An acclaimed three-time Olympic wrestler showcased formidable striking prowess in his swift UFC debut.
While many athletes have graced both the Olympic arena and the UFC Octagon, only a select few have managed to secure both Olympic medals and UFC championships. Kayla Harrison recently joined this elite group, becoming the third individual—after Henry Cejudo and Ronda Rousey—to claim both honors, doing so by submitting Julianna Pena last June.
Mark Madsen, a prominent figure in Danish combat sports, pursued a UFC championship but ultimately fell short. He famously earned a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Opting against a fourth Olympic appearance in 2020, Madsen instead transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2018. `The Olympian` subsequently joined the UFC, marking a spectacular debut on his home turf.
Mark Madsen`s Explosive UFC Debut After Olympic Glory
Madsen`s inaugural venture into the Octagon took place on September 28, 2019, at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark. This event was headlined by Jared Cannonier`s knockout victory against Jack Hermansson.
However, the primary draw for the local audience was the co-main event, featuring Denmark’s first Olympic wrestling medalist since 1948 making his highly anticipated debut in the premier MMA organization.
Madsen concluded his UFC debut in just 72 seconds. He immediately demonstrated his wrestling expertise by taking Danilo Belluardo to the ground, then swiftly transitioned to a display of his striking power, overwhelming his Italian adversary for a rapid TKO victory.
This performance was remarkably impressive for a fighter with limited MMA background. Madsen continued his success in the Octagon, securing victories over notable opponents such as the seasoned veteran Clay Guida and Vinc Pichel.
Mark Madsen`s Challenge to Paddy Pimblett and Subsequent Retirement
Following his dominant win over Belluardo, Madsen extended his perfect professional record to 12-0 by winning his subsequent three fights. During this period, he publicly expressed his desire to face one of the UFC`s rising prospects.
The three-time Olympian aimed for a bout against another undefeated fighter in the Octagon, confidently asserting his ability to defeat Paddy Pimblett.
“I am confident I can defeat Paddy ‘The Baddy’ at any time,” Madsen stated to Vegas Insider. “I would outperform him in wrestling and grappling. Furthermore, given his tendency to keep his chin elevated, there’s a strong possibility of a knockout victory for me.”
“While I respect Paddy, I firmly believe I can defeat him. With Paddy holding a 3-0 UFC record and myself at 4-0, I thought it would be an excellent matchup to see how `The Baddy` would fare against a true Olympian.”
However, this anticipated clash never materialized, as Madsen announced his retirement from MMA in 2024. Conversely, Pimblett, the Liverpool native, has maintained his undefeated status in the UFC and is now setting his sights on Ilia Topuria’s lightweight championship.
