Max Griffin

Max Griffin (born November 29, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist. Griffin competed in the Welterweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2009, Griffin has also competed for Tachi Palace Fights, where he was the welterweight champion.

Background

Griffin was born in Santa Barbara, California, United States.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Griffin started his MMA career on October 10, 2009. He fought for many promoters, notably Gladiator Challenge, West Coast Fighting Championship, the Warriors Cage, and Tachi Palace Fights in California. He was the former West Coast Fighting Championship welterweight and middleweight champion.

The Ultimate Fighter Griffin was selected as one of the contestants for The Ultimate Fighter 16 in 2012; he lost to Matt Secor and was eliminated during the entry round. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Griffin faced Erick Montano on his next fight at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson on November 5, 2016. He won the fight and claimed his first UFC win via knockout in the first round.

Griffin was expected to face Sérgio Moraes on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106. He was replaced by Davi Ramos as Griffin pulled out of the fight, citing an undisclosed injury.

Griffin faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 119. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Despite the loss, Griffin was awarded the Fight of the Night bonus award.

In the last bout of his contract, Griffin faced Mike Perry on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Griffin faced Curtis Millender on July 7, 2018, at UFC 226. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Griffin faced Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night 144 on February 2, 2019. He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision. Conversely, 16 of 18 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Griffin.

Griffin faced Zelim Imadaev on April 13, 2019, at UFC 236. He won the fight via majority decision. Imadaev was deducted a point in the first round for grabbing the fence. After the fight, Griffin signed a new, five-fight contract with the UFC.

Griffin faced Alex Morono on October 12, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 161. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Griffin faced Alex Oliveira on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248. He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Griffin faced Ramiz Brahimaj on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 17. He won the fight via technical knockout due to a doctor stoppage after Brahimaj's ear was split open in round three.

Griffin faced Song Kenan on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Griffin faced Carlos Condit on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Griffin faced Neil Magny on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33. He lost the fight via split decision.

Griffin faced Tim Means on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213. He won the fight via a split decision.

Griffin faced Michael Morales on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Griffin faced Jeremiah Wells on February 10, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 236. He won the fight via split decision.

Griffin faced Michael Chiesa on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round, leading to the first submission loss in his career.

Griffin faced Chris Curtis on July 12, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 70 in Nashville, Tennessee. He lost the fight by split decision.

Griffin faced Victor Valenzuela on April 25, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 274. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On May 28, 2026, Griffin announced that he has officially been released by the UFC.

Personal life Max and his fiancée Anastasia have a son.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos