Introduction
Mac Danzig (born January 2, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist, who competed as a lightweight in several MMA promotions, most notably the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
Danzig, of German and Scots-Irish descent, grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his career.
MMA career
In the past, Danzig was known for his association with R1 fight team (formerly RAW) and had been a student of Iowa wrestling standout Rico Chiapparelli and MMA fighter Frank Trigg. Since then he trained boxing extensively at both the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, California under Freddie Roach assistant Justin Fortune, and more recently under Gil Martinez in Las Vegas, Nevada. Danzig credits Martinez as his only current boxing coach.
While Danzig is known as an impressive grappler, having scored 12 of his victories by submission; he has proven himself to be an adept striker, most notably with his KO victory over Joe Stevenson and his TKO victory over former lightweight champion Takumi Nakayama.
After defeating Royce Gracie black belt Buddy Clinton on August 4, 2006, Danzig increased his winning streak to 12 in a row with a unanimous decision victory over Miletich fighter John Mahlow on September 29 in Calgary, Alberta Canada.
Danzig then lost his KOTC title to Clay French on January 19, 2007 by split decision.
In his first major fight, facing Hayato Sakurai at PRIDE 33 on February 24, Danzig lost the fight by KO (punch) at the 4:01 mark of round two.
The Ultimate Fighter
Mac was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 6, Danzig defeated Joe Scarola in a preliminary fight and later defeated John Kolosci to make it to the semifinals. He then defeated Kolosci (who had replaced an injured Matt Arroyo) again, and moved on to the finals where he submitted Tom Speer in the 1st round to become TUF Season 6 winner.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Danzig made his official UFC debut on December 8, 2007, where he won The Ultimate Fighter 6, defeating Tom Speer in the finals via rear naked choke at 2:01 of the first round. Before the fight, Danzig stated his intention to drop down in weight class to lightweight whether he won or lost, citing the size difference between himself and most of the other UFC welterweights.
Danzig made his return to lightweight by defeating Canadian Mark Bocek via third round submission at UFC 83 on April 19, 2008.
On September 17, 2008, at UFC Fight Night, Danzig lost a unanimous decision to Clay Guida, who used his wrestling to control Danzig. Danzig gave Guida some problems on the feet in the first round displaying crisp striking skills. In the second and third rounds though, Danzig succumbed to Guida's wrestling offense, as his opponent controlled him for with takedowns and top control.
At UFC Fight Night 17 he lost via triangle choke to Josh Neer. Both Danzig and Neer received Fight of the Night honors. The loss dropped Danzig to 1–2 in his post-TUF career. The two fighters exchanged on the feet quite evenly in a back and forth fight, but Neer's active guard caused Danzig problems as he was caught in the fight ending submission after getting on top following a scramble in the second round.
Danzig lost to Jim Miller at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) making it his third consecutive loss in the UFC.
Danzig defeated Justin Buchholz on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109 by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring it 29–28 for Danzig, snapping his three-fight losing streak.
Danzig was defeated by Matt Wiman via first round technical submission at UFC 115. The stoppage was considered controversial by many as Wiman had Danzig in a guillotine choke, and referee Yves Lavigne called a stoppage despite the fact that Danzig had not submitted and was still conscious.
Danzig was expected to face Wiman again on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22, but pulled out of the fight due to a chest injury sustained during training.
Danzig then faced Joe Stevenson (season 2 Ultimate Fighter winner) on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124 and earned his first KO victory in the UFC at 1:54 of the first round. While moving backwards, Danzig landed a counter-left hook that sent Stevenson to the ground, and Danzig was subsequently awarded the Knockout of the Night bonus.
Danzig was expected to face Donald Cerrone on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131 but had to withdraw due to a chest injury.
A rematch with Matt Wiman took place on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6 with Danzig losing via unanimous decision in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.
Danzig faced Efrain Escudero (season 8 Ultimate Fighter winner) on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145. He defeated Escudero by unanimous decision.
Danzig faced Takanori Gomi on November 10, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 6, with Danzig losing in a split decision.
Danzig next fought Melvin Guillard on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8. After a close first round, Danzig lost via knockout in the second round.
Danzig faced Joe Lauzon on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
After his loss to Lauzon, Danzig announced his retirement from MMA fighting on March 4, 2014. This concludes his overall record of 5-8 with the UFC. Danzig stated he retired due to concussions and accumulated brain damage.
Personal life
Danzig had a daughter, Nova, in November 2008.
He has been a vegan since 2004 and is an animal rights advocate.
Danzig is credited as a Mixed Martial Arts Consultant for the Nickelodeon television series The Legend of Korra.
Mac is a semi-professional nature photographer who specializes in landscape and wildlife photography.
In 2015 he married fellow MMA fighter Angela Hancock (now Angela Danzig) whom he coaches and trains. Together, they live in Los Angeles with 3 children.
Accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Ultimate Fighter 6 Winner
- Fight of the Night (Three Times)
- Knockout of the Night (One Time)
- King of the Cage
- King of the Cage Lightweight World Championship (One Time)
- Four successful title defenses
- Extreme Challenge Trials
- 2001 Extreme Trials Eastern Regional Champion
- 2001 Extreme Trials National Champion
- Gladiator Challenge
- GC Lightweight World Championship (One Time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 34 matches | 21 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 2 |
| By submission | 10 | 2 |
| By decision | 6 | 8 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–12–1 | Joe Lauzon | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 | 000000002013-12-14-0000December 14, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Loss | 21–11–1 | Melvin Guillard | KO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | 000000002013-07-27-0000July 27, 2013 | 2 | 2:47 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 21–10–1 | Takanori Gomi | Decision (split) | UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le | 000000002012-11-10-0000November 10, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Macau, SAR, China | Fight of the Night |
| Win | 21–9–1 | Efrain Escudero | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 145 | 000000002012-04-21-0000April 21, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 20–9–1 | Matt Wiman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson | 000000002011-10-01-0000October 1, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Washington D.C., United States | Fight of the Night |
| Win | 20–8–1 | Joe Stevenson | KO (punch) | UFC 124 | 000000002010-12-11-0000December 11, 2010 | 1 | 1:54 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Knockout of the Night |
| Loss | 19–8–1 | Matt Wiman | Technical submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 115 | 000000002010-06-12-0000June 12, 2010 | 1 | 1:45 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Win | 19–7–1 | Justin Buchholz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 109 | 000000002010-02-06-0000February 6, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 18–7–1 | Jim Miller | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 100 | 000000002009-07-11-0000July 11, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 18–6–1 | Josh Neer | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens | 000000002009-02-07-0000February 7, 2009 | 2 | 3:36 | Tampa, Florida, United States | Fight of the Night |
| Loss | 18–5–1 | Clay Guida | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer | 000000002008-09-17-0000September 17, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 18–4–1 | Mark Bocek | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 83 | 000000002008-04-19-0000April 19, 2008 | 3 | 3:48 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Return to Lightweight |
| Win | 17–4–1 | Tom Speer | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs Team Serra Finale | 000000002007-12-08-0000December 8, 2007 | 1 | 2:01 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won The Ultimate Fighter 6 competition |
| Loss | 16–4–1 | Hayato Sakurai | KO (punch) | Pride 33 | 000000002007-02-24-0000February 24, 2007 | 2 | 4:01 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–3–1 | Clay French | Decision (split) | KOTC: Hard Knocks | 000000002007-01-19-0000January 19, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Rockford, Illinois, United States | Lost KOTC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 16–2–1 | John Mahlow | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Detonator | 000000002006-09-29-0000September 29, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 15–2–1 | Buddy Clinton | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Rapid Fire | 000000002006-08-04-0000August 4, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 14–2–1 | Orlando Sanchez | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Karnage | 000000002006-04-22-0000April 22, 2006 | 1 | 3:08 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 13–2–1 | Jason Ireland | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Drop Zone | 000000002006-03-18-0000March 18, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States | Defended KOTC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 12–2–1 | Takumi Nakayama | TKO (corner stoppage) | KOTC: Execution Day | 000000002005-10-29-0000October 29, 2005 | 3 | 2:45 | Reno, Nevada, United States | Won KOTC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | 11–2–1 | Frank Kirmse | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC: Shock and Awe | 000000002005-10-01-0000October 1, 2005 | 1 | 1:45 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 10–2–1 | Nick Ertl | TKO (doctor stoppage) | GC 42: Summer Slam | 000000002005-09-10-0000September 10, 2005 | 1 | 4:14 | Lakeport, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–2–1 | Mike Valdez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC 54: Mucho Machismo | 000000002005-06-12-0000June 12, 2005 | 1 | 4:13 | San Jacinto, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Luke Spencer | Submission (rear-naked choke) | IFC: Caged Combat | 000000002005-05-21-0000May 21, 2005 | 1 | 1:56 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 7–2–1 | Max Marin | Submission (triangle choke) | IFC: Mayhem in Montana | 000000002005-04-30-0000April 30, 2005 | 1 | 3:39 | Billings, Montana, United States | |
| Win | 6–2–1 | Brandon Olsen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | IFC: Mayhem in Montana | 000000002005-04-30-0000April 30, 2005 | 2 | 2:12 | Billings, Montana, United States | |
| Win | 5–2–1 | Akbarh Arreola | TKO (punches) | RM 5: Road to the Championship | 000000002004-06-27-0000June 27, 2004 | 1 | 1:22 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Draw | 4–2–1 | Jason Von Flue | Draw | Gladiator Challenge 25 | 000000002004-04-20-0000April 20, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Porterville, California, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | LaVerne Clark | Decision (unanimous) | Extreme Challenge 54 | 000000002003-10-12-0000October 12, 2003 | 3 | 3:00 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Tripstin Kersiano | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Gladiator Challenge 14 | 000000002003-02-16-0000February 16, 2003 | 2 | 1:49 | Porterville, California, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Kurt Pellegrino | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 4 | 000000002002-08-31-0000August 31, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Brandon Bledsoe | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Gladiator Challenge 10 | 000000002002-04-14-0000April 14, 2002 | 1 | 0:56 | Colusa, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ray Totorico | Submission (omoplata) | Reality Combat Fighting 12 | 000000002001-10-20-0000October 20, 2001 | 1 | 1:30 | Houma, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Cedric Stewart | Decision (split) | Extreme Challenge Trials | 000000002001-10-07-0000October 7, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Decatur, Illinois, United States |