Chris Camozzi

Background

Camozzi is from Alameda, California and competed in wrestling and rugby in high school. Camozzi then continued his rugby career at Fort Lewis College but soon dropped out and headed back home to train in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A coach of Camozzi's, who had fought in some of the earlier UFC events, asked Camozzi if he was interested in mixed martial arts, and Camozzi soon began his career.

Early career

Camozzi fought former Ultimate Fighter competitor Jesse Taylor for the King of Champions Middleweight Championship. After three rounds, the judges declared Taylor the winner, giving him the title.

The Ultimate Fighter

Camozzi signed to take part in the eleventh season of the Ultimate Fighter. Camozzi's preliminary fight to get into the house was against Victor O'Donnell. After three hard-fought rounds between the two of them, Camozzi was declared the winner. However, the damage to both competitors was noticeable, with O'Donnell walking away with a severely fractured orbital bone and Camozzi entering the house with a broken jaw.

This damage to Camozzi proved to be the end of his run on the show, as during the third episode of the season, Dana White informed Camozzi that he had to withdraw from the competition due to his injury. Seth Baczynski stepped in as Camozzi's replacement.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Though Camozzi was removed from the show, he fought at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale against James Hammortree. Camozzi won a unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, 30–27).

Camozzi's next fight was at UFC 121 against Korean UFC newcomer Dongi Yang. Yang began the fight with a successful takedown, followed by ground-and-pound. After standing up, Camozzi was able to keep Yang at bay with kicks, before engaging in the clinch. However, Yang's thick neck and shoulders prevented effective attacks. Later, Camozzi was able to effectively time the advance of Yang. In the third, Yang began to tire and swing wildly, to no avail. Camozzi was declared the winner via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28).

Camozzi faced off against Kyle Noke on February 27, 2011 at UFC 127. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Shark Fights

Following his release from the UFC, Camozzi faced Joey Villaseñor at Shark Fights 15. The fight was initially ruled a draw, but was subsequently overturned and counted as a split decision win for Camozzi by the New Mexico Athletic Commission when it was revealed one of the judge's scores was added incorrectly.

Return to the UFC

It was announced on September 12 that Camozzi had re-signed with the UFC. He faced UFC newcomer Francis Carmont on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137. After a back and forth fight, Camozzi lost via unanimous decision.

In his next fight, Camozzi defeated Dustin Jacoby via third-round guillotine choke submission on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2.

Camozzi faced Nick Catone on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4. In the third round, Camozzi struck Catone with a knee to the head opening a giant cut, causing the doctor to step in and force a TKO (doctor stoppage) at 1:51 of the third round.

Camozzi was expected to face Buddy Roberts on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150. However, Camozzi was injured and pulled out of the bout.

Camozzi fought Brazilian Luiz Cané on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Camozzi next faced Nick Ring on March 16, 2013 at UFC 158. He won the fight via split decision.

Camozzi was expected to face Cezar Ferreira on May 18, 2013 at UFC on FX 8, replacing an injured C.B. Dollaway. However, on April 7, Ferreira pulled out of the fight as well, citing an injury and was replaced by Rafael Natal. Then in early May, Camozzi was pulled from the matchup with Natal in favor of a matchup with Ronaldo Souza after Souza's scheduled opponent Costas Philippou pulled out of the bout with an injury. He lost the fight via technical submission due to an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

Camozzi next faced Lorenz Larkin on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Camozzi was expected to face Andrew Craig on April 11, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 39. However, the fight was cancelled on the day of the weigh-ins as Craig was ruled out with an illness.

Camozzi faced Bruno Santos on July 5, 2014 at UFC 175. He lost the fight via split decision.

A rescheduled bout with Rafael Natal took place on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. Natal defeated Camozzi via split decision.

After losing four consecutive fights Camozzi was released by the UFC for a second time.

Third UFC Stint

On the heels of two wins on the regional circuit, Camozzi replaced an injured Yoel Romero and faced Ronaldo Souza in a rematch on April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15. He lost the fight via submission due to an armbar in the first round.

Camozzi faced Tom Watson on August 8, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 73. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Camozzi next faced Joe Riggs on February 21, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 83. He won the fight via TKO in the first round due to a series of knees. He was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Camozzi faced Vitor Miranda on May 29, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 88. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Camozzi faced Thales Leites on August 6, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 92. He lost the fight by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the third round.

Camozzi next faced Dan Kelly on November 27, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Camozzi was expected to face Magnus Cedenblad on May 28, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 109. However, Cedenblad was removed from the card on 27 March and replaced by Trevor Smith. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On June 2, 2017, Camozzi announced the expiry of his UFC contract and that he is now a free agent.

Personal life

Camozzi owns and operates the MMA gear and clothing distribution company, Performance MMA, in Englewood, Colorado.

Championships and accomplishments