Eric Schafer

Eric John Schafer (born September 20, 1977) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 until 2016, he competed for the UFC.

Background Schafer attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.

Schafer is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Schafer compiled an amateur record of 2–1 before making his professional MMA debut in 1998. He then amassed a record of 6-1-2 before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship He made his UFC debut at UFC 62, defeating Rob MacDonald by arm-triangle choke, rendering him unconscious at the 2:26 mark of round one.

Schafer then lost his next 2 bouts consecutively via TKO to Michael Bisping at UFC 66 and Stephan Bonnar at UFC 77.

Schafer next defeated Houston Alexander by arm-triangle choke in the first round on September 17, 2008, at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer.

Schafer won via TKO over Antonio Mendes at UFC 93 on January 7, 2009.

He lost to Ryan Bader by unanimous decision (30–27, 29–26, and 30–27) on October 24, 2009, on the undercard of UFC 104.

Schafer was defeated by Jason Brilz via unanimous decision on March 21, 2010, at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones. After this bout he was released from the promotion.

Post UFC In his first fight since being released from the UFC and his first fight at Middleweight Schafer defeated Chris Albandia via submission (triangle choke) in the first round at XFO 41 - Outdoor War 7 on September 3, 2011.

Return to the UFC Schafer returned to the UFC in a Middleweight bout against Aaron Simpson at UFC 136 on October 8, 2011, and lost a unanimous decision.

Schafer next faced Jorge Rivera on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX 1. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. He was released from the promotion for the third time following this loss.

Independent promotions After being released from the UFC, Schafer faced John Poppie at Madtown Throwdown 29: Unstoppable on January 5, 2013. He won via second round TKO.

He then fought Eric Hammerich for Chosen Few FC 6, in Madison Wisconsin on 09/19/15. He would win by choke in 2:38 of the first round.

His next fight would be his retirement fight against James Austen Heidlage for Choose Few FC 8, in Madison Wisconsin on 04/16/16. Eric would lose by referee stoppage at 3:01 of the second round.

Championships and accomplishments Gladiators Fighting Series GFS Light Heavyweight Championship (One time) Xtreme Fighting Organization XFO Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

James Austen Heidlage TKO (referee stoppage) Chosen Few FC 8

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Eric Hammerich Submission (choke) Chosen Few FC 6

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

John Poppie TKO (punches) Madtown Throwdown 29: Unstoppable

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Jorge Rivera TKO (punches) UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Aaron Simpson Decision (unanimous) UFC 136

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Chris Albandia Submission (triangle choke) XFO 41: Outdoor War 7

Island Lake, Illinois, United States Loss

Jason Brilz Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Ryan Bader Decision (unanimous) UFC 104

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Antonio Mendes TKO (punches) UFC 93

Dublin, Ireland Win

Houston Alexander Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

William Hill TKO (punches) GFS: Thunderdome

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Ryan Antle Submission (guillotine choke) GFS: The Warriors

Wisconsin, United States Loss

Stephan Bonnar TKO (punches) UFC 77

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Loss

Michael Bisping TKO (punches) UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rob MacDonald Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

William Hill Submission (triangle choke) Xtreme Fighting Organization 9

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Jason Veach Submission (choke) Duneland Classic 2

Portage, Indiana, United States Win

Jason Guida Submission (triangle choke) XFO 6: Judgement Day

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Dustin Denes Submission (kimura) HOOKnSHOOT: Overdrive

Evansville, Indiana, United States Draw

Jim Desouza Draw HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 2

Evansville, Indiana, United States Draw

Paul Ivens Draw HOOKnSHOOT: Millennium

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Steve Martin Submission (strikes) Cage Combat 4

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Win

Duane Franzen Decision Midwest Shootfighting 1

Clinton, Iowa, United States Win

John Lowey N/A Midwest Shootfighting 1

Clinton, Iowa, United States Win

Ryan Apolonario Submission (choke) Fight Sheet Ultimate MMA

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States