John Makdessi

Fighter Facts

• Nine wins by KO, nine by decision
   
• Decisioned WEC vet Bendy Casimir in most recent pre-UFC fight in September 2010.
   
• Five first round finishes
   
• Has won nine of his last 14 and four of his last five

UFC History

UFC Fight Night (4/10/21) Makdessi won a three round split decision over Ignacio Bahamondes
UFC Fight Night (3/14/20) Makdessi lost a three round unanimous decision to Francisco Trinaldo
UFC Fight Night (3/23/19) Makdessi won a three round unanimous decision over Jesus Pinedo
UFC on FOX (7/28/18) Makdessi won a three round unanimous decision over Ross Pearson
UFC on FOX (12/16/17) Makdessi won a three round unanimous decision over Abel Trujillo
UFC 206 (12/10/16) Makdessi was knocked out by Lando Vannata at 1:40 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (7/7/16) Makdessi won a three round split decision over Mehdi Baghdad
UFC 194 (12/12/15) Makdessi lost a three round split decision to Yancy Medeiros
UFC 187 (5/23/15) Makdessi lost to Donald Cerrone via TKO (retirement) at 4:44 of the second round
UFC 186 (4/25/15) Makdessi stopped Shane Campbell via strikes at 4:53 of the first round
UFC 169 (2/1/14) Makdessi lost a three round unanimous decision to Alan Patrick
UFC 165 (9/21/13) Makdessi knocked out Renee Forte at 2:01 of the first round
UFC 158 (3/16/13) Makdessi won a three round unanimous decision over Daron Cruickshank
UFC 154 (11/17/12) Makdessi won a three round unanimous decision over Sam Stout
UFC 145 (4/21/12) Makdessi lost a three round unanimous decision to Anthony Njokuani
UFC 140 (12/10/11) Makdessi was submitted by Dennis Hallman via rear naked choke at 2:58 of the first round
UFC 129 (4/30/11) Makdessi knocked out Kyle Watson at 1:27 of the third round
UFC 124 (12/11/10) Makdessi won a three round unanimous decision over Pat Audinwood

Q&A

TRAINING: Training consists of skill work / situational training / cardio / endurance / speed and power work. 2-3x a day of hard work. 
When and why did you start training for fighting? Started at six yrs old at Tae Kwon Do, at age 17 started karate and kickboxing, and then MMA began at 22 yrs old.
What ranks and titles have you held? Junior Olympics in Tae Kwon Do (gold)--- WKA Gold in Karate Kickboxing --- 2006 Eastern Canadian Championship in Kickboxing and USKBA world championship (gold)
Do you have any heroes? My brother, Dave, and inspiring people like Cro Cop and Bruce Lee and Fedor.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means so much to me that I’m willing to sacrifice my life for this.
What was your job before you started fighting? Working at a restaurant as a cook.
Ranks in any martial arts styles: Black Belt in Karate (kickboxing discipline)(shotokan)
Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine
Favorite Striking technique: Kicks