Anton Zafir
Introduction
Anton Zafir (born May 10, 1987) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2012, Zafir was also the Nitro MMA Welterweight Champion .
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Born and raised in Cairns, Zafir is a teacher at Proserpine State High School. He began training in martial arts in 2009 and made his professional debut in mixed martial arts in 2012. He currently runs his camp from his gym at Whitsunday Martial Arts (WMA) with long time friend and trainer Dan Zealand in Cannonvale, Queensland.
Zafir juggles teaching full time with fighting and also travels to train at Townsville and the Sunshine Coast, Queensland where he works closely with coaches Ian Bone and Rob Giuffrida.
Competing primarily for regional promotions in Queensland, he compiled a record of 7 - 1 Becoming the Nitro MMA Welterweight Champion (1) in 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Zafir made his promotional debut when has was tabbed as a short notice replacement and faced James Moontasri on 15 November 2015 at UFC 193, where he filled in for Brendan O'Reilly He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Zafir next faced Li Jingliang on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 10 matches | 7 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 3 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 7-3 | Li Jingliang | KO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | July 8, 2016 | 1 | 2:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 7–2 | James Moontasri | TKO (spinning back kick and spinning back fist) | UFC 193 | November 15, 2015 | 1 | 4:36 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 7–1 | Ryan Heketa | TKO (punches) | Nitro MMA 13 | March 21, 2015 | 1 | 4:12 | Brisbane, Australia | Defended the Nitro MMA Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–1 | Corey Nelson | Decision (unanimous) | Nitro MMA 11 | March 8, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Brisbane, Australia | Won the Nitro MMA Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–1 | Tristan Murphy | TKO (punches) | Airlie Fight Night 2 | November 30, 2013 | 2 | 0:00 | Airlie Beach, Australia | |
| Win | 4–1 | Shane Gregory | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Carnage In The Cage 1 | September 7, 2013 | 2 | 0:49 | Mackay, Queensland, Australia | |
| Win | 3–1 | Rod Staader | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UCU 1 | August 10, 2013 | 1 | 2:24 | Emerald, Queensland, Australia | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Alex Volkanovski | TKO (punches) | Roshambo MMA 1 | April 6, 2013 | 4 | 2:19 | Brisbane, Australia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Paul Cavacus | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WR 15 | August 18, 2012 | 2 | 1:48 | Gladstone, Queensland, Australia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jake Taylor | TKO (punches) | Manowar MMA | June 1, 2012 | 1 | 2:18 | Brisbane, Australia |