| Pannie Kianzad | |
|---|---|
 Kianzad interviewed in 2019 | |
| Born | Pannie Pantea Kianzad (1991-12-08)December 8, 1991 (age 34) Ahvaz, Iran |
| Other names | Banzai |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Featherweight (2012–2014, 2018) Bantamweight (2014–) |
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm) |
| Style | Boxing,Shootfighting,Submission Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Team | Xtreme Couture |
| Rank | Brown belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 25 |
| Wins | 16 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By decision | 13 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Last updated on: May 11, 2019 | |
Pannie Pantea Kianzad[2] (born December 8, 1991) is an Iranian-born Swedishmixed martial artist who competed in theUltimate Fighting Championship in theWomen's Bantamweight division, having previously fought inInvicta FC andCage Warriors where she held the bantamweight title.[3]
Kianzad started her martial arts career in boxing when she was around 14 years old and she went on to compete in around 30 amateur boxing fights.[4] In 2010, she competed in the Swedish National Championships inShootfighting and came in second place claiming the silver medal after losing toLina Länsberg in the final.[5] The following year, at 19 years of age, she became Swedish Champion in Shootfighting by defeating Genesini Serena by submission (armbar) in the second round.[6]
After turning professional she beat her swedish rival Lina Länsberg in her third fight, which she won by TKO.[7] She racked up five straight wins in smaller organizations before getting signed toCage Warriors. During this period she transitioned from team Kaisho inHelsingborg,Sweden, to Rumble Sports inCopenhagen,Denmark. As of 2016 Kianzad trains with Arte Suave team inCopenhagen,Denmark
In 2014 Kianzad signed with British top promotionCage Warriors. She made her promotional debut against Megan van Houtum on August 22, 2014, at Cage Warriors 71.[8] She won the fight by TKO in the third round.[9]
Kianzad was expected to face Agnieszka Niedzwiedz for the vacant bantamweight title on November 15, 2014, at Cage Warriors 74,[10] but Niedzwiedz was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury and Kianzad's opponent was changed to be Finnish fighter Eeva Siiskonen.[11][12] After five rounds Kianzad defeated Siiskonen by unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 49–46) to become Cage Warriors female bantamweight champion.[13][14]
After staying undefeated through her first 7 fights, and claiming the Cage Warriors title, Kianzad got another step up in her career as she got signed byInvicta FC in March, 2015.[15][16][17]
She made her promotional debut againstJessica-Rose Clark on July 9, 2015, atInvicta FC 13.[18] Kianzad won the fight by one-sided unanimous decision.[19][20]
Kianzad was set to face newly crowned championTonya Evinger in a title fight on September 14, 2015, atInvicta FC 14. However, Kianzad missed weight for the fight so it was changed to a non-title bout.[21][22] She lost by TKO in the second round.[23]
She foughtRaquel Pa'aluhi on January 14, 2017, atInvicta FC 21.[24] She lost the fight by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[25]
Kianzad facedSarah Kaufman on January 13, 2018, atInvicta FC 27.[26] At weight-ins, Kianzad weighted 136.7 Ibs, missing 0.7 Ibs of the upper limit in bantamweight of 136 Ibs. Kianzad was fined twenty five percent of her fight purse for missing weight.[27] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[28]
Kianzad fought Bianca Daimoni on May 4, 2018, atInvicta FC 29.[29] At weight-ins, Kianzad weighted 134.8 lbs while Daimoni weighted 139.6, missing 3.6 lbs of the upper limit in bantamweight of 136 lbs and the bout proceeded at catchweight. Daimoni was fined twenty five percent of her fight purse for missing weight[30] Kianzad won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]
About a month later she fought Kerry Hughes on June 9, 2018, at Danish MMA Night 1. Kianzad had a dominant performance and won by unanimous decision.[32]
In August 2018 Kianzad's sponsor Combat Dollies revealed that she had been selected as a fighter onThe Ultimate Fighter 28, where she would compete at featherweight.[33][34][35]
Kianzad was the fourth pick (second among featherweights) by coachKelvin Gastelum.[36] She foughtKatharina Lehner in the quarter-finals of the tournament. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[37]
In the semi-finals of the tournament, Kianzad was paired up againstJulija Stoliarenko. She won the fight by unanimous decision, securing a spot in the finals.[38]
Kianzad facedMacy Chiasson in the finals on November 30, 2018, atThe Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.[39][40] She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round two.[41]
Kianzad did not receive a contract from UFC after her loss at TUF 28 Finale.[42]
In her return to the European scene, Kianzad dropped back down to the bantamweight division and facedBellator veteran Iony Razafiarison on May 11, 2019, at Super Challenge 19.[43] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[44]
Kianzad replaced Melissa Gatto in a short notice bout againstJulia Avila on July 6, 2019, atUFC 239.[45] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[46]
Kianzad facedJessica-Rose Clark in a re-match on November 9, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 163.[47] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[48]
Kianzad was scheduled to faceBethe Correia on May 9, 2020, atUFC 249.[49] However, on April 9,Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date[50] The bout eventually took place on July 26, 2020, atUFC on ESPN 14.[51] Kianzad won the fight via unanimous decision.[52] Kianzad entered theUFC rankings for the first time in her career after her win over #13 ranked Correia.[53]
Kianzad facedSijara Eubanks on December 19, 2020, atUFC Fight Night 183.[54] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[55]
Kianzad faced onAlexis Davis June 12, 2021, atUFC 263.[56] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[57]
Kianzad facedRaquel Pennington on September 18, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 192.[58] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[59]
Kianzad facedLina Länsberg on April 16, 2022, atUFC on ESPN 34.[60] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[61]
Kianzad facedKetlen Vieira on July 22, 2023, atUFC on ESPN+ 82.[62] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[63]
Kianzad facedMacy Chiasson in a rematch on March 16, 2024, atUFC Fight Night 239.[64] She lost the bout by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[65]
In June 2024, Kianzad was added toEA Sports UFC 5.[66][67]
Kianzad facedKarol Rosa on August 10, 2024 atUFC on ESPN 61.[68] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[69]
On August 28, 2024, it was reported that Kianzad was removed from the UFC roster.[70][71] She was ranked 12th in theUFC women's bantamweight rankings in August 2024 at the time of removal from the UFC roster.[72] Kianzad's highest career UFC ranking was 6th in the women's bantamweight division, achieved on July 4, 2023, while her highestFight Matrix ranking was 3rd, achieved on July 1, 2021.[73][74][75]
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Kianzad had signed with Global Fight League.[76] On January 24, 2025, Kianzad was drafted by Team London in the inaugural edition of Global Fight League.[77] However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[78]
[86]| 25 matches | 16 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 1 |
| By submission | 0 | 3 |
| By decision | 13 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 16–9 | Karol Rosa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Tybura vs. Spivac 2 | August 10, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–8 | Macy Chiasson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura | March 16, 2024 | 1 | 3:54 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–7 | Ketlen Vieira | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura | July 22, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 16–6 | Lina Länsberg | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 | April 16, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–6 | Raquel Pennington | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann | September 18, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–5 | Alexis Davis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 263 | June 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 14–5 | Sijara Eubanks | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal | December 19, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–5 | Bethe Correia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till | July 26, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 12–5 | Jessica-Rose Clark | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar | November 9, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 11–5 | Julia Avila | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 239 | July 6, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 | Iony Razafiarison | Decision (unanimous) | Superior Challenge 19 | May 11, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 10–4 | Macy Chiasson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale | November 30, 2018 | 2 | 2:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter 28 Women's Featherweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 10–3 | Kerry Hughes | Decision (unanimous) | Danish MMA Night: Vol. 1 | June 9, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Brøndby, Denmark | |
| Win | 9–3 | Bianca Daimoni | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner | May 4, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Catchweight (139.6 lb) bout; Daimoni missed weight. Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 8–3 | Sarah Kaufman | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. Kianzad | January 13, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Catchweight (136.7 lb) bout; Kianzad missed weight. |
| Loss | 8–2 | Raquel Pa'aluhi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet | January 14, 2017 | 1 | 3:40 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 8–1 | Tonya Evinger | TKO (punches) | Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad | September 12, 2015 | 2 | 3:34 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Non-title bout; Kianzad missed weight (136.7 lb). |
| Win | 8–0 | Jessica-Rose Clark | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin | July 9, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Eeva Siiskonen | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors FC 74 | November 15, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | London, England | Bantamweight debut. Won the vacantCage Warriors Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Megan van Houtum | TKO (punches) | Cage Warriors FC 71 | August 22, 2014 | 3 | 2:17 | Amman, Jordan | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | Annalisa Bucci | Decision (unanimous) | Superior Challenge 10 | May 3, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Helsingborg, Sweden | |
| Win | 4–0 | Milana Dudieva | Decision (unanimous) | ProFC 50 | October 16, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Rostov-on-Don, Russia | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Lina Länsberg | TKO (punches) | Trophy MMA 1 | December 29, 2012 | 3 | 4:44 | Malmö, Sweden | |
| Win | 2–0 | Cheryl Flynn | TKO (punches) | Vision FC 5: Finale | December 1, 2012 | 1 | 2:50 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 1–0 | Helin Paara | Decision (unanimous) | MMA Raju 9 | April 14, 2012 | 3 | 4:00 | Tallinn, Estonia | Featherweight debut. |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 2 matches | 2 wins | 0 losses |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 2–0 | Julija Stoliarenko | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters | November 14, 2018 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 28 Semi-final. |
| Win | 1–0 | Katharina Lehner | Decision (unanimous) | September 5, 2018 (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 28 Quarter-final. |
Updated to 3 February 2026 |
Iranian refugee and immigrant athletes | |
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