Mac Danzig
As an amateur mixed martial artist, Danzig was the lightweight Extreme Challenge Trials 2001 U.S. Mac Danzig was the winner of the The Ultimate Fighter 6, and is currently under contract with the UFC.
Background
Danzig, of Scots-Irish and German descent, grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his career.
Career
Danzig currently trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the past, Danzig was known for his association with R1 fight team (formerly RAW) and had been a student of Iowa wrestling standout Rico Chiapparelli and MMA fighter Frank Trigg.
Since then he has trained boxing extensively at Wild Card gym in Hollywood, California under Freddie Roach assistant Justin Fortune.
While Danzig is known as an impressive grappler, having scored 12 of his victories by submission; he has proven himself to be an adept striker, most notably with his TKO victory over former lightweight champion Takumi Nakayama.
After defeating Royce Gracie black belt Buddy Clinton on August 4, 2006, Danzig increased his winning streak to 12 in a row with a unanimous decision victory over Miletich fighter John Mahlow on September 29th in Calgary, Alberta Canada.
Danzig then lost his KOTC title to Clay French on January 19, 2007 by split decision.
In his first major fight, facing Hayato Sakurai at PRIDE 33 on February 24, Danzig lost the fight by TKO (referee stoppage) at the 4:09 mark of round two.
Danzig made his official UFC debut on December 8th 2007 where he won The Ultimate Fighter 6, defeating Tommy Speer.
He most recently defeated Canadian Mark Bocek by rear naked choke in his first UFC fight as a lightweight at UFC 83 on April 19, 2008.
September 17th, at UFC Fight Night , Danzig lost a unanimous decision to Clay Guida. The Ultimate Fighter
While on The Ultimate Fighter, Danzig defeated Joe Scarola in a preliminary fight and later defeated John Kolosci to make it to the semifinals.
He then defeated Kolosci (who had replaced an injured Matt Arroyo) again, and moved on to fight Tommy Speer in the finals. Danzig defeated Speer in the finals via rear naked choke at 2:01 of the first round.
Before the fight, Danzig stated his intention to drop down in weight class to lightweight whether he won or lost, citing the size difference between himself and most of the other UFC welterweights. He is also very good friends with Gray Maynard and Andy Wang, who were both part of The Ultimate Fighter 5 cast, and in his corner during his match with Speer.
Personal life
Mac is currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada where he trains at the Xtreme Couture gym.
His long-time girlfriend, Angeline Grace, is a massage and physical therapist to many celebrities and athletes in Los Angeles.The couple are expecting a baby in November 2008.
He has a cat named Madeline.
He was sexually abused at a young age by one of his father's friends.
He is a photographer who sells his photos online via Mac Danzig Photography.
He has adhered to a vegan lifestyle since 2004.
Danzig discussed his vegan diet with Men's Fitness magazine in May 2008.
Professional MMA record
18 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw.
Record does not include his three victories while on the Ultimate Fighter as they are considered exhibition bouts in the state of Nevada.
Accomplishments
2001 Extreme Trials Eastern Regional Champion
2001 Extreme Trials National Champion
IFC Lightweight tournament champion
Gladiator Challenge Lightweight World Champion
King of the Cage Lightweight World Champion
2007 The Ultimate Fighter 6 Winner
Mac Danzig after win over Frank Kirmse in KOTC, Oct 1st 2005 in Edmonton, Canada
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