Hayder Hassan

Hayder Hassan (, born October 20, 1982) is an American former mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2009 to 2019, he has competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, Titan FC, King of the Cage, the Xtreme Fighting Championships, Brave Combat Federation and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians as well as The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption.

Background Born and raised in Florida, Hassan and his family were refugees from Baghdad, Iraq who relocated in 1977. His father, who was a physician, personally trekked from their home in Iraq to an American embassy. Hassan attended Cardinal Gibbons High School, where he was a standout in wrestling and football before graduating from Florida State University after which he had planned to attend medical school and majored in sociology. However, after leaving his job as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical firm, he transitioned to a career in MMA and began training at the American Top Team academy in Coconut Creek.

Mixed martial arts career The Ultimate Fighter Hassan competed on the 21st season of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter, representing American Top Team and making it to the final. In his first fight he defeated Andrews Nakahara via TKO in the first round. In his second fight he defeated Felipe Portela by majority decision. In his third fight he faced Vicente Luque and won via split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Hassan made his debut with the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 12, 2015 against Kamaru Usman at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. He lost the bout via arm triangle choke submission in the second round.

Hassan next faced former opponent Vicente Luque at UFC on Fox 17 on December 19, 2015. He lost the fight via anaconda choke technical submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption In February 2017, it was revealed that Hassan would compete again on the UFC's reality show in the 25th season on The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption. Hassan was the fifth pick overall for Team Garbrandt. He faced Dhiego Lima in the opening round and lost by unanimous decision. He defeated former world title contender Joe Stevenson by knockout in the wildcard bout, but ended up losing to eventual season winner Jesse Taylor via rear naked choke submission in the first round.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Carl Booth Decision (unanimous) Brave CF 32

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Win

Movsar Bokov Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 103

Shenzhen, China Win

Hemant Wadekar TKO (knee and punches) Kumite 1 League

Mumbai, India Win

Pavel Kusch Decision (unanimous) Phoenix FC 6

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Roger Huerta DQ (elbows to back of head) Phoenix FC 4

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Vicente Luque Technical Submission (anaconda choke) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2

Orlando, Florida, United States Loss

Kamaru Usman Submission (arm-triangle choke) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Felipe Portela TKO (punch) Titan FC 31

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Jason Jackson TKO (punches) CFA 12

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Robert Thompson Decision (unanimous) Mixed Fighting Alliance: New Generation 1

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Ryan Keenan KO (punch) Strikeforce: Miami

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Gerardo Julio Gallegos TKO (punches) XFC 9

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Roy McDonald TKO (punches) Raging Wolf 3

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Kenny Allen TKO (punches) KOTC: Hurricane

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Jesse Taylor Submission (rear-naked-choke)

(airdate)

Win

Joe Stevenson KO (punch) (airdate)

Loss

Dhiego Lima Decision (unanimous) (airdate)

Win

Vicente Luque Decision (split)

(airdate)

Coconut Creek, Florida, United States

win

Felipe Portela Decision (majority) (airdate)

Win

Andrews Nakahara TKO (punches) (airdate)