Per Eklund

Mixed martial arts career

Early career As one of the first successful mixed martial artists to come Sweden, Eklund is by many considered as a pioneer for Swedish MMA. In 2002, he started out his professional career fighting on the smaller European circuit, with many wins and finishes to his credit, including winning and defending the Strike and submit lightweight title in 2007. He also competed in the Russian M-1 Global organisation.

Eklund also had a few fights on the international scene, for promotions lite Shooto in Japan and Canadian Bodog Fight. As of 2007 he had racked up a record of 13-2-1, including wins over former PRIDE- and future UFC veteran David Baron, future UFC veteran Tom Niinimäki and future WEC and Bellator MMA veteran Rafael Dias, before getting the call from the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championships In 2008, Eklund became the first Swede to sign with the UFC. At UFC 80, he fought against Sam Stout and lost via unanimous decision. He was given another chance and went up against Samy Schiavo at UFC 89, who he defeated by rear naked choke. In his last fight for the promotion, he was defeated via TKO by his then undefeated opponent Evan Dunham at UFC 95.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Strike and Submit Strike and Submit Lightweight Championship (One time; first) One successful title defense FinnFight FinnFight 6 Featherweight Tournament Winner Viking Fight Viking Fight 2 Lightweight Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Thomas Hytten KO (punch) Vision FC 2

Karlstad, Sweden Loss

Evan Dunham TKO (punches) UFC 95

London, England Win

Samy Schiavo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 89

Birmingham, England Loss

Sam Stout Decision (unanimous) UFC 80

Newcastle, England Win

Rafael Dias Decision (unanimous) Bodog Fight: Vancouver

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Toni Talvitie Decision (unanimous) Shooto Finland: Bloodbath

Vantaa, Finland Win

David Metcalf Submission (kimura) Strike and Submit 2

Gateshead, England Win

Aaron Barrow Submission (kimura) Strike and Submit 1

Gateshead, England Loss

Tatsuya Kawajiri TKO (punches) Shooto: Champion Carnival

Yokohama, Japan Win

David Baron Decision (unanimous) European Vale Tudo 6 - Ragnarok

Stockholm, Sweden Loss

Yuri Ivlev Decision (unanimous) M-1 MFC: Russia vs. Europe

St. Petersburg, Russia Win

Chico Martinez Submission (armbar) Rings Muay Thai

Enschede, Netherlands Win

Mikhail Rosokhaty Submission (armbar) WFCA: Latvia Free Fight 2

Riga, Latvia Win

Colin Mannsur KO (knees) Together Productions: Fight Gala

Netherlands Draw

Thomas Hytten Draw Shooto Finland: Cold War

Turku, Finland Win

Teemu Nurkkala TKO (punches) FinnFight 6

Turku, Finland Won FF 6 Featherweight Tournament. Win

Tom Niinimäki TKO (punches) FinnFight 6

Turku, Finland Win

Tchavdar Pavlov Submission (triangle choke) Viking Fight 2: The Modern Gladiators

Broendby, Denmark Won VF 2 Lightweight Tournament. Win

Karim Sorensen Submission (armbar) Viking Fight 2: The Modern Gladiators

Broendby, Denmark Win

Ilya Kudryashov Decision (split) M-1 MFC: European Championship 2002

St. Petersburg, Russia Professional boxing record

Win

MD 4 (4) 2007-09-28