Michael Trizano
11-3-0
About
Gritty New Jersey featherweight and TUF 27 winner who mixes striking and grappling but has struggled to string wins together at the UFC level.
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Michael Trizano is a New Jersey native and two-time former champion (Ring of Combat featherweight, Maverick MMA lightweight) who won The Ultimate Fighter season 27 as a lightweight and transitioned to featherweight in the UFC. Born December 31, 1991, he came to fighting later than most, working warehouse and food delivery jobs before committing to MMA full-time. His early career showed promise: he compiled a perfect 6-0 amateur MMA record, won four amateur kickboxing titles, and strung together five straight professional wins before joining TUF. His tournament victory on Team Miocic catapulted him into the UFC in July 2018.
In the octagon, Trizano fights as a volume-oriented striker who lands over 300 significant strikes and competes primarily at range (82% from standing). He boasts respectable striking defense (51%) and takedown defense (73%), though his finishes come more often by decision than knockout. His record at UFC (11-3-0 overall, but 2-3 in his last five) reflects a fighter who competes hard but hasn't climbed the featherweight ladder. Notable moments include a Fight of the Night war against Lucas Almeida that ended in a brutal third-round TKO loss, and an early submission loss to Grant Dawson in 2019 that exposed his vulnerability to elite grappling. More recently, he secured impressive first-round knockout wins, including one against Seung Woo Choi at UFC 281 in November 2022, though he weighed in 1.6 pounds over the featherweight limit and was fined.
Trizano left the UFC in early 2024 after fighting out his contract without being re-signed. He has since transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing, winning back-to-back Knockout of the Night awards at BKFC. As an MMA fighter, he remains the archetype of the gritty, no-quit competitor willing to engage in exchanges but unable to consistently overcome higher-level opposition through either elite striking precision or submission defense. His TUF pedigree and willingness to scrap earn respect, but his record reflects the harsh reality of featherweight depth.
Why fans love Trizano
Trizano is a humble, hardworking fighter with a grounded backstory: warehouse worker and late-night delivery driver who won TUF and clawed his way to the UFC. He consistently shows up to compete and deliver entertaining wars. His Fight of the Night against Almeida demonstrated his willingness to trade and go the distance in high-action bouts.
Why some fans hate Trizano
Trizano missed weight by 1.6 pounds against Seung Woo Choi in November 2022 at featherweight, resulting in a fine and catchweight bout. His inconsistent win-loss record and tendency to lose close decisions or get caught in grappling exchanges frustrate fans who see flashes of skill but not enough consistency to become a title contender.
