Ruan Potts (born 24 August 1977) is a South African professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor from 2011 to 2018, Potts formerly competed for the UFC.
| Ruan Potts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 February 1978 Cape Town, South Africa |
| Other names | Fangzz |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 251 lb (114 kg; 17 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Reach | 75 in (190 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Boksburg, South Africa |
| Team | Mark Robinson MMA |
| Rank | Black belt in Judo Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2011–2018 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 18 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 6 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
editPotts made his professional debut in 2011, competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native South Africa, where he was also the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Heavyweight Champion. He compiled a record of 8 – 1, finishing his opponents in all of his victories before signing with the UFC in February 2014.[2]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
editPotts made his promotional debut against Soa Palelei on 10 May 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40.[3] Palelei won the fight via knockout in the first round.[4]
Potts faced Anthony Hamilton on 30 August 2014 at UFC 177.[5] Hamilton won the bout via TKO in the second round.[6]
Potts faced Derrick Lewis on 28 February 2015 at UFC 184.[7] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[8] Potts was subsequently released from the UFC.[9]
Return to EFC
editPotts re-signed with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) after his release from the UFC and faced Cyril Asker. He lost via TKO (retirement) after the first round. He has fought a further five times in the EFC since then.
Championships and accomplishments
edit- Extreme Fighting Championship
- EFC Heavyweight Championship (Two times)
- Two successful title defences
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 18 matches | 11 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 5 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11–7 | Jared Vanderaa | TKO (punches) | EFC 76 | 8 December 2018 | 3 | 3:24 | Pretoria, South Africa | For the vacant EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–6 | Karl Etherington | TKO (punches) | EFC 58 | 8 April 2017 | 1 | 2:33 | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Win | 10–6 | Brendon Groenewald | Submission (rear naked choke) | EFC 55 | 11 November 2016 | 2 | 4:21 | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Win | 9–6 | Vandam Mbuyi | Submission (armbar) | EFC 50 | 17 June 2016 | 1 | 4:06 | Sun City, South Africa | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 8–6 | Tumelo Maphutha | Decision (unanimous) | EFC 45 | 7 November 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Cape Town, South Africa | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 8–5 | Cyril Asker | TKO (retirement) | EFC 40 | 6 June 2015 | 1 | 5:00 | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Loss | 8–4 | Derrick Lewis | TKO (punches) | UFC 184 | 28 February 2015 | 2 | 3:18 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Anthony Hamilton | TKO (body punches) | UFC 177 | 30 August 2014 | 2 | 4:17 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Soa Palelei | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | 10 May 2014 | 1 | 2:20 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Andrew Van Zyl | Technical Submission (armbar) | EFC Africa 26 | 12 December 2013 | 1 | 0:44 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Ricky Misholas | Submission (triangle choke) | EFC Africa 24 | 10 October 2013 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 6–1 | Mahmoud Hassan | Submission (ankle lock) | EFC Africa 21 | 25 July 2013 | 1 | 0:37 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Andrew Van Zyl | Decision (unanimous) | EFC Africa 18 | 1 March 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | Lost the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Bernardo Mikixi | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 16 | 19 October 2012 | 2 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Andrew Van Zyl | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 11 | 10 November 2011 | 1 | 3:50 | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–0 | Norman Wessels | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 9 | 30 July 2011 | 3 | 4:21 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the inaugural EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–0 | Baygon Obutobe | TKO (punches and elbows) | EFC Africa 8 | 14 April 2011 | 4 | 3:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 1–0 | Calven Robinson | TKO (knee and punches) | EFC Africa 7 | 3 February 2011 | 1 | 1:23 | Gauteng, South Africa |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Fight Card – UFC 177 Dillashaw vs. Soto". UFC.com. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ Zane Simon (10 February 2014). "UFC signs EFC Africa heavyweight champion Ruan Potts". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
- ^ Liam Ducey (20 February 2014). "Soa Palelei to face Ruan Potts at UFC Cincinnati". watoday.com.au. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ John Morgan (10 May 2014). "UFC Fight Night 40 results, photos: Soa Palelei crushes Ruan Potts in first". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ Jesse Holland (13 July 2014). "UFC 177: Ruan Potts vs. Anthony Hamilton set for Aug. 30 in Sacramento". mmamania.com. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (30 August 2014). "Ruan Potts confused by referee stoppage in loss to Anthony Hamilton at UFC 177". sherdog.com. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ Jason Floyd (16 December 2014). "Derrick Lewis vs. Ruan Potts added to UFC 184". themmareport.com.
- ^ Dave Doyle (28 February 2015). "UFC 184 results: Derrick Lewis ground-and-pounds way to win over Ruan Potts". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ Jacob Cooper (10 April 2015). "Heavyweights Ruan Potts and Josh Copeland, plus six others released by UFC". cagepages.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
