Nordine Taleb

Nordine Taleb is a French-Canadian welterweight who compiled a 15-7 record across a six-year UFC tenure that ended in 2019. Born in Saint-Tropez and based out of Tristar Gym in Montreal, Taleb began his pro career in 2007 and earned early credibility by winning the Ring of Combat welterweight title before joining Bellator in 2011. After appearing on The Ultimate Fighter Nations as a Canadian representative, he entered the UFC in 2014 and carved out a modest niche as a streaky striker capable of impressive finishes but vulnerable to stronger opponents.

Taleb's fighting style revolves around striking efficiency and reach management. He lands over 3.6 significant strikes per minute with solid defense, and his takedown resistance (74%) reflects an emphasis on keeping fights on the feet. His seven UFC knockouts and eight decision wins showcase his ability to both finish opponents flashily and grind out rounds, though he never submitted anyone in the octagon. His resume includes knockout wins over Erick Silva and Danny Roberts (the latter earning a Performance of the Night bonus in 2017), as well as decision victories over Chris Clements, Oliver Enkamp, and Kyle Prepolec.

However, Taleb's losses tell the story of a journeyman who plateaued against top-15 caliber competitors. He was submitted twice by Claudio Silva, finished by Sean Strickland via second-round TKO, and knocked out in the first round by Muslim Salikhov in his final UFC appearance in September 2019. Those defeats to superior strikers and grapplers illustrated the limits of his game. After his release, Taleb moved to ARES FC and has remained active on the regional circuit, representing a fighter whose moment in the big show came and passed without reaching the elite ranks.