Mounir Lazzez

Mounir Lazzez (born November 16, 1987) is a Tunisian mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional fighter since 2012, he is the first fighter who was born and raised in an Arab country to be signed to the UFC.

Background
Born in the major port town of Sfax in the South East of Tunisia, it was Mounir Lazzez highlights that lead to him being the first fighter that was born and raised in an Arab country to be signed to the UFC. Indeed, it was after Dana White watched Mounir Lazzez highlights whilst sitting in a restaurant that he was so impressed that he decided to sign him to the UFC. A friend of Lazzez had recognized the UFC president Dana White at a restaurant in Las Vegas in the United States of America and took the opportunity to show Mounir Lazzez highlights to him, and White being immediately impressed by the footage took the next steps to sign him to the UFC as soon as possible.

He started MMA classes at the age of 15 in Tunisia, when his parents decided to put him in martial arts because he was being bullied. After competing on the regional and national level, he moved to Canada to focus on his wrestling, spending from 2009 until 2011 there until a business opportunity lured him to Dubai.

Mixed martial arts career
Lazzez made his professional debut in 2012 and compiled a 9–1 record fighting for a variety of Middle Eastern promotions, most notably Brave Combat Federation, where he competed for the Super Lightweight title, losing the fight unanimous decision to Eldar Eldarov.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Lazzez faced Abdul Razak Alhassan on July 16, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige. At the weigh-ins, Alhassan weighed in at 174 pounds, 3 pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. He was fined 20% of his purse which went to Lazzez and the bout proceeded at catchweight. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.

Lazzez, as a replacement for Christian Aguilera, faced Warlley Alves on January 20, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny. He lost the fight via first round TKO.

Lazzez was scheduled to face Niklas Stolze on July 31, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland. However, Lazzez pulled out just a few days before the event due to visa issues and was replaced by Jared Gooden.

Lazzez was scheduled to face Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on April 16, 2022 at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2. However, Zaleski dos Santos withdrew the week of the fight and was replaced by Ange Loosa. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Lazzez faced Gabriel Bonfim on January 21, 2023 at UFC 283. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.

On June 5, 2023, news surfaced that Lazzez had fought out his contract and the organization opted not to renew it.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
 * Desert Force Championship 
 * Desert Force Welterweight Championship (One Time)

Association with Daniel Kinahan
Lazzez is reportedly close to Irish reputed gang boss and boxing promoter Daniel Kinahan, and praised him during his post fight octagon and media interview at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2. Kinahan is from Dublin, and is allegedly a senior figure in an international crime syndicate, the Kinahan Cartel, with criminal activities including drugs and firearm smuggling. Kinahan has been sanctioned by the United States government, who have offered a $5 million reward for key information on Kinahan and his brother and father.