| Igor Pokrajac | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1979-01-02)2 January 1979 (age 46) Zagreb,SR Croatia, Yugoslavia |
| Other names | The Duke |
| Residence | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Team | American Top Team,Team CroCop |
| Rank | Purple belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsuunder Bojan Mirkovic[1] |
| Years active | 2003–2020 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 45 |
| Wins | 29 |
| By knockout | 16 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 15 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 5 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Igor Pokrajac (born 2 January 1979) is a Croatianmixed martial artist, who formerly competed in theLight Heavyweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, Pokrajac has also formerly competed forK-1,KSW,It's Showtime, andJungle Fight promotions.
Pokrajac started his professional MMA career in 2003, primarily competing in his native Croatia. Over the next six years, he compiled an impressive record of 21–5.
In August 2009, it was announced he had signed with the UFC, with his first fight taking place againstVladimir Matyushenko on September 19, 2009, atUFC 103.[2] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Pokrajac next facedJames Te-Huna on February 21, 2010, atUFC 110.[3] Pokrajac lost again, this time via third-round TKO, due to strikes. This loss was somewhat controversial, as Te Huna had Pokrajac in a modified crucifix position on the mat and landed five to six clean shots to Pokrajac's face and although Pokrajac was not able to defend himself from this position, he was signalling to the referee that he was okay, although the ref did not acknowledge this, and stopped the fight after the unanswered shots from Te Huna. Although visibly dazed, Pokrajac disputed the stoppage directly after the fight to no avail.
Pokrajac then facedJames Irvin on August 1, 2010, atUFC on Versus 2.[4] Midway through the first round, Pokrajac took Irvin down and immediately got side control on the floor. After taking multiple strikes, Irvin rolled over and was submitted by a rear naked choke, handing Pokrajac his first UFC victory.
Pokrajac foughtStephan Bonnar on December 4, 2010, atThe Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale.[5] Pokrajac lost a unanimous decision.
Pokrajac defeated Todd Brown on March 3, 2011, atUFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann by TKO at the conclusion of the first round. Brown was dropped by a knee in the final minute and hit with several clean follow up shots, being saved by the end of the round. When the fighters went back to their corners, Brown was unable to stand on his own power and the fight was stopped.[6]
Pokrajac was expected to faceKrzysztof Soszynski on June 11, 2011, atUFC 131, replacing an injuredAnthony Perosh.[7] However, Pokrajac was himself forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by returning UFC veteranMike Massenzio.[8]
Pokrajac/Soszynski ultimately took place on December 10, 2011, atUFC 140.[9] Pokrajac defeated Soszynski via first-round KO.
Pokrajac was expected to faceThiago Silva on May 15, 2012, atUFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier, replacing an injuredBrandon Vera.[10] However, Silva was pulled from the bout to faceAlexander Gustafsson on April 14, 2012, atUFC on Fuel TV 2 after Gustafsson's original opponentAntônio Rogério Nogueira pulled out of the bout citing an injury.[11] Pokrajac instead facedFábio Maldonado at the event.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 29–28).
Pokrajac was defeated byVinny Magalhães via second round armbar on September 22, 2012, atUFC 152.[13]
Pokrajac next facedJoey Beltran on December 15, 2012, atUFC on FX 6, replacing an injuredAnthony Perosh.[14] Pokrajac lost the fight via unanimous decision. However, on January 10, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had failed his post fight drug test, testing positive fornandrolone and the result of the bout was changed to No Contest.[15]
Pokrajac facedRyan Jimmo atUFC 161 in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 15, 2013.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Pokrajac facedRafael Cavalcante on November 9, 2013, atUFC Fight Night 32.[17] He lost via submission due to strikes in the first round.[18]
Pokrajac facedMarcos Rogério de Lima on December 20, 2014, atUFC Fight Night 58.[19] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after.[20]
After being released fromUltimate Fighting Championship Pokrajac signed for Croatia'sFinal Fight Championship promotion. His debut was expected to be against Maciej Browarski, but he was replaced and he will now make his debut in heavyweight division against Archontis Taxiarchis at FFC 18 - Ljubljana on 17 April 2015.[21] He weighed 102 kg at official weight ins.[22]
After recording three first round stoppage victories on the regional circuit across theBalkans, Pokrajac was re-signed for a second stint in the UFC. He facedJan Błachowicz on April 10, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 86.[23] Pokrajac lost the fight via unanimous decision.[24]
Pokrajac was expected to faceEd Herman on March 4, 2017, atUFC 209.[25] However, Pokrajac pulled out of the fight in early February citing an injury, and was replaced byGadzhimurad Antigulov.[26]
On May 4, 2019, it was reported that Pokrajac was released by UFC.[27]
| 45 matches | 29 wins | 15 losses |
| By knockout | 16 | 8 |
| By submission | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 4 | 5 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 29–15 (1) | Michał Kita | TKO (punches) | FEN 28 - Lotos Fight Night | June 13, 2020 | 1 | 0:37 | Lublin, Poland | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Win | 29–14 (1) | Maiquel Falcão | TKO (elbows and punches) | Serbian Battle Championship 25 | December 7, 2019 | 1 | 3:24 | Novi Sad, Serbia | Won the SBC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 28–14 (1) | Maiquel Falcão | TKO (punches) | Serbian Battle Championship 21 | May 4, 2019 | 1 | 4:55 | Odžaci, Serbia | |
| Loss | 28–13 (1) | Jan Błachowicz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos | April 10, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 28–12 (1) | Zauri Maisuradze | Submission (armbar) | FFC 20: Zagreb | October 23, 2015 | 1 | 1:16 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 27–12 (1) | Rudolf Pavlin | TKO (elbows) | Montenegro Fighting Championship 3 | July 27, 2015 | 1 | 2:35 | Budva, Montenegro | Return toLight Heavyweight. |
| Win | 26–12 (1) | Archontis Taxiarchis | TKO (punches) | FFC 18: Ljubljana | April 17, 2015 | 1 | 3:03 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 25–12 (1) | Marcos Rogério de Lima | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway | December 20, 2014 | 1 | 1:59 | Barueri, Brazil | |
| Loss | 25–11 (1) | Rafael Cavalcante | TKO (submission to knees and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson | November 9, 2013 | 1 | 1:18 | Goiânia, Brazil | |
| Loss | 25–10 (1) | Ryan Jimmo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 161 | June 15, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| NC | 25–9 (1) | Joey Beltran | NC (overturned) | UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson | December 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Gold Coast, Australia | Originally a unanimous decision win for Beltran; overturned after he tested positive for banned substances. |
| Loss | 25–9 | Vinny Magalhães | Submission (armbar) | UFC 152 | September 22, 2012 | 2 | 1:14 | Toronto,Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 25–8 | Fábio Maldonado | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier | May 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 24–8 | Krzysztof Soszynski | KO (punches) | UFC 140 | December 10, 2011 | 1 | 0:35 | Toronto,Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 23–8 | Todd Brown | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann | March 3, 2011 | 1 | 5:00 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Loss | 22–8 | Stephan Bonnar | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale | December 4, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 22–7 | James Irvin | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko | August 1, 2010 | 1 | 2:28 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Loss | 21–7 | James Te Huna | TKO (punches) | UFC 110 | February 21, 2010 | 3 | 3:26 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Loss | 21–6 | Vladimir Matyushenko | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 103 | September 19, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 21–5 | Kalvis Gebauers | TKO (punches) | WFC 8: D-Day | April 18, 2009 | 1 | 1:16 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | |
| Win | 20–5 | Roderik Jambor | TKO (punches and elbows) | K-1 ColliZion 2009 Croatia | March 21, 2009 | 1 | 1:09 | Split, Croatia | |
| Win | 19–5 | Mihajlo Fincur | TKO (punches) | Grand Fight | December 27, 2008 | 1 | 3:59 | Varaždin, Croatia | |
| Win | 18–5 | Patrik Jevický | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Fight: Challenge 3 | December 6, 2008 | 1 | 1:42 | Samobor, Croatia | |
| Win | 17–5 | Jan Antoska | Submission (armbar) | Hell Cage 1 | May 3, 2008 | 2 | 3:39 | Prague, Czech Republic | |
| Win | 16–5 | Martin Zawada | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Balans: It's Showtime 75MAX Trophy Final 2008 | March 15, 2008 | 1 | 1:01 | 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands | |
| Win | 15–5 | Marko Sintic | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Fight: Challenge 2 | December 15, 2007 | 2 | 2:00 | Samobor, Croatia | |
| Win | 14–5 | Ladislav Zak | Decision (unanimous) | OB-Gula: Fight Night | December 8, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Ogulin, Croatia | |
| Loss | 13–5 | Mamed Khalidov | Submission (kneebar) | Boxing Explosion 2 | August 2, 2007 | 2 | 0:55 | Pag, Croatia | |
| Win | 13–4 | Bojan Spalevic | TKO (elbows) | Osijek Challenge 07 | May 27, 2007 | 1 | 0:43 | Osijek, Croatia | |
| Win | 12–4 | Slaven Planinic | TKO (knee and punches) | Bilic Fight Night | April 25, 2007 | 1 | 3:09 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 11–4 | Sasa Lazic | Submission (armbar) | Noc Gladiatora 1 | March 16, 2007 | 1 | 2:02 | Karlovac, Croatia | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Assuério Silva | Decision (split) | Jungle Fight Europe | December 17, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | |
| Win | 10–3 | Ivan Brguljan | Decision (unanimous) | International Fight Night | August 3, 2006 | 1 | 4:01 | Opatija, Croatia | |
| Win | 9–3 | Lukasz Jurkowski | Decision (split) | Sukosan Fight Night | September 9, 2006 | 2 | 1:41 | Sukošan, Croatia | |
| Win | 8–3 | Jure Lucic | Submission (armbar) | Ultimate Nokaut 4 | March 17, 2006 | 1 | 3:19 | Karlovac, Croatia | |
| Win | 7–3 | Ivan Bacic | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Nokaut 3 | December 17, 2005 | 1 | 0:59 | Rijeka, Croatia | |
| Loss | 6–3 | Lukasz Jurkowski | TKO (corner stoppage) | KSW IV: Konfrontacja | September 10, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | |
| Win | 6–2 | Branislav Zeman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Nokaut 2 | July 29, 2005 | 2 | 2:49 | Zadar, Croatia | |
| Loss | 5–2 | Miodrag Petkovic | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Nokaut 1 | March 11, 2005 | 2 | 4:51 | Karlovac, Croatia | |
| Win | 5–1 | Peter Cakic | TKO (punches and elbows) | Trboulje 2: Croatia vs Slovenia | February 12, 2005 | 1 | 2:25 | Trbovlje, Slovenia | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Miodrag Petkovic | KO (punches) | Ultimate Fight Dubravc | April 4, 2004 | 2 | 3:21 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 4–0 | Andre Castro | KO (knee) | DF: Durata World Grand Prix 1 | May 3, 2003 | 1 | 2:00 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Matthias Riccio | TKO (doctor stoppage) | DF: Durata World Grand Prix 1 | May 3, 2003 | 1 | 4:00 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Pavel Botka | TKO (punches) | DF: Durata World Grand Prix 1 | May 3, 2003 | 1 | 4:00 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Nik Peric | TKO (knees) | Strabag Free Fight | February 9, 2003 | 1 | 1:33 | Rijeka, Croatia |
