Joe Solecki

Joseph Anthony Solecki (born August 27, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist. Solecki currently competes in the Lightweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Solecki began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 6. Joe states:

“I got into BJJ at age 6 by accident, I wanted to do karate like the power rangers. My parents sent my brother for a year or two at first, but we ended up enrolling in a school where the instructor had begun training BJJ and he switched the entire curriculum to grappling by the time I signed up”.

Early career

Solecki started his professional as a pretty accomplished amateur with a 5–0 record. With all of those 5 amateur wins coming via submission or TKO. In his MMA debut at CFFC 61, he submitted Chris Rollins via rear-naked choke in the first round. Solecki also tapped out Andrew Cherico at CFFC 62 and Kevin Perez at CFFC 63, respectively. Although Joe was on an 8 fight win streak, that came to an end when he faced Cesar Balmaceda. That fight went Cesar’s way via unanimous decision. He defeated Eric Calderon via TKO in round one at Warfare MMA 16. Then at CFFC 69, Solecki submitted Johnson Jajoute in the first round via rear-naked choke. He then came up against Nikolas Motta and unfortunately Solecki lost this fight via a finish. He tapped out Gilbert Patrocinio via triangle choke in round one at ROC 66. At CFFC 73, Solecki defeated Jacob Bohn via unanimous decision. In the main event of Dana White's Contender Series 19 on July 9, 2019, Solecki submitted James Wallace in the first round to pick up his sixth submission win as a professional along with a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Solecki made his UFC debut against veteran Matt Wiman on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Solecki was expected to face Austin Hubbard on June 20, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov. However, at the last minute, Solecki was replaced by promotional newcomer Max Rohskopf.

The bout with Hubbard was rescheduled on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar. Solecki won the fight by submission in the first round.

Solecki faced Jim Miller on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Solecki faced Jared Gordon on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. He lost the fight via split decision.

Solecki faced Alex da Silva Coelho on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207. He won the bout via majority decision after a point deduction was given to da Silva due to repeatedly locking his toes in the fence.

Solecki was scheduled to face Benoît Saint-Denis on February 18, 2023, atUFC Fight Night 219. However, Saint-Denis withdrew from the bout citing ankle injury.He was replaced by promotional newcomer Carl Deaton III and the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 220 a week later. Solecki won the fight via technical submission in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Solecki is scheduled to face Drakkar Klose on December 2, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 233.

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Carl Deaton III

Solecki and his wife Kacey, have a daughter, born 2020.