Introduction
Mitch Clarke (born November 24, 1985) is a Canadian mixed martial artist. He currently fights as a Lightweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and is the head coach at Complete MMA, St. Albert, Canada.
Background
Clarke was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He competed in wrestling at Walter Murray Collegiate Institute.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Clarke made his professional MMA debut in May 2007. He fought exclusively in Canada and amassed a record of 9–0 before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Clarke made his UFC debut at UFC 140 in Toronto, Ontario against promotional newcomer John Cholish. He lost the fight via TKO (punches) at 4:36 of the second round resulting in the first loss of his professional career.
Clarke faced Anton Kuivanen on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149. He lost the fight via split decision.
Clarke faced John Maguire on June 15, 2013 at UFC 161. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Clarke faced Al Iaquinta at UFC 173, in his first match outside of Canada. After being dominated in the first round, Clarke won the fight via submission due to a D'Arce choke from the bottom in the second round. The win earned Clarke his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
Clarke faced Michael Chiesa on April 4, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 63. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Clarke next faced Joseph Duffy on July 7, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90. He lost the fight via submission in the opening minute of the first round.
Personal life
Clarke was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and is the first Saskatchewan born fighter in the UFC. He wrestled at Walter Murray Collegiate. He currently resides in Edmonton Alberta, and trains at Complete Fitness and Martial Arts in St Albert. He has won the Welterweight title with the EFC out of Lloydminster and also won the Lightweight title for the TFC. He also trains in Arizona at the MMA Lab with John Crouch and Benson Henderson. Clarke is the son of Rick Clarke & Elise Brust and stepson of Vickie Clarke. After UFC 173, Clarke told reporters his favourite Super NES video game is Turtles in Time.
Championships and achievements
Mixed martial arts
- Evolution Fighting Championships
- EFC Lightweight Championship (One time)
- The Fight Club
- TFC Lightweight Championship (One time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 15 matches | 11 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| By submission | 7 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11–4 | Joseph Duffy | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez | July 7, 2016 | 1 | 0:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Michael Chiesa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas | April 4, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Al Iaquinta | Technical Submission (D'Arce choke) | UFC 173 | May 24, 2014 | 2 | 0:57 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 10–2 | John Maguire | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 161 | June 15, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| Loss | 9–2 | Anton Kuivanen | Decision (split) | UFC 149 | July 21, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 9–1 | John Cholish | TKO (punches) | UFC 140 | December 10, 2011 | 2 | 4:36 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 9–0 | Eddie Rincon | Decision (unanimous) | EFC 8: Aggression | April 23, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 8–0 | Josh Machan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Fight Club 11 | September 10, 2010 | 2 | 0:43 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Won the TFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Brandon MacArthur | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Fight Club 10 | March 19, 2010 | 2 | 1:14 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 6–0 | Travis Briere | Decision (unanimous) | Adrenaline 1 | October 2, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 5–0 | Adam Hunsperger | Submission (guillotine choke) | The Fight Club 7: Full Throttle | May 30, 2009 | 1 | 0:56 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 4–0 | Paul Grandbois | Submission (armbar) | EFC 2: Redemption | March 14, 2009 | 2 | 2:41 | Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada | Defended the EFC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–0 | Darren Ford | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC 1: First Conflict | September 20, 2008 | 1 | N/A | Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada | Won the EFC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–0 | Jase Nibourg | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Brawl in the Mall 2 | October 19, 2007 | 1 | 3:41 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jase Nibourg | Submission (choke) | XCW: Extreme Cage Warz | May 12, 2007 | N/A | N/A | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |