Quick Facts
Biography
Zak "The Barbarian" Ottow (born (1986-12-22)December 22, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Ottow was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Air Force Academy in Colorado and earned a degree in kinesiology from University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Ottow started training in wrestling and football when he was in high school. After his college football career has finished, he made the move to concentrate in MMA training and started his professional career not long after. Ottow's typical day of training splits into three sessions. He starts his early morning with strength and conditional training; he works on his wrestling or boxing during the midday, and finishes off his day with BJJ training.
Mixed martial arts career
Prior to Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ottow participated in various regional MMA promotions primarily in the Upper Midwest such as King of the Cage, North American Fighting Championship, and Legacy Fighting Championship. He amassed a record of 13–3–0 prior signed by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ottow made his promotional debut on a short notice, replacing Bobby Green against Josh Burkman on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson. He won the fight via split decision.
Ottow faced Sergio Moraes on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2.Moraes was awarded a split decision victory.
Ottow next faced Kiichi Kunimoto on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt. He won the fight via split decision.
Personal Life
Ottow worked as a bartender and worked in the Wall street for a year prior made his career choice to be a professional fighter.
He owns Pura Vida BJJ gym.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 19 matches | 15 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 1 |
| By submission | 10 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 15–4 | Kiichi Kunimoto | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt | 000000002017-06-10-0000June 10, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Loss | 14–4 | Sergio Moraes | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2 | 000000002016-11-19-0000November 19, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Sao Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 14–3 | Joshua Burkman | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson | 000000002016-10-01-0000October 1, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Portland, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Craig Eckelberg | Decision (unanimous) | Pure FC 4 | 000000002016-06-11-0000June 11, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | Frank Schuman | Submission (guillotine choke) | KOTC: Total Devastation | 000000002016-04-23-0000April 23, 2016 | 3 | 3:23 | Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Jay Ellis | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC: Shattered | 000000002016-03-05-0000March 5, 2016 | 1 | 0:26 | Keshena, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Richard Wolfe | Submission (guillotine choke) | KOTC: Title at the Torch | 000000002015-10-17-0000October 17, 2015 | 1 | 1:33 | Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Jacob Volkmann | Technical Submission (brabo choke) | Legacy Fighting Championship 43 | 000000002015-07-17-0000July 17, 2015 | 1 | 4:55 | Hinckley, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Robbie Gotreau | TKO | KOTC: Public Enemy | 000000002015-02-21-0000February 21, 2015 | 1 | 4:27 | Carlton, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | Eddie Larrea | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | KOTC: Beastmaster | 000000002014-12-06-0000December 6, 2014 | 1 | 1:53 | Keshena, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Nathan Howe | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Resurrection Fighting Alliance 19 | 000000002014-10-10-0000October 10, 2014 | 2 | 0:54 | Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Zach Micklewright | TKO (punches) | Caged Aggression 12 | 000000002014-03-15-0000March 15, 2014 | 2 | 1:04 | Davenport, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Quinton McCottrell | Submission (rear-naked choke) | NAFC: Battle in the Ballroom | 000000002013-09-28-0000September 28, 2013 | 2 | 1:05 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Eddie Larrea | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC: Train Wreck | 000000002013-07-02-0000July 2, 2013 | 1 | 2:45 | Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Matt Gauthier | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Resurrection Fighting Alliance 8 | 000000002013-06-21-0000June 21, 2013 | 1 | 3:07 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Jesse Midas | TKO (punches) | Driller Promotions: Caged Chaos | 000000002013-04-27-0000April 27, 2013 | 1 | 4:00 | Shakopee, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Ricky Stettner | Submission (choke) | NAFC: Battleground | 000000002013-03-29-0000March 29, 2013 | 2 | 2:27 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Jim Klimczyk | Submission (punches) | KOTC: New Vision | 000000002013-02-16-0000February 16, 2013 | 1 | 4:37 | Morton, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Mike Rhodes | Decision (unanimous) | NAFC: Colosseum | 000000002012-05-04-0000May 4, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
