Hunter Azure
{{short description|American mixed martial artist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Hunter Azure
| native_name =
| other_names =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|03|02}}
| birth_place = Poplar, Montana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = 5 ft 8 in
| weight_lb = 135
| weight_class = Bantamweight
| reach = 70.5 in
| style =
| fighting_out_of = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.{{cite web|title='No better feeling': Poplar's Hunter Azure takes week to enjoy UFC win|url=https://406mtsports.com/high-school/wrestling/no-better-feeling-poplars-hunter-azure-takes-week-to-enjoy-ufc-win/article_31e45c6d-7cda-57cd-8189-668c869c1590.html|first=Victor|last=Flores|date=September 17, 2019|accessdate=August 5, 2020|publisher=406 MT Sports}}
| team = Fight Ready{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/hunter-azure-settling-into-fatherhood-and-preparing-to-fight|title=Hunter Azure Settling Into Fatherhood And Preparing to Fight|date=April 19, 2020|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship|author=Thomas Gerbasi}}
| rank =
| years_active = 2017–present
| mma_kowin = 4
| mma_subwin = 2
| mma_decwin = 7
| mma_dqwin =
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 1
| mma_dqloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 251727
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Hunter Azure (born March 2, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Azure was born on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana, and went on to attend Poplar High School, where he was a four-time Class-B MHSA state champion as a wrestler. He then wrestled at Montana State University–Northern, where he earned a degree in industrial technology.{{Cite web|title=Poplar graduate Hunter Azure earns UFC contract|url=https://406mtsports.com/high-school/wrestling/poplar-graduate-hunter-azure-earns-ufc-contract/article_a75b5050-3ba4-54b0-a9a5-adc99153b5d5.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=406 MT SPORTS|date=July 9, 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Poplar's Azure to wrestle at Northern|url=https://missoulian.com/sports/college/poplars-azure-to-wrestle-at-northern/article_7ab62eb2-6548-11df-8f96-001cc4c002e0.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=missoulian.com|date=May 21, 2010 |language=en}}
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
Azure spent most of his early career in regional Western American promotions, most notably fighting in the Legacy Fighting Alliance. During this time he compiled an undefeated 6–0 record.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Hunter-Azure-251727|title=Hunter Azure|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2020-08-31}}
=Dana White's Contender Series=
He was eventually invited to the Dana White's Contender Series 19. On July 9, 2019, he faced fellow undefeated prospect Chris Ocon, defeating him via unanimous decision and in the process gaining a UFC contract.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/07/dana-white-contender-series-hunter-azure-not-happy|title=Hunter Azure not happy with performance despite earning UFC deal at DWCS 19|date=2019-07-09|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2020-09-05}}
= Ultimate Fighting Championship =
Azure made his promotional debut against The Ultimate Fighter 27 Featherweight Tournament winner Brad Katona on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Brad-Katona-to-Fight-Hunter-Azure-at-UFC-Vancouver-159501|title=Brad Katona to Fight Hunter Azure at UFC Vancouver|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-10-11}} He won the bout by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/gallery/hunter-azure-vs-brad-katona-ufc-on-espn-plus-16-vancouver-photo-gallery-mma|title=Hunter Azure def. Brad Katona at UFC on ESPN+ 16: Best photos|date=2019-09-14|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-10-11}}
Azure was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249.{{Cite web|date=2020-02-28|title=Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Hunter Azure joins UFC 249 lineup in Brooklyn|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/02/umar-nurmagomedov-vs-hunter-azure-ufc-249-brooklyn-khabib|access-date=2020-09-17|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} However, the event was then postponed.{{Cite web|last=406mtsports.com|title=Second UFC fight for Poplar native Hunter Azure postponed|url=https://406mtsports.com/high-school/wrestling/second-ufc-fight-for-poplar-native-hunter-azure-postponed/article_49b53713-895e-5c6f-81d2-95da0e915e85.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=406 MT SPORTS|date=April 9, 2020 |language=en}}
Azure faced Brian Kelleher on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira.{{Cite web|title=Dana White announces full list of UFC matchups for May 13, May 16 events in Florida|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/ufc-may-events-jacksonville-florida-dana-white-announcement-lineup|date=2020-05-01|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2020-05-02}} He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.{{Cite web|title=UFC Jacksonville Results: Brian Kelleher Weathers the Storm to KO Azure|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/05/13/kelleher-weathers-the-storm-to-ko-azure/|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2020-05-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-14}} This bout earned both participants the Fight of the Night award.{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=UFC Fight Night 171 Bonuses: Teixeira, Dober, Kelleher, Azure Pocket $50K Awards|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Fight-Night-171-Bonuses-Teixeira-Dober-Kelleher-Azure-Pocket-3650K-Awards-172867|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Sherdog}}
Azure faced Cole Smith on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai.{{Cite web|url=https://mmasucka.com/2020/08/07/cole-smith-vs-hunter-azure-added-to-september-5-ufc-event/|title=Cole Smith vs. Hunter Azure Added to September 5 UFC Event|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2019-08-07|website=MMAsucka|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}} He won by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-09-05|title=UFC Vegas 9 Results: Hunter Azure Survives, Defeats Cole Smith|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/09/05/ufc-vegas-9-results-hunter-azure/|access-date=2020-09-05|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Azure faced Jack Shore on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-02-13|title=Jack Shore treft Hunter Azure tijdens UFC evenement op 10 april|url=https://mmadna.nl/jack-shore-treft-hunter-azure-tijdens-ufc-evenement-op-10-april/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He lost the bout via split decision.{{cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|title=UFC Vegas 23 Results: Jack Shore Wins Gritty Debut Over Hunter Azure|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/04/10/ufc-vegas-23-results-jack-shore/|website=Cageside Press|access-date=10 April 2021|date=10 April 2021}}
On March 1, 2022, it was announced that Azure was released from UFC.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-02-28 |title=Fabio Cherant, Hunter Azure Latest Fighters to Exit UFC |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/02/28/fabio-cherant-hunter-azure-latest-exit-ufc/ |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
= Post UFC =
Azure made his first appearance post release at iKON FC 2 on March 18, 2022, against Keith Richardson. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-03-18 |title=iKON FC 2: Highbaugh vs. Dumas Full Results |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/18/ikon-fc-2-highbaugh-vs-dumas-full-results/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Azure faced Ben Hollier at Fusion Fight League: Boise on October 15, 2022, winning the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |title=Ben Hollier vs. Hunter Azure, Fusion Fight League {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/689617-fusion-fight-league-ben-the-lion-hollier-vs-hunter-azure |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}
Azure next faced Amun Cosme at United Fight League 4 for the vacant UFL Bantamweight title on April 17, 2024. He would win the fight via second-round technical knockout.{{cite web | url=https://406mtsports.com/extra/hunter-azure-united-fight-league-poplar-montana/article_eacc52f6-072a-11ef-89ed-972fa928c6c6.html | title=Poplar's Hunter Azure scores KO for United Fight League bantamweight belt | date=April 30, 2024 }}
Azure would make his first defence of the UFL Bantamweight title against fellow UFC veteran Vince Morales at United Fight League 5 on August 30, 2024. https://mmauk.net/2024/08/30/ufl-5-weigh-in-results/ He would lose the fight via submission in the third round succumbing to a Peruvian necktie. https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/30/ufl-5-results/
= The Ultimate Fighter 31 =
In mid March 2023, it was announced that Azure would be competing in the thirty-first season of The Ultimate Fighter.{{Cite web |last=Heck |first=Mike |date=2023-03-05 |title=Full TUF 31 cast revealed, featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler as coaches |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/3/5/23625885/full-tuf-31-cast-revealed-featuring-conor-mcgregor-and-michael-chandler-as-coaches |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}
In the quarterfinal Azure faced Rico DiSciullo. after a strong performance in the first round, he lost the fight in the second round by knock out.{{Cite web |title='The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,' Episode 8 recap: Did Conor McGregor avoid clean sweep?|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/the-ultimate-fighter-31-conor-mcgregor-vs-michael-chandler-recap-disciullo-vs-azure |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |date=July 19, 2023 |language=en}}
Personal life
Hunter and his fiancée Sage have a son. He is the son of Howard and Deb Azure and has three siblings. He is a native American, being an enrolled member of the Assiniboine and Sioux people on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.{{cite web|title=Hunter Azure (Assinniboine/Sioux) set to fight in LFA Bantam Weight Fight in Phoenix on Nov 9th|url=https://www.ndnsports.com/hunter-azure-assinniboine-sioux-set-to-fight-in-lfa-bantam-weight-fight-in-phoenix-on-nov-9th/|website=ndvsports.com|date=November 8, 2018|accessdate=September 5, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Poplar's Hunter Azure seeking UFC opportunity on Dana White's Contender Series|url=https://www.montanasports.com/more-sports/pro-sports/2019/07/05/poplars-hunter-azure-seeking-ufc-opportunity-on-dana-whites-contender-series/|website=montanasports.com|date=Jul 5, 2019|accessdate=September 5, 2020|first=Tom|last=Wylie}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) {{small|vs. Brian Kelleher}}
- United Fight League
- UFL Bantamweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|nc=
|ko-wins=4
|sub-wins=2
|dec-wins=7
|ko-losses=1
|sub-losses=2
|dec-losses=1
|dq-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–4
|Alvaro Quiroga Arellano
|Decision (unanimous)
|United Fight League 6
|{{dts|2025|May|02}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12–4
|Joel Haro
|Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|Fierce FC 36
|{{dts|2024|December|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:30
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|{{small|Won the vacant Fierce FC Bantamweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–4
|Submission (Peruvian necktie)
|United Fight League 5
|{{dts|2024|August|30}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:06
|Chandler, Arizona, United States
|{{small|Lost the UFL Bantamweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11–3
|Amun Cosme
|TKO (punch)
|United Fight League 4
|{{dts|2024|April|17}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:42
|Chandler, Arizona, United States
|{{small|Won the UFL Bantamweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–3
|Ben Hollier
|Decision (unanimous)
|Fusion Fight League: Boise
|{{dts|2022|October|15}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Boise, Idaho, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|9–3
|Keith Richardson
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Jorge Masvidal's iKon FC 2
|{{dts|2022|March|18}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:05
|Miami, Florida, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center|9–2
|Decision (split)
|UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland
|{{dts|2021|April|10}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|9–1
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai
| {{dts|2020|September|05}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 8–1
|KO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira
|{{dts|2020|May|13}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:40
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|{{small|Featherweight bout. Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–0
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje
| {{dts|2019|September|14}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|5:00
| Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–0
| Chris Ocon
| Decision (unanimous)
| Dana White's Contender Series 19
| {{dts|2019|July|9}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–0
| LJ Schulz
| Decision (unanimous)
| LFA 66
| {{dts|2019|May|10}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| West Valley City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–0
| Jaime Hernandez
| TKO (kick to the body and punches)
| LFA 59
| {{dts|2019|February|1}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:15
| Phoenix, Arizona, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| A.J. Robb
| Decision (unanimous)
| LFA 53
| {{dts|2018|November|09}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Phoenix, Arizona, United States
|{{small|Bantamweight debut.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| Cameron Thurgood
| TKO (punches)
| Golden Fights: Cage Wars 33
| {{dts|2018|August|4}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:01
| Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|2–0
| Joshua Sandvig
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Fusion Fight League: Lights Out at the Dome 2
| {{dts|2018|July|14}}
| align=center|2
| align=center|4:49
| Havre, Montana, United States
|{{small|Won the FFL Featherweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Jon Lorens
| TKO (punches)
| Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 29
| {{dts|2017|August|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:08
| Ogden, Utah, United States
|{{small|Featherweight debut.}}
|-
{{end}}
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
{{MMA exhibition record box
| draws=
| nc=
| ko-wins=
| ko-losses= 1
| sub-wins=
| sub-losses=
| dec-wins=
| dec-losses=
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|0–1
|Rico DiSciullo
|TKO (punches)
||The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler
|{{dts|2023|Jul|18|format=mdy}} (airdate)
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:07
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|The Ultimate Fighter 31 Quarterfinal round.}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog|251727}}
- {{UFC|hunter-azure}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azure, Hunter}}
Category:21st-century Native American people
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling
Category:Mixed martial artists from Montana
Category:American male sport wrestlers
Category:Native American sportspeople
Category:People from Poplar, Montana
Category:Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes people
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Category:Montana State University–Northern alumni