Saad Awad

Background

Born in San Bernardino, California and of Palestinian and Brazilian descent, Awad is the fourth eldest of twelve siblings. Growing up, Awad competed in soccer and wrestling at Cajon High School and later wrestled for a semester at a Jr. College. Later, Awad stumbled upon mixed martial arts and eventually moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Early career

Awad started his career in 2006. He fought mainly for the Costa Rican promotion Titans of the Pentagon and for the Californian promotion Gladiator Challenge.

For Titans of the Pentagon, he compiled four victories, winning a four-man tournament on the way.

For Gladiator Challenge, he had his first defeat against Nam Phan on February 16, 2008 at GC 74. Despite having lost his GC debut, Awad won the Gladiator Challenge Lightweight Championship against Kyle Olsen on October 25, 2008 at GC 85.

Strikeforce

Awad faced Joe Duarte on April 9, 2011 at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley. He lost via submission in the second round.

The Ultimate Fighter

Awad appeared in the first episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson. He lost via unanimous decision against Joey Rivera during the entry round.

Bellator MMA

Awad made his Bellator MMA debut on January 25, 2009 at Bellator 10 against Diego Garijo. He lost via submission in the first round.

On January 31, 2013 at Bellator 87, Awad was expected to face Jason Fischer. However, he had to replace Patricky Freire in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Eight Lightweight Tournament due to a knee injury against Guillaume DeLorenzi. He won via KO 31 seconds into the first round.

In the semifinals, Awad faced Will Brooks on February 28, 2013 at Bellator 91. In a major upset, Awad knocked out the heavily-favored Brooks via KO in under a minute once again. This remains the only loss on Brook's record thus far.

Awad faced David Rickels in the tournament finals at Bellator 94. He lost the fight via TKO due to a highly controversial finish. Rickels dropped Awad with a right hand at the very end of the round, but Awad remained resting on his back instead of getting up to his corner, resulting in the referee declaring an end to the match.

Awad next faced British fighter Martin Stapleton in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season nine lightweight tournament on September 27, 2013 at Bellator 101. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Awad had a rematch with Will Brooks in the semifinal round on October 25, 2013 at Bellator 105. He lost via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Awad fought Joe Duarte at Bellator 122 in a rematch from their 2011 bout. He won the fight via TKO in the first round where he locked in an arm triangle, and elbowed Duarte, having been punched in the head and made him suffering from symptoms of concussion.

Awad faced undefeated Sergio Rios on October 3, 2014 at Bellator 127. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Awad faced Rob Sinclair at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Awad faced Patricky Freire at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Awad moved up to the welterweight division and faced Evangelista Santos at Bellator 154 on May 14, 2016. Awad defeated the veteran via TKO after repeated strikes on the ground while Santos held on to a submission attempt.

Returning to lightweight, Awad faced Derek Anderson at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016. In a back-and-forth affair, in which both fighters traded near submission finishes, Awad ultimately lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Awad again moved up to the welterweight division and faced Brennan Ward at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Awad faced Ryan Quinn at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

Awad is expected to face Zach Freeman at Bellator 186 on November 3, 2017.

Championships and accomplishments