Mads Burnell

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Mads Burnell
Mads Burnell.jpg
Mads Burnell
BornMads Zerahn Burnell
(1994-03-06) March 6, 1994 (age 31)
Husum, Denmark [1]
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight66 kg (146 lb; 10 st 6 lb)
Division Featherweight
Reach69 in (175 cm) [2]
Style Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Fighting out of Copenhagen, Denmark
TeamArte Suave Copenhagen
Xtreme Couture [3]
TrainerNikolai Koubti [4]
Rank1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Chris Haueter [5]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins20
By knockout1
By submission9
By decision10
Losses8
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mads Burnell (born March 6, 1994) is a Danish mixed martial artist who competes in featherweight division. A Professional mixed martial artist since 2013, Burnell has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator MMA, Professional Fighters League (PFL), and Cage Warriors, where he was a Featherweight champion. [6] He was the European Championship (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) European No-Gi Champion in 2014. [5]

Contents

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Burnell started his professional MMA career in 2013 and won his first five bouts and met his first defeat when he faced Ott Tonissaar at Octagon Athletes 2. He fought all this fights in Northern Europe and amassed a record of 8–1 prior joining UFC. [7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Burnell made his promotional debut on September 2, 2017, facing Michel Prazeres, replacing Islam Makhachev at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve. [8] " [9] At the weigh ins, Prazeres missed the lightweight limit of 156 pounds, coming in at 159 pounds. As a result the bout was changed to a catchweight and Prazeres was fined 20% of his purse. [10] He lost the fight via submission due to a north-south choke in the third round. [11]

His second fight came against Mike Santiago on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi. [12] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [13]

On May 27, 2018, Burnell faced Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till. [14] After dominating most of the fight, he was caught in a front naked choke in the third round and lost the fight. [15] [16]

On September 7, 2018, Burnell was released from UFC. [17]

Cage Warriors

On September 7, 2018, news surfaced that Burnell had signed a contract with Cage Warriors. [6] Burnell made his promotional debut against Lukasz Rajewski at Cage Warriors 99 on November 17, 2018. [18] After weathering the early storm from Rajewski, Burnell took the fight to the ground and finished the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round. [19]

Burnell challenged Dean Trueman for the Cage Warriors featherweight title at Cage Warriors 106 on June 29, 2019. [20] Burnell submitted Trueman by japanese necktie in the second round and captured the featherweight championship. [21]

Burnell was expected to make his first title defense against Steve Aimable at Cage Warriors London on November 22, 2019. [22] However, Aimable could not make championship weight and the fight was changed to non-title bout. [23] Burnell won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA

On August 4, 2020, news surfaced that Burnell had signed a contract with Bellator. [24]

Burnell made his debut on October 10, 2020, at Bellator 248. He faced Darko Banovic and won the fight via TKO in the first round. [25]

Burnell was scheduled to face The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber standout Saul Rogers on April 2, 2021, at Bellator 255. [26] However, the bout was cancelled due to visa issues. [27] It eventually took place on April 16, 2021, at Bellator 257. [28] Burnell won the bout via second round rear-naked choke. [29]

Burnell faced Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 263 on July 31, 2021. [30] He won the bout via unanimous decision. [31]

On September 22, 2021, it was announced that Burnell had signed a new, multi-fight contract with Bellator. [32]

Burnell headlined against Ádám Borics on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276. [33] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [34]

Burnell faced Pedro Carvalho on September 23, 2022, at Bellator 285. [35] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [36]

Burnell faced Justin Gonzales on April 22, 2023 at Bellator 295. [37] He won the bout via unanimous decision. [38]

Burnell faced Daniel Weichel on September 23, 2023 at Bellator 299. [39] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [40]

Professional Fighters League

2024

Moving up to LW, Burnell started the 2024 season with a bout against Michael Dufort on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2. [41] He lost the fight due to a guillotine choke submission. [42]

Burnell faced Clay Collard in the main event of PFL 5 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, UT on June 21, 2024. [43] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [44]

Burnell faced Elvin Espinoza on August 16, 2024 at PFL 8. [45] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [46] [47]

2025

On February 26, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Burnell joined the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament. [48]

In the quarterfinal, Burnell faced Jay-Jay Wilson on April 18, 2025, at PFL 3. [49] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. [50]

Burnell faced Robert Watley on August 15, 2025, at PFL 9, and lost the bout via technical knockout in the third round. [51]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Grappling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
28 matches20 wins8 losses
By knockout13
By submission93
By decision102
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss20–8Robert WatleyTKO (elbows and punches) PFL 9 (2025) August 15, 202532:43 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Loss20–7Jay-Jay WilsonTKO (elbows and punches) PFL 3 (2025) April 18, 202534:42 Orlando, Florida, United States 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win20–6Elvin EspinozaDecision (unanimous) PFL 8 (2024) August 16, 202435:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States 2024 PFL Lightweight Tournament Alternate bout.
Win19–6 Clay Collard Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 (2024) June 21, 202435:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss18–6Michael DufortSubmission (guillotine choke) PFL 2 (2024) April 12, 202421:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Lightweight.
Win18–5 Daniel Weichel Decision (unanimous) Bellator 299 September 23, 202335:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win17–5Justin GonzalesDecision (unanimous) Bellator 295 April 22, 202335:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss16–5 Pedro Carvalho Decision (unanimous) Bellator 285 September 23, 202235:00 Dublin, Ireland
Loss16–4 Ádám Borics Decision (unanimous) Bellator 276 March 12, 202255:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win16–3 Emmanuel Sanchez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 263 July 31, 202135:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win15–3Saul RogersSubmission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 257 April 16, 202124:08 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win14–3Darko BanovicTKO (punches) Bellator 248 October 10, 202013:13 Paris, France
Win13–3Steve AimableDecision (unanimous)Cage Warriors 111November 22, 201935:00 London, EnglandNon-title bout; Aimable missed weight (145.2 lb).
Win12–3Dean TruemanSubmission (Japanese necktie)Cage Warriors 106June 29, 201923:04 London, EnglandWon the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship.
Win11–3Ahmed VilaSubmission (Japanese necktie)Cage Warriors 103March 9, 201910:50 Copenhagen, Denmark
Win10–3Lukasz RajewskiSubmission (rear-naked choke)Cage Warriors 99November 17, 201813:23 Colchester, England
Loss9–3 Arnold Allen Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till May 27, 201832:41 Liverpool, England
Win9–2 Mike Santiago Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi January 14, 201835:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United StatesCatchweight (150 lb) bout; Burnell missed weight.
Loss8–2 Michel Prazeres Submission (north-south choke) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve September 2, 201731:26 Rotterdam, NetherlandsLightweight bout; Prazeres missed weight (159 lb).
Win8–1Fernando Duarte BagordacheSubmission (Japanese necktie)Scottish Organisation of MMA 2November 11, 201611:21 Glasgow, ScotlandWon the vacant SOMMA Featherweight Championship.
Win7–1Anthony RiggioSubmission (Japanese necktie)MMA Galla: Gonzalez vs. DjursaaSeptember 17, 20161N/A Odense, DenmarkReturn to Featherweight.
Win6–1Emerik YoumbiDecision (unanimous)ICE FC 12November 5, 201635:00 Newcastle, England
Loss5–1Ott TonissaarTKO (punches)Octagon Athletes 2November 7, 20152N/A Toreby, Denmark
Win5–0Hyram RodriguezDecision (unanimous)Shooters MMA: Battle of Copenhagen 4October 3, 201535:00 Copenhagen, DenmarkLightweight debut.
Win4–0Jamie ReynoldsSubmission (armbar)Odense Fight Night 3April 25, 201510:30 Copenhagen, Denmark
Win3–0Nasir AoubiDecision (unanimous)Trophy MMA 4August 30, 201435:00 Malmö, Sweden
Win2–0Ali Selcuk AyinSubmission (brabo choke)European MMA 8February 22, 201410:50 Brondby, Denmark
Win1–0Aleksander SredanovicSubmission (brabo choke)European MMA 6September 26, 20131N/A Brondby, DenmarkFeatherweight debut.

[54]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mads Burnell - Official UFC® Profile". UFC . Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  2. ↑ "Mads Burnell | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  3. ↑ Mads Burnell discusses Saul Rogers bout, evolution since departing from UFC. MMAjunkie.com . April 15, 2021.
  4. ↑ O'Leary, Ryan (2017-08-09). "Dane Mads Burnell Signed to UFC". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  5. 1 2 3 "Top 10 Fastest Black Belt Promotions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu History". Bjj Eastern Europe. 2015-09-10. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  6. 1 2 Ryan O'Leary (September 7, 2018). "UFC Vet Mads Burnell Signs with Cage Warriors". mmaviking.com.
  7. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Mads Burnell MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  8. ↑ "Michel Prazeres meets newcomer Mads Burnell, not Islam Makhachev, at UFC Fight Night 115". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-13. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  9. ↑ O'Leary, Ryan (2017-09-01). "Burnell Ready for 'Old AF' Opponent and 'Rep my Scandinavian Brothers'". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  10. ↑ "One Fighter Misses Weight By 3-Pounds At UFC Rotterdam". MMAUNO.COM. 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  11. ↑ "UFC-Rotterdam results: Michel Prazeres earns north-south choke finish of newcomer Mads Burnell". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  12. ↑ DNA, MMA (5 December 2017). "Mike Santiago treft Mads Burnell tijdens UFC Fight Night 124 in St.Louis MMA DNA". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  13. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 124 results: Mads Burnell grinds his way past Mike Santiago". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  14. ↑ "Mads Burnell glad for challenge of Arnold Allen at UFC Liverpool – and glad to be at 145". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  15. ↑ "Submission! Arnold Allen Chokes Mads Burnell At UFC Liverpool". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  16. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 130 results: Arnold Allen nets epic 3rd-round comeback, tapping out Mads Burnell". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  17. ↑ "Comprehensive list of current UFC fighters". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  18. ↑ Caoilte de Barra (October 31, 2018). "Denmark's Mads Burnell to make Cage Warriors debut at CW99". mmaviking.com.
  19. ↑ Ryan O'Leary (November 17, 2018). "Mads Burnell Wins Cage Warriors Debut After Being 'Waken Up'". Nordic Mma Everyday at Mma Viking. mmaviking.com.
  20. ↑ Peter Carroll (April 10, 2019). "Mads Burnell replaces Soren Bak, faces Dean Trueman for title at Cage Warriors 106". mmafighting.com.
  21. ↑ "Return Of The Prospect: Mads Burnell". fight-library.com. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  22. ↑ "Mads Burnell Defends Belt at Cage Warriors London". mmaviking.com. September 3, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Mads Burnell in Cage Warriors Non Title Bout with Overweight Steve Aimable". mmaviking.com. November 21, 2019.
  24. ↑ Nolan King (August 4, 2020). "Bellator signs Cage Warriors champ, ex-UFC fighter Mads Burnell". mmajunkie.com.
  25. ↑ DenissZ (2020-10-10). "Burnell Smashes Banovic at Bellator 248: 'It was sick'". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  26. ↑ King, Nolan (5 March 2021). "European featherweights Mads Burnell, Saul Rogers targeted for Bellator 255 matchup". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  27. ↑ @mma_kings (March 26, 2021). "Sounds like Mads Burnell vs. Saul Rogers is off #Bellator255 on April 2. Visa issues" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 March 2021– via Twitter.
  28. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (7 April 2021). "Saul Rogers vs. Mads Burnell rescheduled for Bellator 257". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  29. ↑ "Bellator 257 results: Corey Anderson pounds out Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov in grand prix". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  30. ↑ "Bellator 263 adds Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-15. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  31. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2021-07-31). "Bellator 263 Results: Mads Burnell Wins Decision Over Emmanuel Sanchez in Thriller". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  32. ↑ Nolan King (September 22, 2021). "Insider's Scoop: A UFC featherweight standstill, broken jaw updates, and more". MMAjunkie.com .
  33. ↑ "Bellator 276 set for March 12 in St. Louis with Adam Borics vs. Mads Burnell". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  34. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-03-12). "Bellator 276: Adam Borics Tops Mads Burnell in Barn Burner, Claims Title Shot". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  35. ↑ "Breaking: Pedro Carvalho vs Mads Burnell Added to Bellator 285 in Dublin". SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA. 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  36. ↑ Dewar, Val (2022-09-23). "Bellator 285: Pedro Carvalho Back in Win Column, Gets Better of Mads Burnell". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  37. ↑ Heck, Mike (2023-03-14). "Mads Burnell vs. Justin Gonzales, Aaron Pico's return from injury set for Bellator 295". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  38. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 295 'Stots vs. Mix' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  39. ↑ "Bellator books Mads Burnell vs. Daniel Weichel on Dublin card". MMA Junkie. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  40. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 299 'Eblen vs. Edwards' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  41. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2024-03-11). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  42. ↑ "2024 PFL 2 video: Michael Dufort finishes Mads Burnell slugfest with guillotine choke". MMA Junkie. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  43. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (30 April 2024). "Clay Collard vs Mads Burnell tops PFL 5 Salt Lake City in June". FIGHTMAG.
  44. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2024-06-22). "Clay Collard Secures Playoff Spot, Mads Burnell Wins PFL 5 Main Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  45. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2024-07-17). "PFL announces new matchups, playoff alternates for August cards". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  46. ↑ Sherdog.com. "PFL 8 2024 Playoffs Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  47. ↑ "Mads Burnell scores knockdown, decision win in well-rounded performance". pflmma.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  48. ↑ "PFL announces 2025 lightweight tournament field". MMA Junkie. 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  49. ↑ Heck, Mike (2025-03-11). "PFL reveals all first-round matchups for 2025 World Tournament". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  50. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Fabian Edwards Destroys Impa Kasanganay in PFL 3 Main Event". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  51. ↑ "2025 PFL 9 Highlight Video: Robert Watley Pounds Out Mads Burnell". Sherdog.
  52. ↑ "MMA Junkie's 'Submission of the Month' for June: A rare technique leads to a belt". mmajunkie.com. July 2, 2019.
  53. ↑ "MMAViking.com's Yearly Nordic Awards". mmaviking.com.
  54. ↑ Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 130 - Thompson vs. Till". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
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