{{short description|Slovak mixed martial artist (born 1991)}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Martin Buday | image = | image_size = | other_names = Badys | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|11|11}} | birth_place = Nitra, Czechoslovakia | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = | height = {{height|ft=6|in=5}} | weight_lb = 266 | weight_class = Heavyweight | reach = 77 in<ref name="UFC Stats">{{Cite web |title=Stats {{!}} UFC |url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/8eb046f83e82bf26 |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=ufcstats.com}}</ref> | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Trnava, Slovakia | team = Spartakus Fight Gym | years_active = 2017–present | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = 7 | mma_subwin = 2 | mma_decwin = 7 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = 1 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | sherdog = 164475 | footnotes = | updated = }}
'''Martin Buday''' (born November 11, 1991) is a Slovak mixed martial artist. He competes in the heavyweight division of the Oktagon MMA, where he is a former Oktagon Heavyweight Champion. He previously competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
==Background== Buday was born in Nitra, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). He started martial arts at the age of eighteen to lose weight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-04 |title=Kto je druhý Slovák v UFC? Začal trénovať, aby schudol zo 170 kg. Végh: Bol ako panda |url=https://sport.aktuality.sk/mma/clanok/kto-je-druhy-slovak-v-ufc-zacal-trenovat-aby-schudol-zo-170-kg-vegh-bol-ako-panda-2023042917405576779 |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=sport.aktuality.sk |language=sk}}</ref> He started his first practiced as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he trained at the Gracie Barra Pitbull club in Nitra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nitriansky MMA bojovníci: Martin "Bady" Buday |url=https://www.nitrianskyhlasnik.sk/nitriansky-mma-bojovnici-martin-bady-buday/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Nitriansky hlásnik |language=sk}}</ref> He was successful in this sport and placed in various European tournaments, with his greatest achievement being two gold medals from the European IBJJF Championships at the blue and purple belt levels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-11 |title=Mal problémy s obezitou, teraz slovenského bojovníka čaká premiéra v UFC: Kto je Martin Buday? |url=https://sport24.pluska.sk/ostatne/bojove-sporty/mal-problemy-obezitou-teraz-slovenskeho-bojovnika-caka-premiera-ufc-kto-je-martin-buday |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=sport24.pluska.sk |language=sk}}</ref> He later switched to MMA, which he began training under former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Attila Végh at Spartakus Fight Gym.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-29 |title=Slovák v UFC Martin Buday: Vémola ma nezaujíma, zápas s ním nepotrebujem. Mojím cieľom je dostať sa do top 15 ťažkej váhy UFC |url=https://refresher.sk/105274-Slovak-v-UFC-Martin-Buday-Vemola-ma-nezaujima-zapas-s-nim-nepotrebujem-Mojim-cielom-je-dostat-sa-do-top-15-tazkej-vahy-UFC |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=refresher.sk |language=sk}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career== ===Early career=== Buday started in professional career in 2015, he fought exclusively regional Slovakia promotion and Oktagon MMA, where he acquired a 8–1 record and Won his the Oktagon Heavyweight Championship before his fight at Dana White's Contender Series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Martin Buday |url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Martin-Buday-164475 |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-02 |title=Kto je Martin Buday? Najlepšia slovenská ťažká váha je krok od titulu v Oktagone a prestupu do UFC |url=https://hashtag.zoznam.sk/kto-je-martin-buday/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=hashtag.zoznam.sk |language=sk}}</ref>
===Dana White's Contender Series=== In June 2021, it was reported that Buday had received an invitation to Dana White's Contender Series, which fighters compete for a chance to earn a UFC contract. His fight took place on October 12, 2021, and he was originally supposed to face Hugo Cunha, but he withdrew and was replaced by Lorenzo Hood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=Ďalšia super správa! Slovák mieri do UFC: Buday musí poraziť najbližšieho súpera |url=https://sportky.zoznam.sk/c/265029/dalsia-super-sprava-slovak-mieri-do-ufc-buday-musi-porazit-najblizsieho-supera |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=sportky.zoznam.sk |language=sk}}</ref> He won the fight via technical knockout in round one and he was awarded a UFC contract.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-13 |title=Dana White's Contender Series 43 results: Three more secure UFC deals, including one who missed weight |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/dana-whites-contender-series-43-live-results |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Ultimate Fighting Championship=== In his promotional debut, Buday faced Chris Barnett on April 16, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 34.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heck |first=Mike |date=2022-01-24 |title=Chris Barnett set to return vs. Martin Buday at April 16 UFC event |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/1/24/22899868/chris-barnett-set-to-return-vs-martin-buday-at-april-16-ufc-event |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref> He won the fight via technical unanimous decision after Barnett rendered unable to continue due to an unintentional elbow to the back of the head in the third round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2022-04-16 |title=UFC Vegas 51: Injury, Foul Mars Martin Buday vs. Chris Barnett Heavyweight Fight |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/16/ufc-vegas-51-martin-buday-vs-chris-barnett/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Buday faced Łukasz Brzeski on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-21 |title=UFC adds heavyweight bout Martin Buday vs. Lukasz Brzeski to Aug. 13 Fight Night event |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/ufc-news-heavyweight-bout-martin-buday-vs-lukasz-brzeski-to-aug-13-fight-night-event |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> He won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2022-08-13 |title=UFC San Diego: Martin Buday Claims Split Decision over Debuting Lukasz Brzeski |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/13/ufc-san-diego-martin-buday-vs-lukasz-brzeski/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> 12 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Brzeski.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmadecisions.com/decision/13426/Martin-Buday-vs-Lukasz-Brzeski|title=Martin Buday defeats Lukasz Brzeski|publisher=mmadecisions.com|author=MMA Decisions|date=2022-08-14|access-date=2025-08-04}}</ref>
Buday was scheduled to face Jake Collier on April 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-18 |title=UFC books Martin Buday vs. Jake Collier for April 15 event |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/ufc-news-martin-buday-vs-jake-collier-april-15 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the bout was moved to UFC on ESPN 45 on April 29, 2023, for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/breaking-scheduled-ufc-heavyweight-clash-gets-two-week-delay|title=Breaking: Scheduled UFC heavyweight clash gets two-week delay|publisher=sportskeeda.com|author=Joshua Ryan|date=2023-02-15|access-date=2023-04-04}}</ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2023-04-29 |title=UFC Vegas 72: Martin Buday Extends Win Streak, Decisions Jake Collier |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/29/ufc-vegas-72-martin-buday-vs-jake-collier/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Buday faced Josh Parisian on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 51. He won the fight via a kimura in round one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eddie |date=2023-08-12 |title=UFC Vegas 78: Martin Buday Hurts Parisian Early, Grabs Kimura For Win Late In First Round |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/08/12/ufc-vegas-78-josh-parisian-vs-martin-buday/ |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Buday faced Shamil Gaziev on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev being finalized for UFC 296 in Las Vegas |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/martin-buday-vs-shamil-gaziev-175556453.html |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2023-12-16 |title=UFC 296: Shamil Gaziev First to Finish Martin Buday |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/12/16/ufc-296-shamil-gaziev-first-to-finish-martin-buday/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Buday faced Andrei Arlovski on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-04-08|title=Andrei Arlovski books 42nd UFC fight, faces Martin Buday in Las Vegas|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/04/ufc-news-andrei-arlovski-vs-martin-buday-las-vegas|access-date=2024-04-08|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King}}</ref> However, the bout was moved to UFC 303 on June 29, 2024, for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-05-12|title=Former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski added to Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler card at UFC 303|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/05/ufc-303-fight-card-conor-mcgregor-vs-michael-chandler-adds-andrei-arlovski-martin-buday|access-date=2024-05-13|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn}}</ref> He won the fight via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-06-23 |title=UFC 303: Andrei Arlovski Loses Grinding Decision to Martin Buday |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/06/29/ufc-303-andrei-arlovski-loses-grinding-decision-to-martin-buday/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref> 7 out of 12 media outlets scored the fight for Arlovski.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mmadecisions.com/decision/14836/Martin-Buday-vs-Andrei-Arlovski|title=Andrei Arlovski vs Martin Buday - UFC 303 - Split Decision|publisher=mmadecisions.com|date=2024-06-29|access-date=2024-07-07}}</ref>
Buday was scheduled to face Rizvan Kuniev on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rizvan Kuniev vs. Martin Budai at UFC 310|url=https://mma.bg/novini/mma-novini/rizvan-kuniev-sreshtu-martin-buday-na-ufc-310|date=2024-10-25|access-date=2024-10-25|publisher=mma.bg|author=Staff}} {{in lang|bg}}</ref> However, Buday withdrew due to an injury and the bout was removed from the card.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmanews.com/news/ufc/ufc-310-loses-two-more-fights/|title=UFC 310 loses two more fights following main event switch-up|publisher=mmanews.com|author=Harvey Leonard|date=2024-11-21|access-date=2024-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/11/ufc-310-fight-card-nzechukwu-brzeski-buday-kuniev|title=Two heavyweights withdraw from UFC 310; one fight backfilled|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2024-11-27|access-date=2024-11-27}}</ref>
Buday was scheduled to face Kennedy Nzechukwu on April 5, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 65.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nzewchukwu vs Buday, the fight of Łukasz Brzeski's former rivals at UFC Vegas 105|url=https://www.mmarocks.pl/ufc/nzewchukwu-vs-buday-czyli-walka-bylych-rywali-lukasza-brzeskiego-na-ufc-vegas-105|date=2025-02-04|access-date=2025-04-03|publisher=mmarocks.pl|author=Michał Tkaczuk}} {{in lang|pl}}</ref> However, Nzechukwu was removed from the event due to injury and replaced by Uran Satybaldiev.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2025/04/ufc-vegas-105-kennedy-nzechukwu-out-martin-buday-vs-uran-satybaldiev|title=Kennedy Nzechukwu out of UFC on ESPN 65, Martin Buday gets undefeated replacement|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2025-04-03|access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2025-04-05 |title=UFC Vegas 105: Martin Buday's Size the Difference In Win Over Uran Satybaldiev |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/04/05/ufc-vegas-105-martin-budays-size-the-difference-in-win-over-uran-satybaldiev/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Buday faced Marcus Buchecha on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Marcus 'Buchecha' Booked for UFC Debut in Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Marcus-Buchecha-Booked-for-UFC-Debut-in-Abu-Dhabi-197621 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2025-07-26 |title=UFC Abu Dhabi: Martin Buday Upsets Debuting Marcus Buchecha |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/07/26/ufc-abu-dhabi-martin-buday-upsets-debuting-marcus-buchecha/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
On July 31, 2025, it was reported that Buday was removed from the UFC roster after completing the final bout of his contract and was not renewed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/7/31/24478395/ufc-parts-ways-with-ranked-heavyweight-following-ufc-abu-dhabi-win|title=UFC parts ways with ranked heavyweight following UFC Abu Dhabi win|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck|date=2025-07-31|access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref>
===Return to Oktagon MMA=== On August 9, 2025, during Oktagon 74, Buday announced that he'd re-signed with Oktagon MMA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Critchfield |first=Tristen |title=Heavyweight Martin Buday Finds New Promotion After UFC Departure |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Heavyweight-Martin-Buday-Finds-New-Promotion-After-UFC-Departure-197987 |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
Buday was reportedly to face Will Fleury for the Oktagon Heavyweight Championship on October 4, 2025, at Oktagon 77, but it never materialized due to Fleury had been announced in advance that his cousin would be holding a wedding ceremony that day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-11 |title=UFC Veteran Martin Buday To Face Champ Will Fleury in Return to Oktagon, Looking to Reclaim Title |url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/ufc-veteran-martin-buday-to-face-champ-will-fleury-in-return-to-oktagon-looking-to-reclaim-title/ |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=www.lowkickmma.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bartos |first=Pavel |date=2025-08-15 |title=Fleury vs Buday? Promotér Novotný má bohužel špatnou zprávu |url=https://mmashorties.cz/fleury-vs-buday-promoter-novotny-ma-bohuzel-spatnou-zpravu/ |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=MMA Shorties |language=cs}}</ref> The bout with Fleury is scheduled to take place on December 28, 2025, at Oktagon 81.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2025-10-24 |title=Will Fleury vs. Martin Buday Heavyweight Title Fight Set for Oktagon 81 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/10/24/will-fleury-vs-martin-buday-heavyweight-title-fight-set-for-oktagon-81/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== Buday's father died in late June 2024, a few days prior to Buday's bout with Andre Arlovski.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/live/h8X2w2AWCVs?t=6642s|title=Martin Buday on The Ariel Helwani Show - August 4, 2025|publisher=youtube.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2025-08-04|access-date=2025-08-04}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''Oktagon MMA''' **Oktagon Heavyweight Championship (One time)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Celuch |first=Martyna |date=2021-06-19 |title=Oktagon MMA 25: Kamil Minda wygrywał przez 1,5 rundy, aż nadział się na cios. Buday nowym mistrzem |url=https://inthecage.pl/kamil-minda-wygrywal-przez-15-rundy-az-nadzial-sie-na-cios-buday-nowym-mistrzem/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=InTheCage.pl |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox |ko-wins=7 |ko-losses=2 |sub-wins=2 |sub-losses= |dec-wins=7 |dec-losses=1 |dq-wins= |nc= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|16–3 |Will Fleury |TKO (punches) |Oktagon 81 |{{dts|2025|December|28}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:40 |Prague, Czech Republic |{{small|For the Oktagon Heavyweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|16–2 |Marcus Buchecha |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder |{{dts|2025|July|26}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|15–2 |Uran Satybaldiev |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Emmett vs. Murphy |{{dts|2025|April|5}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|14–2 |Andrei Arlovski |Decision (split) |UFC 303 |{{dts|2024|June|29}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|13–2 |Shamil Gaziev |TKO (punches) |UFC 296 |{{dts|2023|December|16}} |align=center|2 |align=center|0:56 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|13–1 |Josh Parisian |Submission (kimura) |UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos |{{dts|2023|August|12}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:11 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|12–1 |Jake Collier |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón |{{dts|2023|April|29}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|11–1 |Łukasz Brzeski |Decision (split) |UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz |{{dts|2022|August|13}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |San Diego, California, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|10–1 |Chris Barnett |Technical Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 |{{dts|2022|April|16}} |align=center|3 |align=center|1:37 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |{{small|An inadvertent elbow to the back of head rendered Barnett unable to continue.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|9–1 |Lorenzo Hood |TKO (knee) |Dana White's Contender Series 43 |{{dts|2021|October|12}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:56 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|8–1 |Kamil Minda |KO (punches) |Oktagon 25 |{{dts|2021|June|19}} |align=center|2 |align=center|4:41 |Brno, Czech Republic |{{small|Won the vacant Oktagon Heavyweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|7–1 |Daniel Dittrich |Submission (kimura) |Oktagon 14 |{{dts|2019|September|14}} |align=center|2 |align=center|1:13 |Bratislava, Slovakia | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|6–1 |Yevhen Orlov |TKO (punches) |Oktagon Prime 1 |{{dts|2019|April|26}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:32 |Košice, Slovakia | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|5–1 |José Rodrigo Guelke |TKO (retirement) |Spartakus Fight Gym: Night of Champions 5 |{{dts|2018|October|26}} |align=center|2 |align=center|5:00 |Trnava, Slovakia | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|4–1 |Łukasz Łysoniewski |TKO (punches) |Oktagon 9 |{{dts|2018|September|15}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:45 |Bratislava, Slovakia | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|3–1 |Dzhangir Nasibov |TKO (retirement) |Oktagon 6 |{{dts|2018|May|26}} |align=center|1 |align=center|5:00 |Košice, Slovakia | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|2–1 |Milan Vrbić |TKO (submission to punchea) |X Fight Nights 9 |{{dts|2018|April|21}} |align=center|2 |align=center|4:05 |Nitra, Slovakia |{{small|Return to Heavyweight.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|1–1 |Juan Espino |Decision (unanimous) |FECALUMA: MMA-K1-BJJ |{{dts|2017|October|14}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain |{{small|Super Heavyweight debut.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|1–0 |Uroš Stefanović |Decision (unanimous) |Fight of Gladiators: Night of Champions 2 |{{dts|2015|October|23}} |align=center|2 |align=center|5:00 |Trnava, Slovakia |{{small|Heavyweight debut.}} {{end}}
==See also== *List of current Oktagon MMA fighters *List of male mixed martial artists
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Sherdog|164475}} * {{UFC|martin-buday}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buday, Martin}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Slovak male mixed martial artists Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Category:Slovak practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Oktagon MMA champions Category:Sportspeople from Nitra Category:21st-century Slovak sportsmen