Drew Dober

Andrew Martin Dober (born October 19, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2009, he has also formerly competed for Bellator MMA, and Titan Fighting Championship.

Drew Dober
BornAndrew Martin Dober[1]
(1988-10-19) October 19, 1988 (age 35)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionWelterweight (2010, 2013, 2018)
Lightweight (2009–present)
Reach70 in (178 cm)[2]
StyleMuay Thai
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado, U.S.
TeamMid-America Martial Arts (formerly)[4]
Elevation Fight Team (2014–present)[5]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[6]
Black belt in Taekwondo[6]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total41
Wins27
By knockout14
By submission6
By decision7
Losses13
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision7
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Dober grew up with a single mother and a half-sibling, and didn't meet his father until 18.[7][6] Dober began training in Muay Thai at the age of 14 and was highly successful, going on to become a two-time Amateur National Champion.[8] He also wrestled his junior and senior years at Millard North High School.[9] Dober is also a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, having achieved that rank under Ed Shobe of Mid-America Martial Arts before he moved to train in Colorado.[10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Dober compiled an amateur record of 9–0 before turning professional in 2009.

Bellator

Dober faced Nick Nolte at Bellator 16 on April 29, 2010. He won the fight via arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.[11]

Independent promotions

In the next three years, Dober would compile a 12–2 record in various promotions including Victory Fighting Championship and Titan Fighting Championship. He then appeared on The Ultimate Fighter.

The Ultimate Fighter

In February 2012, it was revealed that Dober would be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter 15.[12] He was defeated in the entry round by Daron Cruickshank via unanimous decision.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Dober stepped in for an injured Sérgio Moraes to face Sean Spencer at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale on November 30, 2013.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Dober next faced Nick Hein at UFC Fight Night: Muñoz vs. Mousasi on May 31, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[16]

Dober faced former WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner at UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic. He secured his biggest win to date, defeating Varner via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[17]

Dober faced Leandro Silva on March 21, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62.[18] Dober lost the fight via technical submission in the second round. Silva was attempting to secure a guillotine choke after dropping to the mat with Dober's neck secured in his arm. Dober defended and moved his body to the side to stave off being caught in the choke. Silva appeared to be losing his grip on the submission as Dober continued to work free. However, the referee stepped in and touched the fighters as if to motion that he was standing them up. In reality, he was stopping the fight due to submission despite the fact that Dober never tapped and was in no significant danger of being choked out from the hold.[19] Despite the loss, UFC awarded Dober his win money with president Dana White stating that he would have liked to see the result overturned and the match declared a no contest.[20] The fight was later overturned to a "No Contest" by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) after the referee Eduardo Herdy admitted his mistake.[21]

Dober then faced Efrain Escudero at UFC 188 on June 13, 2015.[22] He lost the fight by guillotine choke submission in the first round.[23]

Dober was expected to face Erik Koch on January 2, 2016 at UFC 195.[24] However, Koch pulled out of the bout in early December citing injury and was replaced by Scott Holtzman.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Dober was expected to face Islam Makhachev on April 16, 2016 at UFC on Fox 19.[27] After the weigh ins, the UFC announced that Makhachev had failed an out-of-competition drug screening, testing positive for the banned anti-ischemic meldonium. The match was cancelled.[28]

A rescheduled bout with Erik Koch was expected to take place on September 10, 2016 at UFC 203.[29] However on August 11, Koch pulled out again due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Jason Gonzalez.[29][30] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[31]

Dober next faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on December 10, 2016 at UFC 206.[32] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.[33]

Dober then faced Josh Burkman on July 29, 2017 at UFC 214.[34] He won by first round knockout.[35]

Drew faced Frank Camacho in a welterweight bout on January 27, 2018 at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2.[36] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[38]

Dober faced Jon Tuck in a lightweight bout on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135.[39] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[40]

Dober faced Beneil Dariush on March 9, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 146.[41] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.[42]

Dober faced Polo Reyes on June 29, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 3.[43] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[44]

Dober faced Nasrat Haqparast on January 18, 2020 at UFC 246.[45] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[46] This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.[47]

Dober was expected to face Carlos Diego Ferreira on May 2, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman.[48] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date. Dober instead faced Alexander Hernandez on May 13, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira.[49] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[50] The bout with Ferreira was rescheduled for November 7, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.[51] However, Ferreira pulled out on October 22 due to an illness and the bout was scrapped.[52]

Dober faced Islam Makhachev March 6, 2021 at UFC 259.[53] He lost the fight via submission in round three.[54]

Dober faced Brad Riddell on June 12, 2021 at UFC 263.[55] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[56] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[57]

Dober was next expected to face Ricky Glenn at UFC Fight Night 204 on March 12, 2022.[58] However, a week before the event, Glenn withdrew due to a torn groin and was replaced by Terrance McKinney.[59] After being knocked down twice within the opening minute, Dober rallied and won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[60]

Dober faced Rafael Alves on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277.[61] He won the fight in the third round after knocking out Alves with a punch to the body.[62] The win also earned Dober his third Performance of the Night award.[63]

Dober faced Bobby Green on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.[64] He won the fight via knockout in round two.[65] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[66]

Dober faced Matt Frevola on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[67] He lost the fight by TKO at the end of the first round.[68]

Dober faced Ricky Glenn on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229.[69] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. With this win, Dober broke the record for most knockouts in UFC Lightweight division history.[70] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[71]

Dober faced Renato Moicano on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235.[72] Although Dober landed punches that opened Moicano's face, Dober was dominated on the ground for the majority of the fight which led him to lose by unanimous decision.[73]

Dober was scheduled to face Mike Davis on July 13, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 59.[74] However, Davis was forced to withdraw due to a torn bicep and it is unknown at this time whether a replacement is sought.[75]

Personal life

Drew was previously married to his former opponent Nick Hein's sister Gloria.[76]

Dober is currently married to Hollis Casey.[77][needs update]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
41 matches27 wins13 losses
By knockout142
By submission64
By decision77
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss27–13 (1)Renato MoicanoDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. ImavovFebruary 3, 202435:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win27–12 (1)Ricky GlennTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. GreenOctober 7, 202312:36Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss26–12 (1)Matt FrevolaTKO (punches)UFC 288May 6, 202314:08Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win26–11 (1)Bobby GreenKO (punch)UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. StricklandDecember 17, 202222:45Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win25–11 (1)Rafael AlvesKO (punch to the body)UFC 277July 30, 202231:30Dallas, Texas, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win24–11 (1)Terrance McKinneyTKO (knee and punches)UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. AnkalaevMarch 12, 202213:17Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss23–11 (1)Brad RiddellDecision (unanimous)UFC 263June 12, 202135:00Glendale, Arizona, United StatesFight of the Night.
Loss23–10 (1)Islam MakhachevSubmission (arm-triangle choke)UFC 259March 6, 202131:37Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win23–9 (1)Alexander HernandezTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. TeixeiraMay 13, 202024:25Jacksonville, Florida, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win22–9 (1)Nasrat HaqparastKO (punches)UFC 246January 18, 202011:10Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win21–9 (1)Polo ReyesTKO (punches)UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos SantosJune 29, 201911:07Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Loss20–9 (1)Beneil DariushSubmission (triangle armbar)UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos SantosMarch 9, 201924:41Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win20–8 (1)Jon TuckDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. VickAugust 25, 201835:00Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Win19–8 (1)Frank CamachoDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2January 27, 201835:00Charlotte, North Carolina, United StatesWelterweight bout. Fight of the Night.
Win18–8 (1)Josh BurkmanKO (punch)UFC 214July 29, 201713:04Anaheim, California, United States
Loss17–8 (1)Olivier Aubin-MercierSubmission (rear-naked choke)UFC 206December 10, 201622:57Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win17–7 (1)Jason GonzalezKO (punches)UFC 203September 10, 201611:45Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win16–7 (1)Scott HoltzmanDecision (unanimous)UFC 195January 2, 201635:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss15–7 (1)Efrain EscuderoSubmission (standing guillotine choke)UFC 188June 13, 201510:54Mexico City, Mexico
NC15–6 (1)Leandro SilvaNC (overturned)UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlareMarch 21, 201522:45Rio de Janeiro, BrazilSubmission (guillotine choke) win for Silva overturned due to referee error.
Win15–6Jamie VarnerSubmission (rear-naked choke)UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. MiocicDecember 13, 201411:52Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss14–6Nick HeinDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Muñoz vs. MousasiMay 31, 201435:00Berlin, Germany
Loss14–5Sean SpencerDecision (unanimous)The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate FinaleNovember 30, 201335:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesWelterweight bout.
Win14–4Tony SimsDecision (split)FTW: Prize Fighting Championship 4October 18, 201335:00Denver, Colorado, United States
Win13–4T.J. O'BrienSubmission (rear-naked choke)Victory FC 40July 27, 201323:57Ralston, Nebraska, United States
Win12–4Aaron DerrowDecision (unanimous)Centurion FightsMarch 1, 201335:00St. Joseph, Missouri, United States
Win11–4Sean WilsonSubmission (rear-naked choke)Disorderly Conduct 15: ResolutionJanuary 26, 201314:58Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win10–4Roberto Rojas Jr.Submission (rear-naked choke)Victory FC 38December 15, 201213:29Ralston, Nebraska, United States
Loss9–4Will BrooksDecision (unanimous)Disorderly Conduct 10: The Yin and The YangAugust 10, 201235:00Omaha, Nebraska, United StatesCatchweight (162 lb) bout.
Win9–3Ted WorthingtonSubmission (verbal)Victory FC 37April 13, 201231:36Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win8–3Jordan JohnsonTKO (punches)Disorderly Conduct 4: Turf WarNovember 4, 201120:30Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win7–3Sam JacksonDecision (unanimous)Victory FC 35July 30, 201135:00Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Loss6–3Ramiro HernandezKO (punches)Victory FC 34April 1, 201112:29Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win6–2Bobby CooperDecision (unanimous)Titan FC 16January 28, 201135:00Kansas City, Kansas, United StatesCatchweight (165 lb) bout.
Win5–2Kody FrankTKO (punches)Victory FC 33December 11, 201023:44Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win4–2Steve SimmonsTKO (punches)FTW: The ProfessionalsNovember 12, 201031:37Denver, Colorado, United States
Win3–2Jimmy SeipelTKO (punches and elbows)Victory FC 32July 30, 201023:16Council Bluffs, Iowa, United StatesReturn to Lightweight.
Win2–2Nick NolteSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Bellator 16April 29, 201014:45Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesWelterweight debut.
Loss1–2Brandon GirtzDecision (unanimous)Victory FC 29November 13, 200935:00Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Loss1–1Chase HackettDecision (unanimous)FTW: Featherweight Grand Prix Final RoundSeptember 12, 200935:00Denver, Colorado, United States
Win1–0Frank CaraballoTKO (punches)Victory FC 28July 24, 200923:58Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States

[80]

See also

References