Rani Yahya

Rani Ahmad Yahya (born September 12, 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and BJJ practitioner. Yahya was born to a Syrian father and Brazilian mother. He won the 66 kg division of the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in April 2007. He currently fights in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Rani Yahya
Born (1984-09-12) September 12, 1984
Brasília, Brazil
NationalityBrazilian
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Reach68 in (173 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofBrasília, Brazil
TeamAmerican Top Team[2]
Rank2nd degree[3] black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4] under Athaíde Junior[5]
Black belt in Muay Thai[4]
Years active2002-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total38
Wins26
By submission20
By decision6
Losses10
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision7
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Rani Yahya
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championships
2005 California, USA-66 kg
2007 New Jersey, USA-66 kg
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
2003 Rio de Janeiro-70kg (Brown)
2002 Rio de Janeiro-64kg (Purple)

Career

World Extreme Cagefighting

Yahya made his WEC debut against former TKO Major League MMA featherweight champion Mark Hominick at WEC 28 on May 3, 2007. Yahya defeated Hominick in the first round with a rear naked choke.

He fought and lost to Chase Beebe via unanimous decision for the WEC bantamweight championship at WEC 30 on September 5, 2007.

Yahya rebounded from his loss to Beebe with a first round submission victory over former WEC Bantamweight Champion Eddie Wineland on the undercard of WEC 40 on April 5, 2009.

Yahya was scheduled to fight Kenji Osawa on August 9, 2009 at WEC 42, but due to a foot injury suffered by Osawa, he was replaced by John Hosman.[6] Yahya submitted Hosman with a north–south choke in the first round and earned his third consecutive Submission of the Night bonus.[7]

Yahya fought Joseph Benavidez on December 19, 2009 at WEC 45.[8] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[9]

Yahya faced Takeya Mizugaki on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48.[10] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were brought over to compete in the 2 new weight divisions.[11]

Yahya was expected to face Chan Sung Jung on January 22, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 23.[12] However, Jung was forced from the card with an injury.[13] and replaced by Mike Brown.[14] Yahya won the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Yahya was expected to face Dustin Poirier on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131, but had to pull out of the bout due to injury.[16]

Yahya next faced Chad Mendes on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133.[17] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Yahya was expected to face Jonathan Brookins on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1,[19] but was forced out of the bout with an injury.

Yahya fought Josh Grispi on August 4, 2012 at UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera, replacing an injured Pablo Garza.[20] Yahya was victorious, defeating Grispi in the first round with a north–south choke.[21]

Yahya faced promotional newcomer Mizuto Hirota on March 3, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 8.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Yahya next faced Josh Clopton on August 3, 2013 at UFC 163.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Yahya faced promotional newcomer Tom Niinimäki on November 30, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale.[26] He lost the fight via split decision.[27]

Yahya faced Johnny Bedford in a bantamweight bout on April 11, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 39.[28] The bout ended in a No Contest as an accidental clash of heads rendered Yahya unable to protect himself, forcing a referee stoppage at 0:39 of round 1.[29][30]

A rematch with Bedford was expected to take place on June 28, 2014 at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens.[31] However, Yahya was forced out of the bout and replaced by Cody Gibson.[32]

The rescheduled rematch with Bedford eventually took place on September 13, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 51.[33] Yahya won via submission in the second round.[34]

Yahya was expected to face Masanori Kanehara on June 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 70.[35] However, as the event approached, several international fighters experienced travel restrictions due to technical issues within the Bureau of Consular Affairs division of the U.S. State Department which produces travel visas. The issue lead to a major altering of the card as multiple fights were postponed. Yahya/Kanehara eventually took place on July 15, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 71.[36] Yahya won the fight by split decision.[37]

Yahya next faced touted promotional newcomer Matthew Lopez on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91.[38] Yahya won the fight via submission in the third round.[39]

Yahya faced Michinori Tanaka on September 24, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95.[40] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[41]

Yahya faced Joe Soto on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106.[42] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[43]

Yahya faced Henry Briones on August 5, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno.[44][45] He won the fight via a kimura submission in the first round.[46]

Yahya was expected to face Aljamain Sterling on December 9, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 123.[47] However, Yahya pulled out of the event due to injury.[48]

Yahya faced Russell Doane on February 24, 2018 at UFC on Fox 28.[49] He won the fight via submission in the third round.[50]

Yahya faced Luke Sanders on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135.[51] He won the fight via heel hook submission in the first round.[52]

Yahya faced Ricky Simon on February 10, 2019 at UFC 234.[53] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[54]

Yahya faced Enrique Barzola on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[55] After a back-and-forth three rounds, the judges declared the bout a majority draw decision.[56]

Yahya is scheduled to face Ray Rodriguez on March 13, 2021, replacing Irwin Rivera, at UFC Fight Night 187.[57]

Grappling credentials

ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championships

ADCC 2007 –65 kg: 1st Place

ADCC 2005 –65 kg: 2nd Place

ADCC 2003 –65 kg: Quarter finals.

Record of opponents:

  • Won: Teemu Launis (pts), Mario Delgado (pts), Wagney Fabiano (pts), Marcio Feitosa Souza (pts), Darell Moodley (sub), Bruno 'Chavez' Frazzato (Rear Naked Choke), Baret Yoshida (pts), Leo 'Leozinho' Vieira (Rear Naked Choke), Kohei Yasumi (sub), Jeff Glover (pts)
  • Lost: Leonardo Viera (pts), Leonardo Viera (pts), Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles (sub)

CBJJ World Championships

2003 Brown Belt Pena: 1st Place

2002 Purple Belt Pluma: 1st Place

1999 Pan-Ams + World

Championships and Accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
38 matches 26 wins 10 losses
By knockout 0 2
By submission 20 1
By decision 6 7
Draws 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Draw 26–10–1 (1) Enrique Barzola Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira March 14, 2020 3 5:00 Brasília, Brazil
Loss 26–10 (1) Ricky Simon Decision (unanimous) UFC 234 February 10, 2019 3 5:00 Melbourne, Australia
Win 26–9 (1) Luke Sanders Submission (heel hook) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 1 1:31 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Win 25–9 (1) Russell Doane Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens February 24, 2018 3 2:32 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 24–9 (1) Henry Briones Submission (kimura) UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno August 5, 2017 1 2:01 Mexico City, Mexico
Loss 23–9 (1) Joe Soto Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum March 11, 2017 3 5:00 Fortaleza, Brazil
Win 23–8 (1) Michinori Tanaka Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg September 24, 2016 3 5:00 Brasília, Brazil
Win 22–8 (1) Matthew Lopez Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 2016 3 4:19 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 21–8 (1) Masanori Kanehara Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee July 15, 2015 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 20–8 (1) Johnny Bedford Submission (kimura) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski September 13, 2014 2 2:04 Brasília, Brazil
NC 19–8 (1) Johnny Bedford NC (accidental headbutt) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson April 11, 2014 1 0:39 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 19–8 Tom Niinimäki Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale November 30, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–7 Josh Clopton Decision (unanimous) UFC 163 August 3, 2013 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 18–7 Mizuto Hirota Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann March 3, 2013 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 17–7 Josh Grispi Submission (north-south choke) UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera August 4, 2012 1 3:15 Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 16–7 Chad Mendes Decision (unanimous) UFC 133 August 6, 2011 3 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 16–6 Mike Brown Decision (unanimous) UFC: Fight For The Troops 2 January 22, 2011 3 5:00 Fort Hood, Texas, United States Return to Featherweight.
Loss 15–6 Takeya Mizugaki Decision (unanimous) WEC 48 April 24, 2010 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 15–5 Joseph Benavidez TKO (punches) WEC 45 December 19, 2009 1 1:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–4 John Hosman Submission (north-south choke) WEC 42 August 9, 2009 1 2:08 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 14–4 Eddie Wineland Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 40 April 5, 2009 1 1:07 Chicago, Illinois, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 13–4 Yoshiro Maeda Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 36 November 5, 2008 1 3:30 Hollywood, Florida, United States Catchweight (137 lb) bout; Submission of the Night.
Loss 12–4 Norifumi Yamamoto TKO (punches and soccer kicks) K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!! December 31, 2007 2 3:11 Osaka, Japan
Loss 12–3 Chase Beebe Decision (unanimous) WEC 30 September 5, 2007 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the WEC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 12–2 Mark Hominick Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 28 June 3, 2007 1 1:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Featherweight bout.
Win 11–2 Louie Moreno Submission (guillotine choke) PFC 2: Fast and Furious March 22, 2007 1 0:23 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss 10–2 Gesias Cavalcante Submission (guillotine choke) Hero's 7 October 9, 2006 1 0:39 Yokohama, Japan Hero's 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix semi-final.
Win 10–1 Kazuya Yasuhiro Submission (D'Arce choke) Hero's 6 August 5, 2006 1 1:08 Tokyo, Japan Hero's 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix quarter-final.
Win 9–1 Eben Kaneshiro Submission (Ezekiel choke) UAGF: Kaos on Kampus May 20, 2006 3 N/A Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 8–1 Ryuki Ueyama Decision (majority) Hero's 5 May 3, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Hero's 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix opening round.
Win 7–1 Takumi Yano Technical Submission (triangle choke) MARS February 4, 2006 3 2:14 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–1 Taiyo Nakahara Submission (north-south choke) GCM: D.O.G. 4 December 11, 2005 1 1:59 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–1 Fabio Alves Submission (arm-triangle choke) K-1 Brazil: Next Generation October 30, 2004 1 N/A Goiás, Brazil
Loss 4–1 Fredson Paixao Decision Jungle Fight 2 May 15, 2004 3 5:00 Manaus, Brazil
Win 4–0 Luciano Santos Submission (keylock) TNT: Vale Tudo 2 April 17, 2004 N/A N/A Goiânia, Brazil
Win 3–0 Muzila Muzila Submission (armbar) TNT: Vale Tudo 2 April 17, 2004 N/A N/A Goiânia, Brazil
Win 2–0 Fabio Alves Submission (Peruvian necktie) TNT: Vale Tudo 2 April 17, 2004 N/A N/A Goiânia, Brazil
Win 1–0 Junior Peba Submission (arm-triangle choke) Kallifas Vale Tudo September 14, 2002 1 1:30 Goiânia, Brazil

[58]

See also

References
  1. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Mir vs. Duffee". UFC.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  2. "How a loss – and the make-over it sparked – breathed new life into UFC-Lincoln's Rani Yahya's career". August 20, 2018.
  3. Mike Chiappetta (March 2, 2013). "UFC on FUEL 8 results: Rani Yahya rides grappling edge to win over Mizuto Hirota". MMA Fighting.
  4. "Rani Yahya - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  5. "Rani Yahya". BJJ Heroes: the jiu jitsu encyclopedia. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  6. "Kenji Osawa out, WEC newcomer John Hosman in against Rani Yahya at WEC 42". July 27, 2009. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
  7. Morgan, John (August 10, 2009). "WEC 42 bonuses: Cruz, Benavidez, Bowles and Yahya earn $10K "fight night" awards". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  8. "Joseph Benavidez vs. Rani Yahya set for WEC 45 in December". MMAjunkie.com. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  9. "After surprising start from Yahya, Benavidez claims stoppage just at WEC 45". www.mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-22. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  10. "Bantamweights Takeya Mizugaki and Rani Yahya meet at WEC 48 in April". MMAjunkie.com. March 12, 2010. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  11. "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". MMAjunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010.
  12. Chris Nelson (November 5, 2010). "Rani Yahya vs. "Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung at UFC Fight for the Troops 2". bloodyelbow.com. SB Nation. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  13. ""Korean Zombie" forced out of UFC Fight Night 23; Yahya awaiting replacement". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  14. "Replacement Mike Brown steps in to meet Rani Yahya at UFC Fight Night 23". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  15. Michael David Smith (January 22, 2011). "UFC Fight for the Troops: Rani Yahya Beats Mike Brown". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  16. "Dustin Poirier vs. Rani Yahya Targeted For UFC 131". Heavy.com. February 19, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  17. "Chad Mendes meets Rani Yahya at UFC 133 in Philadelphia". MMAjunkie.com. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  18. Matthew Roth (August 6, 2011). "UFC 133 Results: Chad Mendes puts on a clinic against Rani Yahya". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  19. "UFC on FUEL TV 1 adds Yahya vs. Brookins". MMAjunkie.com. December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  20. "UFC on FOX 4 gets Josh Grispi vs Rani Yahya". MMAjunkie.com. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  21. Steven Marrocco (August 4, 2012). "UFC on FOX 4 results: Rani Yahya works quickly, submits Josh Grispi". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  22. "Strikeforce's Hirota vs. Yahya added to UFC on FUEL TV 8". MMAjunkie.com. January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  23. Matt Erickson (March 3, 2013). "UFC on FUEL TV 8 results: Rani Yahya outgrapples, upsets Mizuto Hirota". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  24. "Rani Yahya vs. Josh Clopton slated for UFC 163 in Rio". MMAjunkie.com. June 4, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  25. Matt Erickson (August 3, 2013). "UFC 163 results and photos: Rani Yahya grapples way past Josh Clopton". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  26. Riley Kontek (October 8, 2013). "Newcomer Tom Niinimaki to Face Rani Yahya at TUF 18 Finale". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  27. Matt Erickson (November 30, 2013). "TUF 18 Finale results: Tom Niinimaki outgrapples Rani Yahya". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  28. Guilherme Cruz (February 10, 2014). "Rani Yahya drops to 135 pounds, meets Johnny Bedford at UFN 39 card in Abu Dhabi". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  29. Ben Fowlkes (April 11, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 39 results: Johnny Bedford vs. Rani Yahya ends in 39-second no-contest". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  30. Brent Brookhouse (April 11, 2014). "Johnny Bedford knocks Rani Yahya out with headbutt, loses mind at 'no contest' announcement". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  31. Staff (April 21, 2014). "Rani Yahya and Johnny Bedford get rematch at UFC Fight Night 44". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  32. "Rani Yahya está fora da luta contra 'desafeto' Johnny Bedford; Ultimate anuncia substituto (Brazilian Portuguese)". tatame.com.br. May 20, 2014. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  33. C.J. Tuttle (July 24, 2014). "Rani Yahya-Johnny Bedford Rematch Set for UFC Fight Night on Sept. 13". sherdog.com. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  34. Steven Marrocco (September 13, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 51 results: Rani Yahya gets revenge, taps Johnny Bedford in second". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  35. Staff (2015-05-12). "Rani Yahya vs. Masanori Kanehara added to UFC Fight Night 70". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
  36. Staff (2015-06-19). "Visa issues force massive shuffling at next week's UFC Fight Night 70 event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  37. Dann Stupp (2015-07-15). "UFC Fight Night 71 results: Despite late fade, Rani Yahya edges Masanori Kanehara". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  38. Staff (2016-05-17). "Rani Yahya meets RFA standout Matthew Lopez at UFC Fight Night 91 in Sioux Falls". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
  39. Brent Brookhouse (2016-07-13). "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Rani Yahya scores arm-triangle submission of Matthew Lopez". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  40. Staff (2016-08-03). "UFC's return to Brasilia starts to take shape". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  41. Ben Fowlkes (2016-09-24). "UFC Fight Night 95 results: Rani Yahya gets fourth straight with win over Michinori Tanaka". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  42. Guilherme Cruz (2017-02-14). "Joe Soto meets Rani Yahya at UFC Fight Night in Fortaleza". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  43. Steven Marrocco (2017-03-11). "UFC Fight Night 106 results: With blood gushing everywhere, Joe Soto tops gassed Rani Yahya". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  44. DNA, MMA (2017-07-13). "BJJ wizard Rani Yahya vecht tegen Henry Briones in Mexico City". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
  45. "UFC México: Henry Briones se agrega a la cartelera Indiscutido". indiscutido.com. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
  46. "UFC Fight Night 114 results: Rani Yahya nearly flawless in submission win over Henry Briones". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  47. Staff (2017-10-18). "Aljamain Sterling vs. Rani Yahya added to UFC Fight Night 123 in Fresno". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  48. "Aljamain Sterling needs new opponent for UFC-Fresno with Rani Yahya forced out". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-08. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
  49. Guilherme Cruz (2018-01-18). "UFC Orlando card update: Three new match-ups set for Orlando". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  50. "UFC on FOX 28 results: Emotional Rani Yahya finishes Russell Doane in third round". MMAjunkie. 2018-02-25. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  51. DNA, MMA. "BJJ wizard Rani Yahya treft Luke Sanders tijdens UFC Lincoln". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  52. "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Rani Yahya taps Luke Sanders, calls for title shot vs. Dillashaw". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  53. Raphael Marinho (2019-01-08). "UFC books Rani Yahya vs. Ricky Simon for UFC 234 in Melbourne" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  54. "UFC 234 results: Ricky Simon stays sharp, ends Rani Yahya's streak". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-10. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  55. DNA, MMA. "De UFC bevestigd drie nieuwe gevechten voor UFC Brasilia (incl. potentiële #1 contender gevecht)". Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  56. Anderson, Jay (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Rani Yahya Dominates Early, Enrique Barzola Storms Back in Majority Draw". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  57. DNA, MMA (2021-01-23). "Rani Yahya treft Ray Rodriguez op 13 maart". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  58. Sherdog.com. "Rani Yahya MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-02-10.

Rani Yahya at UFC

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