Makwan Amirkhani

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

Makwan "Mr. Finland" Amirkhani, born November 8, 1988 in Kermanshah, Iran, is a Finnish mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes 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 immigrated to Finland with his family at a young age. Growing up in Finland, he developed a passion for wrestling, which gave him a strong grounding in ground fighting. Amirkhani began his MMA career in 2010, fighting in various regional promotions before making the switch to the UFC in 2015.

Amirkhani quickly gained the attention of the MMA community for his impressive grappling skills and his ability to quickly overwhelm opponents with submissions.

UFC Career

Makwan Amirkhani made an explosive UFC debut at UFC on Fox 14 in January 2015, where he defeated Andy Ogle via flying knee followed by punches in just eight seconds. The spectacular knockout cemented 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 June 2019 anaconda choke victory over Chris Fishgold at UFC Fight Night 153 cemented his status as one of the division’s most dangerous submission specialists.

Although Amirkhani has suffered setbacks against top competitors such as Edson Barboza and Arnold Allen, he remains a consistent threat in the featherweight division thanks to his strong ground game and fighting spirit.

Style and Technique

Makwan Amirkhani is a master grappler, with a strong background in wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He uses his wrestling skills to bring his opponents to the ground, where he effectively works towards submissions such as chokes. His specialty is submissions from unconventional positions, which makes him particularly dangerous on the ground.

While his striking is still developing, Amirkhani has shown strength in his punches and kicks. His primary goal, however, remains to take the fight to the ground, where he has found the most success with his impressive grappling skills.

Future Ambitions

Makwan Amirkhani remains focused on improving his skills and wants to continue to prove himself as a top fighter in the UFC featherweight division. His goal is to break through to the top of the division and show consistency in his performances. With his strong submission skills and determination, he has the potential to continue to climb 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 end fights quickly. Although he has faced setbacks, he remains a consistent threat in the division thanks to his strong ground game and fighting mentality. As he continues to work on his overall game, Amirkhani remains a fighter to watch in the future of the UFC.