Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Chad Anheliger of Alberta to Make UFC Debut This Saturday
Chad Anheliger vs. Jesse Strader – UFC Vegas 48 – Saturday, February 19
Canadian bantamweight mixed martial artist Chad “The Monster” Anheliger is set to make his promotional debut at this Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Anheliger (11-5) will look to add to his nine-fight win streak versus Jesse Strader (5-2), who is hoping to bounce back after suffering a loss in his first UFC appearance in March 2021.
Chad made his most recent appearance in the cage on Dana White’s Contender Series as the heavy underdog versus Mulin Gafurov (17-4). Despite the odds, he was able to overcome this challenge with a hard-earned split decision victory. This resulted in receiving a contract to compete in the UFC.
💥@ChadAnheliger lands a nasty knee in the first! #DWCS live now on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/ofrIHQtnZ8
— UFC (@ufc) September 8, 2021
“He’s on a 9-fight win streak, he was a 5 to 1 underdog, hell of a fight. And he’s Canadian so what the hell.” – Dana White on why he chose to award Anheliger the UFC contract
UFC contract 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 📄
🇨🇦 @ChadAnheliger gets the first contract of the night! #DWCS pic.twitter.com/rGAR0Xr0bY
— UFC (@ufc) September 8, 2021
From Losing Skid to Winning Streak
Prior to his opportunity with DWCS, Anheliger went on an 8-0 run within local Canadian promotions such as Havoc FC, Hard Knocks Fighting, and Rise FC where he reigned as the bantamweight champion. Of these eight wins since 2016, Chad has finished four fights by TKO and three by submission. Consequently, it is not hard to see why Anheliger received the chance to impress the UFC brass on the Contender Series, but earlier in his career there was a good share of ups and downs.
In 2014, Chad found himself on a three-fight losing skid with a professional record of 2-5. This makes the success he has found at this stage in his career even more impressive. Through hard work, the product of Champions Creed Martial Arts in Calgary, AB was able to bounce back after the struggles he encountered. Chad now finds himself on the largest MMA stage in the world.
“From my bad record to losing streaks, the support was undying. And now I am finally here.” – Chad Anheliger after receiving the UFC contract
With momentum on his side, Chad Anheliger enters the deep talent pool of the UFC’s 135-pound division at the age of 35. Based on his age, many would count Chad out in terms of achieving greatness this late in his career. Contrarily, given his well-rounded background in both striking and grappling, he is an immediate threat to many and could very well find himself beginning to climb the ranks of the division with a victory in his promotional debut.
Chad Anheliger vs. Muin Gafurov at DWCS:
UFC Fight Night – Saturday, February 19 / UFC Vegas 48: Weigh-in Results
