Marc Diakiese

Marc Diakiese (born 16 March 1993) is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes as a lightweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

He has also competed for Caged Steel and BAMMA.

Aged 17, Diakiese began training in mixed martial arts to keep fit and stay out of trouble.

Before turning professional, he worked as a railway engineer.

Diakiese was also a promising footballer before committing to mixed martial arts.

As an amateur, Diakiese went 9–0 and simultaneously held three different titles.

He turned professional in 2013 after struggling to find willing opponents.

After four wins in under a year in regional promotions, Diakiese joined BAMMA on a five-fight contract in 2014.

In September, he made his promotional debut against Jefferson George at BAMMA 16 and won the fight by unanimous decision.

In December, he beat Vernon O'Neill via unanimous decision at BAMMA 17.

In March 2015, Diakiese faced Jack McGann at BAMMA 19 for the vacant Lightweight Championship.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In September, he defended his title at BAMMA 22 with a knockout 24 seconds into the first round against Rick Selvarajah.

In February 2016, Diakiese signed a new deal with the promotion.

Three months later, he successfully decided his title for a second time with another first round knockout.

Diakiese finished Kane Mousah in 36 seconds at BAMMA 25 and subsequently earned a UFC contract.

Diakiese made his UFC debut against Lukasz Sajewski on October 8, 2016 at UFC 204.

After being smothered by his opponent in the first round, Diakiese came back to win the fight by TKO due to knees and punches near the end of the second round.

Diakiese returned to face Frankie Perez on December 9, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov.

Despite losing the second round, Diakiese would go on to win the bout by unanimous decision.

Diakiese faced Teemu Packalén on March 18, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson.

Diakiese defeated Packalén via knockout, 30 seconds into the first round.

The win earned Diakiese his first Performance of the Night bonus.

Diakiese faced Drakkar Klose on July 7, 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale.

He lost the fight by split decision.

Diakiese faced Dan Hooker on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219.

He lost the fight via guillotine choke submission in the third round.

Diakiese faced Nasrat Haqparast on July 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 134.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision after being knocked down multiple times during the bout.

Diakiese faced Joseph Duffy on March 16, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 147.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In May 2019, Diakese revealed on his social media that he had signed a new, multi-fight contract with the UFC.

Diakiese faced Lando Vannata on September 28, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 18.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Diakiese was scheduled to face Stevie Ray on March 21, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.

However, Ray was removed from the card late-January for undisclosed reasons.

Diakiese was expected to remain on the card against promotional newcomer Jai Herbert.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed.

Instead Diakiese was scheduled to face Alan Patrick on July 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172.

However, on June 14, Patrick withdrew from the event for unknown reason and he was replaced by Rafael Fiziev.