Don Madge

Don Madge (born 12 November 1990) is a South African professional mixed martial arts who formerly competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He won both his fights there, but was released due to experiencing visa issues.

Background
Madge started Karate at the age of six. He took up Muay Thai at the age of 14 and went on to compete in Thailand. In 2011 he returned to South Africa to pursue a career in MMA.

Extreme Fighting Championship
Madge made his professional MMA debut on 10 November 2011, in the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) at EFC 11. Madge won the Lightweight title for the first time on 27 June 2013, at EFC 20. He would then lose the title by split decision to Leon Mynhardt. In his next bout, he drew with Boyd Allen, before losing again to Mynhardt in his attempt to regain the title.

In his eleventh professional EFC fight, Madge won the EFC lightweight title for a second time on 8 April 2017, at EFC 58.

After EFC 58, Madge was hired as a sparring partner for UFC women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg prior to Cyborg's successful title defence at UFC 219. Madge was then signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Madge made his UFC debut on 27 October 2018, against Te Edwards at UFC Fight Night 138 on 27 October 2018. He knocked Edwards out with a head kick fifteen seconds into the second round and earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus

Madge's next fight was on 7 September 2019, at UFC 242 - Khabib vs Poirier in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate. He was originally scheduled to fight Magomed Mustafaev, but Mustafaev was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons. Madge instead faced Farès Ziam and won the fight by unanimous decision.

Madge was expected to face Guram Kutateladze on 13 March 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad. However, Kutateladze pulled out in early February due to a knee injury and was replaced by Nasrat Haqparast. In turn, Madge pulled out on 6 March due to visa issues.

Guram Kutateladze and Don Madge were rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés on 17 July 2021. However, the bout was scrapped after Kutateladze once again withdrew from the bout citing injury and visa issues.

Due to visa issues Madge was released from UFC.

Professional Fighters League
After his UFC release, Madge signed with Professional Fighters League.

2021 Season

Madge faced Nathan Williams on 27 October 2021, at PFL 10. Madge won the bout via rear naked choke in the second round.

2022 Season

Madge faced Raush Manfio on 20 April 2022, at PFL 1. He lost the bout via TKO in round three after Manfio dropped him with a right hand and finished him with punches.

2024 Season

After two years away from the sport, Madge returned to face Brennan Ward on 19 April 2024 at PFL 3 (2024). He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Madge next faced Neiman Gracie at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Te Edwards
 * Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC)
 * EFC Lightweight Championship (Two times)