John Makdessi Explained

John Makdessi
Other Names:The Bull
Website:www.johnmakdessi.com
Birth Date:1985 5, mf=yes
Birth Place:Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Residence:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height:[1]
Weight:155lb
Weight Class:Lightweight
Reach:68 in
Fighting Out Of:Laval, Quebec, Canada
Team:Roufusport (2018–)[2]
Tristar Gym
Team Bull
Thai long Muay Thai
Rank:Black belt in Shotokan Karate[3]
Years Active:2008–present
Mma Kowin:9
Mma Decwin:9
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:6
Sherdog:37402

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.

Background

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. 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, Makdessi began training in mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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

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

Mixed martial arts

Fear the Fighter sponsorship controversy

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

|-|Loss|align=center|18–9|Jamie Mullarkey|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 293||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sydney, Australia||-|Loss|align=center|18–8|Nasrat Haqparast|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Paris, France||-|Win|align=center|18–7|Ignacio Bahamondes|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|17–7|Francisco Trinaldo|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Brasília, Brazil||-|Win|align=center|17–6|Jesus Pinedo|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Nashville, Tennessee, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–6|Ross Pearson|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Calgary, Alberta, Canada||- |Win|align=center|15–6|Abel Trujillo|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada||-|Loss|align=center|14–6|Lando Vannata|KO (wheel kick)|UFC 206||align=center|1|align=center|1:40|Toronto, Ontario, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|14–5|Mehdi Baghdad|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|13–5|Yancy Medeiros|Decision (split)|UFC 194||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-|Loss|align=center|13–4|Donald Cerrone|TKO (head kick)|UFC 187||align=center|2|align=center|4:44|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center| 13–3|Shane Campbell|TKO (punches)|UFC 186||align=center|1|align=center|4:53|Montreal, Quebec, Canada||-|Loss|align=center|12–3|Alan Patrick|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 169||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Newark, New Jersey, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–2|Renée Forte|KO (punches)|UFC 165||align=center|1|align=center|2:01|Toronto, Ontario, Canada||-|Win|align=center|11–2|Daron Cruickshank|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 158||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Montreal, Quebec, Canada||-|Win|align=center|10–2|Sam Stout|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 154||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Montreal, Quebec, Canada||-|Loss|align=center|9–2|Anthony Njokuani|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 145||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Atlanta, Georgia, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–1|Dennis Hallman|Submission (rear-naked choke)|UFC 140||align=center|1|align=center|2:58|Toronto, Ontario, Canada||-|Win|align=center| 9–0|Kyle Watson|KO (spinning back fist)|UFC 129||align=center|3|align=center|1:27|Toronto, Ontario, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|8–0|Pat Audinwood|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 124||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Montreal, Quebec, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|7–0|Bendy Casimir|Decision (unanimous)|Mixed Fight League 3||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Montreal, Quebec, Canada||-|Win|align=center|6–0|Lindsey Hawkes|TKO (punches)|Canadian Fighting Championship 4||align=center|2|align=center|4:59|Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|5–0|Brandon McArthur|TKO (doctor stoppage)|Ringside MMA: Rivalry||align=center|1|align=center|5:00|Drummondville, Quebec, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|4–0|Iraj Hadin|TKO (punches)|Ringside MMA: Rage Fighting||align=center| 2|align=center| 4:48|Montreal, Quebec, Canada| |-|Win|align=center| 3–0|Amir Uddin|TKO (punches)|XMMA 7: Inferno||align=center|2|align=center|3:06|Montreal, Quebec, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|2–0|Dan Dechaine|TKO (punches)|XMMA 6: House of Pain||align=center|1|align=center|1:48|Montreal, Quebec, Canada| |-|Win|align=center|1–0|Todd Westcott|TKO (punches)|XMMA 5: It's Crow Time||align=center|1|align=center|3:06|Montreal, Quebec, Canada| [57]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fight Card - UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier. UFC.com. May 31, 2015.
  2. Web site: A new coach and a little maturity went a long way for John Makdessi at UFC on FOX 30. July 29, 2018. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes.
  3. News: John Makdessi - Express Yourself. UFC.com. Thomas Gerbasi. December 8, 2010.
  4. http://www.cagepotato.com/exclusive-interview-john-makdessi-wants-jaws-to-drop-when-he-fights-and-isnt-happy-with-decisions/ Cage Potato Interview: John Makdessi Wants Jaws to Drop When He Fights
  5. Web site: Undefeated John Makdessi octagon-bound, meets Pat Audinwood at UFC 124. mmajunkie.com. 2010-10-14. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121023013432/http://mmajunkie.com/news/21018/undefeated-john-makdessi-octagon-bound-meets-pat-audinwood-at-ufc-124.mma. 2012-10-23.
  6. Web site: MacDonald-Wilks, Brookins-Makdessi added to UFC 129 in Toronto. bloodyelbow.com. January 4, 2010.
  7. Web site: John Makdessi meets Kyle Watson, not Jonathan Brookins, at UFC 129 . mmajunkie.com . January 11, 2011 . 2011-01-11 . https://archive.today/20120716184832/http://mmajunkie.com/news/22055/john-makdessi-meets-kyle-watson-not-jonathan-brookins-at-ufc-129.mma . 2012-07-16 . dead .
  8. Web site: John Makdessi vs. Paul Taylor In The Works for UFC on Versus 5 . mmafrenzy.com. June 3, 2011.
  9. Web site: John Makdessi injured, forced out of UFC on Versus 5 bout with Paul Taylor. mmajunkie.com. June 25, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223846/http://mmajunkie.com/news/24135/john-makdessi-injured-forced-out-of-ufc-on-versus-5-bout-with-paul-taylor.mma. June 28, 2011.
  10. Web site: Dennis Hallman and John Makdessi agree to UFC 140 matchup in Toronto. MMAJunkie.com. 2011-09-09. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110930100545/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25155/dennis-hallman-and-john-makdessi-agree-to-ufc-140-matchup-in-toronto.mma. 2011-09-30.
  11. Web site: UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta . mmajunkie.com . January 20, 2012 .
  12. Web site: UFC UFC 145 results: Anthony Njokuani tops John Makdessi via unanimous decision. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2012-04-21. 2012-04-21.
  13. Web site: John Makdessi vs. Sam Stout added to UFC 154. mmajunkie.com. September 7, 2012. Staff. 2012-09-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20120910235051/http://mmajunkie.com/news/30549/john-makdessi-vs-sam-stout-added-to-ufc-154.mma. 2012-09-10. dead.
  14. Web site: Makdessi Set To Face Cruickshank At UFC 158. topmmanews.com. January 5, 2013.
  15. Web site: UFC 162 adds lightweights Edson Barboza vs. John Makdessi. mmajunkie.com. Staff . April 12, 2013. April 12, 2013.
  16. Web site: Edson Barboza faces Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 162 following John Makdessi injury . mmafighting.com. Ariel Helwani . 2013-05-30. 2013-05-30.
  17. Web site: John Makdessi vs. Renee Forte added to UFC 165 in Toronto . mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2013-07-23. 2013-07-23.
  18. Web site: John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick added to UFC 169. mmafighting.com. Guilherme Cruz. 2013-12-10. 2013-12-10.
  19. Web site: UFC 169 results, photos: Alan Patrick outguns John Makdessi for decision win. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2014-02-01. 2014-02-01.
  20. Web site: Abel Trujillo meets John Makdessi at UFC 186 in Montreal. cagepages.com. Sean Bio. 2015-02-05. 2015-02-05.
  21. Web site: Shane Campbell replaces injured Abel Trujillo against John Makdessi at UFC 186. mmajunkie.com. Mike Bohn and John Morgan. 2015-04-01.
  22. Web site: UFC 186 results: John Makdessi eats some kicks, then brutalizes Shane Campbell. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2015-04-25. 2015-04-25.
  23. Web site: Fresh off TKO win, John Makdessi gets call to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Donald Cerrone. mmafighting.com. Marc Raimondi. 2015-04-30.
  24. Web site: UFC 187 results: Donald Cerrone finishes John Makdessi with head kick. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2015-04-30. 2015-05-23.
  25. Web site: John Makdessi undergoes successful jaw surgery. mmafighting.com. Ariel Helwani. 2015-05-25. 2015-05-25.
  26. Web site: John Makdessi meets Yancy Medeiros at UFC 194. mmafighting.com. Marc Raimondi. 2015-11-24. 2015-11-24.
  27. Web site: UFC 194 results: Yancy Medeiros edges disappointed John Makdessi with split call. mmajunkie.com . Ben Fowlkes. 2015-12-12. 2015-12-12.
  28. News: Mehdi Baghdad vs. John Makdessi moves from UFC 199 in June to UFC Fight Night 90 in July. mmajunkie.com. Mike Bohn. 2016-04-28. 2016-04-28.
  29. Web site: UFC Fight Night 90 results: John Makdessi gets past Mehdi Baghdad with narrow split-decision win. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2016-07-07. 2016-07-07.
  30. Web site: Light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier defends title at UFC 206 in Toronto vs. Anthony Johnson. mmajunkie.com . Staff. 2016-10-05. 2015-10-05.
  31. Web site: UFC 206 results: Lando Vannata scores sensational knockout of John Makdessi. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2016-12-10. 2016-12-10.
  32. Web site: Montreal's John Makdessi to take on Sage Northcutt at UFC 214. Associated Press. sportsnet.ca. 2017-06-20. 2016-06-20.
  33. Web site: Sage Northcutt vs. John Makdessi scratched from UFC 214; both fighters injured. Staff. mmajunkie.com. 2017-07-14. 2016-07-14.
  34. News: John Makdessi vs. Abel Trujillo in the works for UFC Winnipeg. mma-today.com. Nolan King. 2017-10-11. 2017-10-11. 2017-10-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20171012202027/https://mma-today.com/exclusive-john-makdessi-vs-abel-trujillo-works-ufc-winnipeg. dead.
  35. News: UFC on FOX 26 results: John Makdessi picks apart Abel Trujillo, cruises to decision win. 2017-12-16. MMAjunkie. 2017-12-17. en-US.
  36. News: UFC on FOX 30 official for Calgary, eight fights added to lineup. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-04-27. 2018-04-27.
  37. News: UFC on FOX 30 results: John Makdessi tops Ross Pearson in bloody battle. 2018-07-28. MMAjunkie. 2018-07-29. en-US.
  38. News: UFC on FOX 30 bonuses: Dustin Poirier, Jose Aldo among $50,000 winners in Calgary. 2018-07-29. MMAjunkie. 2018-07-29. en-US.
  39. Web site: John Makdessi meets Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 231 in Toronto. mmadna.nl. Marcel Dorff. 2018-10-04. 2018-10-04. nl.
  40. News: Jesse Ronson returns to the UFC, meets Diego Ferreira at UFC 231. MMA Fighting. 2018-11-28.
  41. News: John Makdessi to face Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Nashville. 2019-01-30. tsn.ca. The Canadian Press. 2019-01-30.
  42. Web site: Canadian John Makdessi gets new opponent for UFC card in Nashville - Sportsnet.ca. www.sportsnet.ca. 2019-03-14.
  43. Web site: UFC Nashville results: John Makdessi outpoints Jesus Pinedo in uninspiring affair. 2019-03-24. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-03-24.
  44. Web site: Devonte Smith treft John Makdessi tijdens UFC 241 in Anaheim. DNA. MMA. 5 June 2019 . en-US. 2019-06-06.
  45. Web site: John Makdessi out at UFC 241, promotion seeking replacement opponent for Devonte Smith. 2019-07-30. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-07-31.
  46. Web site: Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi added to UFC Brasilia. 2020-01-08. MMA Junkie. en. 2020-01-08.
  47. Web site: UFC Brasilia Results: Uneventful Scrap Sees Francisco Trinaldo Win Decision Over John Makdessi. Anderson. Jay. 2020-03-14. Cageside Press. en-US. 2020-03-15.
  48. Web site: John Makdessi and Ignacio Bahamondes meet on April 10. mmadna.nl. Staff. 2021-01-22. 2021-01-22.
  49. Web site: 2021-04-09. UFC on ABC 2 weigh-in results: One fight scratched at scales. 2021-04-10. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  50. Web site: Anderson. Jay. UFC Vegas 23 Results: John Makdessi Gives Rude Welcome to Ignacio Bahamondes. Cageside Press. 10 April 2021. 10 April 2021.
  51. Web site: 2022-04-30 . UFC Paris Alles wat je moet weten over UFC Fight Night Paris: Gane vs. Tuivasa . 2022-06-18 . Eurosport . nl.
  52. Web site: Law . Eddie . 2022-09-03 . UFC Paris: Nasrat Haqparast Earns Unanimous Decision Over Makdessi . 2022-09-03 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  53. Web site: Desk . ITN News . 2023-07-26 . Jamie Mullarkey vs John Makdessi Official for UFC 293 PPV - ITN WWE . 2023-08-18 . www.itnwwe.com . en-US.
  54. Web site: Theodosi . Jamie . 2023-09-09 . UFC 293: Jamie Mullarkey Returns To Win Column, Tops John Makdessi . 2023-09-11 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  55. Web site: Riggs . Drake . 2023-10-17 . Purge! UFC parts ways with seven fighters . 2023-10-18 . MMAmania.com . en.
  56. Web site: Gegard Mousasi taking John Makdessi and Fear the Fighter to court. bloodyelbow.com. Zane Simon. 2015-04-25.
  57. Web site: John. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2020-01-08.

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