{{short description|Irish mixed martial artist (born 1989)}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Will Fleury | other_names = | image = | image_size = 220 | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|03|13}} | birth_place = Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = Irish | height = {{convert|6|ft|3|in|cm|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|205|lb|kg|abbr=on}} | weight_class = Heavyweight (2025 — present)<br>Light heavyweight (2020, 2022 — present)<br>Middleweight (2016 — 2021) | reach = | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Ireland | team = SBG Ireland | rank = | years_active = 2016–present | mma_kowin = 4 | mma_subwin = 4 | mma_decwin = 8 | mma_koloss = 1 | mma_subloss = 1 | mma_decloss = 1 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = 1 | university = | spouse = | relatives = | students = | club = | school = | url = | sherdog = 149881 | footnotes = | updated = }} '''Will Fleury''' (born 13 March 1989) is an Irish mixed martial artist. He competes in Oktagon MMA, where he is the heavyweight and light heavyweight champion. He has previously competed for organizations such as BAMMA, Bellator MMA, Brave Combat Federation (Brave CF) and Professional Fighters League (PFL).
==Mixed martial arts career== ===Early career=== Fleury made his professional MMA debut on 2 April 2016 against John Redmond, at BFC 15, winning the bout by submission via arm-triangle choke.<ref name="Sherdog">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Will-Fleury-149881|title=Will Fleury|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>
In his next bout, Fleury faced Kyle McClurkin at BAMMA 28, winning the bout by TKO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/bamma-28-parke-prevails-on-a-mixed-night-for-northern-irish-fighters/35480950.html|title=BAMMA 28: Parke prevails on a mixed night for Northern Irish fighters|first=Fergus|last=Ryan|publisher=Irish Independent|date=24 February 2017}}</ref> He then competed at EFC 66 and Brave CF 10, winning both bouts.<ref name="Sherdog"/>
===Bellator MMA=== Fleury made his Bellator debut against Alen Amedovski at Bellator 203 on 14 July 2018. He lost the fight via first-round knockout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/07/bellator-203-results-alen-amedovski-knocks-out-will-fleury-in-99-seconds|title=Bellator 203 results: Alen Amedovski knocks out Will Fleury in 99 seconds|date=July 14, 2018|work=MMAjunkie.com|author=Mike Bohn}}</ref>
Fleury faced Shaun Taylor at Bellator 217 on 2 February 2019. He won the bout by submission in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Bryan |date=2019-02-23 |title=Bellator 217 Results: Gallagher vs. Graham |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/2/23/18237480/bellator-217-results-gallagher-vs-graham |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>
Fleury faced Antonio Jones at Bellator 224 on 12 July 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/6/27/18761533/will-fleury-vs-antonio-jones-booked-for-bellator-224|title=Will Fleury vs. Antonio Jones booked for Bellator 224|first=Peter|last=Carroll|publisher=MMA Fighting|date=27 June 2019}}</ref> He won the bout by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/sport/430932/video-tipperary-star-will-fleury-has-beaten-antonio-jones-in-his-mma-debut-on-us-soil.html|title=Video: Tipperary star Will Fleury has beaten Antonio Jones in his MMA debut on US soil|first=Brian|last=McDonnell|publisher=Tipperary Live|date=13 July 2019}}</ref>
Fleury faced Norbert Novenyi on 27 September 2019, at Bellator 227. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bellator 227 results: "Henderson vs Jury" streaming play-by-play updates |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2019/9/27/20693104/bellator-227-results-henderson-vs-jury-streaming-play-by-play-updates |website=mmamania.com |accessdate=24 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/09/bellator-dublin-benson-henderson-unanimous-decision-myles-jury|title=Bellator Dublin results: Benson Henderson earns unanimous decision over Myles Jury|date=September 27, 2019|work=MMAjunkie.com|author=Simon Head}}</ref>
Fleury faced Justin Moore at Bellator 240 on 22 February 2020. He won the bout by submission in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/2/22/21147592/bellator-240-bellator-dublin-results|title=Bellator 240/Bellator Dublin results|publisher=MMA Fighting|date=22 February 2020}}</ref>
Fleury faced Kent Kauppinen on 26 September 2020, at Bellator Milan 2. He won the bout by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2020-09-26 |title=Bellator Europe 8 results: Costello van Steenis gives Fabian Edwards first MMA loss in Milan |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/26/21457764/bellator-europe-8-costello-van-steenis-fabian-edwards-first-mma-loss-milan |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>
===Post Bellator career=== Fleury faced Tarek Suleiman at UAE Warriors 28 on 26 March 2022. He won the bout by unanimous decision to become the inaugural middleweight champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fightersonly.com/article/ext/66335|title=UAE Warriors 28: Will Fleury captures inaugural UAE Warriors middleweight title|publisher=Fighters Only|date=27 July 2022}}</ref>
===Professional Fighters League=== In his PFL debut, Fleury faced Anthony Salamone on 13 August 2022 at PFL 8.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannoun |first=Farah |date=2022-08-11 |title=With Magomed Umalatov out, Dilano Taylor steps in to face Rory MacDonald at 2022 PFL Playoffs 2 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/2022-pfl-playoffs-2-dilano-taylor-steps-in-vs-rory-macdonald |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> He won the bout by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meshew |first=Jed |date=2022-08-13 |title=PFL Playoffs 2 results: Rory MacDonald fails to advance to welterweight finals, falls in first round to Dilano Taylor |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/13/23304288/pfl-playoffs-2-results-dilano-taylor-makes-quick-work-rory-macdonald-advances-pfl-welterweight-final |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>
Fleury started the 2023 season against Krzysztof Jotko on 1 April 2023, at PFL 1.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ian O'Neill |date=2023-02-28 |title=Report: Omari Akhmedov Out; Krzystof Jotko set to step in vs. Will Fleury in $1m Tournament |url=https://severemma.com/2023/02/report-omari-akhmedov-out-krzystof-jotko-set-to-step-in-vs-will-fleury-in-1m-tournament/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA}}</ref> He initially won the bout via split decision.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will Fleury defeats Krzysztof Jotko by split decision to open the Regular Season |url=https://www.pflmma.com/news/will-fleury-defeats-krzysztof-jotko-by-split-decision-to-open-the-regular-season |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=www.pflmma.com}}</ref> The result of the bout was later overturned to a no contest after Fluery tested positive for Drostanolone.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-20 |title=7 PFL fighters punished for drug tests; multiple bout results overturned |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/pfl-drug-test-failures-wilkinson-santos-fleury-ferreira-bouts-overturned |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref>
Fleury was scheduled to face Rob Wilkinson on 8 June 2023 at PFL 4.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=2023 PFL 4 lineup set: Brendan Loughnane, Robert Wilkinson, Thiago Santos return to action June 8 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/04/2023-pfl-4-full-fight-card-brendan-loughnane-robert-wilkinson-thiago-santos-return-june-8 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> After Fleury had failed a commission drug test, he was replaced by Ty Flores. On May 31, it was revealed that Wilkinson also failed a drug test.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=2023-05-31 |title=PFL champ Rob Wilkinson pulled from 2023 season due to positive drug test |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/5/31/23743945/pfl-champ-rob-wilkinson-pulled-from-2023-season-due-to-positive-drug-test |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=AlexBehunin |date=2023-05-31 |title=PFL champ Rob Wilkinson pulled from PFL 4 following failed drug test |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2023/5/31/23743450/pfl-champ-rob-wilkinson-pulled-pfl-4-following-failed-drug-test-mma |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}}</ref> Fleury and Wilkinson were later suspended 9 months and fined for their positive drug tests.<ref name=":1" />
===Oktagon MMA=== Making his Oktagon MMA debut, Fleury faced Daniel Škvor on 20 April 2024, at Oktagon 56. He won the bout by submission in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/Oktagon-MMA-Oktagon-56-Aby-vs-Creasey-101415|title=Oktagon MMA - Oktagon 56: Aby vs. Creasey|access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Sherdog |language=en-US}}</ref>
Fleury faced Pavol Langer on 12 October 2024, at Oktagon 62. He won the bout by knockout in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/will-fleury-brutally-knocks-out-opponent-in-81-seconds-4823696|title=Will Fleury brutally knocks out opponent in 81 seconds|publisher=National World|date=14 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportbible.com/mma/will-fleury-oktagon-mma-62-298393-20241013|title=Will Fleury calls for title shot after brutal 81 second KO at OKTAGON MMA 62 in front of 60,000 fans|first=Nasir|last=Jabbar|website=sportbible.com|date=13 October 2024}}</ref>
Fleury faced Karlos Vémola for the Oktagon Light Heavyweight Championship on 29 December 2024, at Oktagon 65.<ref>{{cite web |author = Bartosz Sobczak |title = Karlos Vemola vs Will Fleury na OKTAGON 65 w Pradze |date = 2024-11-18 |accessdate = 2024-11-23 |publisher = myMMA |url = https://mymma.pl/karlos-vemola-vs-will-fleury-na-oktagon-65-w-pradze/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1cIy0bZlpGMK4ddeIYao3vngJUg0ys1Ed8sZ0af3uioJzbEN8j9KNxm70_aem_5GjghBiybn9ixbCgu0etiA |language = pl}}</ref> He won the bout by unanimous decision to win the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/mma/2427277/will-fleury-ireland-world-champion-oktagon-65-karlos-vemola/|title=Will Fleury downs Czech giant to make Irish history in Europe’s biggest MMA promotion|first=Lewis|last=Thompson|publisher=talkSPORT|date=30 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chatsports.com/mma/a/source/will-fleury-wins-title-beats-czech-veteran-carlos-vemola-in-five-round-brawl-oktagon-65-highlights-18079297|title=Will Fleury wins title, beats Czech veteran Carlos Vemola in five round brawl – OKTAGON 65 Highlights|publisher=Chat Sports|date=30 December 2024}}</ref>
Fleury faced Lazar Todev for the vacant Oktagon Heavyweight Championship on 8 March 2025, at Oktagon 68.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=BREAKING NEWS: Will Fleury hunts double champion status against Lazar Todev in Stuttgart |url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/breaking-news-will-fleury-hunts-double-champion-status-against-lazar-todev-in-stuttgart/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = Adrian Szymański |title = Oktagon 68: Will Fleury idzie po drugi pas |date = 2025-01-16 |access-date = 2025-01-20 |website = InTheCage.pl |url = https://inthecage.pl/oktagon-68-will-fleury-idzie-po-drugi-pas/ |language = pl}}</ref> He won the bout by unanimous decision to win the vacant title.<ref>{{cite web |author = Krzysztof Kordys |title = OKTAGON 68: Todev vs Fleury - wyniki gal |date = 2025-03-08 |access-date = 2025-03-09 |publisher = MMA Rocks |url = https://www.mmarocks.pl/oktagon-mma/oktagon-68-todev-vs-fleury-wyniki-gali |language = pl}}</ref>
In his first heavyweight title defense, Fleury was reportedly to face Martin Buday on 4 October 2025, at Oktagon 77, but it did not materialize 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 Buday took place on 28 December 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> Fleury defended the title by TKO in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2025/12/28/will-fleury-vs-martin-buday-oktagon-81-heavyweight-title-fight-results-highlights-ufc-bellator-mma/87939086007/|title=Will Fleury destroys Martin Buday in OKTAGON 81 title fight|publisher=MMA Junkie|date=28 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = Martyna Celuch |title = OKTAGON 81 - wyniki gali z udziałem Polaków |date = 2025-12-28 |access-date = 2025-12-28 |publisher = InTheCage |url = https://inthecage.pl/oktagon-81-wyniki-gali-z-udzialem-polakow-na-zywo-od-1800/ |language = pl}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''Oktagon MMA''' **Oktagon Heavyweight Championship (One time, current) **Oktagon Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, current) **Second simultaneous two-weight Champion in Oktagon MMA history *'''UAE Warriors''' **UAE Warriors Middleweight Championship (One time)
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= 1 | ko-wins= 4 | sub-wins= 4 | dec-wins= 8 | ko-losses= 1 | sub-losses= 1 | dec-losses= 1 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|16–3 (1) |Martin Buday |TKO (punches) |Oktagon 81 |{{dts|2025|December|28}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:40 |Prague, Czech Republic |{{small|Defended the Oktagon Heavyweight Championship. Performance of the Night.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|15–3 (1) |Lazar Todev |Decision (unanimous) |Oktagon 68 |{{dts|2025|March|8}} |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Stuttgart, Germany |{{small|Heavyweight debut. Won the vacant Oktagon Heavyweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|14–3 (1) |Karlos Vémola |Decision (unanimous) |Oktagon 65 |{{dts|2024|December|29}} |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Prague, Czech Republic |{{small|Won the Oktagon Light Heavyweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|13–3 (1) |Pavol Langer |KO (punch) |Oktagon 62 |{{dts|2024|October|12}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:31 |Frankfurt, Germany | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|12–3 (1) |Daniel Škvor |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |Oktagon 56 |{{dts|2024|April|20}} |align=center|2 |align=center|1:14 |Birmingham, England | |- |{{nocontest}}NC |align=center|{{nowrap|11–3 (1)}} |Krzysztof Jotko |NC (overturned) |PFL 1 (2023) |{{dts|2023|April|1}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |{{small|Originally a split decision win for Fleury; overturned after he tested positive for drostanolone.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|11–3 |Anthony Salamone |Decision (unanimous) |PFL 8 (2022) |{{dts|2022|August|13}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Cardiff, Wales |{{small|Return to Light Heavyweight.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|10–3 |Tarek Suleiman |Decision (unanimous) |UAE Warriors 28 |{{dts|2022|March|26}} |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |{{small|Won the inaugural UAE Warriors Middleweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|9–3 |Hojat Khajevand |Decision (unanimous) |EFM Show 2 |{{dts|2021|September|11}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Sofia, Bulgaria | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|8–3 |Kent Kauppinen |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator Milan 2 |{{dts|2020|September|26}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Milan, Italy |{{small|Return to Middleweight.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|7–3 |Maciej Różański |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |EFM 3 |{{dts|2020|June|20}} |align=center|2 |align=center|4:00 |Dortmund, Germany |{{small|Light Heavyweight debut. For the inaugural EFM Light Heavyweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|7–2 |Justin Moore |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |Bellator 240 |{{dts|2020|February|20}} |align=center|1 |align=center|4:14 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|6–2 |Norbert Növényi Jr. |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 227 |{{dts|2019|September|27}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Dublin, Ireland | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|6–1 |Antonio Jones |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 224 |{{dts|2019|July|12}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States |{{small|Catchweight (190 lb) bout.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|5–1 |Shaun Taylor |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Bellator 217 |{{dts|2019|February|23}} |align=center|2 |align=center|1:32 |Dublin, Ireland |{{small|Catchweight (190.4 lb) bout; Taylor missed weight.}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|4–1 |Alen Amedovski |KO (punches) |Bellator 203 |{{dts|2018|July|14}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:39 |Rome, Italy | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|4–0 |Tarek Suleiman |Decision (unanimous) |Brave CF 10 |{{dts|2018|March|2}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Amman, Jordan | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|3–0 |Gordon Roodman |TKO (punches) |EFC Worldwide 66 |{{dts|2017|December|16}} |align=center|2 |align=center|1:35 |Pretoria, South Africa | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|2–0 |Kyle McClurkin |TKO (punches) |BAMMA 28 |{{dts|2017|February|24}} |align=center|1 |align=center|2:49 |Belfast, Northern Ireland | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|1–0 |John Redmond |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |Battle Zone FC 15 |{{dts|2016|April|2}} |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Donaghmede, Ireland |{{small|Middleweight debut.}} |- {{end}} <ref name="Sherdog"/>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{sports links}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fleury, Will}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:People from Cahir Category:Sportspeople from County Tipperary Category:Irish male mixed martial artists Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists Category:Bellator male fighters Category:Professional Fighters League male fighters Category:Oktagon MMA champions Category:Doping cases in mixed martial arts Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen