Quick Facts
Biography
Eric John Schafer (born September 20, 1977) is an American mixed martial artist, who is perhaps best known for competing in the Light Heavyweight and Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mixed martial arts career
Background and early career
Schafer attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.
Schafer is a former XFO light heavyweight champion, after defeating William Hill by triangle choke at XFO 9.
Schafer is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
He made his UFC debut at UFC 62, defeating Rob MacDonald by arm triangle choke, rendering him unconscious at the 2:26 mark of round one.
Schafer then lost his next 2 bouts consecutively via TKO to Michael Bisping at UFC 66 and Stephan Bonnar at UFC 77.
Schafer next defeated Houston Alexander by arm triangle choke in the first round on September 17, 2008 at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer.
Schafer won via TKO over Antonio Mendes at UFC 93 on January 7, 2009.
He lost to Ryan Bader on October 24, 2009 on the undercard of UFC 104.
Schafer was defeated by Jason Brilz via unanimous decision on March 21, 2010, at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones. After this bout he was released from the promotion.
Post UFC
In his first fight since being released from the UFC and his first fight at Middleweight Schafer defeated Chris Albandia via submission (triangle choke) in the first round at XFO 41 - Outdoor War 7 on September 3, 2011.
Return to the UFC
Schafer returned to the UFC in a Middleweight bout against Aaron Simpson at UFC 136 on October 8, 2011, and lost a unanimous decision.
Schafer next faced Jorge Rivera on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. He was released from the promotion for the third time following this loss.
Independent promotions
After being released from the UFC, Schafer faced John Poppie at Madtown Throwdown 29: Unstoppable on January 5, 2013. He won via second round TKO.
Championships and accomplishments
- Gladiators Fighting Series
- GFS Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Xtreme Fighting Organization
- XFO Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 23 matches | 14 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 3 |
| By submission | 9 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 3 |
| Unknown | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 14–7–2 | John Poppie | TKO (punches) | Madtown Throwdown 29: Unstoppable | January 5, 2013 | 2 | 4:07 | Madison, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 13–7–2 | Jorge Rivera | TKO (punches) | UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller | January 20, 2012 | 2 | 1:31 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Loss | 13–6–2 | Aaron Simpson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 136 | October 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 13–5–2 | Chris Albandia | Submission (triangle choke) | XFO 41: Outdoor War 7 | September 3, 2011 | 1 | 1:41 | Island Lake, Illinois, United States | Middleweight debut. |
| Loss | 12–5–2 | Jason Brilz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones | March 21, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 12–4–2 | Ryan Bader | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 104 | October 24, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 12–3–2 | Antonio Mendes | TKO (punches) | UFC 93 | January 17, 2009 | 1 | 3:35 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 11–3–2 | Houston Alexander | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer | September 17, 2008 | 1 | 4:53 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 10–3–2 | William Hill | TKO (punches) | GFS: Thunderdome | May 17, 2008 | 1 | 2:52 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Won the GFS Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–3–2 | Ryan Antle | Submission (guillotine choke) | GFS: The Warriors | February 16, 2008 | 1 | 0:41 | Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3–2 | Stephan Bonnar | TKO (punches) | UFC 77 | October 20, 2007 | 2 | 2:47 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2–2 | Michael Bisping | TKO (punches) | UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz | December 30, 2006 | 1 | 4:24 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–1–2 | Rob MacDonald | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral | August 26, 2006 | 1 | 2:26 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–1–2 | William Hill | Submission (triangle choke) | Xtreme Fighting Organization 9 | January 28, 2006 | 1 | 2:37 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | Won the WFO Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–1–2 | Jason Veach | Submission (choke) | Duneland Classic 2 | August 6, 2005 | 1 | N/A | Portage, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–1–2 | Jason Guida | Submission (triangle choke) | XFO 6: Judgement Day | June 25, 2005 | 1 | 3:49 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1–2 | Dustin Denes | Submission (kimura) | HOOKnSHOOT: Overdrive | March 9, 2002 | 1 | N/A | Evansville, Indiana, United States | |
| Draw | 4–0–2 | Jim Desouza | Draw | HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 2 | November 18, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | |
| Draw | 4–0–1 | Paul Ivens | Draw | HOOKnSHOOT: Millennium | November 6, 1999 | 1 | 15:00 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Steve Martin | Submission (strikes) | Cage Combat 4 | September 26, 1999 | 1 | 4:13 | Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Duane Franzen | Decision | Midwest Shootfighting 1 | June 27, 1998 | 1 | 10:00 | Clinton, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | John Lowey | N/A | Midwest Shootfighting 1 | June 27, 1998 | 1 | 3:59 | Clinton, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ryan Apolonario | Submission (choke) | Fight Sheet Ultimate MMA | July 19, 1997 | 1 | N/A | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |