Megan Anderson
Anderson interviewed at UFC 232
Born (1990-02-11) 11 February 1990 (age 34)
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofLee's Summit, Missouri, US
TeamGlory MMA (2015–2021)[3]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4]
Years active2013–2021[5]
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins11
By knockout6
By submission3
By decision2
Losses5
By submission3
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Megan Anderson (born 11 February 1990) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competed in the Women's Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Anderson also competed for the all women's MMA league Invicta Fighting Championships, where she won the Invicta FC Featherweight Championship.

Early life

Anderson was born and raised on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[6] She attended All Saints Anglican School[7] throughout her upbringing and moved to Canberra at the beginning of 2008 to join the Australian Army upon graduation from high school.[8][9] After serving two and a half years in the military, she was discharged when it was discovered she had attempted to take her own life and was subsequently hospitalised.[10][11] She then returned to the Gold Coast and worked as a receptionist[12] while getting involved in the local boxing scene. Through her boxing connections, she was introduced to mixed martial arts and began training in 2013.[13]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In November 2013, Anderson made her professional MMA debut, losing to Zoie Shreiweis. Over the next two years, Anderson would build her record to four wins and one loss before signing to Invicta Fighting Championships.[14]

Invicta FC

In her promotional debut in September 2015, Anderson faced Cindy Dandois at Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad. She lost the fight by submission (triangle choke).[15] Anderson then proceeded to gain three wins in the promotion.[16][17][18]

Invicta FC Featherweight Championship

On 14 January 2017, Anderson faced Charmaine Tweet for the Interim Invicta FC Featherweight Championship at Invicta FC 21.[19] She won the fight by TKO in the second round.[20] Anderson was later promoted from Interim to undisputed Featherweight Champion after Cris Cyborg vacated her belt.[21]

After the UFC opted against signing Anderson, Anderson was scheduled to defend her undisputed title against Helena Kolesnyk at Invicta FC 24, on 15 July 2017,[22] but the fight never took place as Anderson was later signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Anderson was scheduled to make her promotional debut against Cris Cyborg at UFC 214 on 29 July 2017. However, Anderson pulled out of the bout on 27 June, citing "personal issues" as the reason.[23] She was replaced by Tonya Evinger.[24]

Anderson faced Holly Holm on 9 June 2018 at UFC 225.[25] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Anderson faced Cat Zingano on 29 December 2018 at UFC 232.[27] She won the fight via technical knockout early in the first round after a kick to Zingano caused an eye injury that didn't allow her to continue.[28]

Anderson faced promotional newcomer Felicia Spencer on 18 May 2019 at UFC Fight Night 152.[29] She lost the fight via submission in the first round.[30]

Anderson faced Zarah Fairn on 6 October 2019 at UFC 243.[31] She won the fight via a submission in round one.[32]

Anderson faced Norma Dumont Viana on 29 February 2020 at UFC Fight Night 169.[33] She won the fight via knockout in round one.[34] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[35]

Anderson was scheduled to face Amanda Nunes on 12 December 2020 for the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship at UFC 256.[36] However, it was announced on 9 November that Nunes pulled out due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was postponed to 2021.[37] The pairing was rescheduled for 6 March 2021 at UFC 259.[38] She lost the fight via a triangle armbar in round one.[39]

The title fight was the last fight of her prevailing six-fight contract and the organization opted not to renew it, making her a free agent.[40]

In February 2022, Anderson posted in her social media that she is no longer pursuing fights, and is not affiliated with any teams or organizations.[5]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Reality show

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2018 Heroes & Superstars Team Green Heroes of Warland" [46]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
16 matches 11 wins 5 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 3 3
By decision 2 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 11–5 Amanda Nunes Submission (reverse triangle armbar) UFC 259 6 March 2021 1 2:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–4 Norma Dumont KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo 29 February 2020 1 3:31 Norfolk, Virginia, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 10–4 Zarah Fairn Submission (triangle choke) UFC 243 6 October 2019 1 3:57 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Loss 9–4 Felicia Spencer Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee 18 May 2019 1 3:24 Rochester, New York, United States
Win 9–3 Cat Zingano TKO (eye injury) UFC 232 29 December 2018 1 1:01 Inglewood, California, United States
Loss 8–3 Holly Holm Decision (unanimous) UFC 225 9 June 2018 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 8–2 Charmaine Tweet TKO (punches and head kick) Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet 14 January 2017 2 2:05 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Won the interim Invicta FC Featherweight Championship. Later promoted to undisputed champion. Performance of the Night.
Win 7–2 Peggy Morgan TKO (punches) Invicta FC 18: Grasso vs. Esquibel 29 July 2016 1 4:09 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 6–2 Amanda Bell TKO (head kick and punches) Invicta FC 17: Evinger vs. Schneider 7 May 2016 1 5:00 Costa Mesa, California, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 5–2 Amber Leibrock TKO (knees and punches) Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. Ibragimova 16 January 2016 3 2:33 Costa Mesa, California, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 4–2 Cindy Dandois Submission (triangle choke) Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad 12 September 2015 2 2:41 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 4–1 Zoie Shreiweis Submission (armbar) Roshambo MMA 4 6 December 2014 1 1:32 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Won the vacant Roshambo MMA Featherweight Championship.
Win 3–1 Jodie Struzik Submission (rear-naked choke) Nitro MMA 12 11 October 2014 2 0:30 Logan City, Queensland, Australia
Win 2–1 Kerry Barrett Decision (majority) Roshambo MMA 3 26 July 2014 3 3:00 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Win 1–1 Janay Harding Decision (unanimous) FightWorld Cup 17 12 April 2014 3 3:00 Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Loss 0–1 Zoie Shreiweis Decision (majority) FightWorld Cup 16 16 November 2013 3 3:00 Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

[47]

References

  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  2. ^ "UFC 225 main-card breakdown: Will Holly Holm spoil Megan Anderson's UFC debut?". MMAjunkie. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Megan Anderson: Chasing Glory & Gold". Fight News Australia. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Megan Anderson | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b Megan Anderson [@megana_mma] (3 February 2022). "(...)I have no plans to fight right now. I'm not saying that I will never fight again, but at this point in my life, I'm loving everything else I'm doing. (...) I'm currently not affiliated with any gym, I'm not signed to any promotion right now and haven't been pursuing a new fight contract" – via Instagram.
  6. ^ "Invicta FC: Megan Anderson Profile". Invicta FC. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Gold Coast fighter Megan Anderson to take on Holly Holm at UFC 225". News.com.au. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  8. ^ "UFC's Megan Anderson fights for acclaim, against depression after moving from Australia to KC". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  9. ^ The MMA Hour 4/16/2018
  10. ^ "The incredible rise of Australia's baddest woman and her battle with depression". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  11. ^ "UFC's Megan Anderson fights for acclaim, against depression after moving from Australia to KC". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Ex-Gold Coast administrator Megan Anderson tipped to be UFC's next star". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Megan Anderson on UFC 225: 'I think I match up well' against Holly Holm". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Women's MMA Report: Tiburcio wins Invicta gold, Pennington chokes out Evans-Smith". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  15. ^ "From the Gold Coast to the Midwest, Invicta's Megan Anderson is on quite the MMA journey". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  16. ^ "Megan Anderson defeats Amber Leibrock at Invicta FC 15".
  17. ^ "Megan Anderson takes home 'Performance of the Night' with TKO win over Amanda Bell at Invicta FC 17".
  18. ^ Depta, Laura. "MMA Fighter's Cheek Gets Incredibly Swollen at Invicta FC 18". Bleacher Report.
  19. ^ Marc Raimondi (18 November 2016). "Megan Anderson vs. Charmaine Tweet set for Invicta FC 21". mmafighting.com.
  20. ^ Raimondi, Marc (14 January 2017). "Invicta FC 21 results: Megan Anderson stops Charmaine Tweet to win interim 145 title". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  21. ^ "With 'Cyborg' vacating belt, Megan Anderson now undisputed Invicta FC featherweight champ". MMAjunkie.com. 26 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Featherweight champion Megan Anderson set to headline Invicta FC 24". Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Megan Anderson issues a statement after being forced to pull out of UFC 214 - BJPenn.com". 27 June 2017.
  24. ^ "With Megan Anderson out, Cris Cyborg gets a new opponent for UFC 214 - BJPenn.com". 27 June 2017.
  25. ^ Thompson, Phil. "Holly Holm added to UFC 225 in Chicago". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  26. ^ "UFC 225 results: Holly Holm turns to wrestling to beat powerful striker Megan Anderson". MMAjunkie. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Cat Zingano vs. Megan Anderson Added to UFC 232". Cageside Press. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  28. ^ "UFC 232 results: Megan Anderson kick to the eye stops Cat Zingano". MMAjunkie. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  29. ^ "Ex-Invicta FC champs Megan Anderson, Felicia Spencer meet at UFC on ESPN+ 9". MMA Junkie. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  30. ^ "Invicta FC 32 results: Felicia Spencer claims vacant title with gutsy win over Pam Sorenson". MMAjunkie. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  31. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Jumeau vs. Lima & Anderson vs. Dos Santos nieuwste toevoegingen UFC 243 in Melbourne" (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  32. ^ Anderson, Jay (5 October 2019). "UFC 243 Results: Megan Anderson Back in Win Column with Submission of Zarah Fairn dos Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  33. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Braziliaanse Norma Dumont maakt UFC debuut tegen Megan Anderson tijdens UFC Norfolk" (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  34. ^ Shillan, Keith (29 February 2020). "UFC Norfolk: Megan Anderson Knocks Out Norma Dumont". Cageside Press. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  35. ^ a b Staff, MMAFighting. "UFC Norfolk bonuses: Megan Anderson, Jordan Griffin earn $50,000 each for impressive finishes". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Amanda Nunes to defend title vs. Megan Anderson in December". ABC News. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  37. ^ Staff (9 November 2020). "Megan Anderson says Amanda Nunes out of UFC 256, title fight pushed to 2021". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  38. ^ Staff (21 December 2020). "Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson title fight rebooked for UFC 259". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  39. ^ Anderson, Jay (7 March 2021). "UFC 259 Results: Amanda Nunes Stuns, Submits Megan Anderson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  40. ^ Martin, Damon; Guilherme, Cruz (9 March 2021). "Megan Anderson no longer under UFC contract following loss to Amanda Nunes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  41. ^ a b c Mike Bohn (14 November 2021). "UFC Fight Night 197 post-event facts: Max Holloway first to crack 3,000 total UFC strikes landed". MMAjunkie.com.
  42. ^ Invicta FC [@InvictaFights] (8 May 2016). "#InvictaFC17 Bonuses: FOTN - Rachael Ostovich vs. Ariel Beck, POTN - Megan Anderson and Angela Hill!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ^ Robert Sargent (29 July 2016). "Invicta FC 18 Bonuses: Simpson vs Soukupova Wins Fight Of The Night". mmarising.com.
  44. ^ "Invicta FC 21 highlights: How do you choke your opponent unconscious and still lose?". MMAjunkie.com. 15 January 2017.
  45. ^ Robert Sargent (16 January 2016). "Invicta FC 15 Bonuses: Anderson vs Leibrock Wins Fight Of The Night". mmarising.com.
  46. ^ "VIDEO | Megan Anderson stars in new reality competition show | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  47. ^ Sherdog.com. "Megan Anderson MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 30 December 2018.

External links

Awards and achievements Preceded byCristiane Justino 2nd Invicta FC Featherweight Champion March 24, 2017 – June 20, 2017 Succeeded byFelicia Spencer
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