Tarec Saffiedine

Tarec Robert Saffiedine (born 6 September 1986) is a Belgian former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Inspired by the Japanese comic book Tough, he finally took up Karate at age 16, and in 2005 received a black belt in Shihaishinkai, a style of knockdown karate that includes striking, throws and ground fighting.

He also has an amateur kickboxing record of 12–1–1 and later began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, and then Wrestling when he emigrated to the United States.

Early in his career he worked a number of jobs including in a restaurant, a cinema, as a gardener, and a security guard.

He received his nickname, "Sponge", from one of his coaches because he learns quickly.

He is also known to switch stances frequently.

A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Saffiedine has also formerly competed for DREAM and Strikeforce, and was the last Strikeforce Welterweight Champion.

Saffiedine was born to a Lebanese father, who emigrated to Belgium to study as an ophthalmologist, and a Belgian mother.

His father was a Taekwondo practitioner, and since the age of ten Saffiedine has trained in Judo, Wing Chun and Taekwondo.

Saffiedine grew up in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels and also played basketball in his youth.

Saffiedine made his professional mixed martial arts debut in March 2007, beating his opponent Guillaume Janvier with a kimura submission.

He went on to fight a further three times that year, all in promotions in his native Belgium and France.

In January 2008, he relocated to the United States and began training with Team Quest.

His first fight since his trans-Atlantic move came in June that year at Ultimate Cage Wars 12 in Canada, where he defeated his opponent Rich Bondoc with an armbar submission.

In 2009, he had two fights in the United States and won both.

From there, Saffiedine went to Japan to compete in DREAM.

His first fight came against Seichi Ikemoto at DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Final.

The bout was not part of the Welterweight Grand Prix, but was a reserve bout.

Saffiedine went on to win a unanimous decision.

His next opponent under the promotion's banner was Yoon Dong-sik, which took place at DREAM 12.

He replaced former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho in the match on short notice, and lost by way of split decision.

Saffiedine normally competes as a Welterweight (170 lbs.), but since he was replacing Filho, he fought as a Middleweight (185 lbs.).

He then returned to the United States to compete at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi, where he defeated James Terry by way of unanimous decision.

He used effective striking to keep his opponent off balance, going as far as to open a cut under Terry's left eye that was bleeding profusely by early in the third round.

Though his opponent, an experienced wrestler, did attempt some takedowns, Saffiedine shrugged off most of them or got to his feet quickly when the action did hit the mat.

All three judges scored the fight 30–27 in favor of Saffiedine.

Saffiedine was next scheduled to face off against Nate Moore on 21 May 2010 at Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey.

The opening round provided some back-and-forth action with Moore pushing forward with a wrestling attack, then responding well when Saffiedine began to take control with his strikes.

That changed in the second, as Moore returned to his takedown-heavy strategy, but Saffiedine stood tall in the face of the attack and delivered powerful punches while remaining on his feet.

A well placed punch by Saffiedine ended the fight by knockout at 1:21 of the second round – his first career knockout win.

He then faced grappler Brock Larson on 11 September 2010 at Shark Fights 13, on loan from Strikeforce.

After a minute-long feeling-out period, Larson shot out of the gate with punches and was dropped by a side-stepping Saffiedine's first strike.

From there, Saffiedine continued to outstrike Larson and was also able to defend against takedowns for all three rounds.

All judges scored the fight 30–27 in favour of Saffiedine as he won via unanimous decision.

Saffiedine's next fight was against Tyron Woodley at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine.

He and Woodley squared off in the main event.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Saffiedine was supposed to face Evangelista Santos at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson but the fight was cancelled.

Saffiedine fought Scott Smith at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson.

He was the replacement for Paul Daley, who was the original opponent for Saffiedine.