{{Short description|German mixed martial arts fighter}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Niklas Stolze | image = | image_size = | other_names = Green Mask | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|12|28}} | birth_place = Schönebeck, Germany | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = German | height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}} | weight_lb = 155 | weight_class = Lightweight <br/> Welterweight | reach = 75.0 in<ref name="UFC Stats">{{Cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC|url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/62f7097c04311193|website=ufcstats.com}}</ref> | style = | stance = | rank = | fighting_out_of = Magdeburg, Germany | team = La Onda Fight Club | years_active = 2014–present | kickbox_win = | kickbox_kowin = | kickbox_loss = | kickbox_koloss = | kickbox_draw = | kickbox_nc = | mma_kowin = 6 | mma_subwin = 5 | mma_decwin = 3 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = 3 | mma_decloss = 4 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | sherdog = 163897 | university = | footnotes = | updated = }} '''Niklas Stolze''' (born December 28, 1992) is a German mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2014, he most notably competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
==Background== Stolze began his career in Combat Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 15, then switched to kickboxing two years later through his coach Sascha Poppendieck. But the goal was always MMA, deciding in 2014 to pursue a career as an MMA professional. On top of MMA, Stolze also completed training as a welder.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mdr.de |title=MMA-Kämpfer Niklas Stolze: Der Käfig, der ihm die Welt bedeutet {{!}} MDR.DE |url=https://www.mdr.de/sport/mma-niklas-stolze100.html |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=www.mdr.de |language=de}}</ref>
He is the first East German to be signed to the UFC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=George |first=Daniel |title=Erster ostdeutscher UFC-Profi: Niklas Stolze will mit Neonazis nichts mehr zu tun haben |url=https://www.mz.de/sport/erster-ostdeutscher-ufc-profi-niklas-stolze-will-mit-neonazis-nichts-mehr-zu-tun-haben-1691844 |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=www.mz.de |language=de}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career==
===Early career=== Stolze spent most of his pre-UFC career fighting on the European regional scene, compiling a 12–3 record, with two of his losses coming the way of unanimous decision at BAMMA, losing to Terry Brazier at BAMMA 27<ref>{{Cite web |title=BAMMA 27 Results: Duquesnoy Submits Phillpott, Retains Bantamweight Title |url=https://combatpress.com/2016/12/bamma-27-duquesnoy-vs-phillpott-results/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=Combat Press |language=en-US}}</ref> and Chris Stringer at BAMMA 30.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BAMMA 30 Results: Philpott vs. Walsh Ends in No-Contest Due to Illegal Kick |url=https://combatpress.com/2017/07/bamma-30-results-philpott-vs-walsh-ends-in-no-contest-due-to-illegal-kick/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=Combat Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Ultimate Fighting Championship=== Stolze made his UFC debut, as a replacement for Shavkat Rakhmonov, against Ramazan Emeev on July 26, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DNA |first=MMA |date=5 July 2020 |title=Niklas Stolze vervangt Shavkat Rakhmonov tegen Ramazan Emeev op 25 juli in Abu Dhabi |url=https://mmadna.nl/niklas-stolze-vervangt-shavkat-rakhmonov-tegen-ramazan-emeev-op-25-juli-in-abu-dhabi/ |access-date=2020-07-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> Stolze lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2020-07-25 |title=UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Ramazan Emeev Tops Newcomer Niklas Stolze |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/07/25/ufc-fight-island-3-results-ramazan-emeev-vs-niklas-stolze/ |access-date=2020-07-25 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Stolze was scheduled to face Mounir Lazzez on July 31, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Farah Hannoun and John Morgan |date=2021-05-22 |title=UFC adds Mounir Lazzez vs. Niklas Stolze to July 31 event |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/05/ufc-adds-mounir-lazzez-vs-niklas-stolze-to-july-31-event |access-date=2021-07-27 |publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}}</ref> However, Lazzez pulled out just a few days before the event due to visa issues and was replaced by Jared Gooden. <ref>{{Cite web |author=Farah Hannoun |date=2021-07-27 |title=With Mounir Lazzez out, Jared Gooden targeted as replacement to face Niklas Stolze at UFC on ESPN 28 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/07/with-mounir-lazzez-out-jared-gooden-targeted-as-replacement-to-face-niklas-stolze-at-ufc-on-espn-28 |access-date=2021-07-27 |publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}}</ref> He lost the fight via knockout in round one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eddie |date=2021-07-31 |title=UFC Vegas 33 Results: Jared Gooden Stops Niklas Stolze via KO |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/07/31/ufc-vegas-33-results-niklas-stolze-vs-jared-gooden/ |access-date=2021-08-01 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
Stolze faced Benoît Saint-Denis on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arshad |date=2022-04-25 |title=Niklas Stolze vs Benoit St. Denis Set for June 4 UFC Event |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/niklas-stolze-vs-benoit-st-denis-ufc-june-4/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Stolze lost the bout after getting submitted in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay|date=2022-06-04 |title=UFC Vegas 56: Benoit Saint-Denis Submits Niklas Stolze for First UFC Win |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/06/04/ufc-vegas-56-niklas-stolze-vs-benoit-saint-denis/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
On June 9, 2022, it was announced that Stolze was released from the UFC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Zane |date=2022-06-09 |title=Tristan Connelly among latest batch of UFC roster cuts |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2022/6/9/23161696/report-ufc-roster-cuts-tristan-connelly-tj-laramie-felipe-colares-niklas-stolze-mma-contract-news |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=Bloody Elbow |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610012147/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2022/6/9/23161696/report-ufc-roster-cuts-tristan-connelly-tj-laramie-felipe-colares-niklas-stolze-mma-contract-news |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Oktagon MMA === Stolze faced Andrej Kalašnik on November 18, 2023, at Oktagon 49, winning the bout via first-round knockout.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FightBookMMA |date=2023-11-22 |title=OKTAGON 49 Results: Moeil claims heavyweight title on record breaking night in Germany |url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/oktagon-49-results-moeil-claims-heavyweight-title-on-record-breaking-night-in-germany/ |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}}</ref>
In his sophomore performance, Stolze faced Máté Kertész on Marc 23, 2024 at Oktagon 55, being submitted in the second round via rear-naked choke.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FightBookMMA |date=2024-03-26 |title=OKTAGON 55 Results: Christian Jungwirth's Triumphant Return in Stuttgart |url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/oktagon-55-results-christian-jungwirths-triumphant-return-in-stuttgart/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}}</ref>
Stolze faced Matouš Kohout on September 7, 2024, at Oktagon 60, winning the bout via flying knee TKO in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OKTAGON 60 RESULTS: ALL OR NOTHING! INTENSE FIGHTS, IMPRESSIVE BAHNÍK, AND STRONG FIRST ROUNDS |url=https://oktagonmma.com/en/blog/oktagon-60-results-all-or-nothing-intense-fights-impressive-bahnik-and-strong-first-rounds/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=OKTAGON MMA |language=en}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 6 | sub-wins= 5 | dec-wins= 3 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-losses= 3 | dec-losses= 4 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|14–9 |Christian Jungwirth |TKO (punches) |Oktagon 80 |{{dts|2025|November|22}} |align=center|4 |align=center|4:19 |Munich, Germany | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|14–8 |Jessin Ayari |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Oktagon 73 |{{dts|2025|June|28}} |align=center|2 |align=center|3:25 |Hamburg, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|14–7 |Matouš Kohout |TKO (flying knee and punches) |Oktagon 60 |{{dts|2024|September|7}} |align=center|1 |align=center|2:04 |Oberhausen, Germany |{{small|Performance of the Night.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|13–7 |Máté Kertész |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Oktagon 55 |{{dts|2024|March|23}} |align=center|2 |align=center|2:42 |Stuttgart, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|13–6 |Andrej Kalašnik |KO (punches) |Oktagon 49 |{{dts|2023|November|18}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:40 |Cologne, Germany | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|12–6 |Benoît Saint-Denis |Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik |{{dts|2022|June|4}} |align=center|2 |align=center|1:32 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |{{small|Lightweight bout.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|12–5 |Jared Gooden |KO (punch) |UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland |{{dts|2021|July|31}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:08 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|12–4 |Ramazan Emeev |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till |{{dts|2020|July|26}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|12–3 |Omar Jesus Santana |Decision (unanimous) |Nova FC 1 |{{dts|2019.04.13}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Balingen, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|11–3 |Christian Draxler |TKO (punches) |Cage Fight Series 9 |{{dts|2019.02.02}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:43 |Graz, Austria | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|10–3 |Jan Janka |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Oktagon 7 |{{dts|2018.07.28}} |align=center|2 |align=center|3:32 |Prague, Czech Republic | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|9–3 |Johannes Michalik |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Hype FC 8 |{{dts|2018.05.12}} |align=center|1 |align=center|2:47 |Bremen, Germany |{{small|Return to Welterweight.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|8–3 |Chris Stringer |Decision (unanimous) |BAMMA 30 |{{dts|2017|July|7}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|8–2 |Mahmod Faour |Decision (unanimous) |Magdeburger Cage 1 |{{dts|2017.04.01}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Magdeburg, Germany |{{small|Lightweight debut.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|7–2 |Terry Brazier |Decision (unanimous) |BAMMA 27 |{{dts|2016|December|16}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|7–1 |Maxime Vanelstraete |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Imperium FC 5 |{{dts|2016.08.27}} |align=center|2 |align=center|3:25 |Leipzig, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|6–1 |Johannes Grebe |Submission (armbar) |Superior FC 14 |{{dts|2016.05.21}} |align=center|1 |align=center|2:32 |Düren, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|5–1 |Rastislav Hanulay |Decision (unanimous) |Imperium FC 4 |{{dts|2016.03.26}} |align=center|2 |align=center|5:00 |Leipzig, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|4–1 |Florent Conte |TKO (punches) |Imperium FC 3 |{{dts|2015.10.10}} |align=center|2 |align=center|4:39 |Leipzig, Germany | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|3–1 |Sebastian Reimitz |Decision (split) |Ravage Series: Finest MMA |{{dts|2015.08.29}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Hamburg, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|3–0 |Max Rose |KO (head kick) |Imperium FC 2 |{{dts|2015.04.04}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:28 |Leipzig, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|2–0 |Nils Fischer |Submission (guillotine choke) |La Onda Fight Club: MMA Gladiators |{{dts|2015.03.15}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:50 |Magdeburg, Germany |{{small|Catchweight (176 lb) bout.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|1–0 |Lauris Leitans |TKO (punches) |Imperium FC 1 |{{dts|2014.06.01}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:48 |Leipzig, Germany |{{small|Welterweight debut.}} {{end}} <ref>{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Niklas Stolze|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Niklas-Stolze-163897|website=Sherdog}}</ref>
== See also == * List of male mixed martial artists
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Sherdog|163897}} * {{UFC|niklas-stolze}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stolze, Niklas}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:German male mixed martial artists Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing jujutsu Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Category:German jujutsuka Category:21st-century German sportsmen