Makwan Amirkhani

Makwan Amirkhani, known as 'Mr. Finland', is a Finnish mixed martial artist born into a Kurdish refugee family that fled to Finland in the early 1990s. After a decorated career in amateur wrestling (he was a Finnish champion in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle disciplines with roughly 800 amateur matches), Amirkhani transitioned to mixed martial arts at age 16. He compiled an impressive 10-2 record on the regional Finnish circuit, amassing eight first-round submission finishes before the UFC signed him in December 2014. His UFC debut in January 2015 was spectacular: a TKO of Andy Ogle in just 8 seconds, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus and instant recognition.

Throughout his nine-year tenure in the UFC, Amirkhani built a reputation as one of the organization's most submission-reliant finishers. He recorded 12 submission victories out of 17 wins, with a particular mastery of the anaconda choke (three finishes). His signature style is a wrestling-heavy approach that prioritizes control and ground positioning; he hunts submissions relentlessly once he secures the clinch or establishes top control. Highlights include early-career wins over regional prospects and a pair of Performance of the Night bonuses for finishing performances against Chris Fishgold (2019) and Mike Grundy (2022). However, his record in the promotion ultimately stood at 5-9, as he struggled against ranked featherweight and lightweight competition. Losses to Edson Barboza, Shane Burgos, Lerone Murphy (a devastating knockout), and Jack Shore marked difficult stretches; his striking defense and cardio were frequently exposed, limiting his effectiveness when opponents prevented him from securing takedowns or clinching.

After the UFC declined to renew his contract in June 2023, Amirkhani moved to Oktagon MMA and then to the smaller Finnish promotion Ice Cage Fighting. In August 2025, he captured the Ice Cage lightweight championship with a submission victory, though the bout was shadowed by allegations of illegal fence-hooking. Now 36 years old, Amirkhani remains active and continues to pursue victories, though his window for a return to elite promotion appears closed. His legacy is that of a high-finishing submission specialist with an inspiring personal story but limited success against elite-level strikers and rounded competitors.