Makwan Amirkhani

Makwan Amirkhani: The Finnish Submission Specialist in the UFC Featherweight Division

Makwan "Mr. Finland" Amirkhani, born on November 8, 1988, in Kermanshah, Iran, is a Finnish mixed martial artist (MMA) competing in the UFC featherweight division. Amirkhani is known for his strong grappling skills, particularly his impressive submissions, and his ability to finish fights early. His charismatic personality and spectacular performances have made him a fan favorite.

Early Life and Career

Makwan Amirkhani was born in Iran but emigrated to Finland with his family at a young age. Growing up in Finland, he developed a passion for wrestling, which gave him a strong foundation in ground fighting. Amirkhani began his MMA career in 2010 and fought in various regional promotions before making the jump to the UFC in 2015.

He quickly caught the attention of the MMA community due to his impressive grappling skills and his ability to overwhelm opponents quickly with submissions.

UFC Career

Makwan Amirkhani made an explosive UFC debut at UFC on Fox 14 in January 2015, where he defeated Andy Ogle with a flying knee followed by strikes in just eight seconds. This spectacular knockout established his name in the UFC and earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Amirkhani built on his success with impressive wins over fighters like Masio Fullen and Mike Wilkinson, showcasing his strong grappling and submission skills. His victory over Chris Fishgold in June 2019 at UFC Fight Night 153 via an anaconda choke highlighted his status as one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the division.

Although Amirkhani has faced setbacks against top contenders such as Edson Barboza and Arnold Allen, he remains a constant threat in the featherweight division thanks to his strong ground game and fighter mentality.

Style and Technique

Makwan Amirkhani is a master of grappling, with a strong background in wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He uses his wrestling skills to take opponents to the ground, where he effectively works toward submissions like chokes. His specialty is submissions from unconventional positions, making him particularly dangerous in ground fighting.

While his striking is still developing, Amirkhani has shown power in his punches and kicks. However, his primary goal remains to bring the fight to the ground, where he has achieved the most success with his impressive grappling skills.

Future Ambitions

Makwan Amirkhani remains focused on improving his skills and aims to continue proving himself as a top fighter in the UFC featherweight division. His goal is to break into the top of the division and show consistency in his performances. With his strong submission skills and determination, he has the potential to climb further up the division and solidify his place at the top.

Conclusion

Makwan Amirkhani is one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the UFC featherweight division, known for his impressive grappling skills and ability to finish fights quickly. Although he has faced setbacks, he remains a constant threat in the division thanks to his strong ground game and fighter mentality. As he continues to work on his overall game, Amirkhani remains a fighter to watch in the future of the UFC.