Introduction
Ruan Potts (born August 24, 1977) is a South African professional mixed martial artist.
Mixed martial arts career
Potts made his professional debut in 2011, competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native South Africa, where he was also the Extreme Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He compiled a record of 8 - 1, finishing his opponents in all of his victories before signing with the UFC in February 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Potts made his UFC debut against Soa Palelei on 10 May 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40. Palelei won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Potts faced Anthony Hamilton on 30 August 2014 at UFC 177. Hamilton won the bout via TKO in the second round.
Potts faced Derrick Lewis on 28 February 2015 at UFC 184. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. Subsequently, Potts was released from the organization.
Return to EFC
Potts re-signed with Extreme Fighting Championship after his release from the UFC and faced French Heavyweight Cyril "Silverback" Asker. He lost via TKO (retirement) after the first round.
Championships and accomplishments
- Extreme Fighting Championship Africa
- EFCA Heavyweight Championship (Two times)
- Two successful championship defenses
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 17 matches | 11 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 4 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 11–6 | Karl Etherington | TKO (punches) | EFC 58 | 000000002017-04-08-00008 April 2017 | 1 | 2:33 | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Win | 10–6 | Brendon Groenewald | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | EFC 55 | 000000002016-11-11-000011 November 2016 | 2 | 4:21 | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Win | 9–6 | Vandam Mbuyi | Submission (armbar) | EFC 50 | 000000002016-06-17-000017 June 2016 | 1 | 4:06 | Sun City, South Africa | Back to Heavyweight |
| Loss | 8–6 | Tumelo Maphutha | Decision (unanimous) | EFC 45 | 000000002015-11-07-00007 November 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Cape Town, South Africa | Light heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 8–5 | Cyril Asker | TKO (retirement) | EFC 40 | 000000002015-06-06-00006 June 2015 | 1 | 5:00 | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Loss | 8–4 | Derrick Lewis | TKO (punches) | UFC 184 | 000000002015-02-28-000028 February 2015 | 2 | 3:18 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Anthony Hamilton | TKO (body punches) | UFC 177 | 000000002014-08-30-000030 August 2014 | 2 | 4:17 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Soa Palelei | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | 000000002014-05-10-000010 May 2014 | 1 | 2:20 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Andrew Van Zyl | Technical Submission (armbar) | EFC Africa 26 | 000000002013-12-12-000012 December 2013 | 1 | 0:44 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won EFCA Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 7–1 | Ricky Misholas | Submission (triangle choke) | EFC Africa 24 | 000000002013-10-10-000010 October 2013 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 6–1 | Mahmoud Hassan | Submission (ankle lock) | EFC Africa 21 | 000000002013-07-25-000025 July 2013 | 1 | 0:37 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Andrew Van Zyl | Decision (unanimous) | EFC Africa 18 | 000000002013-03-01-00001 March 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | Lost EFCA Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 5–0 | Bernardo Mikixi | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 16 | 000000002012-10-19-000019 October 2012 | 2 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended EFCA Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 4–0 | Andrew Van Zyl | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 11 | 000000002011-11-10-000010 November 2011 | 1 | 3:50 | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended EFCA Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 3–0 | Norman Wessels | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 9 | 000000002011-07-30-000030 July 2011 | 3 | 4:21 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won EFCA Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 2–0 | Baygon Obutobe | TKO (punches and elbows) | EFC Africa 8 | 000000002011-04-14-000014 April 2011 | 4 | 3:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 1–0 | Calven Robinson | TKO (knee and punches) | EFC Africa 8 | 000000002011-02-03-00003 February 2011 | 1 | 1:23 | Gauteng, South Africa |