Garreth McLellan
# Garreth McLellan

Garreth McLellan (born 9 January 1982) is a South African professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Middleweight division of the EFC. A professional since 2009, he was one of the first South African MMA fighters to compete in the UFC.

## Background

Born and raised in South Africa, McLellan began training in karate at the age of nine and also played rugby union. At the age of 19, McLellan was playing flanker for the Crusaders Rugby Club in Durban when he was offered a contract to compete for the Natal Sharks. Working with Jason Vorster, the team's fitness coach and an MMA trainer, McLellan would eventually make the transition to mixed martial arts. In karate, McLellan was a national champion and also won a national title in grappling.

## Mixed martial arts career

### Early career

McLellan compiled an amateur record of 10–0 before making his professional debut in 2009, competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native South Africa, and was a two-time EFC AFRICA champion. He compiled a professional record of 12–2, before signing with the UFC in December 2014.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

McLellan made his promotional debut against Bartosz Fabiński on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

McLellan faced Bubba Bush on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76. He won the fight via TKO in the closing seconds of the third round.

McLellan next faced Magnus Cedenblad on 8 May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

McLellan was defeated by Alessio Di Chirico on 27 August 2016 at UFC on Fox 21. He lost the fight via split decision.

McLellan faced promotional newcomer Paulo Costa on 11 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC)
   * EFC Middleweight World Championship (Two times)
      * Two title defences

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :

| 20 matches | 13 wins | 7 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 3 | 4 |
| By submission | 9 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 13–7 | Brendan Lesar | KO (punch) | EFC Africa 80 | 29 June 2019 | 1 | 3:06 | Sibaya, South Africa | For the interim EFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Loss | 13–6 | Paulo Costa | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum | 11 March 2017 | 1 | 1:17 | Fortaleza, Brazil | |
| Loss | 13–5 | Alessio Di Chirico | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit | 27 August 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 13–4 | Magnus Cedenblad | TKO (head kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski | 8 May 2016 | 2 | 0:47 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
| Win | 13–3 | Bubba Bush | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka | 24 October 2015 | 3 | 4:58 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Bartosz Fabiński | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 | 11 April 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Kraków, Poland | |
| Win | 12–2 | Dricus du Plessis | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 33 | 30 August 2014 | 3 | 1:44 | Durban, South Africa | Defended the EFC Africa Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–2 | J.P. Kruger | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 28 | 27 March 2014 | 1 | 3:05 | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended the EFC Africa Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2 | Jeremy Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 24 | 10 October 2013 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the EFC Africa Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–2 | Tumelo Muphutha | Decision (split) | EFC Africa 20 | 27 June 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 8–2 | Armand de Bruyn | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 15 | 27 July 2012 | 1 | 1:22 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 7–2 | Danie van Heerden | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 14 | 1 June 2012 | 2 | 3:08 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Jeremy Smith | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 12 | 2 March 2012 | 4 | 0:56 | Gauteng, South Africa | Lost the EFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–1 | Jacques Joubert | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 8 | 14 April 2011 | 4 | 3:14 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the EFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–1 | Wade Henderson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC Africa 5 | 21 October 2010 | 2 | 3:38 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 4–1 | Warren Allison | Submission (armbar) | EFC Africa 3 | 8 May 2010 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 3–1 | Juan Lubbe | KO (punches) | EFC Africa 2 | 10 March 2010 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 2–1 | Barry Britz | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 1 | 12 November 2009 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Wade Henderson | TKO (punches) | Fight Force 1 | 26 July 2009 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 1–0 | J.P. Kruger | Submission (armbar) | XFC Africa: Fight Club | 30 May 2009 | 1 | 1:20 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
