Matthew Semelsberger

Matthew Semelsberger (born November 23, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background
Semelsberger is a 2011 graduate of Urbana High School, where he competed in football, lacrosse, and wrestling. Excelling particularly in football, he led Urbana to a state championship win, and later played Division I-AA football with a scholarship at Marist College while majoring in criminal justice. Semelsberger started 15 games for the Red Foxes at strong safety in his career with a great senior season of 67 tackles, 5 pass deflections, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. At the age of 14, he entered an MMA program at a school close to home, Clinch Academy. Having done some years of youth wrestling, Matthew wanted to learn how to fight in case he ever found himself in a position where violence was his only option. After one of his wrestling buddies showed him his collection of the Ultimate Fighting Championship DVDs and VHS tapes, he was enamored with the sport and decided to start his goal of making the UFC.

Early career
Starting his professional career in 2017, Semelsberger compiled a 6-2 record in the regional East Coast scene, competing in such promotions like CFFC, where he won a close decision against Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov at CFFC 74, Maverick MMA where he won a bout against Kris Gratalo at Maverick MMA 15 after Gratalo threw in the towel between rounds due to a broken arm, and Art of War Cage Fighting, where Semelsberger picked up his final win before being given a UFC contract after knocking out Richard Patishnock at AoWCF 17.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Semelsberger was initially scheduled to make his promotional debut against Philip Rowe at UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar on August 22, 2020. However, Rowe pulled out of the bout citing a toe injury and was replaced by Carlton Minus. Despite knocking Minus down in the first round, Semelsberger won the fight via unanimous decision.

Semelsberger made his sophomore appearance in the promotion against Jason Witt at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad on March 14, 2021. He won the fight via first-minute knockout. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Semelsberger faced Khaos Williams on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Semelsberger faced Martin Sano Jr. on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266. He won the fight via knockout in round one.

Semelsberger faced A.J. Fletcher on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203. He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

Semelsberger faced Alex Morono on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Semelsberger faced Jake Matthews on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Semelsberger faced Jeremiah Wells on April 22, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 222. He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Semelsberger was scheduled to meet Yohan Lainesse on July 29, 2023 at UFC 291. However, Lainesse was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Uroš Medić. Semelsberger lost the bout via TKO in round three after being dropped with a spinning backfist and then finished with ground and pound.

Semelsberger faced Preston Parsons, replacing Bassil Hafez on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. He lost the fight by unananimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the night (One time) vs. Jason Witt