Daniel Spitz

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Daniel Spitz

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| other_names = Daddy Long Legs{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Daniel-Spitz-172211|title=Daniel|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

| ethnicity =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|07|31}}

| birth_place = Spokane, Washington, U.S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/daniel-spitz|title=Daniel Spitz - Official UFC® Profile|website=UFC|language=en|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

| fighting_out_of = Spokane, Washington, U.S.

| death_date =

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| height = {{height|ft=6|in=7}}

| weight_kg = 110.5

| weight_class = Heavyweight

| reach = 82 in{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/73587-daniel-spitz|title=Daniel Spitz|website=Tapology|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

| style =

| rank =

| stance = Orthodox

| teacher =

| team = Sikjitsu

| trainer = Rick Little -Coach

| years_active = 2013–2019

| kickbox_win =

| kickbox_kowin =

| kickbox_loss =

| kickbox_koloss =

| kickbox_draw =

| kickbox_nc =

| mma_kowin = 2

| mma_subwin = 3

| mma_decwin = 1

| mma_koloss = 1

| mma_subloss =

| mma_decloss = 2

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| am_label =

| am_win =

| am_kowin =

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| am_koloss =

| am_subloss =

| am_draw =

| am_nc =

| other =

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| students =

| university = Washington State University

| url =

| boxrec =

| sherdog = 172211

}}

Daniel Spitz (born July 31, 1990) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2013 until 2019, he competed for King of the Cage and the UFC.

Background

Spitz was born in Spokane, Washington, United States. He attended Mead High School, where he starred in football as a defensive lineman and tight end. Spitz later continued playing football as an offensive lineman for Washington State University, weighing 302 lbs. at the time, and earned a degree in Psychology. After his collegiate football career was over, he transitioned to MMA as he wanted to stay physically active. He trained under Rick Little and competed in his first amateur fight after one month of training. He was instantly hooked after his fight competition and never looked back since. He trains at Sikjitsu in Spokane, and his teammates are UFC fighters Michael Chiesa, Julianna Pena, and Sam Sicilia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/2/26/14744270/ufc-209-welcome-daniel-spitz-vs-godbeer-cynthia-calvillo-vs-cooper-andre-soukhamthath-vs-morales-mma|title=UFC 209 brings new talent to 265 and women's 115|work=Bloody Elbow|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

Mixed martial arts career

=Early career=

After compiling a 5-1 amateur record,{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/73587-daniel-spitz|title = Daniel Spitz ("Daddy Long Legs") | MMA Fighter Page}} Spitz fought all his fights in the United States for Excite Fight, King of the Cage (KOTC) and Conquest of the Cage (COTC) promotions. His notable win came over former notable UFC veteran Wesley Correira{{Cite web|url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/fighter/Daniel-Spitz:BCF7111F41FAD1AA|title=Daniel Spitz : Official MMA Fight Record (6-1-0)|website=The Underground|access-date=October 20, 2017}} and he amassed a record of 5-0 prior to joining the UFC.

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

In his UFC debut, Spitz faced Mark Godbeer, replacing Todd Duffee, on a 9-day notice,{{Citation|last=MMAjunkie|title=Daniel Spitz full post-UFC Fight Night 116 interview|date=September 16, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJYSo_MAi14|access-date=October 20, 2017}} on March 4, 2017, at UFC 209 in Las Vegas.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/02/mark-godbeer-says-opponent-todd-duffee-out-of-ufc-209-matchup|title=Mark Godbeer says opponent Todd Duffee out of UFC 209 matchup|date=February 16, 2017|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=October 20, 2017|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/3/1/14757702/ufc-209-mark-godbeer-sikjitsu-body-punches-daniel-spitz-uk-mma-interview-news|title=UFC 209's Mark Godbeer aiming to show Sikjitsu opponent the danger of 'belly punches'|work=Bloody Elbow|access-date=October 20, 2017}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/03/ufc-209-results-mark-godbeer-has-the-gas-to-outlast-daniel-spitz-for-unanimous-decision-win|title=UFC 209 results: Mark Godbeer has the gas to outlast Daniel Spitz for unanimous decision win|date=March 5, 2017|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=October 20, 2017|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-ufc-209-live-coverage-woodley-vs-mark-godbeer-vs-daniel-spitz-live-1488675269-htmlstory.html|title=UFC 209 recap: Woodley vs. Thompson 2|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 20, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}

On September 16, 2017, Spitz stepped into the octagon for his second UFC fight against Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 116.{{Cite news|url=http://mmadna.nl/daniel-spitz-keert-terug-tijdens-ufc-fight-night-116-tegen-anthony-hamilton/|title=Daniel Spitz keert terug tijdens UFC Fight Night 116 tegen Anthony Hamilton|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=October 20, 2017|work=MMA DNA|access-date=October 20, 2017|language=en-US}} He won the fight via technical knockout in 24 seconds on round one.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/09/ufc-pittsburgh-results-daniel-spitz-derails-anthony-hamilton-in-just-24-seconds-calls-out-chase-sherman|title=UFC-Pittsburgh results: Daniel Spitz derails Anthony Hamilton in just 24 seconds, calls out Chase Sherman|date=October 20, 2017|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=October 20, 2017|language=en-US}}{{Citation|last=UFC ON FOX|title=Daniel Spitz KOs Anthony Hamilton {{!}} UFC FIGHT NIGHT|date=October 20, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4FG9aaKLb8|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

Spitz faced Walt Harris on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/harris-vs-spitz-brooks-vs-sandoval-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-utica/|title=Harris vs. Spitz & Brooks vs. Sandoval toegevoegd aan UFC Utica|last=DNA|first=MMA|website=mmadna.nl|date=February 24, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=February 24, 2018}} He lost the fight via in second round.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/06/ufc-fight-night-131-results-walt-harris-knockout-daniel-spitz-late-in-second-utica|title=UFC Fight Night 131 results: Walt Harris knocks out Daniel Spitz late in second|date=June 2, 2018|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=June 18, 2018|language=en-US}}

Spitz was scheduled to face Jeff Hughes on March 9, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 4.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/daniel-spitz-treft-lfa-heavyweight-kampioen-jeff-hughes-tijdens-ufc-wichita/|title=Daniel Spitz treft LFA Heavyweight Kampioen Jeff Hughes tijdens UFC Wichita|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=January 4, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=January 4, 2019}} However, Spitz pulled out of the fight in February citing injury and Maurice Greene replaced him.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/blessuregeval-zorgt-voor-rematch-tussen-jeff-hughes-en-maurice-greene-tijdens-ufc-wichita/|title=Blessuregeval zorgt voor rematch tussen Jeff Hughes en Maurice Greene tijdens UFC Wichita|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=February 16, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=February 18, 2019}}

Spitz faced promotional newcomer Tanner Boser on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/heavyweightclash-tussen-daniel-spitz-en-tanner-boser-tijdens-ufc-on-espn-6-in-boston/|title=Heavyweight clash between Daniel Spitz and Tanner Boser during UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston|author= Redactie|language=nl|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2019}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/10/18/ufc-boston-results-spitz-vs-boser/|title=UFC Boston Results: Tanner Boser Finally Arrives, Defeats Daniel Spitz|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=October 18, 2019|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=October 19, 2019}} Spitz was subsequently released from the promotion.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/02/ufc-roster-update-ben-saunders-brandon-davis-among-eight-fighters-released|title=UFC roster update: Ben Saunders, Brandon Davis among eight fighters released|author=Nolan King|date=February 11, 2020|publisher=mmajunkie.com}}

The UFC released Spitz on February 11, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/report-13-fighters-cut-from-ufc-including-ben-saunders/|title=Report {{!}} 13 fighters cut from UFC including Ben Saunders {{!}} BJPenn.com|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=February 11, 2020|website={{!}} BJPenn.com|language=en-US|access-date=February 12, 2020}}

Personal life

Spitz went to Washington State University and earned a degree in Psychology and a minor in businesses study.

He worked full-time at Starbucks and part-time as a bouncer prior signed by UFC.

Spitz has a tight knit group of friends from his childhood he affectionately calls "The QuadPod". Spitz loves water related sport activities and he is a boxing fan.{{Citation|title=Episode 83: Daniel Spitz|url=https://soundcloud.com/topturtlemma/episode-83-daniel-spitz|language=en|access-date=October 20, 2017}}