Mirsad_Bektić

Mirsad Bektić

Mirsad Bektić

Bosnian-American mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter

Mirsad Bektić (born February 16, 1991)[3] is a Bosnian-born American retired professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Quick Facts Born, Residence ...

Background

See also: Srebrenica Massacre and Bosnian War

Mirsad Bektić was born on February 16, 1991, to Bosnian Muslim parents in the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina) amid the breakup of Yugoslavia. At the age of three, he relocated to Italy with his mother Suada and his siblings fleeing the Bosnian War, a conflict which claimed the lives of his maternal grandparents and several relatives.[4] The family moved again for a five-year stay in Germany.[5] Bektić moved to the United States at age nine,[6] where his family settled in Lincoln, Nebraska.[5] He has two older brothers and a younger sister. Bektić went to Irving Middle School, and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School.[6] He began training in karate at the age of 13 and later boxed for one and a half years[7] before transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2008.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bektić made his professional debut in 2011, competing primarily in regional promotions across the Central United States where he compiled an undefeated record of 7–0 before signing with the UFC in early 2014.[9] Prior to being signed by the UFC, Bektić was touted by notable publication BloodyElbow.com who listed Bektić at #1 in its "MMA's Top 25 Prospects" list in 2014.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Bektić made his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Chas Skelly on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11.[10] Bektić won the back and forth fight via majority decision. The fight was nearly stopped in the second round as Skelly landed a pair of illegal knees as Bektić was grounded against the cage, prompting the referee to deduct a point and allow him five minutes to recover. Bektić clearly was hurt and wobbled as he returned to his feet but was able to continue after a brief break.[11]

Bektić was expected to face Ernest Chavez on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49.[12] However, Chavez was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Max Holloway.[13] In turn, Bektić pulled out of the bout in the week leading up to the event and was replaced by promotional newcomer Clay Collard.[14]

Bektić was expected to face Alan Omer on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14.[15] However, Omer pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Paul Redmond.[16] Bektić won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Bektić was expected to face Renato Moicano on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67.[18] However, Moicano pulled out of the fight in late April and was replaced by Lucas Martins.[19] Bektić won the fight via TKO in the second round.[20]

Bektić was expected to face Tatsuya Kawajiri on December 11, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale.[21] However, Bektić pulled out of the fight on November 27 citing injury.[22]

Bektić was expected to face Arnold Allen on October 8, 2016, at UFC 204.[23] However, Allen pulled out of the fight citing injury and was replaced by Russell Doane.[24] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[25]

Bektić faced Darren Elkins on March 4, 2017, at UFC 209.[26] Despite completely dominating the first two rounds, he lost the fight by knockout due to punches and a head kick.[27]

Bektić faced Godofredo Pepey on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27.[28] He won the fight in the first round via body punch.[29] This win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.[30]

Bektić faced Ricardo Lamas on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225.[31] He won the fight by split decision.[32]

Bektić was scheduled to face Renato Moicano on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231, however on November 15, 2018, it was reported that Bektić was forced to pull out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury.[33]

Bektić faced Josh Emmett on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155.[34] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[35]

Bektić faced Dan Ige on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[36] He lost the fight via a split decision.[37]

Bektić was scheduled to face Luiz Eduardo Garagorri on September 26, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178.[38] However on September 15, Garagorri was pulled from the fight after testing positive for COVID-19.[39] Returning veteran Damon Jackson would step up to face Bektić.[40] He lost the fight via a submission in round three.[41]

On July 13, 2021, Bektić announced his retirement from MMA.[42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 13 wins 4 losses
By knockout 6 2
By submission 3 1
By decision 4 1
More information Res., Record ...

[43]

Amateur mixed martial arts record

More information Res., Record ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Condit vs. Alves". UFC.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  2. [2]
    Peter Carroll (July 15, 2018). "Mirsad Bektic explains how loss to Darren Elkins motivated move to Tristar". mmafighting.com.
  3. [3]
    Mixed martial arts show results Date: September 19, 2020
  4. [4]
    Joseph Santoliquito (August 19, 2015). "The Permanent Scars of Mirsad Bektic". sherdog.com. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  5. [5]
    Damir Uzunic (January 26, 2015). "Mirsad Bektic: MMA Star in the Making". bhdragons.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2015.
  6. [6]
    Ken Hambelton (November 5, 2016). "LSE grad Bektic ready to climb higher in UFC". Lincoln Journal Star. Archived from the original on December 7, 2016.
  7. [7]
    SCHWANINGER, MARK. "Bektic feels at home in MMA and boxing". JournalStar.com. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  8. [8]
    Zane Simon (February 14, 2014). "Searching for Future Champions: MMA's Top 25 Prospects, #1 - Mirsad Bektic". BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  9. [9]
    Patrick Wyman (2014-03-21). "UFC signs undefeated featherweight prospects Mirsad Bektic and Chas Skelly". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  10. [10]
    Staff (2014-03-21). "Undefeated featherweights Mirsad Bektic, Chas Skelly meet at UFC on FOX 11". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  11. [11]
    Steven Marrocco (2014-04-19). "UFC on FOX 11 results, photos: Mirsad Bektic survives illegal knee, tops Chas Skelly". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  12. [12]
    Sean Ross Sapp (2014-06-22). "Ernest Chavez vs. Mirsad Bektic on for UFC Fight Night 49". fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-06-22.
  13. [13]
    Andrew Ravens (2014-07-11). "Max Holloway steps in for Ernest Chavez & will fight Mirsad Bektic at UFC Fight Night 49". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  14. [14]
    Staff (2014-08-18). "Mirsad Bektic out, newcomer Clay Collard meets Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 49". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  15. [15]
    Staff (December 3, 2014). "Mirsad Bektic vs. Alan Omer added to UFC on FOX 14 in Sweden". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  16. [16]
    Staff (January 12, 2015). "Paul Redmond replaces Alan Omer at UFC on FOX 14 in Stockholm". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  17. [17]
    Steven Marrocco (2015-01-24). "UFC on FOX 14 results: Paul Redmond has no answers for dominant Mirsad Bektic". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  18. [18]
    Guilherme Cruz (2015-04-07). "Mirsad Bektic vs. Renato Carneiro official for UFC Fight Night 67 in Brazil". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
  19. [19]
    Staff (2015-05-04). "Lucas Martins replaces Renato Moicano at UFC Fight Night 67 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-04.
  20. [20]
    Steven Marrocco (2015-05-30). "UFC Fight Night 67 results: Mirsad Bektic brutalizes Lucas Martins, stays unbeaten". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  21. [21]
    Staff (2015-09-10). "Mirsad Bektic vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri booked for TUF 22 Finale". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  22. [22]
    Staff (2015-11-27). "Mirsad Bektic out vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri at TUF 22 Finale in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  23. [23]
    Staff (2016-08-25). "Mirsad Bektic vs. Arnold Allen slated for UFC 204 in England". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  24. [24]
    Staff (2016-10-04). "Russell Doane steps in to face Mirsad Bektic on five days' notice at UFC 204". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  25. [25]
    Steven Marrocco (2016-10-08). "UFC 204 results: Mirsad Bektic makes easy work of Russell Doane, taps short-notice foe in first". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  26. [26]
    Dale Jordan (2016-01-03). "Darren Elkins vs. Mirsad Bektic added to UFC 209". mmamad.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  27. [27]
    Dave Doyle (2017-03-04). "UFC 209 results: Darren Elkins stops Mirsad Bektic in thrilling comeback". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  28. [28]
    Théoden Janes (2017-12-20). "With new additions, UFC Fight Night Charlotte now boasts 11 bouts". charlotteobserver.com. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  29. [29]
    Matt Erickson (2018-01-27). "UFC on FOX 27 results: Mirsad Bektic takes out Godofredo Pepey with vicious body shot". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  30. [30]
    "UFC on FOX 27 bonuses: 'Jacare' Souza gets an extra $50,000 for his head-kick KO". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  31. [31]
    DNA, MMA. "Featherweightclash tussen Ricardo Lamas en Mirsad Bektic tijdens UFC 225 in Chicago". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  32. [32]
    "UFC 225 results: Mirsad Bektic stifles Ricardo Lamas, takes home hard-fought split call". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-10. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  33. [33]
    "Renato Moicano encara o bósnio Mirsad Bektic no UFC 231, em Toronto, de olho no cinturão". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  34. [34]
    Harper, Graeme (2019-05-27). "Josh Emmett vs. Mirsad Bektic scheduled for UFC Fight Night 155". readmma.com. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  35. [35]
    "UFC Sacramento: Josh Emmett secures another KO victory". FanSided. 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  36. [36]
    DNA, MMA. "Featherweights Dan Ige en Mirsad Bektic treffen elkaar tijdens evenement in Februari 2020". Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  37. [37]
    Evanoff, Josh (2020-02-08). "UFC 247 Results: Dan Ige Gets Close Win Over Mirsad Bektic". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  38. [38]
    DNA, MMA (2020-08-07). "Mirsad Bektic treft Luiz Eduardo Garagorri tijdens UFC evenement op 26 september". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  39. [39]
    Tudor Leonte (2020-09-15). "Luiz Eduardo Garagorri-Mirsad Bektic match scratched from UFC Fight Night 178". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  40. [40]
    Farah Hannoun (2020-09-17). "With Eduardo Garagorri out, Damon Jackson steps in to face Mirsad Bektic at UFC on ESPN+ 36". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  41. [41]
    McClory, Mike (2020-09-19). "UFC Vegas 11 Results: Fired Up Damon Jackson Submits Mirsad Bektic in Return". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  42. [42]
    "Neočekivani potez Mirsada Bektića: Završio MMA karijeru?". SportSport.ba (in Croatian). Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  43. [43]
    Sherdog.com. "Mirsad Bektic MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
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