Mac Danzig

Mac Danzig
Born Mac Danzig
(1980-01-02) January 2, 1980
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach 70.0 in (178 cm)
Fighting out of Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active 2001-2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total 34
Wins 21
By knockout 5
By submission 10
By decision 6
Losses 12
By knockout 2
By submission 2
By decision 8
Draws 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mac Danzig (born January 2, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist, who competed as a lightweight in several MMA promotions, most notably the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Danzig, of German and Scots-Irish descent, grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his career.

MMA career

In the past, Danzig was known for his association with R1 fight team (formerly RAW) and had been a student of Iowa wrestling standout Rico Chiapparelli and MMA fighter Frank Trigg. Since then he trained boxing extensively at both the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, California under Freddie Roach assistant Justin Fortune, and more recently under Gil Martinez in Las Vegas, Nevada. Danzig credits Martinez as his only current boxing coach.

While Danzig is known as an impressive grappler, having scored 12 of his victories by submission; he has proven himself to be an adept striker, most notably with his KO victory over Joe Stevenson and his TKO victory over former lightweight champion Takumi Nakayama.

After defeating Royce Gracie black belt Buddy Clinton on August 4, 2006, Danzig increased his winning streak to 12 in a row with a unanimous decision victory over Miletich fighter John Mahlow on September 29 in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

Danzig then lost his KOTC title to Clay French on January 19, 2007 by split decision.

In his first major fight, facing Hayato Sakurai at PRIDE 33 on February 24, Danzig lost the fight by KO (punch) at the 4:01 mark of round two.

The Ultimate Fighter

Mac was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 6, Danzig defeated Joe Scarola in a preliminary fight and later defeated John Kolosci to make it to the semifinals. He then defeated Kolosci (who had replaced an injured Matt Arroyo) again, and moved on to the finals where he submitted Tom Speer in the 1st round to become TUF Season 6 winner.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Danzig made his official UFC debut on December 8, 2007, where he won The Ultimate Fighter 6, defeating Tom Speer in the finals via rear naked choke at 2:01 of the first round. Before the fight, Danzig stated his intention to drop down in weight class to lightweight whether he won or lost, citing the size difference between himself and most of the other UFC welterweights.[1]

Danzig made his return to lightweight by defeating Canadian Mark Bocek via third round submission at UFC 83 on April 19, 2008.

On September 17, 2008, at UFC Fight Night, Danzig lost a unanimous decision to Clay Guida, who used his wrestling to control Danzig. Danzig gave Guida some problems on the feet in the first round displaying crisp striking skills. In the second and third rounds though, Danzig succumbed to Guida's wrestling offense, as his opponent controlled him for with takedowns and top control.

At UFC Fight Night 17 he lost via triangle choke to Josh Neer. Both Danzig and Neer received Fight of the Night honors. The loss dropped Danzig to 1–2 in his post-TUF career. The two fighters exchanged on the feet quite evenly in a back and forth fight, but Neer's active guard caused Danzig problems as he was caught in the fight ending submission after getting on top following a scramble in the second round.

Danzig lost to Jim Miller at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) making it his third consecutive loss in the UFC.

Danzig defeated Justin Buchholz on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109 by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring it 29–28 for Danzig, snapping his three-fight losing streak.[2]

Danzig was defeated by Matt Wiman via first round technical submission at UFC 115. The stoppage was considered controversial by many as Wiman had Danzig in a guillotine choke, and referee Yves Lavigne called a stoppage despite the fact that Danzig had not submitted and was still conscious.

Danzig was expected to face Wiman again on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22, but pulled out of the fight due to a chest injury sustained during training.[3]

Danzig then faced Joe Stevenson (season 2 Ultimate Fighter winner) on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124 and earned his first KO victory in the UFC at 1:54 of the first round. While moving backwards, Danzig landed a counter-left hook that sent Stevenson to the ground, and Danzig was subsequently awarded the Knockout of the Night bonus.[4]

Danzig was expected to face Donald Cerrone on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131 but had to withdraw due to a chest injury.[5]

A rematch with Matt Wiman took place on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6[6] with Danzig losing via unanimous decision in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.

Danzig faced Efrain Escudero (season 8 Ultimate Fighter winner) on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145.[7] He defeated Escudero by unanimous decision.

Danzig faced Takanori Gomi on November 10, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 6,[8] with Danzig losing in a split decision.

Danzig next fought Melvin Guillard on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[9] After a close first round, Danzig lost via knockout in the second round.

Danzig faced Joe Lauzon on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9.[10] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After his loss to Lauzon, Danzig announced his retirement from MMA fighting on March 4, 2014. This concludes his overall record of 5-8 with the UFC.[11] Danzig stated he retired due to concussions and accumulated brain damage.[12]

Personal life

Danzig had a daughter, Nova, in November 2008.[13][14]

He has been a vegan since 2006 and is an animal rights advocate.[15]

Danzig is credited as a Mixed Martial Arts Consultant for the Nickelodeon television series The Legend of Korra.

Accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 21–12–1 Joe Lauzon Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 December 14, 2013 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 21–11–1 Melvin Guillard KO (punches) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga July 27, 2013 2 2:47 Seattle, Washington, United States
Loss 21–10–1 Takanori Gomi Decision (split) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le November 10, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China Fight of the Night
Win 21–9–1 Efrain Escudero Decision (unanimous) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 20–9–1 Matt Wiman Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson October 1, 2011 3 5:00 Washington D.C., United States Fight of the Night
Win 20–8–1 Joe Stevenson KO (punch) UFC 124 December 11, 2010 1 1:54 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Knockout of the Night
Loss 19–8–1 Matt Wiman Technical submission (guillotine choke) UFC 115 June 12, 2010 1 1:45 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 19–7–1 Justin Buchholz Decision (unanimous) UFC 109 February 6, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 18–7–1 Jim Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC 100 July 11, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 18–6–1 Josh Neer Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens February 7, 2009 2 3:36 Tampa, Florida, United States Fight of the Night
Loss 18–5–1 Clay Guida Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer September 17, 2008 3 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win 18–4–1 Mark Bocek Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 83 April 19, 2008 3 3:48 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Return to Lightweight
Win 17–4–1 Tom Speer Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs Team Serra Finale December 8, 2007 1 2:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won The Ultimate Fighter 6 competition
Loss 16–4–1 Hayato Sakurai KO (punch) Pride 33 February 24, 2007 2 4:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–3–1 Clay French Decision (split) KOTC: Hard Knocks January 19, 2007 3 5:00 Rockford, Illinois, United States Lost KOTC Lightweight Championship
Win 16–2–1 John Mahlow Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Detonator September 29, 2006 3 5:00 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship
Win 15–2–1 Buddy Clinton Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Rapid Fire August 4, 2006 3 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship
Win 14–2–1 Orlando Sanchez TKO (punches) KOTC: Karnage April 22, 2006 1 3:08 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship
Win 13–2–1 Jason Ireland Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Drop Zone March 18, 2006 3 5:00 Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship
Win 12–2–1 Takumi Nakayama TKO (corner stoppage) KOTC: Execution Day October 29, 2005 3 2:45 Reno, Nevada, United States Won KOTC Lightweight Championship
Win 11–2–1 Frank Kirmse Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Shock and Awe October 1, 2005 1 1:45 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 10–2–1 Nick Ertl TKO (doctor stoppage) GC 42: Summer Slam September 10, 2005 1 4:14 Lakeport, California, United States
Win 9–2–1 Mike Valdez Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC 54: Mucho Machismo June 12, 2005 1 4:13 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 8–2–1 Luke Spencer Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC: Caged Combat May 21, 2005 1 1:56 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 7–2–1 Max Marin Submission (triangle choke) IFC: Mayhem in Montana April 30, 2005 1 3:39 Billings, Montana, United States
Win 6–2–1 Brandon Olsen Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC: Mayhem in Montana April 30, 2005 2 2:12 Billings, Montana, United States
Win 5–2–1 Akbarh Arreola TKO (punches) RM 5: Road to the Championship June 27, 2004 1 1:22 Tijuana, Mexico
Draw 4–2–1 Jason Von Flue Draw Gladiator Challenge 25 April 20, 2004 2 5:00 Porterville, California, United States
Loss 4–2 LaVerne Clark Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 54 October 12, 2003 3 3:00 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 4–1 Tripstin Kersiano Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Challenge 14 February 16, 2003 2 1:49 Porterville, California, United States
Loss 3–1 Kurt Pellegrino Decision (unanimous) WEC 4 August 31, 2002 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 3–0 Brandon Bledsoe Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Challenge 10 April 14, 2002 1 0:56 Colusa, California, United States
Win 2–0 Ray Totorico Submission (omoplata) Reality Combat Fighting 12 October 20, 2001 1 1:30 Houma, Louisiana, United States
Win 1–0 Cedric Stewart Decision (split) Extreme Challenge Trials October 7, 2001 3 5:00 Decatur, Illinois, United States

See also

References

  1. Meltzer, Dave (August 27, 2007). "Participants in Ultimate Fighter season six are announced". Los Angeles Times.com.
  2. "UFC 109 prelims complete with Danzig vs. Buchholz". mmajunkie.com. December 8, 2009.
  3. "Escudero vs. Wiman new UFN 22 co-headliner". mmajunkie.com. August 18, 2010.
  4. "UFC 124 Results: Mac Danzig Face Plants Joe Stevenson". mmajunkie.com. 2010-12-11. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  5. "Mac Danzig vs. Donald Cerrone grudge match slotted for UFC 131 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. March 14, 2011.
  6. "UFC on Versus 6: Matt Wiman vs Mac Danzig rematch set for October event". mmamania.com. July 16, 2011.
  7. "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta". mmajunkie.com. January 20, 2012.
  8. "Mac Danzig: I'm fighting Takanori Gomi at UFC on FUEL TV 6 in Macau". mmajunkie.com. August 27, 2012.
  9. Tom Ngo (April 3, 2013). "Melvin Guillard Meets Mac Danzig at UFC on FOX 8". 5thround.com. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  10. Tom Ngo (2013-09-18). "Joe Lauzon Faces Mac Danzig at UFC on FOX 9". 5thround.com. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  11. "Video: UFC vet Mac Danzig announces retirement, cites health concerns". mmajunkie.com. March 4, 2014.
  12. Jason Nawara (March 5, 2014). "Mac Danzig retires, leaves a wake of concussions and accumulated brain damage". mmanuts.com. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  13. "Danzig Breathes New Life into Career". Sherdog.com. December 11, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  14. "Mac Danzig juggles fighting and fatherhood". MMAWeekly.com. February 5, 2009.
  15. "Lean, Mean and Green…Vegan Fighter Mac Danzig Packs a Punch". themmadigest.com. August 7, 2007. Retrieved 2010-04-19.

External links

Preceded by
Takumi Nakayama
King of the Cage Lightweight champion
October 29, 2005 – January 19, 2007
Succeeded by
Clay French
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