Stefan Struve – Stats, history and MMA record

Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve (the tallest MMA Fighter)

• Age: 32
• Date of birth: 18 February 1988
• Born: Beverwijk, Netherlands
• Fighting out of: Beverwijk, Netherlands
• Height: 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
• Weight: 263 lb (119 kg; 18 st 11 lb)
• Reach: 84 1⁄2 in (215 cm)
• Stance: Conventional
• Main styles: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, 
• Belts: Brown Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Gym / Teams: Team Schribjber, Combat Club, Hard Knocks 365
• Pro MMA record: 29-11 
• Winning %: 73%
• Losing %: 27%
• Wins by KO/TKO: 8 (28%)
• Wins by submission: 18 (62%)
• Wins by decision: 2 (7%)

Stand out Stats

• In 2012, Struve became the first person to defeat future UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, as he stopped the American in round two at UFC on FUEL TV 5. Miocic had gone 9-0 before facing the Dutch fighter.
• After losing his second, pro-MMA fight in 2005, Struve went on to win 10 straight fights: the longest winning streak of his career.
• Struve was the last fighter to face the legendary Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, who retired after his decision loss to the heavyweight in August, 2015.

Pro MMA Record (1)

Result	Opponent	Event	Method	Round	Time
Win	Marcos Rogério de Lima	UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos Feb / 23 / 2019	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	2	2:21
Loss	Marcin Tybura	UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith Jul / 22 / 2018	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00
Loss	Andrei Arlovski	UFC 222 Mar / 03 / 2018	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00
Loss	Alexander Volkov	UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve Sep / 02 / 2017	TKO (punches)	3	3:30
Win	Daniel Omielańczuk	UFC 204 Oct / 08 / 2016	Submission (D’Arce choke)	2	1:41
Win	Antônio Silva	UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski May / 08 / 2016	KO (elbows)	1	0:16
Loss	Jared Rosholt	UFC 193 Nov / 14 / 2015	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00
Win	Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira	UFC 190 Aug / 01 / 2015	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00
Loss	Alistair Overeem	UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic Dec / 13 / 2014	KO (punches)	1	4:13
Loss	Mark Hunt	UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann Mar / 03 / 2013	TKO (punches)	3	1:44
Win	Stipe Miocic	UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic Sep / 29 / 2012	TKO (punches)	2	3:50
Win	Lavar Johnson	UFC 146 May / 26 / 2012	Submission (armbar)	1	1:05
Win	Dave Herman	UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger Feb / 15 / 2012	TKO (punches)	2	3:52
Win	Pat Barry	UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson Oct / 01 / 2011	Submission (triangle armbar)	2	3:22
Loss	Travis Browne	UFC 130 May / 28 / 2011	KO (superman punch)	1	4:11
Win	Sean McCorkle	UFC 124 Dec / 11 / 2010	TKO (punches)	1	3:55
Win	Christian Morecraft	UFC 117 Aug / 07 / 2010	KO (punches)	2	0:22
Loss	Roy Nelson	UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi Mar / 31 / 2010	TKO (punches)	1	0:39
Win	Paul Buentello	UFC 107 Dec / 12 / 2009	Decision (majority)	3	5:00
Win	Chase Gormley	UFC 104 Oct / 24 / 2009	Submission (triangle choke)	1	4:04
Win	Denis Stojnić	UFC 99 Jun / 13 / 2009	Submission (rear-naked choke)	2	2:37
Loss	Junior dos Santos	UFC 95 Feb / 21 / 2009	TKO (punches)	1	0:54
Win	Mario Neto	Cage Gladiators 10: Clash of the Titans Nov / 29 / 2008	Submission (rear-naked choke)	2	3:19
Win	Ralf Wonnink	K.O. Events: Tough Is Not Enough Oct / 05 / 2008	Submission (armbar	1	0:15
Win	Yuji Sakuragi	M-1 Challenge 6: Korea Aug / 29 / 2008	Submission (triangle choke)	1	2:30
Win	Colin Robinson	Cage Gladiators 8 Jul / 27 / 2008	Submission (triangle choke)	1	N/A
Win	Ralf Wonnink	Beast of the East Jan / 26 / 2008	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	N/A
Loss	Christian M’Pumbu	Star of Peresvit Dec / 07 / 2007	Submission (D’Arce choke)	1	2:05
Win	Sergey Danish	Star of Peresvit Dec / 07 / 2007	TKO (corner stoppage)	2	2:20
Win	Tomek Smykowski	Tempel Fight School: Mixfight Gala VI Nov / 25 / 2007	Submission (choke)	1	N/A
Win	Tom Blackledge	Cage Gladiators 5 Nov / 04 / 2007	Submission (triangle choke)	1	2:14
Win	Denis Komkin	Bratsk Combat Sports Festival: Siberian Challenge 1 Oct / 14 / 2007	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	N/A
Win	Marko Šintic	Combined Forces: The Real Deal May / 05 / 2007	Submission (triangle choke)	1	N/A
Win	Atte Backman	Fight Festival 21 Mar / 17 / 2007	Submission (triangle choke)	1	3:54
Win	Florian Müller	Outsider Cup 6 Dec / 16 / 2006	TKO (punches)	2	1:38
Win	Marcus Sursa	World Extreme Fighting: Orleans Arena Jun / 10 / 2006	Submission (triangle choke)	1	3:01
Win	Murat Bourekba	Staredown City Feb / 05 / 2006	DQ (fish-hooking)	N/A	N/A
Win	Emir Smajlovic	MMA: Event Sep / 17 / 2005	KO (punches)	1	N/A
Loss	Romualds Garkulis	Mixfight Gala Apr / 16 / 2005	TKO (corner stoppage)	1	5:00
Win	John de Wilde	Gentlemen Fight Night Mar / 19 / 2005	Submission (armbar)	1	N/A

Biography / Interesting Facts

Struve’s early days and move into MMA

The future fighter was born in Beverwijk, Netherlands. Struve played football (soccer) until he was taken by his brother at the age of 14 to train with former fighter and renowned coach, Bob Schreibe at his gym. 

Struve mad his professional MMA debut at the young age of 17, and he submitted John de Wilde at a Gentleman Fight Night card in 2005.

The Dutch fighter faces Junior dos Santos in his Octagon debut

After going 15-2 in his first 17 pro-bouts, Struve made his way to the UFC in 2009. In his first Octagon appearance, Struve took on future UFC heavyweight champ, Junior dos Santos, who quickly knocked him out in the opening round. Dos Santos was competing under the UFC banner for the second time.

Struve rebounded from the loss, however, as he proceeded to win three straight fights before being stopped by Roy Nelson in 2010. 

The tallest fighter in the UFC

At 7’1 feet tall, the massive Struve is the tallest fighter on the UFC roster and the “Skyscraper” is also tied with Jon Jones for having the longest reach in the promotion. Both men have awe-inspiring reaches of 84.5 inches (215 cm) (2). Which also means he has huge hands that need large MMA gloves, you can see our glove selection here.

A heart condition threatens to cut Struve’s career short

In 2013 it was revealed that Struve had a leaking aortic valve and an enlarged heart, and a result, the heavyweight’s career was in doubt. The Dutch fighter underwent treatment for the condition, and Struve returned to the Octagon the following year.

Struve calls for a rematch with Stipe Miocic

Although Struve stopped Miocic in their 2012 bout, following his submission victory over Daniel Omielanczuk in 2016, he began campaigning for a rematch with the American star. The key reason being that at the time, Miocic was in the midst of his first reign as the UFC’s heavyweight champ (3).

“I think (Miocic) would like to have that rematch too, but I need a big win to get that. I would love that fight, of course, but I need another win.”

– Stefan Struve

Struve decides against retirement

Following Struve’s submission win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima in February, 2019, the massive fighter announced that the bout was very likely going to be his last. Struve cited his heart condition as a reason why he was leaning toward retirement. 

In August, 2019, however, the UFC announced that Struve will fight Ben Rothwell at the promotion’s December 7th card in Washington, D.C. The heavyweight tweeted out the following, after the news broke (4).

“Sometimes you need to take a little bit of space and time to realise how much you still love doing something. December 7th it is time to get back 2 it!”

– Stefan Struve

The “Skyscraper” is deadly on the ground

Although Struve has showcased dangerous kickboxing skills during his career, working behind his extensive reach, the “Skyscraper” has finished most of his fights on the ground. The talented grappler has recorded 18 submission wins during his career. Eight of those submissions have come via a triangle-choke, and Struve used the technique to tap-out Chase Gormley and Pat Barry in UFC action.

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References

1. Wikipedia, Stefan Struve. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Struve
2. Tapology, Longest Reach Mixed Martial Arts. Retrieved from https://www.tapology.com/search/misc/longest-reach-mixed-martial-artists
3. Prates Fernanda, Subhan, Abbey (2016, October 9) UFC 204 winner Stefan Struve says rematch with champ Stipe Miocic might be one ‘big win’ away. Retrieved from https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2016/10/ufc-204-winner-stefan-struve-says-rematch-with-champ-stipe-miocic-might-be-one-big-win-away
4. Twitter, Stefan Struve (2019, August 13). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/StefanStruve/status/1161314398595702784