Khalid Taha
{{short description|German MMA fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Khalid Taha
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| other_names = The Warrior
| nationality = German
| ethnicity =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|02|15}}
| birth_place = Dortmund, Germany{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/khalid-taha|title=Khalid Taha|website=UFC|date=14 September 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}
| fighting_out_of = Warendorf, Germany
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}
| weight_lb = 135
| weight_class = Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
| style =
| rank = Green belt in Taekwondo{{cite web|url=https://www.ufcespanol.com/athlete/khalid-taha|title=Khalid Taha - Official UFC Profile|website=UFC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723220114/http://ufc.com/fighter/khalid-taha|archive-date=July 23, 2018}}
| wrestling =
| stance =
| teacher =
| team = Arena Dortmund
| trainer =
| years_active = 2013–present
| kickbox_win =
| kickbox_kowin =
| kickbox_loss =
| kickbox_koloss =
| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 11
| mma_subwin = 2
| mma_decwin = 2
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss = 3
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc = 1
| am_label =
| am_win =
| am_kowin =
| am_subwin =
| am_loss =
| am_koloss =
| am_subloss =
| am_draw =
| am_nc =
| other =
| occupation =
| spouse =
| relatives =
| students =
| university =
| url =
| boxrec =
| sherdog = 117849
}}
Khalid Taha (born February 15, 1992) is a German mixed martial artist currently competing in the bantamweight division. A professional since 2013, he has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Rizin Fighting Federation.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
Taha started fighting MMA professionally in 2013. He has fought under numerous organizations, notably German MMA Championship, Fair Fighting Championship and Rizin Fighting Federation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Khalid-Taha-117849|title=Khalid|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-10-05}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
Taha made his UFC debut on July 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith against Nad Narimani.{{Cite web|url=https://mma.bg/novini/mma-novini/nad-narimani-pobedi-khalid-taha-v-debyuta-si-za-ufc|title=Nad Narimani победи Khalid Taha в дебюта си за UFC — MMA.BG|website=mma.bg|language=bg|access-date=2019-10-05}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/07/ufc-fight-night-134-hamburg-germany-results-nad-narimani-takedown-attack-grinds-out-khalid-taha|title=UFC Fight Night 134 results: Nad Narimani takedown attack grinds out Khalid Taha|date=2018-07-22|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}
Taha was scheduled to face Boston Salmon on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/mma/report-boston-salmon-faces-khalid-taha-tuf-28-finale|title=Boston Salmon faces Khalid Taha at TUF 28 Finale|publisher=fightful.com|author=David Tees|date=2018-10-20|access-date=2018-11-29}} However, Taha was pulled from the event due to a torn ACL and the bout was cancelled.{{Cite web|url=https://mymmanews.com/boston-salmon-khalid-taha/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Boston Salmon vs Khalid Taha rescheduled for April 13|date=2019-02-06|website=MyMMANews.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-05}} The pairing was rescheduled at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/04/ufc-236-results-khalid-taha-left-hand-earns-25-second-win-over-boston-salmon|title=UFC 236 results: Khalid Taha left hand earns 25-second win over Boston Salmon|date=2019-04-14|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}
Taha was scheduled to face Bruno Gustavo da Silva on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/5/21/18634786/khalid-taha-bruno-silva-ufc-242-abu-dhabi|title=Khalid Taha vs. Bruno Silva set for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi|last=Cruz|first=Guilherme|date=2019-05-21|website=MMA Fighting|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}} However, on August 21, it was reported that the bout was moved to UFC 243.{{Cite web|url=https://ranfighting.de/mma/kampf-verlegt-khalid-taha-ufc-243-octagon|title=ran FIGHTING|website=ranfighting.de|date=18 April 2018|language=de|access-date=2019-10-05}} Taha won the fight via a submission in round three.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/10/05/ufc-243-results-khalid-taha-submits-bruno-silva-in-back-and-forth-matchup/|title=UFC 243 Results: Khalid Taha Beats Bruno Silva by third round submission|last=Shillan|first=Keith|date=2019-10-05|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-06}} On December 23, 2019, Taha received one year USADA suspension for tested positive for furosemide (diuretics) in an in-competition urine sample provided on Oct. 6 2019 where Taha took a medicine for reducing inflammation and swelling in his eyes which contained furosemide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.germanfightnews.com/khalid-taha-alles-andere-als-ein-dopingsuender/|title=Khalid Taha – alles andere als ein Dopingsünder!|date=2019-12-24|website=German Fight News|language=de-DE|access-date=2019-12-25}} He became eligible to compete again on October 6, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/USADA-Suspends-Khalid-Taha-1-Year-for-Failed-Drug-Test-at-UFC-243-167941|title=USADA Suspends Khalid Taha 1 Year for Failed Drug Test at UFC 243|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-12-24}}
Taha was expected to face Jack Shore on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2020-09-27|title=Jack Shore en Khalid Taha treffen elkaar op 7 november|url=https://mmadna.nl/jack-shore-en-khalid-taha-treffen-elkaar-op-7-november/|access-date=2020-09-28|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} However, Shore was removed from the bout in late-October due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Raoni Barcelos.{{Cite web|title=With Jack Shore out, Raoni Barcelos steps in to face Khalid Taha at UFC on ESPN+ 40|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/jack-shore-out-raoni-barcelos-vs-khalid-taha-ufc-espn-plus-40-mma-fight-booking|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-10-28|access-date=2020-10-28}} Taha lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Vreeland|first=Daniel|date=2020-11-07|title=UFC Vegas 13 Results: Raoni Barcelos Outslugs Khalid Taha|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/07/ufc-vegas-13-results-raoni-barcelos/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.{{Cite web|last=Hiergesell|first=Dan|date=2020-11-08|title=UFC Vegas 13 Bonuses! 'King Kong' Banks $50K For Insane Forearm Submission|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2020/11/8/21554293/ufc-vegas-13-official-bonus-winners-results-santos-teixeira-mma-espn-romanov-chikadze-taha-barcelos|access-date=2020-11-08|website=MMAmania.com|language=en}}
Taha faced Sergey Morozov on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-04-09|title=Khalid Taha vs. Sergey Morozov Set For July 17 UFC Event|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/04/09/khalid-taha-vs-sergey-morozov-set-for-july-17-ufc-event/|access-date=2021-04-10|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2021-07-17|title=UFC Vegas 31 Results: Sergey Morozov Earns One-Sided Decision Against Khalid Taha|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/07/17/ufc-vegas-31-results-khalid-taha-vs-sergey-morozov/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Taha was scheduled to face Mario Bautista on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 201.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-11-12|title=Mario Bautista treft Khalid Taha op 19 februari tijdens een UFC evenement|url=https://mmadna.nl/mario-bautista-treft-khalid-taha-op-19-februari-tijdens-een-ufc-evenement/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} However, Taha had to pull out off the bout due to undisclosed reasons.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2022-02-15|title=Jay Perrin Gets Short-Notice Call to Face Mario Bautista at UFC Vegas 48|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/02/15/jay-perrin-gets-short-notice-call-to-face-mario-bautista-at-ufc-vegas-48/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Taha was scheduled to face Taylor Lapilus on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209.;{{Cite web |date=2022-07-21 |title=Taylor Lapilus re-signs with UFC, meets Khalid Taha on Sept. 3 in Paris |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/07/ufc-paris-taylor-lapilus-vs-khalid-taha-mma-fight-booking-announcement |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} but on August 23, Lapilus forfeited from the event due to a broken hand,{{cite news |title=UFC Paris. Le Français Taylor Lapilus forfait en raison d'une fracture à la main gauche |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/mma/ufc-paris-le-francais-taylor-lapilus-forfait-en-raison-d-une-fracture-a-la-main-gauche-aba2b896-2323-11ed-8661-a88a5b97efaf |access-date=24 August 2022 |agency=Ouest-France |date=23 August 2022}} and he was replaced by Cristian Quiñónez.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Tapilus lesionado, Cristian Quinonez enfrenta a Khalid Taha en UFC París - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. |url=https://mma.uno/tapilus-lesionado-cristian-quinonez-enfrenta-a-khalid-taha-en-ufc-paris/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=mma.uno |language=es}} He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.{{Cite web|last=Richardson|first=Andrew|date=2022-09-03|title=UFC Paris highlights: Cristian Quinonez stops Khalid Taha in the first round for debut victory|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2022/9/3/23335558/cristian-quinonez-khalid-taha-ufc-paris-full-fight-video-highlights-results-espn-mma/|access-date=2022-09-03|website=MMA Mania|language=en-US}}
After the loss, it was announced that Taha was no longer on the UFC roster.{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Susan |date=2022-09-14 |title=The UFC parts ways with four more fighters |url=https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/the-ufc-parts-ways-with-four-more-fighters-6/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website={{!}} BJPenn.com |language=en-US}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) {{small| vs. Raoni Barcelos}}
Personal life
Taha is of Lebanese descent.{{cite web|title=Lebanese-German Khalid Taha set for Rizin FF Grand Prix|url=https://www.arabsmma.com/lebanese-german-khalid-taha-set-rizin-ff-grand-prix/|work=Arab's MMA|date=26 June 2017|access-date=5 October 2019}}{{cite web|title=Lebanese-German Khalid Taha earns 1st UFC win at 'UFC 236' in Atlanta, Georgia|url=https://conandaily.com/2019/04/14/lebanese-german-khalid-taha-earns-1st-ufc-win-at-ufc-236-in-atlanta-georgia/|publisher=CONAN Daily|first=Conan|last=Altatis|date=14 April 2019|access-date=5 October 2019}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| nc= 1
| ko-wins= 11
| sub-wins= 2
| dec-wins= 2
| ko-losses= 1
| sub-losses= 1
| dec-losses= 3
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
| draws=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|15–5 (1)
|Jose Zarauz
|TKO (punches and elbows)
|{{dts|2025|April|5}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:04
|Dortmund, Germany
|{{small|Catchweight (150 lb) bout; Zarauz missed weight (150.4 lb).}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|{{nowrap|14–5 (1)}}
|William Valentim
|TKO (punches)
|National FC 13
|{{dts|2023|March|25}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:26
|Dortmund, Germany
|{{small|Return to Featherweight.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–5 (1)
|Cristian Quiñónez
|TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa
|{{dts|2022|September|03}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:15
|Paris, France
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–4 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés
|{{dts|2021|July|17}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–3 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira
|{{dts|2020|November|7}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{Nocontest}}NC
|align=center|13–2 (1)
|NC (overturned)
|{{dts|2019|October|6}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Melbourne, Australia
|{{small|Catchweight (137 lb) bout; Taha missed weight. Originally a submission (arm-triangle choke) win for Taha; overturned after he tested positive for furosemide.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–2
|Boston Salmon
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2019|April|13}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:25
|Atlanta, Georgia, United States
|{{small|Return to Bantamweight.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith
|{{dts|2018|July|22}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Hamburg, Germany
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12–1
|Hamza Kooheji
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Brave CF 12
|{{dts|2017|May|11}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|N/A
|Jakarta, Indonesia
|{{small|Return to Featherweight.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–1
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round
|{{dts|2017|December|29}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:23
|Saitama, Japan
|{{small|2017 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11–0
|Keita Ishibashi
|KO (knees and punches)
|Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 1
|{{dts|2017|July|30}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:52
|Saitama, Japan
|{{small|2017 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix First Round.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–0
|Timo-Juhani Hirvikangas
|Decision (split)
|GMC 9
|{{dts|2016|November|19}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Castrop-Rauxel, Germany
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–0
|Michail Chrisopoulos
|KO (punch)
|Fair FC 5
|{{dts|2016|November|19}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:20
|Eindhoven, Netherlands
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–0
|Nijat Valujev
|TKO (punches)
|Fair FC: Top Ten Champions
|{{dts|2016|March|12}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:26
|Herne, Germany
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–0
|Daniel Makin
|TKO (punches)
|Fair FC 4
|{{dts|2015|November|28}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:20
|Eindhoven, Netherlands
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–0
|Omer Cankardesler
|Decision (unanimous)
|Fair FC 3
|{{dts|2015|March|28}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Rheinberg, Germany
|{{small|Won the Fair FC Bantamweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–0
|Ali Selcuk Ayin
|TKO (submission to punches)
|GMC 5
|{{dts|2014|September|13}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:59
|Herne, Germany
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–0
|Manuel Bilić
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Fair FC 1
|{{dts|2014|February|08}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:24
|Herne, Germany
|{{small|Bantamweight debut.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–0
|Florin Gârdan
|TKO (knees)
|RNC: Martial Arts Gala
|{{dts|2013|November|30}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:43
|Frankenthal, Germany
|{{small|Featherweight debut.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|John Isac
|TKO (punches)
|GMC 4
|{{dts|2013|July|06}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:20
|Herne, Germany
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Muhammed Celebi
|TKO (punches)
|MMA Bundesliga 2
|{{dts|2013|April|06}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:43
|Herne, Germany
|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}
|-
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog|117849}}
- {{UFC|khalid-taha}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taha, Khalid}}
Category:German male mixed martial artists
Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:German practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:German male taekwondo practitioners
Category:German people of Lebanese descent
Category:Sportspeople from Dortmund
Category:People from Warendorf
Category:Sportspeople from Münster (region)
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters