Cheick Kongo

"The Darkness"

31-12-2★ 1bonus

FranceLast 5

Kickboxing 1-1Muay Thai 1-0

Last fight: Loss vs Ryan Bader · Unanimous Decision · May 6, 2022

31-12-2 · 19 finishes · Full stats →

LAST FIGHT

LOSSvs Ryan BaderUD · R5 5:00

BellatorBellator 280: Bader vs Kongo 2·May 6, 2022

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Cheick Kongo holds a professional MMA record of 31-12-2. Kongo has won 31 fights: 15 by KO/TKO, 4 by submission, 12 by decision. Of 12 career losses, 3 came by KO/TKO and 1 by submission. In the UFC, Kongo lands 3.51 significant strikes per minute with 58% accuracy and averages 2.20 takedowns per 15 minutes. Kongo also has 1 recorded Muay Thai bout. Kongo also has 2 recorded Kickboxing bouts. Most recent fight: May 6, 2022. Tracked organizations: BELLATOR, UFC.

Profile

Height: 6'4"193 cm
Weight: 240 lbs109 kg
Reach: 82"208 cm
Stance: Orthodox
DOB: May 17, 1975
Age: 51
Nationality: France
Birthplace: Paris, France

Career history

LOSS
vs Ryan BaderTitle bout
Bellator 280: Bader vs Kongo 2· May 6, 2022· Heavyweight· 31-12-2 vs 30-7
UD
R5 · 5:00
WIN
vs Sergei Kharitonov
Bellator 265: Kongo vs Kharitonov· Aug 20, 2021· 31-11-2 vs 31-9
SUB
R2 · 4:59
LOSS
vs Timothy Johnson
Bellator 248: Kongo vs Johnson 2· Oct 10, 2020· Heavyweight· 30-11-2 vs 15-6
SD
R3 · 5:00
NC
vs Ryan BaderTitle bout
Bellator 226: Bader vs Kongo· Sep 7, 2019· Heavyweight· 30-10-2 vs 27-5
NC
R1 · 3:52
WIN
vs Vitaly Minakov
Bellator 215: Mitrione vs Kharitonov· Feb 15, 2019· Heavyweight· 30-10-2 vs 21-1
UD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Timothy Johnson
Bellator 207: Mitrione vs Bader· Oct 12, 2018· Heavyweight· 29-10-2 vs 12-5
KO
R1 · 1:08
WIN
vs Javy Ayala
Bellator 199: Bader vs King Mo· May 12, 2018· Heavyweight· 28-10-2 vs 10-7
TKO
R1 · 2:29
WIN
vs Augusto Sakai
Bellator 179: Daley vs MacDonald· May 19, 2017· Heavyweight· 27-10-2 vs 9-1-1
SD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Oli Thompson
Bellator 172: Thomson vs Freire· Feb 18, 2017· Heavyweight· 26-10-2 vs 17-10
UD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Tony Johnson Jr.
Bellator 161: Kongo vs Johnson· Sep 16, 2016· Heavyweight· 25-10-2 vs 10-3
MD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Vinicius Queiroz
Bellator 150: Kongo vs Spartan· Feb 26, 2016· Heavyweight· 24-10-2 vs 8-4
SD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Alexander Volkov
Bellator 139: Kongo vs Volkov· Jun 26, 2015· Heavyweight· 23-10-2 vs 24-6
UD
R3 · 5:00
LOSS
vs Muhammed Lawal
Bellator 134: British Invasion· Feb 27, 2015· Heavyweight· 22-10-2 vs 15-4
SD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Lavar Johnson
Bellator MMA: Bellator 123· Sep 5, 2014· Heavyweight· 22-9-2 vs 18-10
SUB
R1 · 3:27
WIN
vs Eric Smith
Bellator MMA: Bellator 120· May 16, 2014· Heavyweight· 21-9-2 vs 6-2
TKO
R2 · 4:35
LOSS
vs Vitaly MinakovTitle bout
Bellator MMA: Bellator 115· Apr 3, 2014· Heavyweight· 20-9-2 vs 14-0
UD
R5 · 5:00
WIN
vs Peter Graham
Bellator MMA: Bellator 107· Nov 7, 2013· Heavyweight· 20-8-2 vs 10-6
UD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Mark Godbeer
Bellator MMA: Bellator 102· Oct 3, 2013· Heavyweight· 19-8-2 vs 8-2
TKO
R2 · 2:04
LOSS
vs Roy Nelson
UFC 159: Jones vs Sonnen· Apr 27, 2013· Heavyweight· 18-8-2 vs 19-7
TKO
R1 · 2:03
WIN
vs Shawn Jordan
UFC 149: Faber vs Barao· Jul 21, 2012· Heavyweight· 18-7-2 vs 13-4
UD
R3 · 5:00
LOSS
vs Mark Hunt
UFC 144: Edgar vs Henderson· Feb 26, 2012· Heavyweight· 17-7-2 vs 8-7
TKO
R1 · 2:11
WIN
vs Matt Mitrione
UFC 137: Penn vs Diaz· Oct 29, 2011· Heavyweight· 17-6-2 vs 5-1
UD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Pat Barry
UFC Live: Kongo vs Barry· Jun 26, 2011· Heavyweight· 16-6-2 vs 6-3
TKO
R1 · 2:39
KOTN
DRAW
vs Travis Browne
UFC 120: Bisping vs Akiyama· Oct 16, 2010· Heavyweight· 15-6-2 vs 10-0-1
DRAW
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Paul Buentello
UFC Live: Vera vs Jones· Mar 21, 2010· Heavyweight· 15-6-1 vs 27-12
TKO
R3 · 1:16
LOSS
vs Frank Mir
UFC 107: Penn vs Sanchez· Dec 11, 2009· Heavyweight· 14-6-1 vs 13-4
SUB
R1 · 1:12
LOSS
vs Cain Velasquez
UFC 99: THE COMEBACK· Jun 13, 2009· Heavyweight· 14-5-1 vs 6-0
UD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Antoni Hardonk
UFC 97: REDEMPTION· Apr 18, 2009· Heavyweight· 14-4-1 vs 8-5
TKO
R2 · 2:29
WIN
vs Mostapha Al-Turk
UFC 92: THE ULTIMATE 2008· Dec 27, 2008· Heavyweight· 13-4-1 vs 6-4
TKO
R1 · 4:37
WIN
vs Dan Evensen
UFC 87: SEEK AND DESTROY· Aug 9, 2008· Heavyweight· 12-4-1 vs 10-3
TKO
R1 · 4:55
LOSS
vs Heath Herring
UFC 82: PRIDE OF A CHAMPION· Mar 1, 2008· Heavyweight· 11-4-1 vs 28-13
SD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Mirko Filipovic
UFC 75: Champion vs Champion· Sep 8, 2007· Heavyweight· 11-3-1 vs 22-6-2
UD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Assuerio Silva
UFC 70: NATIONS COLLIDE· Apr 21, 2007· Heavyweight· 10-3-1 vs 13-6
MD
R3 · 5:00
LOSS
vs Carmelo Marrero
UFC 64: UNSTOPPABLE· Oct 14, 2006· Heavyweight· 9-3-1 vs 6-0
SD
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Christian Wellisch
UFC 62: Liddell vs Sobral· Aug 25, 2006· Heavyweight· 9-2-1 vs 6-3
TKO
R1 · 2:51
WIN
vs Gilbert Aldana
UFC 61: Bitter Rivals· Jul 8, 2006· Heavyweight· 8-2-1 vs 5-2
TKO
R1 · 4:13
WIN
vs Dave Dalgliesh
Rings Holland· Dec 11, 2005· Heavyweight· 7-2-1 vs 19-14-2
TKO
WIN
vs Gabor Nemeth
Kings of the Ring· Jun 4, 2005· Heavyweight· 6-2-1 vs 4-3
TKO
LOSS
vs Gilbert Yvel
It's Showtime 10· May 20, 2004· Heavyweight· 5-2-1 vs 28-9-1
TKO
R2 · 4:42
WIN
vs Joop Kasteel
Rings Holland· Apr 4, 2004· Heavyweight· 5-1-1 vs 22-18
TKO
R1 · 4:31
WIN
vs Dave Vader
Fighting Network RINGS· Sep 27, 2003· 4-1-1 vs 12-6-3
DEC
WIN
vs Hans Nijman
It's Showtime 8· Jun 8, 2003· Heavyweight· 3-1-1 vs 22-21-1
SUB
R2 · 0:59
DRAW
vs Michael Knaap
It's Showtime 6· Sep 29, 2002· Heavyweight· 2-1-1 vs 6-0-3
DEC
LOSS
vs Rodney Glunder
Rings Holland· Jun 2, 2002· Heavyweight· 2-1 vs 12-7-3
UD
WIN
vs Dave van der Veen
Fighting Network RINGS· Dec 2, 2001· 2-0 vs 4-9
TKO
WIN
vs Andre Tete
Fighting Network RINGS· Jun 10, 2001· 1-0 vs 0-4
SUB

Title bout

Background

Credentials, amateur pedigree and camp

BaseKarateKickboxingMuay Thai

2013Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament Winner · Bellator MMA
2011Comeback of the Year
2005World Champion · King of the Rings
2005Tournament Champion · King of Colosseum
2004Heavyweight Champion · King of the Ring
2004Muay Thai World Champion
2003Muay Thai Intercontinental Champion
2002European Champion · Rings
2001Runner-up · Rings European Championship · Heavyweight
Black belt · Karate
Black belt · Other
Brown belt · Other · Charles Joussot and Franck Ropers
AGE 5Started in Karate
AGE 19Started in Boxing
AGE 19Started in Muay Thai
AGE 19Started in Savate
AGE 19Started in Greco-Roman Wrestling

Camp

Kongo Smashin' Club · Colombes, France Founder
Wolfslair MMA Academy · Widnes, England Former
Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center · Huntington Beach, California, United States Former

Coaches

Charles Joussot · Grappling coach
Franck Ropers · Grappling coach
Bas Rutten · Mentor

Fight DNA

Striking Technician

UFCalendar's style model · Heavyweight roster (255 fighters)

Granite Base

98 · best in division

Punch power93

Kick power91

Punch speed69

Kick speed93

Accuracy96

Takedowns95

Ground striking99

Submissions79

Chin96

Body strength98

Cardio92

Attributes are rated 0-100 by UFCalendar's style model.

By the numbers

Pro MMARecord: 31-12-2 · Source: UFCalendar

Striking

Strikes landed3.51per min

58% accuracy

Strikes absorbed1.43per min

54% avoided

Grappling

Takedowns landed2.20per 15 min

63% success

Takedowns stuffed53%

Submission attempts0.3per 15 min

UFC careerRecord: 11-6-1 · Source: UFCStats.com

Striking

Strikes landed3.51per min

58% accuracy

Strikes absorbed1.43per min

54% avoided

Grappling

Takedowns landed2.20per 15 min

63% success

Takedowns stuffed53%

Submission attempts0.3per 15 min

See every fight's numbers

Where they rank

All-time boards where Cheick Kongo sits in the top 25.

All MMA

UFC

Bonus résumé

Cheick Kongo has won 1 UFC post-fight bonus.

★ KO of the Night ×1

★ KOTNvs Pat Barry · UFC Live: Kongo vs BarryJun 26, 2011

Estimates use each era's real amount: $50,000 from 2012, $100,000 from UFC 324, plus $25,000 finish incentives. 1 pre-2012 award is not priced · amounts varied per event.

All-time bonus leaders →

Recent & upcoming opponents

Salary & career earnings

Disclosed purses, reported paydays and what we estimate Cheick Kongo earns per fight.

Cheick Kongo's salary & career earnings →

UFCalendar Power Index rating

Current: 1793▼11
Peak: 1868Feb 16, 2019
Rated fights: 44

See the full Power Index →

Frequently asked questions

When does Cheick Kongo fight next?

Cheick Kongo has no confirmed upcoming fight.

What is Cheick Kongo's record?

Cheick Kongo's professional MMA record is 31-12-2.

Who is Cheick Kongo fighting next?

Cheick Kongo's next opponent has not been announced.

Who did Cheick Kongo fight last?

Cheick Kongo most recently fought Ryan Bader at Bellator 280: Bader vs Kongo 2 on Friday, May 6, 2022, LOSS (Unanimous Decision).

What weight class does Cheick Kongo fight in?

Cheick Kongo fights at Heavyweight.

How many knockouts does Cheick Kongo have?

Cheick Kongo has 15 wins by KO/TKO and 4 wins by submission.

How many UFC bonuses has Cheick Kongo won?

Cheick Kongo has won 1 UFC post-fight bonus: 1× KO of the Night.

How tall is Cheick Kongo?

Cheick Kongo is 6'4" (193 cm) tall.

How much does Cheick Kongo weigh?

Cheick Kongo weighs 240 lbs (109 kg).

What is Cheick Kongo's reach?

Cheick Kongo has a reach of 82" (208 cm).

How old is Cheick Kongo?

Cheick Kongo is 51 years old (born May 17, 1975).

Where is Cheick Kongo from?

Cheick Kongo is from France.

Get Cheick Kongo's fight history and stats as JSON with the MMA Fight Data API →

CAREER SUMMARY