Benjamin Saunders (born April 13, 1983), is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights in the Welterweight division.
When Saunders was eight years old, he had a friend who was learning Tang Soo Do, which the two soon began practicing daily.
At the age of 14, Saunders began training in Jeet Kune Do and worked at fast food restaurants so that he could pay the tuition.
At the age of 18, Saunders told his parents that he was leaving for Valencia College, when in fact he was going to train with Din Thomas to become a professional fighter.
Despite the illness, Saunders competed in the quarter-finals against Tom Speer, losing via unanimous decision.
[5] Saunders was expected to face off against top ten welterweight Martin Kampmann at UFC 111 in March.
[6] On March 25, 2010, news broke that Thiago Alves's pre-fight CT scan found an irregularity in his brain, and he was not cleared to fight.
Saunders was expected to fight at Bellator 47 but had to pull out of the event due to an undisclosed injury he suffered in training.
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.
Saunders defeated Brian Warren in just 22 seconds of the first round by TKO due to Knee Strikes at Bellator 72.
Saunders rematched Raul Amaya at Bellator 90 in the semifinals and won via KO due to a head kick in round one.
For his first fight with the promotion, Saunders was scheduled face UFC veteran Matt Riddle for the vacant TFC Welterweight Championship at Titan FC 29 on August 22, 2014.
However, that fight was cancelled when Titan FC granted Saunders permission to return to the UFC.
[18] Saunders faced promotional newcomer Chris Heatherly on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49.
[21] He won the fight by TKO due to injury after Riggs hurt his neck during a takedown and tapped out.
[34] Saunders faced Jake Ellenberger on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131, replacing an injured Bryan Barberena.
[38] Saunders faced Lyman Good on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230, replacing an injured Sultan Aliev.
[40] Saunders faced promotional newcomer Takashi Sato on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs.
[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.