| Ben Saunders | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1983-04-13)April 13, 1983 (age 42) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |
| Other names | Killa B |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Reach | 77+1⁄2 in (197 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Team | American Top Team (2006–present) Gracie Barra Orlando (2004–2005) |
| Rank | Black belt in10th Planet Jiu-JitsuunderEddie Bravo[1] Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-JitsuunderRicardo Libório[2] |
| Years active | 2004–2021 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 38 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 13 |
| By knockout | 9 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Last updated on: January 20, 2010 | |
Benjamin Saunders (born April 13, 1983), is an Americanmixed martial artist who currently fights in theWelterweight division. He was a featured fighter onThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, fighting on TeamSerra. A professional competitor since 2004, Saunders has formerly competed in theUFC andBellator.[3]
Saunders was born inFort Lauderdale, Florida, where he lived until he was in the third grade when he moved toCoral Springs, Florida. Saunders parents were divorced, and as a result he lived with his father. His older brother, Jacob, who practicedkarate, helped teach his younger brother about themartial art. His twin brother, Joe, is a former member of the Florida Legislature. When Saunders was eight years old, he had a friend who was learningTang Soo Do, which the two soon began practicing daily. However, due to poor financial status Saunders was unable to pay for legitimate instruction. At the age of 14, Saunders began training inJeet Kune Do and worked at fast food restaurants so that he could pay the tuition. He worked out with hisJ. P. Taravella High School wrestling team where he learnedwrestling techniques in exchange for submission techniques that he knew. Saunders, although not an instigator of street fights, did not back down from challenges and was also involved in countless street fights while growing up. At the age of 18, Saunders told his parents that he was leaving forValencia College, when in fact he was going to train withDin Thomas to become a professional fighter.[2]
Saunders defeatedDan Barrera in the first round of the competition by majority decision. Saunders reportedly contracted influenza after the Barrera bout. Despite the illness, Saunders competed in the quarter-finals againstTom Speer, losing via unanimous decision.
Saunders defeated Dan Barrera atThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs Team Serra Finale by unanimous decision.
In his second career UFC fight, Saunders defeated UFC newcomerRyan Thomas by armbar in the second round.
In his third career UFC fight he foughtBrandon Wolff, defeating him in the first round via TKO with knees from theThai clinch, landing 42 knees on his opponent. This left Wolff's face a bloody and swollen mess. After the bout many comparisons were made between him andAnderson Silva, who is also known for his Thai clinch prowess.
Saunders' next fight was supposed to be atUFC 96 against Welterweight standoutDustin Hazelett, but due to injury Hazelett pulled out of the match. Saunders was then set to face UFC newcomer Ryan Madigan. However, Saunders later pulled out of the match due to an injured foot.
On February 28, 2009, it was confirmed that Saunders would be facingMike Swick atUFC 99.[4] Saunders was defeated by Swick by TKO in the second round. As Swick struck, Saunders ducked into Swick's striking range every time which essentially cost him the fight.
Saunders defeatedMarcus Davis on November 21, 2009, via KO due to multiple knees at 3:24 into the first round atUFC 106 making him the first man to knock out Davis.[5]
Saunders was expected to face off against top ten welterweightMartin Kampmann atUFC 111 in March. However, an injury forced Kampmann off the card and Saunders was set to faceJake Ellenberger.[6] On March 25, 2010, news broke thatThiago Alves's pre-fight CT scan found an irregularity in his brain, and he was not cleared to fight. Saunders asked to fight Alves's opponent and former #1 contenderJon Fitch, forcing Saunder's opponent Ellenberger out of the match.[7] Saunders lost to Fitch by unanimous decision.
Saunders next facedDennis Hallman on August 7, 2010, atUFC 117.[8] Ben lost the fight by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28). Following the loss, Saunders was cut from the UFC.[9][10]
On February 3, it was announced byBellator that they had signed Saunders to compete in their Welterweight division. Although he will not be a part of the Season Four Tournament, Saunders fights aired live on the main card.[11]
AtBellator 39 Saunders defeated Matt Lee by TKO (doctor stoppage) in the third round after brutalizing Lee in the clinch with knees and elbows for most of the fight.
Saunders was expected to fight atBellator 47 but had to pull out of the event due to an undisclosed injury he suffered in training.[12]
Saunders was expected to faceRick Hawn atBellator 49.[13] But Hawn later pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury.[14] Saunders instead fought replacement Chris Cisneros. Saunders won by TKO in the third round.[15]
In the semifinals, Saunders facedLuis Santos atBellator 53. After getting taken down in the beginning of the first round, Saunders controlled the round by stifling Santos' offense and going for many submission attempts, transitioning from the reverse triangle to the omoplata. The second round played out in similar fashion with Saunders almost getting an omoplata and a carni on two separate occasions. Saunders eventually submitted his opponent via americana armlock transitioning from an arm triangle attempt while in half guard in the third round.
In the finals, he facedDouglas Lima atBellator 57 and lost via KO in the second round.
Saunders took part inBellator Season Six Welterweight Tournament. Saunders facedRaul Amaya in the quarterfinals atBellator 63 and won by unanimous decision.
Saunders lost by unanimous decision toBryan Baker in the semifinals atBellator 67.
Saunders defeated Brian Warren in just 22 seconds of the first round by TKO due to Knee Strikes atBellator 72.
Bellator MMA announced Saunders as a competitor in theBellator's Season Eight Welterweight Tournament. Saunders defeated Koffi Adzitso via unanimous decision atBellator 86 in the Quarterfinals.
Saunders rematchedRaul Amaya atBellator 90 in the semifinals and won via KO due to a head kick in round one.
Saunders was scheduled to faceDouglas Lima in a rematch in the tournament final atBellator 93. However, Lima broke his hand so the match was rescheduled for later this year.[16] Saunders eventually faced Lima on September 20, 2013, atBellator 100. He lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick in the second round. After the loss, Saunders was released from the promotion.
In June 2014, Saunders signed withTitan Fighting Championships. For his first fight with the promotion, Saunders was scheduled face UFC veteranMatt Riddle for the vacant TFC Welterweight Championship at Titan FC 29 on August 22, 2014.[17] Riddle, however, withdrew from the bout and was replaced by MMA veteran Jose Landi-Jons. However, that fight was cancelled when Titan FC granted Saunders permission to return to the UFC.[18]
On August 7, 2014, it was announced that Saunders would return to fight for the UFC.[18] Saunders faced promotional newcomer Chris Heatherly on August 23, 2014, atUFC Fight Night 49.[19] He was successful in his return, winning the fight in the first round with the first successfulomoplata submission in the UFC. The impressive victory also earned Saunders his firstPerformance of the Night bonus award.[20]
Saunders then facedJoe Riggs on December 13, 2014, atUFC on Fox 13.[21] He won the fight by TKO due to injury after Riggs hurt his neck during a takedown and tapped out.
Saunders was expected to faceErick Silva on March 21, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 62.[22] However, he pulled out of the fight in early March citing an injury.[23]
Saunders facedKenny Robertson on July 25, 2015, atUFC on Fox 16.[24] He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[25]
Saunders facedPatrick Côté on January 17, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 81.[26] He lost by TKO in the second round.[27]
Saunders next facedCourt McGee on January 15, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 103.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[29]
Saunders facedPeter Sobotta on May 28, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 109.[30] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[31]
Saunders facedAlan Jouban on February 24, 2018, atUFC on Fox 28.[32] He lost the back-and-forth fight via knockout in the second round.[33] This fight earned him theFight of the Night bonus.[34]
Saunders facedJake Ellenberger on June 1, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 131, replacing an injuredBryan Barberena.[35] Saunders won the fight by TKO due to a knee to the liver and punches. This win earn himPerformance of the Night award.[36]
Saunders facedSérgio Moraes on September 22, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 137.[37] He lost the fight via a submission in round two.[38]
Saunders facedLyman Good on November 3, 2018, atUFC 230, replacing an injuredSultan Aliev.[39] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[40]
Saunders faced promotional newcomerTakashi Sato on April 27, 2019, atUFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson.[41] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[42]
Saunders facedMatt Brown December 14, 2019, atUFC 245.[43] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[44] The fight marked the last fight of Saunders' prevailing contract and the UFC opted not to renew it, making Saunders a free agent.[45]
Saunders facedRamsey Nijem on July 30, 2021, at XMMA 2. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[46]
Saunders has also announced that he will be opening a new branch of 10th Planet, in Orlando, Florida, where he will serve as the head coach.[47]
| 38 matches | 23 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 11 | 9 |
| By submission | 6 | 1 |
| By decision | 6 | 3 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 23–13–2 | Ramsey Nijem | Decision (unanimous) | XMMA 2: Saunders vs. Nijem | July 30, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 22–13–2 | Matt Brown | KO (elbow and punches) | UFC 245 | December 14, 2019 | 2 | 4:55 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 22–12–2 | Takashi Sato | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson | April 27, 2019 | 2 | 1:18 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 22–11–2 | Lyman Good | KO (punches) | UFC 230 | November 3, 2018 | 1 | 1:32 | New York City,New York, United States | |
| Loss | 22–10–2 | Sérgio Moraes | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders | September 22, 2018 | 2 | 4:42 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 22–9–2 | Jake Ellenberger | KO (knee to body) | UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes | June 1, 2018 | 1 | 1:56 | Utica, New York, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–9–2 | Alan Jouban | KO (punch) | UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens | February 24, 2018 | 2 | 2:38 | Orlando, Florida, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–8–2 | Peter Sobotta | TKO (punches and knee) | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira | May 28, 2017 | 2 | 2:29 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 21–7–2 | Court McGee | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn | January 15, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 20–7–2 | Jacob Volkmann | Submission (armbar) | Fight Night at the Island | September 9, 2016 | 1 | 0:17 | Welch, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 19–7–2 | Patrick Côté | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz | January 17, 2016 | 2 | 1:14 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 19–6–2 | Kenny Robertson | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2 | July 25, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 18–6–2 | Joe Riggs | TKO (neck injury) | UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic | December 13, 2014 | 1 | 0:57 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 17–6–2 | Chris Heatherly | Submission (omoplata) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos | August 23, 2014 | 1 | 2:18 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 16–6–2 | Douglas Lima | KO (head kick) | Bellator 100 | September 20, 2013 | 2 | 4:33 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 16–5–2 | Raul Amaya | KO (head kick) | Bellator 90 | February 21, 2013 | 1 | 2:56 | West Valley City, Utah, United States | Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 15–5–2 | Koffi Adzitso | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 86 | January 24, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 14–5–2 | Brian Warren | TKO (knees) | Bellator 72 | July 20, 2012 | 1 | 0:22 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 13–5–2 | Bryan Baker | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 67 | May 4, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 13–4–2 | Raul Amaya | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 63 | March 30, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Loss | 12–4–2 | Douglas Lima | KO (punches) | Bellator 57 | November 12, 2011 | 2 | 1:21 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 12–3–2 | Luis Santos | Submission (americana) | Bellator 53 | October 8, 2011 | 3 | 1:45 | Miami, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 11–3–2 | Chris Cisneros | TKO (knee and punches) | Bellator 49 | September 10, 2011 | 3 | 0:29 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 10–3–2 | Matt Lee | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Bellator 39 | April 2, 2011 | 3 | 1:24 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 9–3–2 | Elijah Harshbarger | TKO (submission to punches and elbows) | WEF: Saunders vs. Harshbarger | November 6, 2010 | 1 | 4:21 | Kissimmee, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3–2 | Dennis Hallman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 117 | August 7, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Oakland, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2–2 | Jon Fitch | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 111 | March 27, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 8–1–2 | Marcus Davis | KO (knees) | UFC 106 | November 21, 2009 | 1 | 3:24 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1–2 | Mike Swick | TKO (punches) | UFC 99 | June 13, 2009 | 2 | 3:47 | Cologne, Germany | |
| Win | 7–0–2 | Brandon Wolff | TKO (knees) | UFC: Fight for the Troops | December 10, 2008 | 1 | 1:49 | Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 6–0–2 | Ryan Thomas | Submission (armbar) | UFC 87 | August 10, 2008 | 2 | 2:28 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 5–0–2 | Dan Barrera | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra Finale | December 8, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0–2 | Charles Blanchard | Submission (armbar) | Combat Fighting Championships 3 | February 17, 2007 | 1 | 0:46 | Orlando, Florida, United States | Won the CFC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–0–2 | Kenny Stevens | TKO (punches) | Combat Fighting Championship 1 | July 15, 2006 | 3 | 3:05 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 2–0–2 | Rick Delvecchio | KO (head kick) | Absolute Fighting Championships 15 | February 18, 2006 | 1 | 4:31 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 1–0–2 | Reggie Pena | Submission (triangle choke) | Absolute Fighting Championships 14 | December 12, 2005 | 1 | 1:12 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Draw | 0–0–2 | Diego Lionel Vitosky | Draw | Absolute Fighting Championships 12 | April 30, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Draw | 0–0–1 | Crafton Wallace | Draw | Absolute Fighting Championships 8 | May 1, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |
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