Stefan Struve

Background

Growing up in the Netherlands, Struve played football until the age of 14. When Struve's brother took him to the local martial arts gym (owned by Bob Schreiber), he decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts (MMA) instead. Struve had his first and only amateur MMA bout at age 16, and won via head kick knockout.

Mixed martial arts career

Struve made his professional debut for the GFN organization when he was 17, fighting John De Wilde at Gentlemen Fight Night. By late 2008, he had racked up a record of 16–2, losing once (in his second fight) via injury to Romualds Garkulis and again in the second round of a Star Of Peresvit tournament in Ukraine, to future Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Christian M'Pumbu.

In 2008, Struve negotiated with the DREAM and Affliction promotions, before signing a four-fight deal with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Struve lost his UFC debut bout at UFC 95 to Junior dos Santos in the first round, after dos Santos stormed Struve with an aggressive flurry of punches.

Struve won his next fight on June 13, 2009, at UFC 99, over Denis Stojnić. Struve was cut open by hammerfists from Stojnic while on his back in the first round and, despite bleeding profusely, persevered in the second round and gained Stojnic's back, eventually locking in a rear naked choke to win by submission at 2:37 of the second round.

Struve defeated previously undefeated UFC newcomer Chase Gormley on October 24, 2009, at UFC 104 (also winning the "Submission of the Night" award). The bout was composed mainly of grappling after Gormley took Struve down. There, Struve attempted submissions, before giving up top position to Gormley and securing a triangle choke.

Struve then signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC. His first fight of this contract was against returning veteran Paul Buentello, at UFC 107. Struve replaced injured Todd Duffee. Struve defeated Buentello by majority decision (29–28, 29–28, 28–28). After the fight, Struve stated "I don't feel like a winner right now", apparently displeased with his performance.

Struve fought The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights winner Roy Nelson on March 31, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 21. Nelson ducked under several of Struve's punches and scored a solid right hook on his chin for the knockout.

Struve then faced undefeated UFC newcomer Christian Morecraft at UFC 117. Struve defeated Morecraft via TKO due to punches at 0:22 of round 2. Morecraft dominated Struve in round one with a ground and pound attack, but was counterpunched and knocked out by Struve during an aggressive rush in round two. The performance won Struve the "Knockout of the Night" bonus award. Between rounds, Struve told his corner, "I'm almost fainting right now, guys."

In September 2010, Struve signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC.

Struve defeated the previously undefeated Sean McCorkle via first-round TKO on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124. After being taken down early and escaping a kimura attempt, Struve swept McCorkle, gaining mount, and rained down a steady stream of strikes for the victory.

Struve faced the then undefeated Travis Browne on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130. Despite starting off strong, nearly locking in a D'arce choke, Struve would mistakenly jump for a flying knee, which Browne countered with a superman punch to KO Struve.

Struve defeated Pat Barry on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6. After a long feeling out process in the 1st round, Struve clinched with Barry, dragged him to the ground, and swiftly locked in a triangle armbar, earning the "Submission of the Night" bonus award in the process.

Struve faced Dave Herman on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1, winning via second-round TKO. During a tepid first round, Struve seemed slow to start, finding little success against Herman who closed distance and looked the more agile striker of the two. In the second round Struve began to open up, mixing in a body-clinch take-down while piecing together striking combinations. He landed a left hook, inside leg kick, left hook & right uppercut in quick succession to drop a stunned Herman, proceeding to mount his opponent and deliver strikes until forcing the referee's intervention.

Struve was expected to face Mark Hunt on May 26, 2012, at UFC 146 but, on May 17, 2012, Hunt withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Lavar Johnson. Struve quickly submitted Johnson in the first round with an armbar, earning his third "Submission of the Night" bonus.

Struve faced undefeated prospect, Stipe Miocic at UFC on Fuel TV 5 on September 29, 2012. The opening stanza saw Miocic slightly edge Struve in a competitive stand-up battle, until the second round when Struve utilized his reach more effectively and became more aggressive. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. The performance earned both participants "Fight of the Night" honors.

Struve faced Mark Hunt on March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8. Hunt defeated Struve via third-round TKO, and broke Struve's jaw with one of his final punches of the fight.

On August 20, 2013, Struve was reported to have suffered from a leaking aortic valve as well as an enlarged heart, doctors found that Stefan has a bicuspid aortic valve, which means that his aortic valve only has two leaflets, instead of three. It was decided to treat his condition with medication for the next two months. On October 8, 2013, reports came that Struve's heart condition was improving and that a return to fighting was still a possibility. November 24, 2013, it was reported that he was ready to return to a full training schedule.

On April 7, 2014, manager Lex McMahon announced in the show "The MMA Hour" that Struve has approval from the doctor to fight again and return to the Octagon. Quote: “I think we’re very close. Very exciting news with Stefan, he was actually cleared by his doctor in the Netherlands. Right now we’re just waiting for a copy of his file to be translated so that the UFC can have their doctor take a look at it, and they’re going to determine whether or not to have Stefan get a second opinion or not. If they do bring him out for a second opinion, that would likely be out in Los Angeles with the UFC’s cardiologist that they use frequently. I believe they sent Dan Hardy to him and a few other folks.”

Struve was expected to face Matt Mitrione on July 5, 2014, at UFC 175. During the first fight of the main card, however, Struve fainted in the dressing room and had an elevated heart rate. UFC personnel decided to cancel the fight. Struve was later taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.

Struve faced Alistair Overeem at UFC on Fox 13 on December 13, 2014. He lost the fight via KO in the first round.

Struve faced Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 190 on August 1, 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision, marking only his second fight in his career to end in decision.

Struve faced Jared Rosholt on November 14, 2015, at UFC 193. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Struve faced Antônio Silva on May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87. He won the bout via knockout in the first round after catching his opponent with a right hook on the chin followed with a knee to the body and multiple elbows to the side of his opponent's head. This win also earned Struve his first Performance of the Night bonus.

Struve was expected to face Ruslan Magomedov on October 8, 2016, at UFC 204. However, Magomedov pulled out in early September citing a staph infection. He was replaced by Daniel Omielańczuk. Struve won the back and forth fight via submission in the second round.

Struve was originally expected to face Junior dos Santos in a rematch on February 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 105. However, on January 12, Struve pulled out due to a shoulder injury.

Struve faced Alexander Volkov on 2 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Struve vs. Volkov. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. Despite the loss, Struve earned his second Fight of the Night bonus award for the bout.

Personal life

In October 2013, Struve's father Jaap died from cancer.

Mixed martial arts