugh vs. Dumas Full Results . 2022-03-19 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  22. Web site: Ben Hollier vs. Hunter Azure, Fusion Fight League MMA Bout . 2022-12-26 . Tapology . en.
  23. Web site: Poplar's Hunter Azure scores KO for United Fight League bantamweight belt . April 30, 2024 .
  24. https://mmauk.net/2024/08/30/ufl-5-weigh-in-results/
  25. https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/30/ufl-5-results/
  26. Web site: Heck . Mike . 2023-03-05 . Full TUF 31 cast revealed, featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler as coaches . 2023-03-26 . MMA Fighting . en.
  27. Web site: 'The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,' Episode 8 recap: Did Conor McGregor avoid clean sweep?. mmajunkie.usatoday.com . July 19, 2023 . en.
  28. Web site: Hunter Azure (Assinniboine/Sioux) set to fight in LFA Bantam Weight Fight in Phoenix on Nov 9th. ndvsports.com. November 8, 2018. September 5, 2020.
  29. Web site: Poplar's Hunter Azure seeking UFC opportunity on Dana White's Contender Series. montanasports.com. Jul 5, 2019. September 5, 2020. Tom. Wylie.

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