Matthew Semelsberger

Matthew Semelsberger
Born	(1992-11-23) November 23, 1992 (age 31) Rockville, Maryland, United States
Nickname	Semi the Jedi
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division	Middleweight Welterweight
Reach	75 in (191 cm) [1]
Team	Crazy 88 MMA Clinch Academy
Rank	Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [2] Purple belt in Muay Thai [2]
Years active	2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	18
Wins	11
By knockout	6
By submission	1
By decision	4
Losses	7
By knockout	2
By submission	1
By decision	4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Matthew Semelsberger (born November 23, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Semelsberger is a 2011 graduate of Urbana High School, where he competed in football, lacrosse, and wrestling. ^{[3] [4]} Excelling particularly in football, he led Urbana to a state championship win, and later played Division I-AA football with a scholarship at Marist College while majoring in criminal justice. Semelsberger started 15 games for the Red Foxes at strong safety in his career with a great senior season of 67 tackles, 5 pass deflections, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. At the age of 14, he entered an MMA program at a school close to home, Clinch Academy. Having done some years of youth wrestling, Matthew wanted to learn how to fight in case he ever found himself in a position where violence was his only option. After one of his wrestling buddies showed him his collection of the Ultimate Fighting Championship DVDs and VHS tapes, he was enamored with the sport and decided to start his goal of making the UFC. ^{[5] [6]}

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting his professional career in 2017, Semelsberger compiled a 6-2 record in the regional East Coast scene, competing in such promotions like CFFC, where he won a close decision against Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov at CFFC 74, ^[7] Maverick MMA where he won a bout against Kris Gratalo at Maverick MMA 15 after Gratalo threw in the towel between rounds due to a broken arm, ^[8] and Art of War Cage Fighting, where Semelsberger picked up his final win before being given a UFC contract after knocking out Richard Patishnock at AoWCF 17. ^[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Semelsberger was initially scheduled to make his promotional debut against Philip Rowe at UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar on August 22, 2020. ^[10] However, Rowe pulled out of the bout citing a toe injury and was replaced by Carlton Minus. ^[11] Despite knocking Minus down in the first round, Semelsberger won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[12]

Semelsberger made his sophomore appearance in the promotion against Jason Witt at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad on March 14, 2021. He won the fight via first-minute knockout. ^[13] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. ^[14]

Semelsberger faced Khaos Williams on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige. ^[15] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[16]

Semelsberger faced Martin Sano Jr. on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266. ^[17] He won the fight via knockout in round one. ^[18]

Semelsberger faced A.J. Fletcher on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203. ^[19] He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision. ^[20]

Semelsberger faced Alex Morono on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277. ^[21] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. ^[22]

Semelsberger faced Jake Matthews on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216. ^[23] He won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[24]

Semelsberger faced Jeremiah Wells on April 22, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 222. ^[25] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision. ^[26]

Semelsberger was scheduled to meet Yohan Lainesse on July 29, 2023 at UFC 291. ^[27] However, Lainesse was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Uroš Medić. ^[28] Semelsberger lost the bout via TKO in round three after being dropped with a spinning backfist and then finished with ground and pound. ^[29]

Semelsberger faced Preston Parsons, replacing Bassil Hafez on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. ^[30] He lost the fight by unananimous decision. ^[31]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the night (One time) vs. Jason Witt ^[14]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

18 matches	11 wins	7 losses
By knockout	6	2
By submission	1	1
By decision	4	4

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	11–7	Preston Parsons	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2	January 13, 2024	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	11–6	Uroš Medić	TKO (spinning backfist and punches)	UFC 291	July 29, 2023	3	2:36	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss	11–5	Jeremiah Wells	Decision (split)	UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes	April 22, 2023	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	11–4	Jake Matthews	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland	December 17, 2022	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	10–4	Alex Morono	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 277	July 30, 2022	3	5:00	Dallas, Texas, United States
Win	10–3	A.J. Fletcher	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev	March 12, 2022	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	9–3	Martin Sano Jr.	KO (punch)	UFC 266	September 25, 2021	1	0:15	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	8–3	Khaos Williams	Decision (unanimous)	UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige	June 19, 2021	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	8–2	Jason Witt	KO (punch)	UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad	March 13, 2021	1	0:16	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Performance of the Night.
Win	7–2	Carlton Minus	Decision (unanimous)	UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar	August 22, 2020	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	6–2	Richard Patishnock	KO (punch)	Art of War Cage Fighting 17	February 8, 2020	1	2:14	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	5–2	Kris Gratalo	TKO (injury)	Maverick MMA 15	November 9, 2019	2	5:00	Dickson City, Pennsylvania, United States	Middleweight bout.
Win	4–2	Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov	Decision (split)	CFFC 74	May 17, 2019	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Loss	3–2	Jerome Featherstone	TKO (punches)	Shogun Fights 20	October 6, 2018	3	4:09	Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Win	3–1	Scott Noble	TKO (punches)	Shogun Fights 18	April 14, 2018	2	4:53	Baltimore, Maryland, United States	Welterweight debut.
Loss	2–1	Darren Costa	Submission (brabo choke)	Shogun Fights 17	October 7, 2017	3	1:23	Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Win	2–0	Brian Maxwell	Submission (heel hook)	Strike Off 10	June 17, 2017	3	1:43	Manassas Park, Virginia, United States
Win	1–0	Donelei Benedetto	TKO (punches)	Shogun Fights 16	April 8, 2017	2	1:10	Baltimore, Maryland, United States

^[32]

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Stats | UFC". www.ufcstats.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
2. "Matthew Semelsberger | UFC". UFC.com. 17 August 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
3. "Matthew Semelsberger - Football".
4. "Ijamsville's Matthew Semelsberger re-ups with UFC, continuing 'campaign' to elite status". 31 October 2021.
5. "Matthew Semelsberger | UFC". www.ufc.com. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
6. Lee, Edward (7 August 2020). "Frederick County's Matthew Semelsberger signs contract with UFC, realizing childhood quest". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
7. Fortune, Ryan (2019-05-17). "CFFC 74: Sabatini vs. Oliveira Live Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
8. Kowal, Eric (2019-11-09). "Maverick 15 results - Gratalo vs. Semelsberger". MyMMANews.com. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
9. Crist, Adam (2020-02-08). "Art of War Cage Fighting 17 Results - Hafez vs Amisial". MyMMANews.com. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
10. Edward Lee (2020-08-07). "Frederick County's Matthew Semelsberger signs contract with UFC, realizing childhood quest". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
11. "Geen vervanger Romero, Waterson vs. Hill gecanceld en nieuwe tegenstander OSP op 22 augustus". mmadna.nl. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2021-05-25.(in Dutch)
12. Jon Realejo (August 22, 2020). "UFC on ESPN 15 Results: Matthew Semelsberger Defeats Carlton Minus Via Unanimous Decision". bloodycanvas.net.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
13. Dan Hiergesell (March 13, 2021). "Knockout! Watch Matthew Semelsberger starch Jason Witt in 16 seconds at UFC Vegas 21". mmamania.com.
14. Stephie Haynes (2021-03-13). "UFC Vegas 21 post-fight bonuses: Dan Ige quickly starches Gavin Tucker". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
15. Behunin, Alex (10 May 2021). "Khaos Williams vs. Matthew Semelsberger Set For June 19 UFC Event". Cagesidepress.com. Cagesidepress. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
16. Behunin, Alex (2021-06-19). "UFC Vegas 29 Results: Khaos Williams Defeats Matthew Semelsberger In Slugfest". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
17. DNA, MMA (2021-08-13). "Matthew Semelsberger treft Martin Sano Jr. tijdens UFC 266 in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
18. Bitter, Shawn (2021-09-25). "UFC 266 Results: Matthew Semelsberger Crushes Martin Sano In 15 Seconds". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
19. Dorff, Marcel. "SEMI THE JEDI TAKES ON UNDEFEATED NEWCOMER FLETCHER AT UFC VEGAS 50". www.eurosport.com. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
20. Bitter, Shawn (2022-03-12). "UFC Vegas 50: Matthew Semelsberger Spoils A.J. Fletcher's Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
21. ATSteveDuncan (2022-06-25). "Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger agregado a UFC 277". MMA.uno (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
22. Law, Eddie (2022-07-30). "UFC 277: Alex Morono Decisions Semelsberger After Wild Third Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
23. Bartłomiej Zubkiewicz (2022-11-17). "Jake Matthews kontra Matthew Semelsberger na grudniowej gali UFC Vegas 66". mmarocks.pl. Retrieved 2022-11-18.(in Polish)
24. Dewar, Val (2022-12-17). "UFC Vegas 66: Matthew Semelsberger Knocks Down Jake Matthews Three Times, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
25. "Urbana native Matthew Semelsberger draws matchup with Jeremiah Wells for his next UFC appearance on April 22". Yahoo Finance. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
26. Dewar, Val (2023-04-22). "UFC Vegas 71: Jeremiah Wells Comes Back From Knockdown to Defeat Matthew Semelsberger". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
27. Anderson, Jay (2023-05-31). "Matthew Semelsberger to Face Yohan Lainesse at UFC 291". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
28. "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (July 3–9)". MMA Junkie. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
29. Dewar, Val (2023-07-29). "UFC 291: Uros Medic Mounts Comeback, TKOs Matthew Semelsberger". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
30. Nolan King (2023-12-22). "First UFC event of 2024 hit with multiple changes". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
31. Dewar, Val (2024-01-14). "Preston Parsons' Wrestling Earns Him Biggest Career Win Over Matthew Semelsberger at UFC Vegas 84". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
32. Sherdog.com. "Matthew Semelsberger". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-25.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Matthew Semelsberger from Sherdog
• Matthew Semelsberger at UFC