Joe Solecki

Joe Solecki (born August 27, 1993) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional from 2016 to 2025, Solecki was most notable for his time in the Lightweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Solecki began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 6. Joe states: I got into BJJ at age 6 by accident, I wanted to do karate like the power rangers. My parents sent my brother for a year or two at first, but we ended up enrolling in a school where the instructor had begun training BJJ and he switched the entire curriculum to grappling by the time I signed up.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Solecki started his professional as a pretty accomplished amateur with a 5–0 record. With all of those 5 amateur wins coming via submission or TKO. In his MMA debut at CFFC 61, he submitted Chris Rollins via rear-naked choke in the first round. Solecki also tapped out Andrew Cherico at CFFC 62 and Kevin Perez at CFFC 63, respectively. Although Joe was on an 8 fight win streak, that came to an end when he faced Cesar Balmaceda. That fight went Cesar's way via unanimous decision. He defeated Eric Calderon via TKO in round one at Warfare MMA 16. Then at CFFC 69, Solecki submitted Johnson Jajoute in the first round via rear-naked choke. He then came up against Nikolas Motta and unfortunately Solecki lost this fight via a finish. He tapped out Gilbert Patrocinio via triangle choke in round one at ROC 66. At CFFC 73, Solecki defeated Jacob Bohn via unanimous decision. In the main event of Dana White's Contender Series 19 on July 9, 2019, Solecki submitted James Wallace in the first round to pick up his sixth submission win as a professional along with a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Solecki made his UFC debut against veteran Matt Wiman on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Solecki was expected to face Austin Hubbard on June 20, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov. However, at the last minute, Solecki was replaced by promotional newcomer Max Rohskopf.

The bout with Hubbard was rescheduled on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar. Solecki won the fight by submission in the first round.

Solecki faced Jim Miller on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Solecki faced Jared Gordon on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. He lost the fight via split decision.

Solecki faced Alex da Silva Coelho on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207. He won the bout via majority decision after a point deduction was given to da Silva due to repeatedly locking his toes in the fence.

Solecki was scheduled to face Benoît Saint-Denis on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. However, Saint-Denis withdrew from the bout citing ankle injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Carl Deaton III and the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 220 a week later. Solecki won the fight via technical submission in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Solecki faced Drakkar Klose on December 2, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 52. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Solecki faced Grant Dawson on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Solecki faced Nurullo Aliev, replacing Yanal Ashmouz, on January 11, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 249. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On February 17, 2025, Solecki announced his retirement from competition.

Professional grappling career Solecki represented Alliance Fighting Championship at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 2 on July 3, 2022. He lost his only match against Dan Manasoiu and the team were knocked out in the opening round.

Solecki submitted Michael Porter with a guillotine choke at Fight 2 Win 248 on March 8, 2024.

Solecki competed against Peter Fazekas at Fury Pro Grappling 11 on November 2, 2024. He won the match by submission.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Nurullo Aliev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Grant Dawson Decision (unanimous) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Drakkar Klose KO (slam) UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Carl Deaton III Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alex da Silva Coelho Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jared Gordon Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jim Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Austin Hubbard Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Matt Wiman Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik

Washington, D.C., United States Win

James Wallace Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Dana White's Contender Series 19

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jacob Bohn Decision (unanimous) Cage Fury FC 73

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Gilbert Patrocinio Submission (triangle choke) Ring of Combat 66

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Nikolas Motta KO (punches) 864 Fighting Championship 5

Greenville, South Carolina, United States Win

Johnson Jajoute Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury FC 69

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Eric Calderon Submission (rear-naked choke) Warfare MMA 16

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Loss

Cesar Balmaceda Decision (unanimous) Cage Fury FC 65

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Kevin Perez Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury FC 63

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Andrew Chirico Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury FC 62

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Chris Rollins Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury FC 61

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States