Gokhan Saki

Gokhan Saki is a legendary Dutch-Turkish kickboxer who became one of the sport's most decorated champions before attempting a late-career transition to MMA. Over two decades in kickboxing, he captured world titles in Muay Thai, won the prestigious K-1 World Grand Prix in 2008, and became the inaugural Glory Light Heavyweight Champion in 2014. His record in the sport speaks to his technical mastery and high work rate against elite competition.

Saki signed with the UFC in 2017 at age 34, making his debut against Henrique da Silva with a devastating first-round knockout that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. The win showcased why a striker of his caliber could still compete at MMA's highest level. However, his second fight against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 226 ended in a first-round TKO loss, the beginning of a string of injuries that plagued his MMA career. After repeated setbacks and injuries sustained during training, Saki requested his release from the UFC in 2021.

Saki returned to Glory kickboxing with a single-fight contract in October 2021, scoring a second-round knockout victory over James McSweeney before transitioning to coaching and training roles. Now in his 40s and retired from active competition, he is remembered as a rare example of a genuinely elite striker from another combat sport who tested himself in the UFC octagon, even if injuries and the learning curve of MMA ultimately cut his mixed martial arts journey short.