Mads Burnell

Mads Burnell (born March 6, 1994) is a Danish mixed martial artist who competes in featherweight division. A Professional mixed martial artist since 2013, Burnell has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator MMA, Professional Fighters League (PFL), and Cage Warriors, where he was a Featherweight champion. He was the European Championship (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) European No-Gi Champion in 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Burnell made his promotional debut on September 2, 2017, facing Michel Prazeres, replacing Islam Makhachev at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve. " At the weigh ins, Prazeres missed the lightweight limit of 156 pounds, coming in at 159 pounds. As a result the bout was changed to a catchweight and Prazeres was fined 20% of his purse. He lost the fight via submission due to a north-south choke in the third round.

His second fight came against Mike Santiago on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

On May 27, 2018, Burnell faced Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till. After dominating most of the fight, he was caught in a front naked choke in the third round and lost the fight.

On September 7, 2018, Burnell was released from UFC.

Cage Warriors On September 7, 2018, news surfaced that Burnell had signed a contract with Cage Warriors. After weathering the early storm from Rajewski, Burnell took the fight to the ground and finished the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round.

Burnell challenged Dean Trueman for the Cage Warriors featherweight title at Cage Warriors 106 on June 29, 2019. Burnell submitted Trueman by japanese necktie in the second round and captured the featherweight championship.

Burnell was expected to make his first title defense against Steve Aimable at Cage Warriors London on November 22, 2019. However, Aimable could not make championship weight and the fight was changed to non-title bout. Burnell won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA On August 4, 2020, news surfaced that Burnell had signed a contract with Bellator.

Burnell made his debut on October 10, 2020, at Bellator 248. He faced Darko Banovic and won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Burnell was scheduled to face The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber standout Saul Rogers on April 2, 2021, at Bellator 255. However, the bout was cancelled due to visa issues. It eventually took place on April 16, 2021, at Bellator 257. Burnell won the bout via second round rear-naked choke.

Burnell faced Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 263 on July 31, 2021. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

On September 22, 2021, it was announced that Burnell had signed a new, multi-fight contract with Bellator.

Burnell headlined against Ádám Borics on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Burnell faced Pedro Carvalho on September 23, 2022, at Bellator 285. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Burnell faced Justin Gonzales on April 22, 2023 at Bellator 295. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Burnell faced Daniel Weichel on September 23, 2023 at Bellator 299. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League 2024 Moving up to LW, Burnell started the 2024 season with a bout against Michael Dufort on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2. He lost the fight due to a guillotine choke submission.

Burnell faced Clay Collard in the main event of PFL 5 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT on June 21, 2024. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Burnell faced Elvin Espinoza on August 16, 2024 at PFL 8. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

2025 On February 26, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Burnell joined the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament.

In the quarterfinal, Burnell faced Jay-Jay Wilson on April 18, 2025, at PFL 3. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Burnell faced Robert Watley on August 15, 2025, at PFL 9, and lost the bout via technical knockout in the third round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Cage Warriors Fighting Championship CWFC Featherweight Championship (One time) Scottish Organisation of Mixed Martial Arts SOMMA Featherweight Championship (One time) MMAJunkie.com 2019 June Submission of the Month vs. Dean Trueman Nordic MMA Awards - MMAviking.com 2017 Submission of the Year vs. Fernando Duarte

Grappling European Championship (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) European No-Gi Champion 2014