Stefan Struve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stefan Struve
Born	Stefan Struve (1988-02-18) February 18, 1988 (age 37) Beverwijk, Netherlands
Other names	Skyscraper
Height	7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
Weight	265 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb)
Division	Heavyweight (2006–2021) Light Heavyweight (2005–2006)
Reach	84+1⁄2 in (215 cm)
Fighting out of	Beverwijk, Netherlands
Team	Team Schreiber Blackzilians (2015–2016) Combat Club (formerly) Sanford MMA (formerly)
Rank	Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active	2005–2020
Kickboxing record
Total	4
Wins	4
By knockout	3
Mixed martial arts record
Total	42
Wins	29
By knockout	8
By submission	18
By decision	2
By disqualification	1
Losses	13
By knockout	9
By submission	1
By decision	3

Stefan Struve (born February 18, 1988) is a former mixed martial artist from the Netherlands. He competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a heavyweight fighter. Standing at 7 feet tall, he is known as the tallest fighter in UFC history. He retired from professional fighting in 2021.

Early Life and Training

Stefan grew up in the Netherlands. He played football until he was 14 years old. His brother took him to a local martial arts gym. This gym was owned by Bob Schreiber, a well-known martial artist. Stefan decided to try mixed martial arts (MMA) instead of football. He had his first and only amateur MMA fight at age 16. He won that fight by a head kick knockout.

Professional MMA Journey

Stefan Struve started his professional MMA career at just 17 years old. His first fight was for the GFN organization. By late 2008, he had a strong record of 16 wins and only 2 losses. One loss was due to an injury. The other was in a tournament in Ukraine.

Joining the UFC

In 2008, Stefan signed a four-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This is one of the biggest MMA organizations in the world.

First UFC Fights

Stefan's first UFC fight was at UFC 95. He lost to Junior dos Santos in the first round. Dos Santos attacked with many punches.

Stefan won his next fight at UFC 99 in June 2009. He fought Denis Stojnić. Stefan was cut in the first round but kept fighting. In the second round, he got behind Stojnić. He then used a rear naked choke to win. This is a type of submission where you squeeze your opponent's neck.

At UFC 104 in October 2009, Stefan beat Chase Gormley. Gormley had not lost a fight before. Stefan won by a triangle choke. This is another submission move where you use your legs to choke your opponent. He also won the "Submission of the Night" award for this win.

Stefan signed a new contract with the UFC. His next fight was against Paul Buentello at UFC 107. Stefan won by a majority decision. This means most of the judges thought he won.

Challenges and Comebacks

Stefan faced Roy Nelson in March 2010. Nelson landed a strong punch that knocked Stefan out.

At UFC 117, Stefan fought Christian Morecraft. Morecraft was also undefeated. Stefan won by TKO (Technical Knockout) in the second round. A TKO happens when the referee stops the fight because one fighter can't defend themselves. Stefan won the "Knockout of the Night" award.

In December 2010, Stefan beat Sean McCorkle by TKO in the first round. He used his skills to get into a good position and land many strikes.

Stefan faced Travis Browne in May 2011. Stefan tried a flying knee, but Browne countered with a punch. This knocked Stefan out.

More Wins and Awards

Stefan defeated Pat Barry in October 2011. He won by a triangle armbar. This is a submission that chokes and tries to break the arm at the same time. He earned another "Submission of the Night" award.

In February 2012, Stefan beat Dave Herman by TKO in the second round. He landed a series of punches and an uppercut to drop Herman.

Stefan was supposed to fight Mark Hunt at UFC 146. But Hunt got injured. Lavar Johnson replaced him. Stefan quickly won by an armbar in the first round. An armbar is a submission that tries to break the arm. This was his third "Submission of the Night" bonus.

Stefan fought Stipe Miocic in September 2012. Miocic was undefeated at the time. Stefan won by TKO in the second round. Both fighters earned "Fight of the Night" honors for their exciting match.

Health Challenges

In March 2013, Stefan fought Mark Hunt again. Hunt won by TKO in the third round. Stefan's jaw was broken during this fight.

Later in 2013, doctors found that Stefan had a heart condition. He had a leaking aortic valve and an enlarged heart. He also had a bicuspid aortic valve, meaning his heart valve had two parts instead of three. Doctors treated him with medicine. By late 2013, his condition was improving. He was cleared to train again in early 2014.

Stefan was set to fight Matt Mitrione in July 2014. But before the fight, Stefan fainted in the dressing room. His heart rate was very high. The UFC cancelled the fight to keep him safe.

Return to the Octagon

Stefan returned to fight Alistair Overeem in December 2014. He lost this fight by knockout in the first round.

In August 2015, Stefan fought Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. He won by unanimous decision. This was only his second fight to end with the judges deciding the winner.

Stefan lost to Jared Rosholt by unanimous decision in November 2015.

In May 2016, Stefan fought Antônio Silva. He won by knockout in just 16 seconds of the first round. He landed a right hook, a knee, and elbows. This win earned him his first "Performance of the Night" bonus.

Stefan won against Daniel Omielańczuk by submission in October 2016.

He faced Alexander Volkov in September 2017. He lost by TKO in the third round. Even though he lost, he earned another "Fight of the Night" bonus.

Stefan then lost to Andrei Arlovski and Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision in 2018.

Final Fights and Retirement

In February 2019, Stefan fought Marcos Rogério de Lima. He won by an arm-triangle choke in the second round. He was knocked down early in the fight but recovered. This win earned him another "Performance of the Night" award. After this fight, Stefan thought about retiring.

He decided to sign a new contract and fought Ben Rothwell in December 2019. He lost by TKO in the second round. The fight had some controversy because Rothwell accidentally hit Stefan in a sensitive area twice.

Stefan's last professional fight was against Tai Tuivasa in October 2020. He lost by knockout in the first round.

On February 15, 2021, Stefan Struve announced that he was retiring from professional mixed martial arts.

Personal Life

Stefan Struve is married and has a son named Tobi, who was born in 2020. He has been open about his heart condition, which he manages with medication.

Achievements and Awards

Stefan Struve achieved many things during his career:

Mixed Martial Arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Stipe Miocic and Alexander Volkov
  • Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Antônio Silva and Marcos Rogério de Lima
  • Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Christian Morecraft
  • Submission of the Night (Three times) vs. Chase Gormley, Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson
  • Tied (Derrick Lewis) for second most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC Heavyweight division history (8)
  • Tied (Andrei Arlovski, Gabriel Gonzaga & Francis Ngannou) for third most finishes in UFC Heavyweight division history (11)
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2009: Ranked #4 Newcomer of the Year
    • 2012: Ranked #6 Fighter of the Year
• Cage Gladiators
  • Cage Gladiators Heavyweight Champion (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

See also

In Spanish: Stefan Struve para niños

• List of male mixed martial artists