Makwan Amirkhani (Kurdish: ماکوان ئەمیرخانی;[8] born November 8, 1988) is a Finnish mixed martial artist[9][10] who competes in the Featherweight division.
[5] Growing up as a small-sized immigrant in Vaasa, Amirkhani was subjected to serious physical and mental bullying from daycare up until the upper comprehensive school.
[6] Amirkhani moved to Kotka to study in a high school suited for students with professional sports aspirations.
Competing on the regional circuit solely in Finland, he compiled a record of 10–2, with eight finishes, all by submission and all in the first round, before signing with the UFC in December 2014.
[18] However, shortly after the bout was announced, Rivas was pulled from the fight due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Masio Fullen.
[32] Amirkhani was expected to face Mike Grundy at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards on 21 March 2020.
[44][45] Amirkhani lost the bout via knock out with a knee after getting caught shooting for a takedown at the beginning of the second round.
[46] Amirkhani faced Mike Grundy at UFC Fight Night 204 on 19 March 2022, in a rebooked bout after almost two years to date when they were originally set to compete.
[54] On 12 August 2023, Amirkhani announced that he had signed a contract to fight in Oktagon MMA and expects to make his promotional debut in lightweight division during 2023.
[57][58] After his loss, he expressed a desire to return to fight one last time and pleaded his fans to vote him as one of two “lucky losers”,[59] who would then re-enter the tournament in a reserve match.
[60][61] Amirkhani lost the match after being picked up and slammed into the canvas by Korkmaz and submitted via a rear-naked choke in the third round.
[62] The aforementioned slam had caused Amirkhani to dislocate his glenohumeral joint; the rotator cuff had also punctured and required extensive surgery.
[64] Amirkhani competed in the ADCC North European Open on August 18, 2023 where he went 3-1 and won a bronze medal in the 76 kg division.
[65] Amirkhani is one of eight children; his brother and father both died in car accidents shortly after the family moved to Finland.