Bantamweight
Rani Yahya
26-12-1 (1 NC) UFC 13-6-1 (1 NC)
Elite Grappler
Submission Threat
Smothering Control
Chain Wrestling
5'6"Height
67"Reach
OrthodoxStance
42Age
0KO wins
7Sub wins
53.8%Finish rate
10:59Avg fight
Skill profile
striking
not yet read
grappling
elite
1 read
wrestling
not yet read
cardio
not yet read
durability
not yet read
138 MMA anchors Grappling · his tags and claims adjust Striking, Accuracy, Wrestling, TD Defense · stats alone on Striking D, Durability, Control.
Elite Grappler
138 MMA · Apr 2023 grades his grappling elite
Submission Threat
138 MMA · Apr 2024 tags sub threat: elite
Smothering Control
38% of every fight spent in control position
Chain Wrestling
41 takedowns from 132 attempts · 2.7 landed per 15 min
Career rates — the raw numbers behind the chart
Sig. strikes landed / min1.91
Sig. strikes absorbed / min2.11
Striking accuracy39.2%
Striking defense50.4%
Knockdowns / 15 min0.0
Takedowns / 15 min2.66
Takedown accuracy31.1%
Takedown defense31.0%
Sub attempts / 15 min1.49
Control time38.3%
Record vs .500+ opponents3-4
Insider info
vs Victor Henry clear UFC Fight Night Nicolau vs Perez Full Card Analysis, Prediction & Breakdown (UFC Vegas 91) · April 23, 2024
grapplingelite
States plainly 'I'm gonna take Victor Henry,' despite admitting personal fandom for Yahya.
A top-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist and constant submission threat who leans on relentless takedown volume rather than clean takedown skill to get there. Starts fast, is very active from his back with slick transitions, and is called genuinely dangerous if he reaches top position. The analyst, a self-described fan, states outright that this comeback-artist version of him is in the past.
Strengthconstant submission threat, high-level BJJ
Strengthrelentless takedown volume, fast starter
Strengthvery active from his back, slick transitions
Weaknesstakedown skill itself is weak - wins on volume, not technique
Weaknessstriking has looked worse lately
Weaknesscardio fades quickly these days
vs Montel Jackson coinflip UFC Fight Night Pavlovich vs Blaydes Predictions And Full Card Breakdown UFC Vegas 71 · April 18, 2023 · 1 read since
grapplingelite
Picked by submission and reaffirmed twice, but framed as loyalty to a fighter he personally favors rather than a confident analytical read, paired with the root-beer idiom AND an explicit instruction not to bet it -- the two-signal combination the confidence bar treats as coinflip, not a mere hedge.
A constant submission threat with a huge finishing rate relative to his win total, built on sheer takedown volume rather than clean technique; he calls him dangerous off his back but unable to strike his way out of trouble, and expects his cardio to fade from the sheer number of takedown attempts.
Strengthvery high submission rate off a career win total
Strengthconstant takedown volume as the gameplan
Strengthdangerous grappler even from his back
Weaknesscardio expected to fade from the volume of takedown attempts
Weaknesstakedowns themselves are not technically strong
Striking trend
Fight history
L Victor Henry 23-6 walk-in KO/TKO · R3 2:36 — UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez · April 27, 2024
54/109Sig. strikes
109/205Absorbed
0/10Takedowns
0:48Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Montel Jackson 12-2 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 3:42 — UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes · April 22, 2023
7/21Sig. strikes
9/21Absorbed
0/3Takedowns
0:08Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Kyung Ho Kang 6-2 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate · November 20, 2021
27/48Sig. strikes
43/82Absorbed
3/8Takedowns
10:36Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
W Ray Rodriguez 0-1 walk-in Submission · R2 3:09 — UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad · March 13, 2021
8/13Sig. strikes
3/18Absorbed
2/4Takedowns
7:00Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
D Enrique Barzola 15-5-1 walk-in Decision - Majority · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira · March 14, 2020
24/45Sig. strikes
57/86Absorbed
2/5Takedowns
4:48Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Ricky Simon 14-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 234: Adesanya vs. Silva · February 9, 2019
47/186Sig. strikes
54/137Absorbed
0/9Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Luke Sanders 12-2 walk-in Submission · R1 1:31 — UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick · August 25, 2018
4/8Sig. strikes
2/4Absorbed
0/2Takedowns
0:04Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
W Russell Doane 15-7 walk-in Submission · R3 2:32 — UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Stephens · February 24, 2018
17/20Sig. strikes
2/8Absorbed
2/3Takedowns
9:57Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
W Henry Briones 16-6-1 walk-in Submission · R1 2:01 — UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno · August 5, 2017
3/4Sig. strikes
0/0Absorbed
1/2Takedowns
1:39Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
L Joe Soto 17-5 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum · March 11, 2017
59/215Sig. strikes
54/113Absorbed
1/11Takedowns
0:57Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Michinori Tanaka 11-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg · September 24, 2016
10/18Sig. strikes
20/34Absorbed
7/11Takedowns
7:05Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
W Matthew Lopez 8-0 walk-in Submission · R3 4:19 — UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker · July 13, 2016
40/75Sig. strikes
14/34Absorbed
3/6Takedowns
7:40Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
W Masanori Kanehara 23-8-5 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Mir vs Duffee · July 15, 2015
24/68Sig. strikes
24/44Absorbed
4/11Takedowns
5:19Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
W Johnny Bedford 19-11-1 walk-in Submission · R2 2:04 — UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs Arlovski · September 13, 2014
13/28Sig. strikes
9/20Absorbed
3/6Takedowns
1:19Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
NC Johnny Bedford 19-10-1 walk-in Could Not Continue · R1 0:39 — UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs Nelson · April 11, 2014
3/8Sig. strikes
4/6Absorbed
0/1Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Tom Niinimaki 20-5-1 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale · November 30, 2013
15/33Sig. strikes
17/27Absorbed
2/3Takedowns
3:30Control
0Knockdowns
4Sub attempts
W Josh Clopton 0-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 163: Aldo vs Jung · August 3, 2013
14/40Sig. strikes
5/13Absorbed
2/7Takedowns
8:22Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
W Mizuto Hirota 14-5-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC on FUEL TV: Silva vs. Stann · March 2, 2013
13/29Sig. strikes
4/14Absorbed
5/12Takedowns
8:59Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
W Josh Grispi 14-3 walk-in Submission · R1 3:15 — UFC on FOX: Shogun vs Vera · August 4, 2012
3/9Sig. strikes
6/10Absorbed
1/2Takedowns
2:27Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
L Chad Mendes 10-0 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 133: Evans vs Ortiz 2 · August 6, 2011
15/87Sig. strikes
35/72Absorbed
0/5Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Mike Brown 24-7 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Fight for the Troops 2 · January 22, 2011
40/58Sig. strikes
15/31Absorbed
3/11Takedowns
7:45Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
Walk-in records count UFC bouts in this database. For the pre-UFC career, see the record breakdown below or the Tapology button up top.
Record breakdown
Wins by method
KO/TKO
0
Submission
19
Decision
7
Other
0
Losses by method
KO/TKO
4
Submission
1
Decision
7
Other
0
Draws: 1 · No contests: 1
Fights by organization
UFC
21
WEC
7
Hero's
3
K-1 Premium
1
PFC
1
UAGF
1
MARS
1
GCM
1
+ 4 more organizations in the full career list
Full career — 40 fights, every organization
| Opponent | Method | Event | Org | Rd | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Victor Henry | TKO (head kick and punches) | UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez
April 27, 2024 |
UFC | 3 | 2:36 |
| L | Montel Jackson | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes
April 22, 2023 |
UFC | 1 | 3:42 |
| W | Kang Kyung-ho | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate
November 20, 2021 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Ray Rodriguez | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad
March 13, 2021 |
UFC | 2 | 3:09 |
| D | Enrique Barzola | Draw (majority) | UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira
March 14, 2020 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Ricky Simón | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 234
February 10, 2019 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Luke Sanders | Submission (heel hook) | UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick
August 25, 2018 |
UFC | 1 | 1:31 |
| W | Russell Doane | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens
February 24, 2018 |
UFC | 3 | 2:32 |
| W | Henry Briones | Submission (kimura) | UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno
August 5, 2017 |
UFC | 1 | 2:01 |
| L | Joe Soto | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum
March 11, 2017 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Michinori Tanaka | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg
September 24, 2016 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Matthew Lopez | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker
July 13, 2016 |
UFC | 3 | 4:19 |
| W | Masanori Kanehara | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee
July 15, 2015 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Johnny Bedford | Submission (kimura) | UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski
September 13, 2014 |
UFC | 2 | 2:04 |
| NC | Johnny Bedford | NC (accidental headbutt) | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson
April 11, 2014 |
UFC | 1 | 0:39 |
| L | Tom Niinimäki | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale
November 30, 2013 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Josh Clopton | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 163
August 3, 2013 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Mizuto Hirota | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann
March 3, 2013 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Josh Grispi | Submission (north-south choke) | UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera
August 4, 2012 |
UFC | 1 | 3:15 |
| L | Chad Mendes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 133
August 6, 2011 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Mike Brown | Decision (unanimous) | UFC: Fight For The Troops 2
January 22, 2011 |
UFC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Takeya Mizugaki | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 48
April 24, 2010 |
WEC | 3 | 5:00 |
| L | Joseph Benavidez | TKO (punches) | WEC 45
December 19, 2009 |
WEC | 1 | 1:35 |
| W | John Hosman | Submission (north-south choke) | WEC 42
August 9, 2009 |
WEC | 1 | 2:08 |
| W | Eddie Wineland | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WEC 40
April 5, 2009 |
WEC | 1 | 1:07 |
| W | Yoshiro Maeda | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 36
November 5, 2008 |
WEC | 1 | 3:30 |
| L | Norifumi Yamamoto | TKO (punches and soccer kicks) | K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!!
December 31, 2007 |
K-1 Premium | 2 | 3:11 |
| L | Chase Beebe | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 30
September 5, 2007 |
WEC | 5 | 5:00 |
| W | Mark Hominick | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WEC 28
June 3, 2007 |
WEC | 1 | 1:19 |
| W | Louie Moreno | Submission (guillotine choke) | PFC 2: Fast and Furious
March 22, 2007 |
PFC | 1 | 0:23 |
| L | Gesias Cavalcante | Submission (guillotine choke) | Hero's 7
October 9, 2006 |
Hero's | 1 | 0:39 |
| W | Kazuya Yasuhiro | Submission (D'Arce choke) | Hero's 6
August 5, 2006 |
Hero's | 1 | 1:08 |
| W | Eben Kaneshiro | Submission (Ezekiel choke) | UAGF: Kaos on Kampus
May 20, 2006 |
UAGF | 3 | — |
| W | Ryuki Ueyama | Decision (majority) | Hero's 5
May 3, 2006 |
Hero's | 2 | 5:00 |
| W | Takumi Yano | Technical Submission (triangle choke) | MARS
February 4, 2006 |
MARS | 3 | 2:14 |
| W | Taiyo Nakahara | Submission (north-south choke) | GCM: D.O.G. 4
December 11, 2005 |
GCM | 1 | 1:59 |
| W | Fabio Alves | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | K-1 Brazil: Next Generation
October 30, 2004 |
K-1 Brazil | 1 | — |
| L | Fredson Paixao | Decision | Jungle Fight 2
May 15, 2004 |
Jungle Fight | 3 | 5:00 |
| W | Luciano Santos | Submission (keylock) | TNT: Vale Tudo 2
April 17, 2004 |
TNT | — | — |
| W | Junior Peba | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Kallifas Vale Tudo
September 14, 2002 |
Kallifas Vale Tudo | 1 | 1:30 |
Career history from the fighter's Wikipedia record table (Rani Yahya) — results only, no strike stats; UFC bouts are marked and carry full stats in the fight history above.
Division context
Headshot of Rani Yahya by UFC · Official UFC athlete photo (copyright UFC; not freely licensed) · Wikimedia Commons · flattened onto dark background, cropped/resized