Andre Petroski

Andre Petroski (born June 12, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background
Having wrestled since he was four years old, Petroski was a three-time state qualifier at Springfield High School. He then attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for two years, transferred to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and finalized his college career in Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, majoring in communications. While waiting for graduation, Petroski started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and fell in love with the art.

Petroski battled a heroin addiction, before going clean in 2018.

Early career
Petroski started training mixed martial arts in late 2015, took his first amateur bout in the following January and eventually turned pro in 2018. Making his professional debut at Art Of War Cage Fighting 8, Petroski faced Mark Krumine and went on win the bout via TKO in the first round. After winning his next two bout via first round submission, at Art Of War Cage Fighting 15, he faced Shedrick Goodridge for the AOW Middleweight Championship, winning via TKO in the second round. Petroski defended his title once against Andre Hall at AOW 16, before headlining LFA 93 against Aaron Jeffrey. He lost the first bout of his professional career, getting finished late in the second round.

Racking up a 5–1 record with a regional championship, Petroski was announced to be participating The Ultimate Fighter season 29 middleweight tournament.

The Ultimate Fighter
Petroski faced Aaron Phillips in the quarterfinal round, advancing to semifinals via first-round submission. In the semifinals Petroski was submitted in the second round by Bryan Battle and was eliminated from the tournament.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Petroski was signed to the UFC and made his debut against fellow TUF alum Micheal Gillmore at UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Chikadze on August 28, 2021. He won the bout via third-round technical knockout.

Replacing Alen Amedovski on short notice, Petroski faced Hu Yaozong at UFC 267 on October 30, 2021. He won the bout at the end of the third round via arm-triangle choke.

Petroski faced Nick Maximov at UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić on May 14, 2022. Petroski won the bout after choking out Maximov in the first round via an anaconda choke submission.

Petroski faced Wellington Turman on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Petroski faced Gerald Meerschaert on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292. He won the bout via split decision.

Petroski faced Michel Pereira on October 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230, replacing Marc-André Barriault, who withdrew due to medical issues. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Petroski faced Jacob Malkoun on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Petroski faced Josh Fremd on July 13, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 59. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Petroski is scheduled to face Dylan Budka on September 7, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244.

Professional grappling career
Petroski was booked to compete against 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu black belt Rene Sousa in a superfight at Fury Pro Grappling 7 on May 27, 2023. He lost the match by submission, a straight ankle-lock.

Petroski competed against Alex Myers at Fury Pro Grappling 10 on May 24, 2024. He won the match by golden score in overtime.

Personal life
Petroski has a daughter. He has a tattoo of a hammer and sickle which pays homage to his great grandfather who hailed from the Soviet Union. He has stated that he's not a communist and that the hammer and sickle once had a different meaning before the symbol was appropriated by communists. Andre previously battled with heroin and opiate addiction and he’s been open about his struggles.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Art of War Cage Fighting
 * AOW Middleweight Championship (one time; former)
 * One successful title defense