Quick Facts
Biography
Estevan Payan (born April 3, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of Titan FC. A professional competitor since 2007, Payan has also formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, and Shark Fights.
Background
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Payan is a United States Army veteran. Upon graduating from Tolleson Union High School, Payan served three tours and seven years in Iraq, and left the Army having reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. It was during his time in the Army that Payan began training.
Mixed martial arts career
Bellator
Estevan debuted for the promotion at its inaugural event, Bellator 1, where he won a split decision over Luis Palomino in the quarterfinal of the Bellator Season One Featherweight Tournament. Payan lost to Yahir Reyes via KO due to a spinning backfist at Bellator 6 as part of the tournament semifinal.
Strikeforce
Estevan faced Alonzo Martinez in his Strikeforce debut on January 7, 2012 at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine, replacing an injured Bobby Green. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Payan was expected to face Mike Bravo on September 29, 2012 at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy. However, after headliner Gilbert Melendez was injured, the card was scrapped altogether.
Payan/Bravo eventually took place on the final Strikeforce card, Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine, on January 12, 2013. Payan won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Payan was brought over to the UFC after Strikeforce ceased operations in 2013, and made his UFC debut against Jeremy Stephens on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Payan was expected to face Charles Oliveira on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166. However, on September 8, Payan was forced out of the bout citing a broken foot and was replaced by Jeremy Larsen.
Payan faced Robbie Peralta on December 28, 2013 at UFC 168. After a back-and-forth first two rounds, Payan lost via knockout early into the third round.
Payan was expected to face Sean Soriano at UFC on Fox 11. However, Soriano was forced to pull out due to injury and was briefly replaced by Mike Brown. Brown also dropped out of the bout with injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alex White. Payan lost to White by first-round TKO. After this loss, he was released from the UFC.
Post-UFC
After being released from the UFC, Payan returned to the Rage In The Cage organization, where he would defeat Eric Regan via unanimous decision at Rage In The Cage 173 on August 9, 2014.
Return to Bellator
Payan made his Bellator return on September 26, 2014 at Bellator 126 against Derek Campos. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
World Series of Fighting
Payan made his World Series of Fighting debut against Jason High at WSOF 25 on November 20, 2015. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.
Personal life
Payan has five children.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 28 matches | 16 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 7 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 4 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 16–11 (1) | Jose Luis Verdugo | KO (punch) | KOTC: Desert Reign | November 26, 2016 | 1 | 0:39 | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 16–10 (1) | Raymond Pina | Decision (unanimous) | World Fighting Federation 29 | July 23, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 16–9 (1) | Jason High | KO (head kick and punches) | WSOF 25 | November 20, 2015 | 2 | 0:47 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | WSOF Debut |
| Win | 16–8 (1) | Roberto Yong | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 178 | June 6, 2015 | 3 | 2:45 | Prescott Valley, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 15–8 (1) | Brian Davidson | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 33 | March 20, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Mobile, Alabama, United States | Catchweight (148 lbs). bout. |
| Loss | 15–7 (1) | Derek Campos | KO (punch) | Bellator 126 | September 26, 2014 | 1 | 0:31 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 15–6 (1) | Eric Regan | Decision (unanimous) | Rage In The Cage 173 | August 9, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 14–6 (1) | Alex White | KO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne | April 19, 2014 | 1 | 1:28 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 14–5 (1) | Robbie Peralta | KO (punches) | UFC 168 | December 28, 2013 | 3 | 0:12 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 14–4 (1) | Jeremy Stephens | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 160 | May 25, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 14–3 (1) | Mike Bravo | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine | January 12, 2013 | 2 | 4:01 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 (1) | Alonzo Martinez | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine | January 7, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs). bout. |
| Win | 12–3 (1) | Oscar de la Parra | TKO (doctor stoppage) | TCF: Rumble at the Ranch 2 | November 5, 2011 | 1 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 (1) | Nick Rhoads | KO (punches) | TCF: Dawn of Champions | July 30, 2011 | 3 | 2:29 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 (1) | Joe Nicolas | KO (punch) | MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 4 | February 25, 2011 | 1 | 2:44 | Riverside, California, United States | |
| NC | 9–3 (1) | Lee Chapman | No Contest (clash of heads) | Rage in the Cage 144 | September 11, 2010 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |||
| Win | 9–3 | Joe Cronin | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 143 | July 31, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Omur Cor | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 136 | November 7, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Prescott Valley, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Karen Darabedyan | TKO (punches) | Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes | September 12, 2009 | 1 | 1:20 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Yahir Reyes | KO (spinning back fist) | Bellator 6 | May 8, 2009 | 2 | 1:56 | Robstown, Texas, United States | Season One Featherweight Tournament Semifinal; Catchweight (148 lbs). bout. |
| Win | 7–1 | Luis Palomino | Decision (split) | Bellator 1 | April 3, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Season One Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 6–1 | Ray Robinson | Submission (armbar) | MTXAFN 2 | January 9, 2009 | 1 | 0:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Brian Child | Decision (unanimous) | Rock & Sock Promotions | October 18, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Laughlin, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jonathan Mix | TKO (punches) | Rock & Sock Promotions | June 28, 2008 | 3 | 0:45 | Laughlin, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Joe Cronin | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 110 | May 31, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jeff Horlacher | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rage in the Cage 108 | April 11, 2008 | 2 | 0:35 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | James Watson | Submission (triangle choke) | MTXAFN 1 | January 8, 2008 | 2 | 2:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Eric Regan | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 102 | October 13, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Tucson, Arizona, United States |