Zak Ottow

Zachary Ottow (born December 22, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for King of the Cage.

Background
Ottow was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with an older biological brother and two older stepbrothers. Ottow started training in wrestling and football – becoming an All-State select in latter – while attending Wisconsin Lutheran High School. He attended Air Force Academy in Colorado for two years before transferring to University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee from where he graduated with a degree in kinesiology.

After his college football career had finished, he began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and later picking up kickboxing. Eventually he started mixed martial arts training and started his professional career not long after. Ottow's typical day of training splits into three sessions. He starts his early morning with strength and conditional training; he works on his wrestling or boxing during the midday, and finishes off his day with BJJ training.

Early career
Ottow participated in various regional MMA promotions primarily in the Upper Midwest such as King of the Cage, North American Fighting Championship, and Legacy Fighting Championship. He amassed a record of 13–3 prior signed by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ottow made his promotional debut on a short notice, replacing Bobby Green against Josh Burkman on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson. He won the fight via split decision.

Ottow faced Sérgio Moraes on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2. Moraes was awarded a split decision victory.

Ottow next faced Kiichi Kunimoto on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt. He won the fight via split decision.

Ottow faced Li Jingliang on November 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Gastelum. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. After the bout Ottow became a free agent having fought his contract out.

Ottow then signed a new four-fight contract to face Mike Pyle on short notice on March 3, 2018 at UFC 222. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. Pyle had announced he would retire before the fight.

Ottow faced Sage Northcutt on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133. He lost the fight via knock out in round two.

Ottow replaced Erik Koch to face promotional newcomer Dwight Grant on December 15, 2018 at UFC on Fox 31. He won the fight by split decision.

Ottow faced Alex Morono on March 9, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 4. He lost the fight via a verbal submission due to elbows in the first round. Having fought out his contract, Ottow became a free agent as the UFC opted not to renew his contract.

Post UFC
Ottow faced Clarence Jordan at Cages Aggression 29 on November 20, 2020. He won the bout via armbar in the second round.

Ottow faced Jarome Hatch on July 31, 2021 at North Iowa Fights: Hatch vs. Ottow. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Ottow faced Derek Smith at A-Town Throwdown 17 on January 15, 2022. He won the bout via guillotine choke in the first round.

Ottow faced Kyle Stewart on April 2, 2022 at XMMA 4. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. This was his last professional MMA match.

Personal life
Ottow worked as a bartender and worked in Wall Street for a year before making his career choice to be a professional fighter.

He owns Pura Vida BJJ & MMA.