Garreth McLellan

Garreth McLellan (born 9 January 1982) is a South African professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Middleweight division of the EFC. A professional since 2009, he was one of the first South African MMA fighters to compete in the UFC.

Garreth McLellan
Born (1982-01-09) 9 January 1982 (age 42)
Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa
Other namesSoldier Boy
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofJohannesburg, South Africa
TeamUltimate MMA Fitness
FightFitMilitia
RankBlack belt in Karate[2]
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins13
By knockout3
By submission9
By decision1
Losses7
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Born and raised in South Africa, McLellan began training in karate at the age of nine and also played rugby union. At the age of 19, McLellan was playing flanker for the Crusaders Rugby Club in Durban when he was offered a contract to compete for the Natal Sharks. Working with Jason Vorster, the team's fitness coach and an MMA trainer, McLellan would eventually make the transition to mixed martial arts. In karate, McLellan was a national champion and also won a national title in grappling.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

McLellan compiled an amateur record of 10–0 before making his professional debut in 2009, competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native South Africa, and was a two-time EFC AFRICA champion. He compiled a professional record of 12–2, before signing with the UFC in December 2014.[4]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

McLellan made his promotional debut against Bartosz Fabiński on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[5]

McLellan faced Bubba Bush on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76.[6] He won the fight via TKO in the closing seconds of the third round.[7]

McLellan next faced Magnus Cedenblad on 8 May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87.[8] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[9]

McLellan was defeated by Alessio Di Chirico on 27 August 2016 at UFC on Fox 21.[10] He lost the fight via split decision.[11]

McLellan faced promotional newcomer Paulo Costa on 11 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106.[12] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[13]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
20 matches13 wins7 losses
By knockout34
By submission91
By decision12
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss13–7Brendan LesarKO (punch)EFC Africa 8029 June 201913:06Sibaya, South AfricaFor the interim EFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss13–6Paulo CostaTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum11 March 201711:17Fortaleza, Brazil
Loss13–5Alessio Di ChiricoDecision (split)UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit27 August 201635:00Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss13–4Magnus CedenbladTKO (head kick and punches)UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski8 May 201620:47Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win13–3Bubba BushTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka24 October 201534:58Dublin, Ireland
Loss12–3Bartosz FabińskiDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 211 April 201535:00Kraków, Poland
Win12–2Dricus du PlessisSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC Africa 3330 August 201431:44Durban, South AfricaDefended the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win11–2J.P. KrugerSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC Africa 2827 March 201413:05Gauteng, South AfricaDefended the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win10–2Jeremy SmithSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC Africa 2410 October 20131N/AGauteng, South AfricaWon the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win9–2Tumelo MuphuthaDecision (split)EFC Africa 2027 June 201335:00Gauteng, South Africa
Win8–2Armand de BruynSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC Africa 1527 July 201211:22Gauteng, South Africa
Win7–2Danie van HeerdenSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC Africa 141 June 201223:08Gauteng, South Africa
Loss6–2Jeremy SmithSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC Africa 122 March 201240:56Gauteng, South AfricaLost the EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win6–1Jacques JoubertSubmission (guillotine choke)EFC Africa 814 April 201143:14Gauteng, South AfricaWon the inaugural EFC Middleweight Championship.
Win5–1Wade HendersonSubmission (rear-naked choke)EFC Africa 521 October 201023:38Gauteng, South Africa
Win4–1Warren AllisonSubmission (armbar)EFC Africa 38 May 20101N/AGauteng, South Africa
Win3–1Juan LubbeKO (punches)EFC Africa 210 March 20101N/AGauteng, South Africa
Win2–1Barry BritzTKO (punches)EFC Africa 112 November 20091N/AGauteng, South Africa
Loss1–1Wade HendersonTKO (punches)Fight Force 126 July 20091N/AGauteng, South Africa
Win1–0J.P. KrugerSubmission (armbar)XFC Africa: Fight Club30 May 200911:20Gauteng, South Africa

See also

References