Mirsad Bektic

Background

Mirsad Bektić was born on February 16, 1991, to Bosnian Muslim parents in the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina) amid the breakup of Yugoslavia. At the age of fourteen months, he relocated to Italy with his mother Suada and his siblings fleeing the Bosnian War, a conflict which claimed the lives of his maternal grandparents and several relatives. The family moved again for a five-year stay in Germany. He has two older brothers and a younger sister. Bektić went to Irving Middle School, and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School. He began training in karate at the age of 13 and later boxed for one and a half years before transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2008. Prior to being signed by the UFC, Bektić was touted by notable publication BloodyElbow.com who listed Bektić at #1 in its "MMA's Top 25 Prospects" list in 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Bektić made his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Chas Skelly on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11. Bektić won the back and forth fight via majority decision. The fight was nearly stopped in the second round as Skelly landed a pair of illegal knees as Bektić was grounded against the cage, prompting the referee to deduct a point and allow him five minutes to recover. Bektić clearly was hurt and wobbled as he returned to his feet but was able to continue after a brief break.

Bektić was expected to face Ernest Chavez on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49. However, Chavez was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Max Holloway. In turn, Bektić pulled out of the bout in the week leading up to the event and was replaced by promotional newcomer Clay Collard.

Bektić was expected to face Alan Omer on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14. However, Omer pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Paul Redmond. Bektić won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.

Bektić was expected to face Renato Moicano on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67. However, Moicano pulled out of the fight in late April and was replaced by Lucas Martins. Bektić won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Bektić was expected to face Tatsuya Kawajiri on December 11, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale. However, Bektić pulled out of the fight on November 27 citing injury.

Bektić was expected to face Arnold Allen on October 8, 2016, at UFC 204. However, Allen pulled out of the fight citing injury and was replaced by Russell Doane. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Bektić faced Darren Elkins on March 4, 2017, at UFC 209. Despite completely dominating the first two rounds, he lost the fight by knockout due to punches and a head kick.

Bektić faced Godofredo Pepey on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27. He won the fight in the first round via body punch. This win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.

Bektić faced Ricardo Lamas on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225. He won the fight by split decision.

Bektić was scheduled to face Renato Moicano on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231, however on November 15, 2018, it was reported that Bektić was forced to pull out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury.

Bektić faced Josh Emmett on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Bektić faced Dan Ige on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247. He lost the fight via a split decision.

Bektić was scheduled to face Luiz Eduardo Garagorri on September 26, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178. However on September 15, Garagorri was pulled from the fight after testing positive for COVID-19. Returning veteran Damon Jackson would step up to face Bektić. He lost the fight via a submission in round three.

On July 13, 2021, Bektić announced his retirement from MMA.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Godofredo Pepey CBS Sports 2017 #2 Ranked UFC Fight of the Year MMA Junkie 2017 #4 Ranked Fight of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Damon Jackson Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Dan Ige Decision (split) UFC 247

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Josh Emmett TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Ricardo Lamas Decision (split) UFC 225

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Godofredo Pepey TKO (punch to the body) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Loss

Darren Elkins KO (punches) UFC 209

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Russell Doane Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 204

Manchester, England Win

Lucas Martins TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves

Goiânia, Brazil Win

Paul Redmond Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Chas Skelly Decision (majority) UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Joe Pearson TKO (punches) VFC 41

Ralston, Nebraska, United States Win

Nick Macias TKO (punches) RFA 7: Thatch vs. Rhodes

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Doug Jenkins Decision (unanimous) RFA 5: Downing vs. Rinaldi

Kearney, Nebraska, United States Win

Willie Mack TKO (punches) |Titan FC 22

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Win

Cody Carrillo Submission (rear-naked choke) |Titan FC 21

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Win

Derek Rhoads TKO (punches) VFC 36

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Shane Hutchinson Submission (punches) VFC 35

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States

Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Mac Bailey TKO (punches) Titan FC 16

|Kansas City, Kansas, United States Win

Chad Zurfluh Submission (punches) VFC 31

|Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Jason Russell TKO (punches) VFC 30

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Zac Chavez TKO (punches) Featherweight Grand Prix Final Round

Denver, Colorado, United States