David Zawada

David Zawada (born 1 August 1990) is a German mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division of the Oktagon MMA. A professional since 2010, he has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), and Respect FC where he is the former Welterweight Champion.

Background Zawada trains at UFD Gym in Düsseldorf where he trains alongside Roberto Soldić, Erko Jun, Antun Racic and his brother, Martin Zawada. and Shooto Kings champion. He amassed a record of 16–3 prior to signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship Zawada made his UFC debut on July 22, 2018, against Danny Roberts, replacing injured Alan Jouban at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith. He lost the fight via split decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

His next faced Li Jingliang on November 24, 2018, replacing Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Zawada faced Abubakar Nurmagomedov on November 9, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 21. He won the fight via a submission in round one. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Zawada was scheduled to face Anthony Rocco Martin on April 25, 2020. However, on April 9, the promotion indicated that the pairing was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zawada was expected to face Mounir Lazzez on October 18, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180. However, on October 6, 2020 it was reported that Lazzez tested positive for COVID-19 and was removed from the bout. It is unclear at the stage if a replacement would be sought by the UFC officials.

Zawada faced Ramazan Emeev on January 16, 2021 at UFC on ABC 1. He lost a close fight by split decision.

Zawada was scheduled to face Sergey Khandozhko on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191. However, the week before the event, Khandozhko was pulled from the contest for unknown reasons and replaced by Alex Morono. Zawada lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On February 10, 2022, it was announced that Zawada was no longer on the UFC roster.

Professional Fighters League Zawada made his first appearance after his UFC release against Erhan Kartal on June 4, 2022 at Oktagon 33. He won the bout via doctor stoppage after the first round.

Zawada faced Carlos Leal on April 14, 2023 at PFL 3. He lost the bout in the first round via TKO stoppage.

Zawada faced Magomed Magomedkerimov on June 23, 2023 at PFL 6. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Oktagon MMA Zawada returned to Oktagon MMA on February 10, 2024 at Oktagon 53, defeating Hojat Khajevand in his Middleweight debut via heel hook at the end of the third round after being down on the scorecards for the bout.

Zawada faced Marek Mazuch on June 8, 2024 at Oktagon 58, losing via knockout early in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) MMAJunkie.com 2019 November Submission of the Month Respect Fighting Championship 2016 Respect FC welterweight champion

Mixed martial arts record Loss

David Kozma Decision (unanimous) Oktagon 92

Prague, Czech Republic Win

Daniel Ligocki Decision (split) Oktagon 82

Düsseldorf, Germany Loss

Kamil Oniszczuk Decision (unanimous) Oktagon 74

Prague, Czech Republic Loss

Matěj Peňáz TKO (knee and punches) Oktagon 66

Düsseldorf, Germany Loss

Marek Mazúch KO (punches) Oktagon 58

Prague, Czech Republic Win

Hojat Khajevand Submission (heel hook) Oktagon 53

Oberhausen, Germany Loss

Magomed Magomedkerimov TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Carlos Leal TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Erhan Kartal TKO (doctor stoppage) Oktagon 33

Frankfurt, Germany Loss

Alex Morono Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ramazan Emeev Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Abubakar Nurmagomedov Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar

Moscow, Russia Loss

Li Jingliang KO (body kick) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2

Beijing, China Loss

Danny Roberts Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith

Hamburg, Germany Win

Michał Michalski Submission (rear-naked choke) KSW 43

Wrocław, Poland Win

Maciej Jewtuszko Decision (unsnimous) KSW 40

Dublin, Ireland Win

Andreas Ståhl TKO (punches) German MMA Championship 11

Castrop-Rauxel, Germany Win

Robert Radomski TKO (punches) KSW 37

Kraków, Poland Win

Stefan Larisch KO (punches) Respect FC 16

Cologne, Germany Loss

Kamil Szymuszowski Decision (split) KSW 33

Kraków, Poland Win

Stefan Sekulić TKO (punches) Serbian Battle Championship 6

Vojvodina, Serbia Win

Aldin Osmančević TKO (punches) Montenegro FC 3

Budva, Montenegro Loss

Borys Mańkowski Submission (arm-triangle choke) KSW 29

Kraków, Poland Win

Sebastian Risch TKO (doctor stoppage) German MMA Championship 5

Castrop-Rauxel, Germany Win

Luca Vitali KO (punch) Swiss MMA Championship 1

Basel, Switzerland Loss

Djamil Chan KO (knees) Respect FC 9

Dormagen, Germany Win

Kerim Engizek Decision (majority) Superior FC 11

Düren, Germany Win

Egny Borges Submission (guillotine choke) Superior FC 10

Mainz, Germany Win

Garcia Chambe TKO (corner stoppage) Superior FC 9

Göppingen, Germany Win

Maurice Skrober TKO (corner stoppage) Superior FC 8

Mainz, Germany Win

Florian Ziebert KO (flying knee and punches) Respect FC 5

Essen, Germany Win

Nerijus Slepetis Submission (guillotine choke) German MMA Association 7

Düsseldorf, Germany Win

Michael Zabrocki TKO (punches) German MMA Association 6

Düsseldorf, Germany