John Makdessi

John Makdessi (born May 3, 1985) is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division and competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Makdessi was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 3, 1985, and is a first-generation Lebanese-Canadian born to Lebanese parents. His martial arts training started with Tae Kwon Do at the age of six.

Makdessi was expected to face TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129. Brookins pulled out of the bout and was replaced by another TUF 12 alum in Kyle Watson, who Makdessi knocked out with a spinning backfist in the third round.

Makdessi was expected to face Paul Taylor on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5, but withdrew due to injury.

Makdessi suffered the first loss of his career to Dennis Hallman on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140, via first-round rear naked choke.

Makdessi lost a unanimous decision to fellow striker Anthony Njokuani on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145.

Makdessi next defeated Sam Stout by unanimous decision on November 17, 2012, at UFC 154.

Makdessi then fought Daron Cruickshank at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makdessi was expected to face Edson Barboza on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162. Makdessi pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Rafaello Oliveira.

Makdessi knocked out Renée Forte in the first round on September 21, 2013, at UFC 165.

Makdessi lost a unanimous decision to Alan Patrick at UFC 169 on February 1, 2014.

Makdessi was expected to face Abel Trujillo on April 25, 2015, at UFC 186. Trujillo pulled out of the fight citing an injury, and was replaced on April 1 by promotional newcomer Shane Campbell. Makdessi won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Less than a month after his win, Makdessi returned to the octagon as a replacement for injured Khabib Nurmagomedov against Donald Cerrone on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187. Makdessi lost the fight via TKO after his jaw was broken with a head kick in the second round.

Makdessi faced Yancy Medeiros on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194. He lost the fight by split decision.

Makdessi next faced Mehdi Baghdad on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90. He was awarded a split decision victory.

Makdessi faced Lando Vannata on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Makdessi was expected to face Sage Northcutt on July 29, 2017, at UFC 214. In turn, the fight was canceled on July 14 as both fighters cited injuries.

Makdessi faced Abel Trujillo on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox 26. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Makdessi faced Ross Pearson on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Makdessi was expected to face Carlos Diego Ferreira on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231. However, on November 28, 2018, it was reported that Makdessi was removed from the card and replaced by Jesse Ronson.

Makdessi was expected to face Nasrat Haqparast on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148. However, on March 13, 2019, it was reported that Haqparast was pulled from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Jesus Pinedo. Makdessi won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makdessi was scheduled to face Devonte Smith on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241. However, it was reported on 30 July 2019 that Makdessi was forced to withdraw for undisclosed reason.

Makdessi faced Francisco Trinaldo on March 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 170. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makdessi faced Ignacio Bahamondes on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2. At the weigh-ins, Ignacio Bahamondes weighed in at 156.75 pounds, 0.75 pound over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Bahamondes was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to Makdessi. Makdessi won the bout via split decision.

Makdessi faced Nasrat Haqparast on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Makdessi faced Jamie Mullarkey on September 10, 2023, at UFC 293. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In October 2023, Makdessi was released by UFC.

Global Fight League On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Makdessi was signed by Global Fight League. However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.

Boxing Makdessi was scheduled to face Diego Sanchez in a boxing bout on April 12, 2025 at ICS Mania 1. However, the event was cancelled due to unfulfilled contractual obligations.

Makdessi made his professional boxing debut against Felipe Chavez on January 9th, 2026 at Burque Brawl. He won by TKO in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Ross Pearson

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC.com Awards 2011: Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Jamie Mullarkey Decision (unanimous) UFC 293

Sydney, Australia Loss

Nasrat Haqparast Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

Paris, France Win

Ignacio Bahamondes Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Francisco Trinaldo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira

Brasília, Brazil Win

Jesus Pinedo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Ross Pearson Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Abel Trujillo Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss

Lando Vannata KO (wheel kick) UFC 206

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Mehdi Baghdad Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Yancy Medeiros Decision (split) UFC 194

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Donald Cerrone TKO (head kick) UFC 187

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Shane Campbell TKO (punches) UFC 186

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Alan Patrick Decision (unanimous) UFC 169

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Renée Forte KO (punches) UFC 165

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Daron Cruickshank Decision (unanimous) UFC 158

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Sam Stout Decision (unanimous) UFC 154

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Anthony Njokuani Decision (unanimous) UFC 145

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Dennis Hallman Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 140

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Kyle Watson KO (spinning back fist) UFC 129

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Pat Audinwood Decision (unanimous) UFC 124

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Bendy Casimir Decision (unanimous) Mixed Fight League 3

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Lindsey Hawkes TKO (punches) Canadian Fighting Championship 4

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win

Brandon McArthur TKO (doctor stoppage) Ringside MMA: Rivalry

Drummondville, Quebec, Canada Win

Iraj Hadin TKO (punches) Ringside MMA: Rage Fighting

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Amir Uddin TKO (punches) XMMA 7: Inferno

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Dan Dechaine TKO (punches) XMMA 6: House of Pain

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Todd Westcott TKO (punches) XMMA 5: It's Crow Time

Montreal, Quebec, Canada