Quick Facts
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Daniel Weichel (born November 22, 1984) is a German mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2002, he has also competed in M-1 Global and Shooto.
Background
Born and raised in Germany, Weichel originally began training in Jujutsu at the age of 14, before transitioning into Brazilian jiu-jitsu a year later. Weichel also began training in Muay Thai and then wrestling when he was 17, with both freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling, as well as boxing. In 2014 Daniel received his blackbelt in Brazilian jiu jitsu by Din Thomas.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Weichel made his professional MMA debut in May 2002.Over the next four and a half years of his career, he amassed a record of 15-2.
During this time, Weichel competed on a German mixed martial arts reality show titled M.A.X. (Martial Arts Xtreme) in 2006, where he made it to the final against Ivan Mussardo. However, the production shut down before the match could actually take place.The two did eventually meet in 2009, where Weichel won by unanimous decision.
M-1 Global
Following a rough patch where he went 3-4 (including two losses to future UFC fighters Paul Daley and Dan Hardy), Weichel joined the Russian MMA organization M-1 Global, going 5-0 on their M-1 Challengers series.
Weichel eventually challenged for the M-1 Global Lightweight Championship as he faced Jose Figueroa in November 2011 at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson. He won the bout and title via knockout in the first round.
Weichel's reign as champion would be short lived though. He lost the belt in his first defense in June 2012 against Musa Khamanaev at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo. He lost the bout via submission in the first round.
Bellator MMA
In September 2013, it was announced that Weichel had signed a contract with Bellator MMA and would compete in their Season Ten Featherweight Tournament.
Weichel made his Bellator debut in the Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal facing Scott Cleve at Bellator 110 on February 28, 2014 he won via submission with a rear-naked choke.
Weichel fought against Matt Bessette at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014 in the Featherweight tournament Semifinals. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Weichel faced Desmond Green in the Tournament Final at Bellator 119 on May 9, 2014. He won the fight via submission in the second round. He also became the final tournament winner as Bellator moves away from tournament era.
Weichel faced Pat Curran on February 13, 2015 at Bellator 133. He won the fight via split decision.
Replacing an injured Georgi Karakhanyan, Weichel is scheduled to face Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Freire at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015. Despite dropping Freire with a series of strikes the waning seconds of the first round, Weichel lost the fight via knockout when Freire rallied with a counter left hook early in the second round.
Weichel faced Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 147 on December 4, 2015. He won by unanimous decision.
Weichel next faced up-and-comer Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 159 on July 22, 2016. He won via split decision.
Weichel faced Brian Moore at Bellator 169 on December 16, 2016. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
Weichel faced John Teixeira at Bellator 177 on April 14, 2017. He won via split decision.
After four consecutive victories, Weichel was expected to face newly crowned featherweight champion, Patrício Freire, in a second fight at Bellator 188 on November 16, 2017. However, Freire pulled out of the fight due to multiple injuries. Weichel eventually faced Patricio Freire in a rematch in the main event at Bellator 203 on July 14, 2018. He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.
After the title fight, Weichel faced Goiti Yamauchi at Bellator 210 on November 30, 2018. He lost the close fight via split decision.
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix
As the opening round fight of the Grand Prix, Weichel faced Saul Rogers at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019. Despite being rocked in the beginning of the fight, Weichel won the fight via unanimous decision.
In the quarterfinals, Weichel was initially expected to face Emmanuel Sanchez in a rematch in February 2020. However, the date got pushed back and they were next expected to face at Bellator 241 on March 13, 2020. However, the whole event was eventually cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
Championships and accomplishments
- Bellator MMA
- Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Winner
- M-1 Global
- M-1 Global Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 51 matches | 40 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 5 |
| By submission | 22 | 3 |
| By decision | 13 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 40–11 | Saul Rogers | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 228 | September 28, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Loss | 39–11 | Goiti Yamauchi | Decision (split) | Bellator 210 | November 30, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Loss | 39–10 | Patricio Freire | Decision (split) | Bellator 203 | July 14, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Rome, Italy | For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship. |
| Win | 39–9 | John Teixeira | Decision (split) | Bellator 177 | April 14, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Budapest, Hungary | |
| Win | 38–9 | Brian Moore | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Bellator 169 | December 16, 2016 | 1 | 4:44 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 37–9 | Emmanuel Sanchez | Decision (split) | Bellator 159 | July 22, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 36–9 | Georgi Karakhanyan | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 147 | December 4, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 35–9 | Patrício Freire | KO (punch) | Bellator 138 | June 19, 2015 | 2 | 0:32 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship. |
| Win | 35–8 | Pat Curran | Decision (split) | Bellator 133 | February 13, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Win | 34–8 | Desmond Green | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 119 | May 9, 2014 | 2 | 2:07 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 33–8 | Matt Bessette | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 114 | March 28, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | West Valley City, Utah, United States | Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 32–8 | Scott Cleve | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 110 | February 28, 2014 | 1 | 3:46 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 31–8 | Artiom Damkovsky | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | M-1 Challenge 37: Khamanaev vs. Puhakka | February 27, 2013 | 2 | 4:24 | Orenburg, Russia | |
| Win | 30–8 | Georgi Stoyanov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | M-1 Challenge 36: Confrontation in Mytishchi | December 8, 2012 | 2 | 2:24 | Mytishchi, Russia | |
| Win | 29–8 | Semen Tyrlya | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Respect Fighting Championship 8 | September 22, 2012 | 1 | 3:40 | Wuppertal, Germany | |
| Loss | 28–8 | Musa Khamanaev | Submission (heel hook) | M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo | June 21, 2012 | 1 | 1:48 | St. Petersburg, Russia | Lost the M-1 Global Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 28–7 | Jose Figueroa | KO (punches) | M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson | November 20, 2011 | 1 | 1:50 | Moscow, Russia, | Won the M-1 Global Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 27–7 | Beau Baker | Decision (unanimous) | M-1 Challenge 26: Garner vs. Bennett 2 | July 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Costa Mesa, California, United States | |
| Win | 26–7 | Magomedrasul Khasbulaev | Technical submission (triangle choke) | M-1 Challenge 23: Guram vs. Grishin | March 5, 2011 | 1 | 3:26 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 25–7 | Yuri Ivlev | TKO (doctor stoppage) | M-1 Challenge 21: Guram vs. Garner | October 28, 2010 | 3 | 2:24 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Win | 24–7 | Avtandil Shoshiashvili | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Night Merseburg 3 | August 29, 2010 | 1 | 4:20 | Spergau, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany | |
| Loss | 23–7 | Rob Sinclair | TKO (punches) | BAMMA 3: Horwich vs. Watson | May 15, 2010 | 1 | 4:03 | Birmingham, England | |
| Win | 23–6 | Victor Kuku | Submission (rear-naked choke) | TFS: Mix Fight Gala IX | December 5, 2009 | 1 | 2:57 | Darmstadt, Germany | |
| Win | 22–6 | Ivan Musardo | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: Switzerland 6 | September 19, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Zürich, Switzerland | |
| Win | 21–6 | Danial Sharifi | Submission (guillotine choke) | M-1 Challenge 18: Netherlands Day One | August 15, 2009 | 1 | 2:53 | Hilversum, The Netherlands | |
| Win | 20–6 | Jimmy Sidoni | TKO (punches) | TFS: Mix Fight Gala 8 | May 9, 2009 | 1 | 2:32 | Darmstadt, Germany | |
| Win | 19–6 | Fatih Dogan | Submission (D'arce choke) | M-1 Challenge 13: Bulgaria | March 28, 2009 | 1 | 2:29 | Bourgas, Bulgaria | |
| Loss | 18–6 | Peter Irving | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Strike and Submit 8 | October 26, 2008 | 2 | 1:47 | Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Dan Hardy | TKO (elbows) | UF: Punishment | May 3, 2008 | 2 | N/A | Doncaster, England | |
| Win | 18–4 | Ian Jones | Submission (armbar) | Gorilla Fight 2 | April 5, 2008 | 1 | 2:38 | Mannheim, Germany | |
| Loss | 17–4 | Jason Jones | TKO (punch and knee) | M-1: Slamm | March 2, 2008 | 1 | 0:06 | Almere, Flevoland, The Netherlands | |
| Win | 17–3 | Chas Jacquier | Submission (choke) | TFS: Mix Fight Gala VI | November 25, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Darmstadt, Germany | |
| Win | 16–3 | Fatih Balci | Submission (triangle choke) | Stapel Fighting Challenge | April 29, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Germany | |
| Loss | 15–3 | Paul Daley | KO (knee) | FX3: Fight Night 4 | March 10, 2007 | 1 | 2:55 | Reading, Berkshire, England | |
| Win | 15–2 | Amir Lekaj | Submission (kimura) | Martial Arts Xtreme 8 | November 25, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Berlin, Germany | |
| Win | 14–2 | Marcelo Lopez | Decision (split) | Martial Arts Xtreme 6 | November 11, 2006 | 3 | 3:00 | Berlin, Germany | |
| Win | 13–2 | Hugo Blatter | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Martial Arts Xtreme 4 | October 28, 2006 | 1 | 2:47 | Berlin, Germany | |
| Win | 12–2 | Josenildo Ramalho | Decision (majority) | CWFC: Strike Force 6 | May 27, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Coventry, West Midlands, England | |
| Win | 11–2 | Dennis Siver | Submission (rear-naked choke) | TFS: Mix Fight Gala 3 | May 6, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Darmstadt, Germany | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Thiago Tavares | Submission (guillotine choke) | CWFC: Enter the Wolfslair | March 5, 2006 | 3 | 4:47 | Liverpool, Merseyside, England | |
| Win | 10–1 | Johan Antonsson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EVT 5: Phoenix | October 8, 2005 | 1 | 3:41 | Sweden | |
| Win | 9–1 | Boris Jonstomp | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EVT 5: Phoenix | October 8, 2005 | 2 | 2:12 | Sweden | |
| Win | 8–1 | Mike Lucero | Submission (guillotine choke) | KOTC 55: Grudge Match | June 17, 2005 | 1 | 3:41 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | |
| Win | 7–1 | Joakim Engberg | Decision (unanimous) | EVT 4: Gladiators | September 17, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 6–1 | Abdul Mohammed | Decision (unanimous) | P & G 3: Glory Days | August 7, 2004 | N/A | N/A | Newcastle, England | |
| Win | 5–1 | Gaz Roriston | Submission (americana) | EVT 3: Inferno | May 22, 2004 | 2 | 1:57 | Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Mattias Awad | Decision (unanimous) | EVT 2: Hazard | April 4, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 4–0 | Malte Janssen | KO (head kick) | Outsider Cup 2 | February 28, 2004 | 2 | 0:13 | Lübbecke, Germany | |
| Win | 3–0 | Masaya Takita | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto: 11/25 in Kitazawa Town Hall | November 25, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Eduardo Guimaraes | KO (flying knee) | Shooto Holland: Holland vs. the World | April 12, 2003 | 1 | 2:50 | Holland, Netherlands | |
| Win | 1–0 | Vincent Latoel | Submission (armbar) | Shooto Holland: The Lords of the Ring | May 12, 2002 | 1 | 1:48 | Holland, Netherlands |