Introduction
Nah-Shon Burrell (born February 5, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2010, Burrell has competed for Bellator MMA, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce, Absolute Championship Berkut and the Cage Fury Fighting Championships.
Background
Burrell is from the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Overbrook High School where he competed in football as well as track and field, and was talented. Burrell often got into fights and ultimately did not stick with sports as he admits that "did not like taking orders". However, after Burrell began watching UFC fights, he became motivated to become a mixed martial arts fighter himself.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After a 3-2 amateur career, Burrell began his professional MMA career in 2010. He fought only for middle Atlantic states organizations. With a MMA record of 5-1, he signed with Strikeforce.
Strikeforce
Burrell made his debut on May 20, 2011 at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum against Joe Ray. He won via unanimous decision.
Burrell faced Lukasz Les on August 12, 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte. He won via TKO in the second round.
Burrell faced James Terry on January 7, 2012 at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine. He won via split decision.
Burrell was expected to face Bobby Voelker on May 19, 2012 at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier, however Voelker had to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Chris Spang. He lost via TKO in the first round.
Burrell was expected to face Yuri Villefort on September 29, 2012 at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy. However, the event was cancelled due to headliner and lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez getting injured.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Burrell made his promotional debut against fellow Strikeforce import Yuri Villefort on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Burrell faced Stephen Thompson on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160. He lost the fight by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) and was subsequently released from the promotion.
Bellator MMA
Burrell was expected to make his promotional debut against Dante Rivera on November 15, 2013 at Bellator 108. However, Rivera was removed from the card due to undisclosed reasons and Burrell instead faced Jesus Martinez. He won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Burrell faced Andrey Koreshkov in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Ten Welterweight Tournament on March 14, 2014 at Bellator 112. He was defeated early in the first round via TKO at 0:41.
Burrell faced Michael Page at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014, and lost the bout via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Absolute Championship Berkut
Burrell faced Beslan Isaev on December 23, 2017 at ACB 77. He lost the fight by majority decision.
Burrell faced Albert Tumenov on December 23, 2017 at ACB 80. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 27 matches | 15 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 2 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 8 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15–11 (1) | Ron Stallings | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 52 | August 17, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States | |
| Loss | 15–10 (1) | Arbi Agujev | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 84: Agujev vs. Burrell | April 7, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Bratislava, Slovakia | |
| Loss | 15–9 (1) | Albert Tumenov | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 80: Tumenov vs. Burrell | February 16, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Loss | 15–8 (1) | Beslan Isaev | Decision (majority) | ACB 77: Abdulvakhabov vs. Vartanyan 2 | December 23, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 15–7 (1) | Micah Terrill | TKO (punches) | XCC 28: Xtreme Caged Combat 28 | June 23, 2017 | 1 | 1:16 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 14–7 (1) | Tim Williams | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Fury Fighting Championships 59 | July 9, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 14–6 (1) | Dustin Long | TKO (punches) | Global Proving Ground 24 | May 14, 2016 | 1 | 4:40 | Voorhees, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 13–6 (1) | Chris Curtis | Decision (split) | CES 34: Curtis vs. Burrell | April 1, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | Catchweight bout (176 lb); Burrell missed weight. |
| Win | 12–6 (1) | Ryan Dickson | TKO (punches) | Global Proving Ground 22 | November 21, 2015 | 2 | 0:29 | Voorhees, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 11–6 (1) | Lyman Good | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Fury Fighting Championships 48 | May 9, 2015 | 1 | 3:47 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Return to Welterweight; For the CFFC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–5 (1) | Ryan Hodge | TKO (punches) | New England Fights: Fight Night 16 | February 7, 2015 | 1 | 3:16 | Lewiston, Maine, United States | Middleweight debut. |
| Loss | 10–5 (1) | Michael Page | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 128 | October 10, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 (1) | Andrey Koreshkov | TKO (knee and punches) | Bellator 112 | March 14, 2014 | 1 | 0:41 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | Bellator Season Ten Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 10–3 (1) | Jesus Martinez | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 108 | November 15, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| NC | 9–3 (1) | Mike Wade | No Contest | Richmond Rumble MMA | September 28, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Richmond, Virginia, United States | Originally ruled split decision and later overturned to a no contest. |
| Loss | 9–3 | Stephen Thompson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 160 | May 25, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Yuri Villefort | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 157 | February 23, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | Catchweight bout (175.8 lb); Burrell missed weight. |
| Loss | 8–2 | Chris Spang | TKO (knee and punches) | Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier | May 19, 2012 | 1 | 3:25 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | James Terry | Decision (split) | Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine | January 7, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Lukasz Les | TKO (leg kick and punches) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte | August 12, 2011 | 2 | 2:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Joe Ray | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum | June 18, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Catchweight bout (180 lb); both fighters missed weight. |
| Win | 5–1 | Daryl Harris | KO (knee) | Cage Fury Fighting Championships 8 | May 20, 2011 | 2 | 1:32 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Craig Thieme | TKO (punches) | Cage Fury Fighting Championships 6 | February 5, 2011 | 3 | 3:34 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Robert Corpora | TKO (punches) | Asylum Fight League 32 | November 5, 2010 | 2 | 3:34 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Chris Curtis | Decision (unanimous) | Xtreme Caged Combat: Hostile Intent | October 1, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Juan Garcia | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Caged Combat: Onslaught | July 16, 2010 | 1 | 4:24 | Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Brad Pole | TKO (punches) | Jake the Snake Promotions: Cage Time 2 | June 19, 2010 | 1 | 3:28 | Ocean City, Maryland, United States |